Developing an Option in Mechatronics System Design ...

Developing an Option in Mechatronics System Design within the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program V. Jovanovic1, A. Verma1& M. Tomovic1 1

Department of Engineering Technology, Old Dominion University, Virginia, USA.

Abstract Mechatronics is one of the new emerging fields in the multidisciplinary engineering areas of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering and electrical and electronics engineering. This area has recently attracted attention at various academic levels due to needs from various industry sectors. Many universities, community colleges, training centres in industry and vocational schools have integrated mechatronics principles in their courses and programs. These efforts range from the course level, certificate level to a complete degree programs in engineering technology, engineering and technical sciences. Around the world there are even integrated pathways in some countries from technical vocational high school to associate, bachelors, masters and a doctorate in this new exciting engineering area. Based upon the feed-back from the industrial advisory board and needs of the local industry, the Engineering Technology Department in the Frank Batten College of Engineering & Technology at Old Dominion University has taken the initiative to develop an option within the existing Mechanical Engineering Technology program in the area of Mechatronics. Keywords: mechatronics, curriculum development, area of specialization.

1. Introduction Old Dominion University (ODU) is located at Norfolk, Virginia, city which is part of a metro area called Hampton Roads. This area is unique thanks to a large population of students who are working for military and taking courses to obtain

their Bachelor’s degree and veterans who are continuing their education. ODU is located close to the biggest naval base in the world and in an area which has high level of industry closely tied to the military [1]. It is estimated that one quarter of total student population of Old Dominion University is in some way related to the military. Another very important industry which is very strong in this area is shipbuilding, marine and advanced manufacturing [2]. Students from Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program are receiving a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology degree. Courses in this program are offered in a traditional classroom based setting, but also in a distance learning program. The main objective of this program is to enable graduates to be successful professionals in mechanical systems or related areas where they would solve complex technical problems by following the ethical and responsible ways of doing things while working collaboratively with others as lifelong learners. They usually follow the career pathways related to planning, specification, development, design, procurement of equipment and materials, implementation, and performance verification [3]. In addition, they are trained to conduct engineering experiments, make observations, collect and analyze data, and formulate conclusions. Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology is currently a center of excellence in the area of Marine Engineering Technology [2] and Motorsports Program [4]. Since Old Dominion University is located close to the many of United States major employers in the marine and military sectors, there are many different areas of collaboration that are being explored [2].

2. Current Areas of Specialization in Mechanical Engineering Technology Currently, the Mechanical Engineering Technology program has four elective areas of specialization in: manufacturing systems, mechanical systems design, nuclear systems and marine systems. The mechanical systems design area of specialization provides the skills for career success in designing, building, and installing mechanical systems of all descriptions including thermal and air conditioning systems, automated production equipment, and power systems. Graduates of this area of specialization are prepared for careers in engineering, fabrication, and technical support in both the public and private sectors [3]. Typical MET Senior Electives in a Design Systems concentration area are given in Table 1. Table 1: Typical MET Senior Electives in a Design Systems Concentration Area Number: Course Code: Four of the following courses: 1. MET 420 2. MET 430 3. MET 440 4. MET 450 5. MET 460

Course Name: Design for Manufacturing Mechanical Subsystem Design Heat Transfer Energy Systems Refrigeration and AC

6. 7. 8. 9.

MET 465 MET 471 MET 472 MET 475

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing Nuclear Systems I Nuclear Systems II Principles of Marine Eng.-I

Marine Systems Area of Specialization attracts students interested in ships’ systems operation and the shipbuilding and repair industry [3]. Location of Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, Virginia, which is a city with large natural harbor of the same name located at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. Hence, its location is very convenient for access to a shipyard, the world's largest fleet of US-flag vessels and Navy. In addition, it is major trade artery for the import and export of goods from across the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West, and internationally. Some students which are interested in this concentration are also affiliated with the Navy. For that purpose, many students from this region are interested in Marine Systems careers. Typical MET Senior Electives in a Marine Systems concentration area are given in Table 2. Table 2: Typical MET Senior Electives in a Marine Systems Concentration Area Number: Course Code: 1. MET 475 2. MET 476 3. MET 485 One of the following courses: MET 440 MET 450 4. MET 460 EET 360

Course Name: Principles of Marine Eng.-I Principles of Marine Eng.-II Principles of Maintenance Eng. Heat Transfer Energy Systems Refrigeration and AC Elect. Power & Machinery

Graduates of the manufacturing systems area of specialization are prepared for employment in a wide range of professional and technical positions at both large and small companies in areas such as manufacturing engineering, quality control, production management, test engineering, and maintenance management [3]. Typical MET Senior Electives in a Manufacturing Systems concentration area are given in Table 3. Table 3: Typical MET Senior Electives in a Manufacturing Systems Concentration Area Number: Course Code: Four of the following courses: 1. MET 400 2. MET 410 3. MET 415 4. MET 420 5. MET 445 6. MET 455 7. MET 465

