A new approach to mechatronics system design using hardware in the loop simulation

Presents an approach to a mechatronics system design course, which is primarily based on a combination of mechanical, electrical and software elements along with the design and construction of an intelligent mechatronics technology demonstrator. Topics covered in this course are principles of transducers and sensors and how to interface them with an external process in a computer environment. Methods of system modeling, real time interfacing and rapid prototyping are addressed. Computer interfacing work includes signal conversion, interface components, and real time application of computer systems to problems in manufacturing. The goals of the paper are to describe (1) the University of Hartford mechatronic curriculum, (2) the language-neutral teaching approach for mechatronics, and (3) a low cost technology demonstrator, developed and refined by the authors, which is suitable for studying the key elements of mechatronics including system dynamics, sensors, actuators, and computer interfacing