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MEC2406 Introduction to Mechatronics and Automation

Semester 2, 2022 Springfield On-campus
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Engineering
Grading basis : Graded
Course fee schedule : /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules

Staffing

Examiner:

Overview

An understanding of, and an ability to analyse, mechatronic systems and automation systems is essential for the mechatronic engineer. This course will introduce the concept of feedback and will provide the developing engineer with opportunity to apply this knowledge in modelling and designing mechatronic systems.

A Graduate Mechatronics Engineer must have mastery of the topics introduced in this course, including Mechatronic Design, Control Systems, System Dynamics, Actuators/Motors, Sensors and Microcontrollers. Throughout the course, Control and Microcontroller interfacing will be a common theme and will be consistently reinforced. The first assignment requires the student to undertake a report detailing the mechatronic system breakdown of a device. The remaining assignments encompass a hands-on approach to solve a specific control task using control techniques, motors, sensors, and microcontroller programming.

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Analyse a Mechatronic system and identify key components in its design and control systems;
  2. Demonstrate and model a Mechatronic system using state-space variables for the task of control;
  3. Discuss the fundamental aspects behind mechanical energy transfer systems, and calculate dynamic constraints for different mechanical systems;
  4. Illustrate the types of actuators and motors available and evaluate the best matched actuator/motor for a given specification/task;
  5. Select and use a microcontroller and software, to implement and program digital control methods for a motor to solve a given task; and
  6. Describe basic electrical systems to identify, interface and implement sensors and hardware toward an automation task.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Case ¾«¶«´«Ã½app – A Mechatronic System and Its Components 15.00
2. Concept of Feedback 20.00
3. Design – Simulation and Modelling 15.00
4. Actuators/Motors 15.00
5. Control Methods – Implementation and Software 15.00
6. Sensors – Implementation and Hardware 20.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Students are required to purchase a Mechatronics Kit from the USQ Bookshop (~$50). This kit will contain the basic components for assignment 2. Students must only utilise the components in the given kit for their assignment unless stated otherwise in the assignment question.

Student workload expectations

To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.

Assessment details

Approach Type Description Group
Assessment
Weighting (%) Course learning outcomes
Assignments Written Report 1 No 10 1,3,4,6
Assignments Written Report 2 No 30 3,4,6
Assignments Written Report 3 No 30 3,5,6
Assignments Written Report 4 No 30 2,3,4,5,6
Date printed 10 February 2023