Work in Progress: Empowering Vocational Education with Automation Technology and PLC Integration

This paper details the development and application of a Multi-Platform PLC Working Station (MPPWS) in the context of vocational education at Rui De International School, a collaborative venture between Henan Mechanical and Electrical Vocational College and Beijing German-Sino Education Technology Co., Ltd. The MPPWS is a hands-on educational platform designed to familiarize teachers and students with various Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) from different brands. The project, initiated through participation in the Xplore 2023 competition, resulted in the need for a multi-brand PLC training platform. The proposed solution offers a practical teaching model for vocational education in China. The device integrates PLCs from Phoenix Contact, Inovance, and Omron, allowing simultaneous training on different platforms. Training scenarios, such as the “Automatic Mixing System for Multiple Liquids,” demonstrate the device’s versatility. The educational approach involves group-based training for teachers, emphasizing communication among PLCs of different brands and distributed Input/Output (IO). For students, the focus is on simpler project content with an emphasis on software and parameter settings. The expected outcomes include an enhanced knowledge base for educators, transformative shifts in vocational education methodologies, and improved alignment with industry needs. The iterative feedback process ensures ongoing improvement, maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of the solution in vocational education.