MEng Mechatronic Engineering with Industrial Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Mechatronic Analysis & Design

Course unit fact file
Unit code EEEN30151
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit will cover the following:

Background review on dynamics: free-body diagrams, equations of motion for linear and rotational motion. Vibrations in mechanical systems. Overview and comparison between different actuator systems; hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical. Dynamics of drive systems, power transmission, inertia matching, basic gearbox designs. Electrical actuators (stepper motors, PM and DC motors, PM materials) and sensors (position and velocity sensing devices). Modelling of mechatronic systems in Matlab-Simulink.

Aims

The course unit aims to:

The course unit is aimed at providing fundamental concepts about the dynamics of drive systems and to introduce the main families of actuators with special emphasis to electrical motors and sensors currently used in mechatronic systems. The course is also intended to develop basic skills for the simulation of mechatronic systems.

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:


ILO 1 - Describe and Apply the principles of operation and choice criteria of typical mechatronic actuators

ILO 2 - Illustrate the operation principles of position and velocity measuring devices used in mechatronic systems.

ILO 3 - Formulate fundamental dynamic models of mechatronic systems

ILO 4 - Create MATLAB-SIMULINK models of basic mechatronic systems

ILO 5 - Analyse dynamics of mechanical systems to determine mechatronic system requirements

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, tutorials, practical work, computer based modelling exercise, revision tutorial.

Some interactive animations used in lectures to illustrate principles of operation of actuator devices.

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 20%
Written exam 80%

Coursework:

Two separate laboratory reports 20% (10% each)

Feedback methods

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Recommended reading

  • W. T. Thompson, “Theory of vibrations with applications”, Chapman and Hall
  • S. Timoshenko, “Vibration problems in engineering”, Van Nostrand
  • J. Mazurkiewicz, Feedback devices, Baldor electric, available online at www.motioncontrolonline.org
  • R. M. Crowder, Electric Drives and their Controls, Oxford Science Publications, 1995, ISBN 0 19 859371 6

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 24
Practical classes & workshops 5
Independent study hours
Independent study 71

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Sinisa Durovic Unit coordinator
Michael O'Toole Unit coordinator

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