Course content

Principles of mechatronics. Mechatronic development methodology. Sensor technology, actuators and control. Engineering design methodology. Development of concepts and evaluation. Structure and variations of form. Components for mechatronic systems. Assembly- and production considerations.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The candidate has knowledge of:

• Fundamental principles of mechatronics.
• Elements of mechatronics, e.g. sensors, ADC/DAC, micro controllers and single-card computers, actuators and communication to/from these.
• Machine design as a synthesis of engineering design, mechanics, dimensioning and other technical subjects.
• A design methodology guided by stages and milestones.

Skills: The candidate can:

• Do design projects with mechatronic elements.
• Use sensors and actuators in mechanical systems.
• Build systems based on available electronics and mechanics.
• Design and make prototypes for simple electronic systems.
• Basic programming of microcontrollers and small runtime systems (OS).
• Make models and demonstrate functionality of mechatronic systems.

General competence: The candidate can:

• Design machines according to given specifications.
• Assess feasibility of complex technical solutions.
• Model systems containing both mechanics and electronics.

Learning methods and activities

Moving from knowledge to skills: Relevant skills for design and development are trained through a realistic product development project. The project assignment assumes that the candidate has acquired some basic mechanical engineering knowledge through previous course curriculum (see e.g. recommended knowledge) and provides a project based learning environment for this knowledge to mature into skills. The project is done in groups.

This course relies on workshop/lab facilities. Due to limited space in said facilities, the course is only able to accept a limited amount of exchange students. This has to be cleared with the course administrator at the beginning of the semester.

Compulsory assignments

• Paper Arcade

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

TMM4112 Machine Elements, TPK4125 Mechatronics or equivalent.

Course materials

This information will be given at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions