Application of the Project-Based Learning (PBL) Methodology in the Control and Automation Engineering Program

Abstract

Engineering education demands practical approaches that complement theoretical teaching and prepare students for real-world challenges. This article reports on the application of the Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology in the Integrative Project course of the Control and Automation Engineering program at the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT). The main objective was to develop a functional prototype of an Automated Storage Management System (SAGA), integrating an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), a stacker crane, and a web-based Human-Machine Interface (HMI). The project's execution required the articulation of knowledge in CAD modeling, additive manufacturing (3D printing), embedded electronics, and programming. The results demonstrated the success of the stacker crane in vertical movement, the effectiveness of remote management via HMI, and the validation of the AGV's navigation logic, overcoming practical manufacturing challenges, budget constraints, and hardware fluctuations. It is concluded that PBL provided an authentic experience of multidisciplinary integration, stimulating problem-solving, teamwork, and systemic vision, empowering students for the dynamic demands of industrial automation.