Project News

The Mechatronics Section of the Japan-Sri Lanka College of Technology (JSCoT) concluded a 3-day in-service training program on programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to a group of twelve instructors from different Technical Colleges.

The full-day program, held from 13 to 15 July 2009 at the College in Colombo, is the second course offered by the Mechatronics Section under the Know-How Dissemination component of the JSCoT Project. The course targeted instructors who teach courses in electrical and electronics technology and related subjects at Technical Colleges.

Speaking at the launch of the program, Mr. J Ariyasinghe, a Mechatronics instructor and Head of the Model Courses of the College said that knowledge in PLCs is invaluable in today’s context of rapid industrial automation. He stated that earlier automation systems used thousands of individual relays and cam timers, but all of the relays and timers in a factory can now be replaced with a single programmable logic controller.

Mr. K J A T Jayawardena, a Mechatronics instructor helped to design the program under the supervision of Mr. Ariyasinghe, Mr. Jayawardena stated that the second and third phases of this program will be held in August and October 2009. He urged the participants of this program to ensure they attend the next two phases of the course as the three phases are related.

Concluding the program, the participants said that the course was structured well and that they benefitted a lot by being able to get trained on the latest technology at the College. However they requested the Department to provide them with PLC circuit boards so that they are able to practice some of the exercises that were taught in the program. They further stated that the lack of PLC-related tools and equipment at their Technical Colleges nullifies the value of such in-service programs.

Their request has been forwarded to the Director General and the Director Research & Development of the Department. 

Report: Azad Ibrahim - JSCoT Consultant (Know-How Dissemination)
Photo: Hiroshi Saito - Acting Chief Advisor