Development of a mechatronics laboratory-eliminating barriers to manufacturing instrumentation and control

The integration of electronics, sensors, actuators, and microprocessor technology into manufacturing processes and consumer products is requiring engineers to possess greater mechatronics knowledge. Students must be encouraged to embrace a mechatronics perspective through combined classroom and "hands-on" laboratory activities to develop critical systems skills for multidisciplinary teams. In this letter, laboratory experiments and their accompanying learning objectives are introduced and discussed which highlight key industrial technologies and establish a foundation for skill achievement.