Test One of

ME41004 Mechatronics and Control

(Sample Test)

Name: _________________________ Student Number: ___________________

Notes:
1. This is a closed-book test.
2. Answer all questions in the space provided.
3. Total marks: XX
4. Final examination policies also apply to this test. Any plagiarism at the test will cause a
ZERO grade.
Question 1 (XX marks)
a) Two strain gauges are mounted on a structure at different locations to measure the strain
under a load.

(i) Explain whether or not a strain gauge is a transducer (XX marks)

(ii) When a strain gauge is under compression, how would it affect the strain gauge?
(XX marks)
(iii) Prove the voltage output equation, Vmeas (XX marks)
 RG 2 
Vmeas    0.5 Vin
 RG1  RG 2 
(iv) Given that under a load, the resistance value of the strain gauge, R G2, with a gauge factor
of 2, changes from 100 to 108. Calculate the strain. (XX marks)
(v) Given that Vin = 6V, R = 50 and RG1 is used as a dummy gauge and the resistance
value remains at 100. Calculate Vmeas (XX marks)
(vi) Two strain gauges (different brands) were used to measure a load and their
measurements (resistance values) from five trails were summarized below:
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5
Brand A 107.5 108.1 107.8 107.1 107.6
Brand B 109.2 109.3 109.1 108.8 109.2
Given that the expected resistance value is 108 and the maximum resistance value (full
scale) is 150Which brand is more accurate? Which brand is more precise? Use
number to support your answer. (XX marks)

b) An optical encoder can be used to measure the angular position of a motor.

(i) Explain the operating principle of the optical encoder as shown above and how the
angular position be measured (XX marks)
(ii) What is the resolution of the encoder (i.e. angle to be measured) (XX marks)

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 (iii) Explain, with modification of the above diagram, how the encoder can also sense the
rotating direction of the motor (XX marks)
(iv) Explain, with modification of the above diagram, how the absolute angular position be
measured (XX marks)

c) Nickel is used as a resistance temperature detector to measure the temperature of an object in

the range from 0oC to 250oC. Knowing that the temperature coefficient of resistance is
0.0068K, and the nominal resistance of 100at 0oC

(i) Find the change in the material resistance when the object temperature is 250oC
(XX marks)
(ii) Given the sensor has a resistance value of 180, find the object temperature
(XX marks)
(iii)Given that the sensor has a 0.5% accuracy of full scale. Calculate the possible sensor
reading values when the temperature is 200 oC (XX marks)

Question 2 (XX marks)

a) The general characteristic of a stepper motor is given below
[Nm]

250

200

150

1000 1200 1800 2200 3000

[rpm]
(i) If the torque required to drive the load attached to the motor is 150Nm. Can the motor start
properly at 1500rpm? Why or why not? (XX marks)
(ii) What is the stall torque? What is it value for this motor? (XX marks)
(iii) For a stepper motor with four poles on the rotor and six coils on the stator as shown, sketch
the sequence how the rotor can be completed one full turn using full step mode. (XX marks)

(iv) For a stepper motor has five phases with 60 teeth, calculate the step angle and the step
(pulse) per second required for running at 1500 rpm (revolution per minute)? (XX marks)

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b) A Brush-type DC motor is shown below with a coil of wire (rotor) rotating in the field of
permanent magnet (stator)

(i) What is the purpose of the split-ring commutator? (XX marks)

(ii) Explain why back e.m.f. is produced in the motor. (XX marks)
(iii) Explain how the DC motor design can be modified so that the motor can rotate smoothly
(i.e. no jerk or interruption during the rotation) (XX marks)
(iv) Provide one advantage of using a DC motor over a stepper motor (XX marks)

Question 3 (XX marks)

a) The circuit shown below is inverting amplifier to amplify a voltage signal Vin = 2sin100πt
generated from a sensor

(i) Derive the formula relating the input and output voltages (XX marks)
(ii) Explain why a sensor signal needs to be amplified (XX marks)
(iii) Find the voltage frequency (XX marks)
(iv) Find the gain if R1 = 10 and R2 = 30 (XX marks)
(v) Plot the voltage inputs and outputs using the graph below. Label the axes clearly (XX marks)

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 t

b) Given an oscilloscope image as shown below. The settings are as follows:

 Horizontal: 0.001s/div (5 ticks per div)
 Vertical: 2V/div (5 ticks per div)
 V1: Solid line (peak at 4 ticks)
 V2: Broken line (peak at 5 ticks)
 Phase difference (2.5 ticks)

(i) Explain which waveform is leading (XX marks)

(ii) Using the center of the screen as the starting point, calculate the voltage waveform function
for V1 and V2 (XX marks)