VIRTUAL LABORATORY OF INDUSTRIAL SCENARIOS FOR TRAINING IN THE AREAS OF AUTOMATION AND CONTROL

The incorporation of new technologies and technological developments in the area of automation and control requires constant training of the personnel involved in such area. The majority of this training begins in the laboratories of educational institutions and training centers for automation personnel. These laboratories are where theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom is applied. Unfortunately, being limited in infrastructure, the use of those laboratories, in the best case scenarios, are restricted to only some actuators and sensors. Industry training is another source in which individual companies have their own internal training programs led by experts in the field. However, this method of training is not always successful since any error in programming of the controllers may lead into putting personnel at risk or financial losses for the company