Bose, S. Tues. Starting at design and continuing through manufacture, mechatronic designs optimize the available mix of technologies to produce quality precision products and systems in a timely manner with features the customer wants. If winning designs are to be produced in today's environment, it is imperative that electronics and computer control be included in the design process at the same time the basic functions and properties are defined. The real benefits to industry of a mechatronic approach to design are shorter development cycles, lower costs, and increased quality, reliability and performance. These are the fundamental areas of technology on which successful mechatronic designs are based.
Emphasis is placed on physical understanding rather than on mathematical formalities.
Throughout the coverage the focus is kept on the role of each of these areas in the overall design process and how these key areas are integrated into a successful mechatronic system design. This course will begin with coverage of traditional packaging equipment followed by a survey of the existing automation market. The class will extrapolate existing methods during a complete design review of several existing automation machines and propose modifications. Student teams will concept and design new automation modules using the proposed modular concepts. Simulation tools will be used where available.