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Credits 4.0 Total Lectures 55hrs Pre-
GPA/NGPA GPA Hours Lab/Assignt 20 hrs Requisites
Aim: The overall objective of this course module is to form foundation knowledge in Mechatronics among
Mechanical Engineering students who will understand how electro-mechanical systems work and to design and
develop Mechatronics products. Most modern mechanical engineering systems are Mechatronic systems, and
Mechatronics is the discipline that results from the synergetic application of electrical, electronic, computer,
and control engineering in mechanical engineering systems. Therefore, it is essential for the mechanical
engineer to have an understanding of the composition and design of Mechatronic systems, which is the aim of
this course.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course module, the student will be able to:
Define the discipline of Mechatronics, and Identify examples of Mechatronic systems that are
encountered in real life and components of a typical Mechatronic system.
Analyze and solve problems in simple electrical and electronic circuits.
Discuss the importance of feedback in controlling physical systems with the use of examples.
Identify and describe the different types of actuators used and different types of speed- and position-
feedback devices in Mechatronic systems.
Explain the principle of operation of the four types of motors: ac induction motor, the dc motor, the
servomotor, and the stepper motor.
Size the motor for an application and select the suitable type of motor for an application.
Identify the signal processing that has to be applied to signals in Mechatronic systems.
Identify and describe the types of controllers used and select the suitable type of controller for an
application in Mechatronic systems.
Explain and follow the steps in designing a Mechatronic system, and design a Mechatronic system.
Syllabus:
Introduction to and appreciation of Mechatronics [02 hours]
Appreciate what mechatronics is about.
Comprehend the various forms and elements of control systems: open-loop, closed-loop and sequential.
Recognize the need for models of systems in order to predict their behavior.
Explain how data presentation can occur with the use of DAQ boards.
Design measurement systems.
Pneumatic and hydraulic, Mechanical and Electric c actuation systems [06 hours]
Interpret system drawings, and design simple systems, for sequential control systems involving valves and
cylinders. Explain the principle of process control valves, their characteristics and sizing.
Evaluate mechanical systems involving linkages, cams, gears, ratchet and pawl, belt and chain drives, and
bearings.
Evaluate the operational characteristics of electrical actuation systems: relays, solid-state switches (thyristors,
bipolar transistors and MOSFETs, solenoid actuated systems, d.c. motors, a.c. motors and steppers).
Explain how such modes of control can be realized with operational amplifiers and digital controllers and
controller settings determined.
Explain what is meant by velocity feedback and adaptive control.
2
Digital logic [04 hours]
Use the binary, octal, hexadecimal and binary coded decimal number systems; explain how numbers can be
signed and the twos complement method of handling negative numbers.
Explain the advantages of the Gray code.
Describe parity methods of error detection.
Recognise the symbols and Boolean representation of, write truth tables for and use in applications, the logic
gates of AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR.
Use Boolean algebra to simplify Boolean expressions and present them in the form of sums of products or
product of sums.
Use Karnaugh maps do determine the Boolean expressions to represent truth tables.
Explain the operation of decoders.
Explain how SR, JK and D flip-flops can be used in control systems.
3
Mechatronics systems [04 hours]
Compare and contrast possible solutions to design problems when considered from the traditional and the
mechatronic points of view, recognizing the widespread use of embedded systems.
Analyse case studies of mechatronics solutions.
Design mechatronics solutions to problems.
Assessment:
Laboratory exercises (compulsory), assignments, case studies, field visits, , etc. 20%
Mini Project in Product Design: An integrated design of a product with areas learnt sufficiently covered , and
with two students sharing the same title but individual reports submitted A compulsory assignment 20%
Laboratory Exercises
Objective
To learn about signal conditioning algorithms; amplification, adding/subtracting and basic filtering.
Objective
To familiariase with mathematics used to design digital electronic circuits and fundamental circuit
elements of digital electronics. (Boolean algebra, K-map, LOGIC GATES, 555 TIMER as a source of
logic signals, and memory elements (RS, JK,T and D flip flops)
Objective
To learn about stepper motor basics and how to control a stepper motor using the digital output of a
microcontroller in full/half step modes drive in clockwise/counterclockwise direction, while controlling the
speed of rotation and displaying the current position.
Part A
4
Part B
Speed regulation of a double-acting cylinder
Objective
Observe various types of speed regulation of the piston rod movements of double-acting cylinders with one-
way flow control valves.
Part A
Introduction to Programmable Logic Controller
Objectives
Part B
Objectives
Design and implement ladder logic control for a DC motor. (The system has one start and one stop switch. Both
of the switches are momentary contact switch. Start switch is normally opened and stop switch is normally
closed. Output relay controls the supply to the motor. The motor has a stop and a run indicator lights.)
References: