MECHENG 306 : Design of Sensing and Actuating Systems

Engineering

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A range of projects on mechatronic elements and systems, involving sensors, actuators and microcontrollers, as well as their interfacing. The design of mechatronic sub-systems, including interfacing, signal conditioning and processing, sensors, actuators, control technologies, software, systems modelling, simulation, analysis and design.

Course Overview

The lectures will cover the key components of a mechatronics systems, i.e.
1. Actuators (e.g. electro-mechanical relays, solenoids, DC and AC motors)
2. Sensors (e.g. optical, range , proximity, strain and force sensors)
3. Interfacing and software programming (e.g. motor drivers, electronic circuits for sensors and actuators, real-time system design)

The students will conduct two projects in  groups to familiarize themselves with implementation of these components to practical mechatronics system. These projects will involve sensing, actuation, interfacing, signal processing, programming, and controller implementation.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MECHENG 235 and 270 Restriction: MECHENG 312

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and use different components of a mechatronics system. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  2. Recognise and design suitable sensors for mechatronics systems. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  3. Be able to select appropriate actuators to drive mechatronics system. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  4. Be able to interface the hardware and control a mechatronics system. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  5. Critically evaluate the technical analysis of mechatronic systems conducted by their peers. (Capability 6.1 and 7.1)
  6. Explain and communicate their analysis and proposed solutions to their members and technical audience. (Capability 6.1 and 7.1)
  7. Apply Engineering New Zealand's Health and Safety by Design Practice Notes (Capability 1.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Project 1 35% Group & Individual Coursework
Project 2 35% Group & Individual Coursework
Final Exam 30% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Project 1
Project 2
Final Exam

Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) fail grade will be returned.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For each week in this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, 4 hours of lab work, and 4 hours of additional reading and thinking about the content  and/or test preparation per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at labs to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the project demonstrations.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The project scope and objectives are refined regularly based on the student feedback.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.