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Session 1566

Development and Implementation of Mechatronics Education at Kettering University

Jeffrey B. Hargrove Kettering University

Abstract

The Mechanical Engineering Department at Kettering University has completed development of a significant new component of education in mechatronics. The work began in the fall of 1997 as the principal part of an award for “Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement” by the Division of Undergraduate Education of the National Science Foundation. It has culminated with the successful implementation of two undergraduate courses in mechatronics, two mechatronics laboratories and a website to support the educational endeavors of the mechatronics students. As will be described in this paper, the first course and its laboratory exercises are designed specifically to provide the students with meaningful experiences in the applications of mechatronics design principles. The knowledge gained in this first course will be applied in the second course, where the fundamental focus is to provide a complete experience in the innovation, design and fabrication of a new mechatronic product. This is all done in a team environment. The long-term goal is to integrate business management students into the product development team to provide marketing support.

I. Introduction

The consumer and industrial world of today is one where the demand for products and machines that have extraordinary functionality is increasing dramatically. Indeed, the consumer routinely expects devices that possess smartness, adaptability and other forms of sophistication. The key to any device of this nature is the integration of sensing, actuating and control technologies. Mechatronics is an engineering philosophy that not only incorporates these strategies, but also seeks to optimize the functionality of a device at the onset of design. The word mechatronics originated in Japan in the late sixties1. The design philosophy’s popularity rapidly spread to Europe and now is becoming a strong emphasis at universities2 and in industry throughout the United States.

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Hargrove, J. B. (2000, June), Development And Implementation Of Mechatronics Education At Kettering University Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8290