Software Tools for Helping with the Design and Implementation of Automation Projects

1 Antonio M. López, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.1.15, 33204 Gijón, Spain. [email protected] 2 Víctor M. González, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.1.14, 33204 Gijón, Spain. [email protected] 3 José M. Enguita, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.1.14, 33204 Gijón, Spain. [email protected] 4 Felipe Mateos, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.2.04, 33204 Gijón, Spain. [email protected] 5 Antonio Robles, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.2.10, 33204 Gijón, Spain. [email protected] Abstract  The practical teaching of process automation requires laboratories equipped with a great variety of tools. The ideal configuration of a laboratory desk could be one made up of real, hardware components. Although the students will have the highest motivation with such configuration, the cost and the lack of flexibility are fundamental drawbacks that must be solved. A balance must be achieved between real and virtual components, which will lead to a balanced cost and flexibility without decreasing the students motivation and the quality of education. This balanced solution is presented in this paper.