MECHATRONICS - 2021/2

Module Overview

An introduction to the technology and concepts which support the ‘mechatronic’ design of modern commercial products. Mechatronic systems design which integrates the concurrent design of mechanical, electrical/electronic, control, and software sub-system. In this module, students will obtain practical experience of mechatronic systems development as well as performance analysis, evaluation, and verification.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

FALLAH Saber (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

ENG3166 Control and Dynamics

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Introduction to Mechatronics

Examples of mechatronics systems

The Design Process of a Mechatronics System

Modelling, Measurement, and Control Systems

Sensors

Sensor characteristics and performance terminology

Principals of Sensor Operation

Selection of Sensors

Signal Conditioning and Digital Signals

The Operational Amplifier

Pulse modulation

Analogue and digital signals

Digital signal processing

Actuating Systems and Actuators

Electrical actuators

Electromechanical actuators

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Actuators

Modelling Electro-mechanical Systems

Kinematics of rigid bodies

Equation of motion (Lagrange’s Equation)

Linear approximations of physical systems

Modelling of hydraulic and electric actuators

Modelling state variables

The Design of State Variable Feedback Systems

Full-state feedback control design

Observer design

Reference inputs

Optimal control systems 

Digital Control systems

The z-transform

Closed-loop feedback sampled-data systems

Closed-loop systems with digital computer compensation

Implementation of digital controllers

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

On-line assessment test.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of principles, methodologies and mathematical modelling, and control design in the final examination. The individual project coursework allows students to analyse and to describe particular mechatronics systems and processes. The group project examines students’ design skills, report writing as well as their ability to analyse the system performance and to verify accuracy of methods employed.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Individual project       [ Learning outcomes  2 ]                        (15 hours)      {20%}


• Group project            [ Learning outcomes 1,3, 4, 5 ]               (25 hours)      {30%}


• Examination              [ Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 ]             (2 hours)        {50%}

• Formative verbal feedback is given in tutorials and lectures


• Written feedback is given on the coursework assessments including detailed comments on their individual and group projects

Module aims

• Acquire a mix of skills in mechanical engineering, electronics, and control which is necessary for the student to be able to comprehend and design mechatronic systems.
• To introduce the concept of the technology within and to develop the skills required for the analysis and design of controlled mechatronic systems.
• To develop practical skills in mechatronics design through the problem-based learning approach in the context of fulfilling the requirements of a dynamic system.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

introduce mechatronics principles through theory with theoretical and practical examples. This is delivered principally through lectures, tutorial classes, and lab sessions. It concludes with an independently and group conducted projects involving theoretical and practical procedures.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 2 hours lecture per week x 11 weeks + 1 hours lecture per week x 4 weeks


• 1 hour tutorial (in groups) x 11 weeks


• 1 hour lab (in groups) x 7 weeks

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM248

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.