MECHATRONIC CAPSTONE DESIGN COURSE
Mechatronics and Applications: An International Journal (MECHATROJ), 2 (1):
47-60 (2021)Abstract
Mechatronic system design is multidisciplinary and integration among the mechanical, sensor, actuator, electronic, computer, and control elements is essential. The integration is done simultaneously from the beginning and the design is model-based. Modeling, physical and mathematical, is the key in modern engineering practice. Before any hardware is purchased or built, a complete, computer virtual prototype is created to meet all performance specifications. Only then can an actual hardware prototype be built. Mechatronics students need to perform, need to experience, this process before graduation. It is all about the process, as they will be asked to apply the process to challenging problems. Modern machines are complex and computer-controlled, but most are made up of mechanisms. In this course, senior mechanical engineering students choose a mechanism to perform a certain task. They then apply the process to create the virtual and hardware prototypes to meet performance specifications, just like real mechatronics engineers.