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Session 2093

MECHATRONICS CURRICULUM DEMONSTRATOR - AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Devdas Shetty1, Richard A. Kolk2, Jun Kondo3, Claudio Campana4 1 - Vernon D. Roosa Professor in Manufacturing Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT 06117, USA Tel: 860 768 4615, Fax: 860 768 5073, shetty@mail.hartford.edu. 2 – Manager of Technology - Carrier Electronics Div., United Technologies Corp., Farmington, CT, 06034, USA, ric.kolk@carrier.utc.com. 3,4 - Research Engineers, College of Engineering, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT 06117, USA

Abstract:

The University of Hartford mechatronic curriculum incorporates a language-neutral teaching approach for mechatronics system design courses that links the educational experience more closely with the processes and projects found in industry. Mechatronics education at the University of Hartford focuses on four categories; components (sensors and actuators), computer interfacing electronics, systems (modeling, analysis, simulation, and control), and language-neutral visual programming environments for implementation. The last category is especially important when one considers the extent of general software knowledge in mechanical engineering and the complexity of the language based software development process for developing real time embedded applications. The goals of this paper are to describe (1) the University of Hartford mechatronic curriculum, (2) the language-neutral teaching approach for mechatronics, and (3) a low cost technology demonstrator, developed and refined by the authors, which is suitable for studying the key elements of mechatronics including system dynamics, sensors, actuators, and computer interfacing.

1. INTRODUCTION

Mechatronics is a methodology used to achieve an optimal design of an electromechanical product. As a design philosophy, mechatronics serves as an integrating approach to engineering design. A mechatronically designed product relies heavily on system and component modeling and simulation to establish the optimal design tradeoffs between electronic and mechanical disciplines when subject to specific cost and performance constraints. The ideas and techniques developed during the interdisciplinary simulation process provide the ideal conditions to raise synergy and provide a catalytic effect for discovering new and simpler solutions to traditionally complex problems.

Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2001, American Society for Engineering Education

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Kolk, R. A., & Campana, C., & Kondo, J., & Shetty, D. (2001, June), Mechatronics Curriculum Demonstrator An Educational Experience Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9543