Basic Mechatronics Measurements & Instruments : Syllabus

Sr. No Module/Units Detailed Topic wise Syllabus

1 Fundamentals of Introduction to Mechatronics System, key elements of mechatronic systems, Examples
Mechatronics of Mechatronics system, needs and benefits of Mechatronics in Manufacturing
Engineering 
2 Measurements in Basic measurement system concepts, Instrument static & dynamic characteristics,
Mechatronics System Errors in measurement, Principles of Measurement, Different types of Measurements-
pressure measurement, temperature measurement, flow measurement, displacement
measurement, liquid level measurement, humidity/moisture measurement, Vibration
measurement. AC, DC bridge circuits
3 Signal Generators Principle of operation, block schematic, applications and specifications of
AF, RF Signal Generators, Pulse and Square wave Generators, Function Generators,
Arbitrary waveform Generator
4 Oscilloscopes & Signal Block diagram of CRO, Lissajous Figures, block diagram, specifications of DSO
Analyzers Applications: Measurement of voltage, Time Period and Frequency Accessories:
Probes, adaptors AF, HF Wave Analyzers Spectrum Analyzers, Network analyzer, Logic
analyzer
5 Measurement Digital Multimeter, Megger Clamp Meter, Optical Encoder, True Rms Meter, Power
Instruments and Case Factor Meter, Energy Meter, Tacho Meter Case study-EV Testing-voltage, current
study Insulation resistance testing
 
Basic Mechatronics Measurements & Instruments

BOOKS RECOMMENDED

1.Mechatronics - A Multidisciplinary Approach, W. Bolton, Prentice Hall

2. Mechatronics: Integrated Mechanical Electronic Systems, K.P.Ramchandran,G.K.
Vijyaraghavan, M.S. Balasundaram Willey Publication
3. Electrical and Electronic Measurements Dhanpat Rai and sons, A.K. Sawhney
4. Electronic Instruments and Measurement Techniques PHI Learning, Cooper, W.D.
Helfrick
5. Electronic Instrumentation and Measurements, David, Bell
Basic Mechatronics Measurements &
Instruments

Session 1
Module 1
Fundamentals of Mechatronics Engineering 
Introduction to Mechatronics System
• Mechatronics basically refers to mechanical electronic systems and normally described
as a synergistic combination of mechanics, electrical, electronics, computer and control
which, when combined, make possible the generation of simple, more economic, and
reliable systems.
• Mechatronics is a methodology used for the optimal design of electromechanical
products.
• Mechatronics is the synergistic integration of mechanical engineering, electronics, and
intelligent computer control in the design and manufacture of products and processes.
Introduction to Mechatronics System

• The mechatronic system is multidisciplinary, embodying four fundamental

disciplines: electrical, mechanical, computer science, and information technology.
• It is a multidisciplinary approach to product and manufacturing system design
(Figure). It involves application of electrical, mechanical, control and computer
engineering to develop products, processes and systems with greater flexibility, ease
in redesign and ability of reprogramming. It concurrently includes all these
disciplines.
Introduction to Mechatronics System
• The mechatronic design methodology is based on a concurrent (instead of sequential)
approach to discipline design, resulting in products with more synergy.
• There is a synergy in the integration of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems with
information systems for the design and manufacture of products and processes.
• The synergy is generated by the right combination of parameters; the final product can be
better than just the sum of its parts.
• Mechatronics is the result of applying information systems to physical systems. The
physical system consists of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems as well as
actuators, sensors, and real-time interfacing.
 Mechanical
Control code
Sensing signal Control signal Component

Microprocessor
Sensors or
Microcontroller Actuator
Parameter, variables
Actuation

PLANT
(Robot, Autonomous Guided vehicle, Numerical
Controlled Machine, Vehicle engines, Consumer
products, Conveyor systems, Assembly systems,
Cranes, Defense equipments, Air craft engines, Other
machines, consumer products, etc)

Physically, a mechatronic system is composed of four prime components. They are

sensors, actuators, controllers and mechanical components. Figure shows a schematic
diagram of a mechatronic system integrated with all the above components.
MECHATRONICS KEY ELEMENTS

A mechatronic system is not an electromechanical system but is more than a control system.
Mechatronics is really nothing but good design practice.
 MECHATRONICS KEY ELEMENTS
• Sensors and Actuators
Sensors are required to monitor the performance of machines and processes. Using a collection of sensors, one
can monitor one or more variables in a process. Sensing systems also can be used to evaluate operations, machine
health, inspect the work in progress, and identify part and tools. The monitoring devices are generally located near
the manufacturing process measuring the surface quality, temperature, vibrations, and flow rate of cutting fluid.
Sensors are needed to provide real time information that can assist controllers in identifying potential bottlenecks,
breakdowns, and other problems with individual machines and within a total manufacturing environment.

