General Information: Page 1 of 3
Mechatronics: ME 405/505, Fall 2015
T R: 03:40 pm - 04:55 pm,
Dougherty 517
Lab Min Kao Room 226
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Mechatronics is the synergistic combination of the principles of mechanics (“mecha” for
mechanisms), electronics (“tronics” for electronics), and computing to generate a simpler, more
economical and reliable system. The purpose of this interdisciplinary engineering field is
controlling advanced hybrid-systems such as production systems, synergy-drives, planetaryrovers, automotive subsystems, and every day equipment such as autofocus cameras, video, hard
disks, cd-players, washing machines, etc.
The word “mechatronics” was first coined by Mr. Tetsuro Moria, a senior engineer of a Japanese
company, Yaskawa, in 1969. Mechatronics may alternatively be referred to as “electromechanical
systems.”
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Instructor:
Primary office:
Office hours:
Subhadeep Chakraborty (schakrab@utk.edu)
M208 Dougherty (865-974-5307)
Any time I am available
Lab assistant:
NA
Text:
Introduction to MECHATRONICS and Measurement Systems, Third
Edition, David G. Alciatore and Micheal B. Histand, McGraw Hill, 2005
Ref Text:
“The Art of Electronics, 2nd Edition,” by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill,
Cambridge University Press, 1989.
“Introduction to Mechatronic Design”, Carryer, Ohline and Kenny,
Prentice Hall, 2010
Supplementary
Materials:
Will be provided in class.
Grade determination:
Homework
Midterm Exam
Final exam
Projects
10%
20%
20%
50% (10*3+5+20)
Focus:
This course will focus on the engineering details associated with the use of
embedded electronics and digital computing for signal processing and
control in mechanical system design.
Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Expand electronics comfort zone through hands-on experience.
Introduction to digital logic and logic control.
Introduction to embedded computing for measurement and control.
Introduction to PC-based measurement and control.
Exposure to practical Mechatronics problems.
General Information: Page 2 of 3
Exam schedule: To be announced
Homework:
1. Homework assignments and laboratory exercises will be the primary learning tools in
this course. Homework and exam problems will be different and typically exam problems
will be easier. The idea is to apply the basic principles in real life situations.
2. Expect to submit 5 homework assignments and 5 lab reports throughout the semester.
3. Homework assignments will be handed out in class one week prior to their due dates and
to be submitted at the beginning of the class. Homework submission after the beginning
of class will be considered late.
4. Homework solutions will be uploaded to blackboard. Sample problems will be solved in
the class.
5. Neatness matters, sloppy homework will be sloppily graded.
6. Homework grading will focus on seriousness of your effort, new ideas, meaningful
approximations, and clarity of presentation.
7. Each homework problem should loosely adhere to the following structure:
! Given: rewrite the problem statement briefly in your own words.
! Find: state concisely in your own words what is to be determined.
! Schematic: draw a sketch of the physical system to be considered; record all
pertinent information and numerical values; update the sketch as appropriate in
the course of solving the problem.
! Assumptions: List all the assumptions; update the assumption list in the course
of the analysis. In relevant problems assumption part carries a percentage of the
total points.
! Analysis: Identify the key physical principles to be used in solving the problem;
work with equations (symbolic form) as far as possible before substituting
numerical values; be careful about unit conversion; box your answer with proper
signs and units.
! Comments: may contain summary of key conclusions, inference of trends,
critique of the assumptions, and what you have learned from the problem. The
comment section should be written in such a way that, one could understand the
comments without going through the solution procedure; this section is optional,
but you can earn extra credits with intelligent comments.
Exam: Exams will be problem-solving type and may or may not contain short conceptual
questions. Your basic understanding on the subject will be judged through VERY simple
problems.
Make-up Policy: No make-up exams will be allowed except as required by the University
policy. Please see your instructor prior to any anticipated absence. The formats of the original
and the make-up exams may be different. For a final exam conflict, please apply to the Registrar.
Grade Dispute: If you think that you have been graded unfairly in an exam or homework, submit
the graded work, explaining your dispute, to the instructor within one week of grade distribution.
After this one-week timeframe, grade dispute will not be entertained.
Attendance policy: Attendance at every class period is expected. Exam may contain materials
covered in class but not in the textbook. You will be responsible for any information you missed
for not attending the class.
General Information: Page 3 of 3
Academic honesty: The work on all homework and exams is to be yours alone. You may work in
a group on homework solution, but submit individually and do not copy from one another.
Collaboration is an essential element of engineering profession. Collaboration, however, means
exchange of ideas and not copying. Any incident of dishonesty, such as, copying of homework
from your friends or from any online resources, will be dealt as per College and University policies.
On a continuous basis, be engaged in the classroom process. This is a graduate level course in
which we learn from one another. It is not acceptable to simply come to class without interacting
with the professor and other students.
Course Notebook: Keep a neat and orderly notebook that includes indexed sections for notes,
handouts, project reports, and homework. Use guidelines given for project reports.