Instructor: Dr. Marcelo G. Simoes
Office: 251 Brown Hall
Email: msimoes@mines.edu

Why would you want to study Mechatronics?
Mechatronics has been defined as a synergistic combination of precision mechanics, electronics, control systems, actuation, sensing, computation in order to achieve smarter machines, improved product quality and performance. Such expertise is enabling high technology markets, including:

· Automation
· Biomedical Devices
· Computerized Machine Tools
· Consumer Electronics
· Intelligent Sensors and Actuators
· Robotics

Mechatronics is the interdisciplinary fusion, not just a simple mixture, of Mechanics, Electronics and Information Technology. The objective is engineering for complete product development. Thus, Mechatronics is concerned with the blending of mechanical, electronic, software, and control engineering topics into a unified framework that enhances the design process. Four inter-related background fields define the required knowledge in Mechatronics. The required computation might be implemented by embedded microprocessors, real-time programming or multi-tasking systems implement such fusion for those fields.

Texts:
· W. Bolton, Mechatronics - Electronic Control Systems in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Addison Wesley Longman, ISBN 0 582 35705-5
· S. Brian Morriss, Automated Manufacturing Systems - Actuators, Controls, Sensors and Robotics, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-02-802331-5
· Technical papers will be used for further references

Grading:
Weighting of course efforts will be given as follows:
Final Examination or Final Project: 30%
Midterm: 25%
Computer Exercises 15%
Seminar 15 %
Homework: 10%
Quizzes/In Class Problems/Class Participation: 5%
Final grades will be based on a linear scale:(90+=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C).

Exams:
Midterm and final will be open book. Midterms will be one hour duration and the final will be 2 hours. You can also take the option of developing a final project instead of a final examination.

Computer Exercises:
You will be using Matlab or other softwares for modeling and simulation.

Seminar:
At the end of the course students, in groups of maximum three people, will be required to present a seminar on Mechatronic applications. The topic will be freely chosen by the group, and should be related to anything that conveys how a special application was implemented.

Homework:
Homework may have several forms: it can be a formal assignment, a problem to be worked or finished at home, an outline of a paper or video. Those several homework formats are intended to be an interactive learning tool.

Quizzes/In Class Problems/Class Participation:
From time to time, we will have in-class problem sessions in which you will work singly or in groups. Those problems will be used to stress some concepts or to improve your knowledge. Students participation will enhance the learning environment not only for the individual who contributes but also those around him/her.

Course Planning:
· What is mechatronics? Systems and measurement systems, control systems, microprocessor-based controllers, mechatronics approach.

· Sensors and transducers. Performance terminology, selection of sensors, displacement, position and proximity, velocity and motion, force, fluid pressure, liquid flow, liquid level, temperature, light sensors.

· Signal conditioning. Filtering, bridges, digital signals, data acquisition.

· Digital signal processing. Analysis, digital filters, modulation.

· Mechanical actuation systems. Mechanical systems, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, valves, actuators, types of motion, kinematic chains, motor selection.

· Electrical actuation systems. Solenoids, dc motors, ac motors, stepper motors, inverters.

· System models. Mathematical models, engineering systems, mechanical, electrical, fluid and thermal system building blocks.

· Dynamic responses of systems. Modelling dynamic systems, first-order systems, second-order systems, performance measures for second-order systems, system transfer functions, systems with feedback loops, frequency response.

· Closed-loop controllers. Continuous, discrete processes.

· Digital based design. Combinational, sequential logic, state machines.

· Automated Systems. Robots, workcell, CIM

· Microprocessors. Microcontrollers for embedded systems, hardware based programming, PLC - programmable logic controllers, communication systems

· Designing Intelligent Machines. Concepts in Artificial Intelligence, Fuzzy Logic, Neural Networks, Genetic Algorithms

Course Management:
We will be using Blackboard system to organize our course. Please see http://blackboard.mines.edu