Rationale
This unit will introduce learners to mechatronic systems, explain their purpose and application cases, keeping a balance between mechanical and software subsystems, with the aim of presenting design principles based on VDI2206 instructions. Toward this end mechatronic system requirements are provided, illustrated with use cases and specifications, as well as hardware design of the system starting from use-cases analysis. Learners will also be taught about object oriented software design based on use-cases, selection of components, proof of concept importance in the design process and the integration of R&D into product design. Learners will be taught about the fundamentals of mechatronic systems and how to design those systems using knowledge of mechanical, electrical engineering and information technology, for example how to specify the adequate standard mechanical components for support and housing. In addition, learners will be shown how to apply optimal and/or modern materials for mechatronic systems. In this unit, they will also learn about the basics of field-programmable gate arrays, field-programmable interconnect components and field-programmable analogue arrays. Finally, this unit deals with the testing and integration of subsystems during the development process, project documentation guidelines and software bundles for design and documentation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this study unit, the learner will be able to:
Explain the fundamentals of a mechatronic system;
Implement the design principles of the VDI2206;
Specify the optimal materials for mechatronic systems;
Specify the adequate standard mechanical components for support and housing;
Explain the basics of gearboxes and linkages for power transmission;
Discuss the optimal wiring, cabling and routing processes;
Interpret the basics of field-programmable gate arrays, field-programmable interconnect components and field-programmable analogue arrays;
Recognise and evaluate the most important steps in the testing process.
Academic Calendar
https://moodle.mcast.edu.mt/mod/resource/view.php?id=75064
Unit Lecturer
Ing. Clive Seguna
Rationale
This unit covers basically the use of industrial robots, taking into account the automotive industry as the cradle of robotics. Therefore, students will learn first about robot applications in the automotive industry, i.e. in painting, welding, cutting, assembly and inspection, but also about human-robot applications and interactions, and about the new applications of robotics in the automated production environment. This unit will also provide students with the skills for assembly tasks with a human in the loop, the placement of robot tables, adapters, and holders for increasing efficiency, remote control and programming. Students will also be able to understand the design of robot equipment for integration in a robotic environment, the networking of robots for cooperative operations, as well as some specific issues such as image processing for robot guidance and safety, sense of touch for precise assembly and safety. Finally, students will learn robot programming in CAD-CAM environment, the analysis of trajectories, torque, singularity conditions, robot tables programming and integration in robot controller, how to use sensors on holders and adapters for assembly and welding, and how to apply typical HMI for manual handling of a robot.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this unit students will:
1. Be able to implement the torque vectoring mode of a 2 DOF robot system;
2. Be able to compensate unknown gravity load; be able to program a robot in a virtual environment;
3. be able to analyse robot motion parameters in a virtual environment and deploy the code to the robot.
Academic Calendar
https://moodle.mcast.edu.mt/mod/resource/view.php?id=75064
Unit Lecturer
Ing. Clive Seguna