Course Name: Computer Numerical Control in Production Advanced Manufacturing Processes Introduction to Robotics Design for Manufacturing Computer Integrated Manufacturing Lean Engineering Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing

The nuclear systems area of specialization is a special program available only to graduates of the U. S. Navy Nuclear Power School or programs related to

nuclear power plant operation through Dominion Energy. These students receive advanced standing credits that apply to the MET degree based on their professional education in nuclear power systems [3]. Typical MET Senior Electives in a Nuclear Systems concentration area are given in Table 3. Table 4: Typical MET Senior Electives in a Nuclear Systems concentration area Number: Course Code: 1. MET 471 2. MET 472 3. MET 480 One of the following courses: MET 440 MET 450 4. MET 460 EET 360

Course Name: Nuclear Systems I Nuclear Systems II High Performance Piston Engines Heat Transfer Energy Systems Refrigeration and AC Elect. Power & Machinery

3. Mechatronics System Design Concentration Area Compatibility with Existing Programs Mechatronics has been identified as one of the industry-sector technical competencies, along with the mechanical, electrical, computers, controls and industrial safety [5]. Mechatronic products and processes are increasingly pervasive across a wide array of industries, devices used for scientific experiments and even in usual daily activities. Some examples of mechatronic products are: printers, ATM’s, cash deposit machines, vending machines, packaging machines, cameras, servo systems, ABS brake systems, fuzzy logic dishwashing machines, video recorders, CD players, mine detection robots, autopilot systems in airplanes, medical devices, weapons, etc. Recent developments related to electromechanical systems and application of microprocessors, embedded systems and advanced electronics and controls have led to the new engineering area of mechatronics. Mechatronics is the synergistic application of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, controls engineering, and computer science to make useful products. It emphasizes troubleshooting of automated machinery with a systems point of view [5]. As identified by Packaging Machinery Institute (PMMI 1) a skill standards for mechatronics have been included in the Competency Model Clearinghouse of the U.S. Department of Labor [6]. Different universities are offering courses or programs related to mechatronics [7]. Some community colleges and industry training centers are providing students with opportunities related to obtaining mechatronics certificates [7, 8], other community colleges are offering degrees in Associate of 1

PMMI is a trade association with more than 540 member companies that manufacture packaging, processing and related converting machinery, commercially-available packaging machinery components, containers and materials in the United States and Canada.

Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) in mechatronics engineering technology and training mechatronics technicians [9] and mechatronic engineering technologists [10]. The Mechatronics System Design option’s primary goal is to provide the student with the skills necessary for success working in the advanced manufacturing sector, marine, military, packaging and all other industries which require knowledge about electromechanical systems with embedded systems and advanced computer control. Table 5: Possible MET Senior Electives in a Mechatronics System Design concentration area Number: Course Code: Four of the following courses: 1. MET 415 2. MET 426 3. MET 427 One of the following courses: MET 430 MET 445 4. MET 455 MET 485 EET 360

Course Name: Introduction to Robotics Introduction to Mechatronics Mechatronic System Design Mechanical Subsystem Design Computer Integrated Manufacturing Lean Engineering Principles of Maintenance Eng. Elect. Power & Machinery

Students who are entering Mechanical Engineering Technology program might come from various backgrounds, such as from articulation agreements that already exist with the Northrup-Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice program, the Virginia Community College system, Virginia Dominion Power, and the US Navy Nuclear Power School [2]. Many of these students have completed their Associate of Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) degrees and previously worked with some form of mechatronics systems in their workplace.

4. Laboratory Support for the New Option Laboratory support for the new courses in mechatronics will be provided via upgrade of existing laboratories like Controls Lab. (Kaufan Hall -105), Robotics Lab. (Kaufman Hall-116) and Electrical Circuits Lab. (Kaufman Hall-202). As part of the project activity, students assembled and programmed a Sumo Bot and had competition in class at the end of the semester. More project activities are being developed in various areas like applications of semiconductor electronics in mechatronics; the importance of system response in mechatronic systems; analog signal processing using operational amplifiers; application of digital circuits in mechatronics; microcontroller programming and interfacing; data acquisition in mechatronics; application of sensors and actuators in mechatronics.

5. Conclusions Mechanical Engineering Technology program continues to grow and update its curriculum based on the industry needs from the region and nationwide. Adding the Mechatronics System Design option for specialization area will build upon the existing competence base of various faculties which are essential part of this program. With minor changes to the existing MET program will result in the ability to offer an interdisciplinary specialization area, which is compatible with current two-year programs in other community colleges from the region. Moreover, these graduates will fill in the gaps which currently in the hiring of qualified engineers for an advanced manufacturing sector. References [1] [2]

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