Actuators are another important component of a mechatronic system. Actuation involves a physical action on the
process, such as the ejection of a work piece from a conveyor system initiated by a sensor. Actuators are usually
electrical, mechanical, fluid power or pneumatic based. They transform electrical inputs into mechanical outputs
such as force, angle, and position. Actuators can be classified into three general groups.
1. Electromagnetic actuators, (e.g., AC and DC electrical motors, stepper motors, electromagnets)
2. Fluid power actuators, (e.g., hydraulics, pneumatics)
3. Unconventional actuators (e.g., piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, memory metal)
 MECHATRONICS KEY ELEMENTS
Information Systems: Information systems include all aspects of information transmission—from signal
processing to control systems to analysis techniques. An information system is a combination of four
disciplines: communication systems, signal processing, control systems, and numerical methods.
Modeling and Simulation: Modeling is the process of representing the behavior of a real system by a collection
of mathematical equations and logic. The term real system is synonymous with physical system—that is, a
system whose behavior is based on matter and energy.
Simulation is the process of solving the model and is performed on a computer. The process of simulation can
be divided into three sections: initialization, iteration, and termination. If the starting point is a block diagram-
based model description, then in the initialization section, the equations for each of the blocks must be sorted
according to the pattern in which the blocks have been connected. The display section of a simulation is used to
present and post the output process.
Optimization: Optimization solves the problem of distributing limited resources throughout a system so that
pre-specified aspects of its behavior are satisfied. In mechatronics, optimization is primarily used to establish
the optimal system configuration.
Signals and conditioning
The mechatronic systems deal with two types of signals and conditioning such as – input and output. The input
devices receive input signals from the mechatronic systems via interfacing devices and sensors. Then it is sent
to the control circuits for conditioning or processing.
 MECHATRONICS KEY ELEMENTS
• Mechanical Systems
Mechanical systems are concerned with the behavior of matter under the action of forces. Such systems are
categorized as rigid, deformable, or fluid in nature. A rigid-body system assumes all bodies and connections in the
system to be perfectly rigid. The field of fluid mechanics consists of compressible and incompressible fluids.
Newtonian mechanics provides the basis for most mechanical systems and consists of three independent and
absolute concepts: space, time, and mass. A fourth concept, force, is also present but is not independent of the
other three. One of the fundamental principles of Newtonian mechanics is that the force acting on a body is
related to the mass of the body and the velocity variation over time.
• Electrical Systems
Electrical systems are concerned with the behavior of three fundamental quantities: charge, current, and voltage
(or potential). When a current exists, electrical energy usually is being transmitted from one point to another.
Electrical systems consist of two categories: power systems and communication systems. Communication
systems are designed to transmit information as low-energy electrical signals between points. Functions such as
information storage, processing, and transmission are common parts of a communication system. Electrical
systems are an integral part of a mechatronics application. The following electrical components are frequently
found in such applications.
• Motors and generators, Sensors and actuators (transducers)
• Solid state devices including computers
• Circuits (signal conditioning and impedance matching, including amplifiers)
• Contact devices (relays, circuit breakers, switches, slip rings, mercury contacts, and fuses)
• Digital logic systems
Digital logic devices control overall system operation. The various
digital logic systems used in the mechatronic system are logic circuits,
microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers, sequencing and
timing controls, and control algorithms. 

• The data acquisition system acquires the output signals from

sensors in the form of voltage, frequency, resistance etc. and it is
inputted into the microprocessor or computer. Software is used to
control the acquisition of data through DAC board. The data
acquisition system consists of a multiplexer, amplifier, register, and
control circuitry., and DAC board. The various data acquisition
systems used in the mechatronic system is data loggers, computer
with plug-in boards, etc.
MECHATRONICS: Examples of Mechatronics system
 MECHATRONICS: Examples of Mechatronics system
•Computers disk drives
•Photocopiers, laser printers and fax machines
•VCR/DVD drives
•Automatic washing machines, dish washer, rice cooker, automatic ovens and modem sewing machines
•Automatic teller machine (ATM)
•Coin counter
•Automatic/digital camera and digital watch
•Aircraft flight control systems such as cockpit control, landing gear control etc.
•Automobile applications include electronic engine management system, collision detection, global
positioning system, antilock brake system, keyless entry system, cruise control, parking assistance system
and others.
•Medical diagnostic instruments such as CT scan system, automatic blood testing equipment, etc.
•Automatic sliding door, vending machines and garage door openers
•Aerospace applications include launching, satellite solar plate extending mechanisms, and many more
The Automobile as a Mechatronic System
• Ignition timing
• Fuel-air ratio
• Lubrication system
• ABS; Traction control
• Suspension system
• Steering
• IVHS: (Intelligent Vehicle Highway System)
Needs and benefits of Mechatronics in Manufacturing
• In the domain of factory automation, mechatronics has had far-reaching effects in
manufacturing. Major constituents of factory automation include computer numerically
controlled (CNC) machines, robots, automation systems, and computer integration of all
functions of manufacturing. Low volume, more variety, higher levels of flexibility,
reduced lead time in manufacture, and automation in manufacturing and assembly are
likely to be the future needs of customers, and mechatronic systems will play an
important role in this context.
• CNC machine is the best and basic example of application of Mechatronics in
manufacturing automation. Efficient operation of conventional machine tools such as
Lathes, milling machines, drilling machine is dependent on operator skill and training.
Also a lot of time is consumed in work part setting, tool setting and controlling the
process parameters viz. feed, speed, depth of cut. Thus conventional machining is slow
and expensive to meet the challenges of frequently changing product/part shape and size.
Needs and benefits of Mechatronics in Manufacturing
• Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS): It combines microelectronics and mechanical
engineering to bring the economies of the scale to batch work. A central online computer
controls the machine tools, other work stations, and the transfer of components and
tooling. The computer also provides monitoring and information control. This
combination of flexibility and overall control makes possible the production of a wide
range of products in small numbers.

• Automated manufacturing systems (AMS): Supply of a good quality product or a system

to the market is the basic aim of the manufacturing industry. The product should satisfy
the needs of the customers and it must be reliable. To achieve this important product-
parameter during a short lead time is really a challenge to the manufacturing industry.
This can be achieved by building up the ‘quality’ right from the product design stage; and
maintaining the standards during the ‘production stages’ till the product-delivery to the
market.