Project-based learning applied to mechatronics teaching

Abstract

This paper deals with the experience carried out in the University of Oviedo with students of the Master in Mechatronic Engineering. In this master, there is a reduced number of students (never over 20), and their nationalities, as well as their previous academic background, can be very different. This results in groups of students who are usually eager to learn new things and in an encouraging and enriching environment –also for lecturers. Since most of the courses included in the Master have a practical focus, this spirit was also used in the subject called Mechatronic Project. In this subject, the students –supervised by Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering lecturers– must develop a planar or spatial manipulator. The manipulator must be designed, manufactured and mounted throughout the subject and, during the evaluation session, it must correctly follow pre-defined trajectories. All the different students’ groups in the course are provided with commercial components such as servomotors, ball bearings, linear guides; they can also use 3-D printers in order to design the manipulator links or its frame. They also design and manufacture the printed circuit board including the control circuitry for the servomotors, liquid-crystal displays, keyboards, connectors, etc. The present paper provides a detailed description of all the tasks carried out by the students: design, manufacture, mounting, defense and tests. Economical cost of the experience described, as well as some problems to be solved in the future, will also be evaluated. The final conclusion evinces that this experience has been very welcome both by the students and the lecturers involved, and that it has proved successful.