Mechanical Systems Laboratory: Computer Based Interfacing and Design

通过这个项目，机械工程系正在开发一个新的机械工程实验室课程，强调基于计算机的接口和热机械设备的控制。 该课程包括一个强大的设计组件，并代表了课程的显着改进。 该课程的一个特殊模块正在为ME教师设计。 该模块也适合作为实践ME工程师的继续教育课程。 学生参与实践活动，学习与计算机接口设备以及机械设计和控制的理论和实践方面。 一些新购买的硬件用于实验。 然而，学生设计和构建自己的硬件从设计工具包，每个收到。 这方面的课程借鉴了学生过去的设计经验，包括以下设计考虑：项目规划，概念生成和评估，硬件设计，以及在其控制操作中对构建的组件进行评估。 控制方面是基于一个接口A/D板，PC机和各种热机械设备的使用。 学生们学习如何设置硬件和用C语言编写自己的控制程序。 控制方面包括过程或设备的自动化测试;压力、温度和轴速的监控;超过设定点时的警告;设备的安全关闭;以及数据收集和顺序控制。

Through this project, the Department of Mechanical Engineering is developing a new mechanical engineering laboratory course that emphasizes computer-based interfacing and control of thermo- mechanical equipment. The course includes a strong design component and represents a significant improvement in the curriculum. A special module of the course is being designed for ME faculty. This module is also suitable as a continuing education course for practicing ME engineers. Students participate in hands-on activities and learn both the theoretical and the practical aspects of interfacing equipment with a computer as well as mechanical design and control. Some newly purchased hardware is used for the experiments. However, students design and build their own hardware from design kits that each receive. This aspect of the course draws upon students' past experience in design and includes the following design considerations: project planning, concept generation and evaluation, hardware design, and evaluation of the built assembly in its control operation. The controls aspect is based on the use of an interface A/D board, a PC, and various thermomechanical devices. The students learn how to set up hardware and write their own control programs in C. Control aspects include automated testing of a process or equipment; monitoring of pressure, temperature, and shaft speed; warnings if setpoints are exceeded; safety shutdown of equipment; and collection of data and sequencing control.