Most mechanical engineering systems today involve significant amounts of electrical and electronic control systems. Effectively, most modern mechanical engineering systems are mechatronic systems. Mechatronics is the discipline that results from the synergetic application of electrical, electronic, computer, and control engineering in mechanical engineering systems. Thus, it is essential for the mechanical engineer to have a strong understanding of the composition and design of mechatronic systems, which is the goal of this course.
Please note: this legacy course does not offer a certificate and may contain broken links and outdated information. Although archived, it is open for learning without registration or enrollment.
Mechatronic systems are around us everywhere. A car contains many mechatronic systems, such as anti-lock braking systems, traction control, the engine control unit and cruise control, to name a few. A satellite dish position control unit is another example of a mechatronic system. Modern industrial automated processes would not be possible without the discipline of mechatronics, covering areas such as vehicle manufacturing, pharmaceutical industries, and food processing plants. Robotic systems are interesting and complex examples of mechatronic systems that contain many sensors and actuators and that require very fast and sophisticated controllers.
For you, as a mechanical engineering student, this course will represent a gateway into the world of electrical, electronic, and control engineering. It is one of the few courses in the mechanical engineering major that heavily relies on electrical, electronic, and computer engineering. Being a multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary course, your study of mechatronics integrates and builds on a number of different courses that you have already studied, such as mechanics, electromagnetism, measurements, and introduction to mechanical engineering (the design project).
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Define the discipline of mechatronics.
- Identify examples of mechatronic systems that are encountered in real life.
- Identify the 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 in mechatronic systems.
- Identify and describe the different types of speed- and position-feedback devices.
- 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.
- 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 in mechatronic systems.
- Select the suitable type of controller for an application.
- Explain the steps in designing a mechatronic system, and design a mechatronic system by following these steps.
