PROGRAMME: BSEE 3-2

COURSE: DESIGN OF MECHATRONICS SYSTEMS

CODE: ELE3220
DATE & TIME: MONDAY, 5TH DECEMBER 2016, 2:00PM 5:00PM.
TIME ALLOWED: 3 HOURS

Instructions:
1 This paper consists of seven (7) questions.
2 Attempt any five (5) questions.
3 All questions carry equal marks.
4 Begin each question on a new page.
5 Mobile phones should be left outside the examination room.
6 No unauthorized writing material should be left within your vicinity.

Question One
a) Draw a block diagram showing the key elements of mechatronics systems.
(3 marks)
b) Explain in detail the key elements indicated in 1(a) above.
(17 marks)

Question Two
a) Briefly explain any four (4) life cycle factors considered in mechatronics
design.
(4 marks)
b) Give any four (4) factors of concurrent engineering for any mechatronic
product.
(4 marks)
c) Explain any six (6) important features of mechatronics design process.
(12 marks)

Question Three
a) Explain any six (6) applications of mechatronics systems.
(12 marks)
b) Explain any four (4) factors considered while making the robot chassis
construction.
(8 marks)
Question Four
a) Explain the design concepts put into consideration while mounting the
following:
(i) Electronics circuits (3
marks)
(ii) Sensors (3
marks)
b) Given the following information about three motors to be selected from in
designing a mechatronic system:
Motor A: 2 lb ft, 1rps => RMF = 2 lb ft rps
Motor B: 2.5 lb ft, 2rps => RMF = 5 lb ft rps
Motor C: 2 lb ft, 4rps => RMF = 8 lb ft rps

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i) Consider that the velocity needed is 3 ft/s, acceleration is 3 ft/s^2 and then
estimated robot weight is 5 lbs. Calculate the robot motor factor (RMF).
(4 marks)
ii) From the three motors, which one is the best choice? Explain your answer. (6
marks)
iii) Calculate the wheel diameter from the motor selected. Give your answer in
inches.
(4 marks)

Question Five
a) Clearly describe the pitch and pitch diameter for a 72 teeth gear.
(2 marks)
b) Briefly explain any six (6) different types of gears which can be used in
designing a mechatronic system.
(12 marks)
c) Consider a mechatronic system having 30 gears all in order. If the diameter of
the first gear is 2 inches, and the diameter of the last is 1 inch.
(i) Give the gear ratio. (2
marks)
(ii) Calculate the efficiency of the system and give the assumption taken.
(4 marks)

Question Six
a) Determine the value and tolerance of a resistor having a colour coding of:
orange- orange-silver-brown basing on the table below.
(4 marks)

b) Explain what is normally done when batteries cannot supply current as fast as
the circuit drains them and how to prevent sudden current spikes that could lead
the robot circuitry to burn.
(7 marks)

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c) Explain the three ways of braking the DC motors for robots giving each ones
merits and draw backs.
(9 marks)

Question Seven
a) Describe the operation of the H-bridge circuit which is normally used to
control the robotic DC motors.
(10 marks)
b) Describe the methods which can be used to identify the terminals on the LED
to be connected on the circuit. (6
marks)
c) What is IrDA? How can its transmission range be improved? (4
marks)

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