This course integrates students’ background in various mechanical engineering concepts and techniques to develop a working electromechanical system. Sub-systems will be designed, prototyped and integrated into a master system, which will be tested in an end-of-term
activity. Each sub-system development will be categorized into a mini-project. The projects involve various tasks such as identifying customer needs, carrying out literature survey, brainstorming, arriving at specifications, generating concept designs, mathematical modeling (static and dynamic analyses), manufacturing and testing. All projects are group-activities and include report writing and oral presentations. Additional details can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Course Structure

The course is conducted in four 50-minute lecture sessions weekly. Attendance contributes 10% to the course grade while Projects and exams contribute 60% and 30% respectively. The lectures are refreshers on basic topics as applicable to the projects carried out in the course.

Projects

The course has an integrated structure with three mini projects catered towards building, testing and demonstrating an entire system. The project currently involves building and racing a remote controlled car. Students build their own gear box (specifications, motor, batteries are provided), steering linkage and integrate the two into a working car.
In D-2017 and B-2017, the same concept was carried out but three independent projects were done in the three areas – gear trains, linkages and system development. Since C-2018, this was changed to provide students exposure to building an integrated complex system.
Projects are groups of four to six students depending on the enrollment but there is a lot of emphasis on design, manufacturing and analysis (both using software and equation implementations).
Team compete in an end-of-term RC Car race to test their creations.

Course Code

ME 4320

Recommended Background

Statics, Stress Analysis, Dynamics, Kinematics of Mechanisms, Design of Machine Elements, Modeling and Analysis of Mechatronic Systems, Basics of Manufacturing

Tools Used

PMKS, Matlab, MathCAD, SolidWorks

Reference Books

Fundamental text books relating to the recommended background are the reference books. Additional resources will be shared during the course.

Terms Taught

D-2017, B-2017, C-2018, D-2018, B and D terms since B-2018

Course Management Systems Used

Piazza and Canvas

Course Updates

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Syllabus

If you are interested in obtaining the course syllabus, feel free to Contact me.