Introduction to Mechatronics Engineering Lab teaches students about robotics, by using the VEX robotics platform, and gives hands on examples of how the different aspects of STEM are all used in the field of robotics. This lab also introduces the VEX robotics CLAWBOT, and uses it as a platform to introduce students to the different subsystems within the VEX platform and how they interact together by using digital and analog sensors. Students put this knowledge into practice as they follow step-by-step directions to build their first robot, program it using remote and autonomous control and ultimately participate in an in house VEX robotics competition.
Hardware VEX robotic Kits
Software RobotC SolidWorks
Location: Engineering Technology Center, Building Q Room Q-118 Dale Heatherington Mechatronics Lab
Intermediate Programming for Mechatronics
Introduction
Intermediate programming for Mechatronics Lab covers programming topics relevant for
Mechatronics Engineering, using tools such as C++, Arduino, and Python. The focus
is towards acquiring analog, digital, and camera sensor data, motor control, pneumatics,
etc. The lab also has a color sorting robot system, PI controlled minicars, DC motor
control with Arduino, 2D tracking, serial communication, and image processing for
students learning.
Hardware Color sorting robots Minicars
Software Anduino IDE Python C++
Location: Engineering Technology Center, Building Q Room Q-242
Mechatronics Engineering Fundamentals
Introduction
Mechatronics Engineering Fundamentals Lab teaches fundamental skills for the mechatronics engineer.
Topics Include:
Creating electronics circuits using diode, LEDs and Transistors.
A mobile robot programming using the Robot Operating System (ROS).
Perform robot kinematics with principles of obstacle avoidance.
Sensors and actuators, especially pneumatics.
DC motors programming and interfacing with the AVR microcontroller.
Hardware ROS bots Pneumatics Test Bench
Software Robot Operating System
Location: Engineering Technology Center, Building Q, Room Q-118 Dale Heatherington Mechatronics Lab Room Q-242
Fluid Power
Introduction
Fluid Power is the Robotics and Mechatronics course equivalent to Fluid Dynamics.
Fluid Power has a heavier focus in motors and pumps which is more useful to graduates
in our field. The lab focuses heavily on understanding and creating fluid simulations
and diagrams. Students will have the chance to examine hands on equipment such as
the FESTO Manufacturing Production system and to create fluid simulations from it
as well as work with and control the FESTO Process Control Training Bench. Students
will show mastery by being able to create many different fluid control simulations
using a variety of components.
Hardware FESTO Manufacturing Production System(including Fanuc Robot) FESTO Process Control Training Bench
Software Fluidsim Labview
Location: Engineering Technology Center, Building Q, Room Q-118 and Q-110
Feedback Control
Introduction
This is a laboratory course designed to complement the modeling and feedback controls topics also covered in MTRE4001. Feedback Control (PID Control), Model Identification, MATLAB/Simulink Modeling, and Process Control are studied and analyzed using simulations and physical experiments.
Hardware Couple Water Tank System Electro Motors
Software QUARC- Realtime Control Software MatLab
Location: Engineering Technology Center, Building Q, Room Q-110 (water tank set up) Room Q-336 (electromotor set up)
Instrumentation and Controls
Introduction
Instruments and Controls teaches student the fundamentals of Programmable Logic Controllers
(PLCs). It uses a program called Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) portal to program
the Siemens PLC to do various tasks to demonstrate knowledge and understanding. Students
will have hands on learning and programming of PLCs as well as demonstrations and
hands on trouble shooting of the larger Kawasaki Robotic arms with fully integrated
Vanderlande Conveyor System. Students will demonstrate their mastery of their PLC
use with a culminating project of fully programming the MiniFESTO Pick and Place system.
Hardware Siemens PLC controllers MiniFesto Pick and place system FESTO Manufactiromg Production System (Including Fanuc Robot) FESTO Process Control Training Bench Kawasaki Robots and Vanderlande Conveyor System fully integrated Integrated unit using Misubishi robot
Location: Engineering Technology Center, Building Q, Room Q-110 Room Q-118 Dale Heatherington Mechatronics Lab Room Q121
Robotics Analysis and Synthesis
Introduction
Kinova Robotic Arm
The “Robotics Analysis and Synthesis” course introduces coordinate transformations, kinematics/dynamics modeling, control system design, and path/trajectory planning of robotic arms. A state-of-the-art robotic arm, the Kinova arm, provides students a versatile and safe robotic platform to explore and validate the robotics knowledge learned from the classroom. The Kinova arm has 7 joints and a 3-finger robotic hand, which is adaptable for varying levels of expertise to test and perform simple or complex grasping and manipulation tasks. In addition, the course also utilizes ROS (Robot Operating System) to implement simulations and control of a robotic arm.
Hardware The Kinova robotic arm Software ROS (Robot Operating System), MatLab
Location: Engineering Technology Center, Building Q Room Q-242
Dale Heatherington Mechatronics Lab
The Dale Heatherington Mechatronics Lab offers a hands-on learning environment in
the exploration of advanced education, research and service supporting the creation
of the new mechatronic products and processes.
A variety of engineering methods have been explored in the mechatronics lab. Not only the analysis of capacities and capabilities of small educational robots performing specific tasks, but also the collaboration of autonomous robots exploring diverse environments. The lab is not limited to the building, automatic parking methods, such as a self-parking-car routine installed in a KIA automotive sample, offers a unique outdoor lab environment.
The lab also has a FESTO Reconfigurable Mechatronics System (RMS) to provide hands-on experiences implementing Siemens Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s).
Combining FESTO and Siemens technologies it is possible to investigate not only intelligent
features, but also implementing more flexible, agile and reconfigurable mechatronic
system applied to manufacturing automation. Major equipment includes four Kawasaki
Robots and one Fanuc Robot with industrial capacity and capabilities to simulate relevant
industrial projects. that integrates four stations demonstrating the full automation
of manufacturing and assembly.
The FESTO RMS includes an Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV) system represented by the central conveyor. The AGV system synchronizes the manufacturing cell using different pallets to transport and connect the products in the four stations. Each station includes different types of robots implementing specific routines representing the manufacture and assembly of different products. The FESTO equipment uses a pneumatic system and all operations are programmed by using Siemens PLC’s controllers.
Location: Engineering Technology Center, Building Q Room Q-118
