Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work Integrated Learning Programmes Division

First Semester 2022-2023

Mid-Semester Test
(EC-2 Regular)

Course No. : ET ZC323

Course Title : Mechatronics and Automation
Nature of Exam : Open Book
Weightage : 30% No. of Pages =1
Duration : 2 Hours No. of Questions = 5x6 = 30
Date of Exam : 23/09/2021 (FN)
Note to Students:
1. Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the answer book.
2. All parts of a question should be answered consecutively. Each answer should start from a fresh page.
3. Assumptions made if any, should be stated clearly at the beginning of your answer.

Q1. A strain gauge is used to measure the axial tension force in a 22mm diameter bar of
steel with E= 210×106 kN/m2. The strain gauge has a nominal resistance of 120 Ω and
a gauge factor (GF) of 2. The strain gauge is connected to a bridge (which is supplied
with 12 Vdc). The bridge was initially balanced. After the bar is put under tension, the
bridge output voltage goes to 10mV dc. Draw a schematic of the setup and calculate
the force on the bar. [6 Marks]

Q2. The automatic control system for the temperature of liquid consists of a reference
voltage fed into a differential amplifier. This is connected to a relay which then
switches on or off the electrical power to a heater in the liquid. Negative feedback is
provided by a measurement system which feeds a voltage into the differential
amplifier. Sketch a block diagram of the system and explain how the error signal is
produced. [6 Marks]

Q3. A hydraulic cylinder is to be used to move a workpiece in a manufacturing operation

through a distance of 80 mm in 10s. A force of 50 KN is required to move the
workpiece. Determine the required working pressure and hydraulic liquid flow rate in
Forward and reverse stroke if a cylinder with a piston diameter of 100 mm and rod
diameter of 10mm is available. [6 Marks]

Q4. Design a summing amplifier circuit that can be used to produce an output that ranges
from -1 to -10 V when the input goes from 0 to 25 mV. Draw the diagram of summing
amplifier as well. [6 Marks]

Q5. A) You are offered a choice of an incremental shaft encoder or an absolute shaft
encoder for the measurement of an angular displacement. What is the principle
difference between the results that can be obtained by these methods? [3 Marks]
B) A shaft encoder is to be used with a 60 mm radius tracking wheel to monitor
linear displacement. If the encoder produces 512 pulses per revolution, what will be
the number of pulses produced by a linear displacement of 320 mm? [3 Marks]

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