Interdisciplinary engineering instruction in our multi-purpose mechatronics lab transforms engineering students into career professionals. Experiments build core knowledge in electrical and electronic components and circuits.
Hands-on experience with instruments, such as multimeters, power supplies, function generators and oscilloscopes, teach the fundamentals of analyzing electric functionality. Students learn other key concepts, such as how to apply microcontrollers to control motors and troubleshoot electro-mechanizations. Open-ended projects synthesize these fundamental principles with electrical, mechanical, computer and electro- control systems, allowing students to design automated electro-mechanical devices, counters, amplifiers, and digital devices such as scrolling displays and traffic light controllers. The core engineering course Mechatronics (EGR 222) utilizes this lab.
Key Features
- Faculty members, not graduate students, guide students in building their own electro- mechanical devices and in troubleshooting. Lab experience is vital for students to design open-ended projects, allowing creative, independent thought unique among universities.
- Lab kits issued provide most necessary tools and supplies needed to build electro- mechanical systems.
- Our lab offers design-oriented experience working with micro-controllers, sensors and actuators, providing open-ended opportunities for students to custom design more efficient and cost-effective mechatronic systems.
- Student lab projects included designing microcontroller (and PC) programming to control HO electric trains, which has broader applications in understanding automation and control loops for automated, intelligent, remote controlled vehicles, such as unmanned surveillance planes.
- Four hours per week scheduled open lab.