Mechatronics and Robotics BEng/Meng Modules

Year one | Year two | Year three | Year four

Year one

General Engineering Tools and Principles 1 provides students with sound knowledge and command of fundamental engineering tools, principles and mathematical techniques with emphasis on engineering applications. Student will gain an appropriate background in the fundamental principles of Mathematics, Mechanical Principles (Solid Mechanics), Electronic Principles and their uses by carrying out analytical calculations and laboratory experiments. The module contains the well-recognized elements of classical engineering mathematics which universally underpin the formation of the professional engineer. Therefore, the module will concentrate on: (a) understanding mathematical concepts associated with engineering applications, and (b) applying mathematical skills and techniques to solve engineering problems.

General Engineering Tools and Principles 2 builds on the common basis established in Engineering Tools and Principles 1. The aim of this module is to provide students with a clear understanding of Mathematical and Engineering concepts. Student will gain an appropriate background in the fundamental principles of Mathematics, Mechanical Principles (Dynamics), Electronic Principles and their uses by carrying out analytical calculations and laboratory experiments. The focus in this module is on practical applications – introducing multivariable functions and their derivatives, matrices, vectors and complex numbers. These building blocks are combined with material from Engineering Tools and Principles 1 to study differential equations. The module also covers uses of statistics and probability in the engineering domain.

Mechanical Design and Manufacturing 1 includes two interlinked parts: 1) a practical part in which students will learn the key elements of engineering drawings and the design process and 2) a tools part where students will learn the numerical tools required for modern Mechanical Engineering Design in addition to the fundamentals of mechanical machines and the fundamentals of work and energy.

In the practical part, students will work as part of a team to develop a solution for a design challenge while tackling a range of issues to produce a cost-effective solution while considering the product life cycle. Students will work to a timetable and budget while interacting with a range of personnel. They also receive essential training on operating manufacturing machines and health and safety aspects.

The practical part is informed by the knowledge and skills the students gain in the tools part which include four overall topics: Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Programming, Machines & Mechanisms and Thermodynamics.

Mechanical Design and Manufacturing 2 includes two parts: 1) a practical part in which students will manufacture and test a working prototype based on a design generated to a problem specification and 2) a tools part where students will further learn the numerical tools required for modern Mechanical Engineering Design in addition to the fundamentals of mechanical machines and the fundamentals of work and energy.

In the practical part, students will work as part of a team to manufacture a design solution while tackling a range of issues to produce a cost-effective solution while considering the product life cycle, sustainability, and ethics. The students will work to a timetable and budget while interacting with a range of personnel. In the tools part, they learn four topics: Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Programming, Machines & Mechanisms and Thermodynamics.

Year two

Advanced Mechatronics Tools and Principles covers three parts.The first part provides students with sound knowledge and command of mathematical techniques with emphasis on engineering applications. The second part of the module introduces the general principles and applications of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE). This includes principal generic and distinctive features of computing, programming and interfacing microcontrollers for practical applications to provide a foundation for embedded systems. The third part of the module allows students to learn about circuit design and gain the necessary practical skills required for designing future electronic circuits and systems, driven by scientific curiosity and by industrial and societal needs.

Dynamics, Instrumentation and Control covers three parts. The first part of the module introduces students to modelling and analysis of dynamic systems through the investigation of the system response, with an emphasis on the free and forced oscillations. Student will learn about the idea of modelling physical systems, characteristic equations, natural frequencies, and vibration modes. In addition, different system’s engineering applications will be discussed to develop further understanding of the solution of the resulting differential equations (e.g., vibration systems, DC motor, quadrotor, battery, etc.).

The second part of the module concerns instrumentation aspects of computer control systems. Students will learn about principles of interfacing industrial processes with control computers and the instrumentation required for this purpose. The third part of the module introduces students to the theory of control systems and computer control. The aim is to teach analysis and design of single-input single-output continuous and digital feedback systems. The background theory is supported by computer aided design studies (using the MATLAB/Simulink package) and practical laboratory experiments.

Design and Project Management presents some of the background, theory and practice of project management to enable students to embed professional project management expertise in their professional and academic development, and to understand the interplay among science, engineering, design and project management. The module concentrates on the wider role and expectations of the project manager and students can expect to contribute to discussions ranging from the time value of money to anticipating how future sustainability pressures can influence a project now. Throughout the process, students will also learn the standard of good engineering design solutions and practical skills to develop and demonstrate the discipline specific designs.

Year three

Robotics provides the knowledge and skills necessary to analyse, design, build and operate a robotic system. Current and future applications of robotic technology, and the use of robots in real-world applications (e.g. manufacturing) will be explored. The concepts and tools for modelling, simulating, and controlling robots will be introduced. Starting from mathematical fundamentals of robot motion, students will be acquainted with the necessary hardware components of a robotic system, such as sensors and motors. A range of robots, including mobile robots and robotic manipulators, will be analysed and investigated. Students will develop knowledge and skills in modelling, programming and analysis using specific software. Hands-on experience will be given for designing, programming, implementing and testing robotic applications. In particular, the mathematical theory and practical implementation of robotic technologies such as path planning, navigation, localisation and mapping will be introduced. The integration of robotic systems with other topics (e.g. AI) will also be explored, including computer vision and artificial intelligence in robotics.

Electrical Transmission and Distribution develops awareness and advanced knowledge of both the theory and practice of the transmission and distribution of electrical power. The basic theory and rationale behind 3-phase power systems is given with an introduction to the power system network, which is then extended to modelling and analysis of power systems. Detailed mathematical models for three-phase transformers, transmission lines, loads and synchronous machines will be developed. The module covers necessary tools of power system analysis such as per unit representation, node equations, power flow analysis, and solution techniques such as Gauss-Seidel and Newton-Raphson for analysing the flows in simple networks. Aspects related to distribution system planning and design are covered, along with topics related to load modelling, application of capacitors, voltage regulation and harmonic analysis in these systems. The module also covers advanced topics such as short-circuit analysis (symmetrical components, sequence networks and fault current calculation) and topics related to power system stability such as transient stability (swing curve & equal area criterion) and voltage stability (PV & QV curves).

Advanced Embedded Systems and IoT with Individual Project provides students with an extended insight into, and understanding of, modern embedded systems. The module will demonstrate the essential features of an embedded system and the use of microcontroller/microprocessor in realising innovative modern engineering design. The essential development methods and tools unique to the goals of the system developer will also be introduced. The role of system developer and its relevance to modern engineering will feature in terms of product design, machine design, and process design.

The 'Individual Project' component will allow students to engage in a substantial piece of individual research and or product development work focused on a topic relevant to their specific discipline. The topic may be drawn from a variety of sources including their placement experience, research groups, the company in which they are employed or a subject of personal interest (provide suitable supervision is available). The chosen topic will require the student to formulate problems, conduct literature reviews, determine solutions, evaluate information, develop hardware & software as appropriate, process data, critically appraise and present their finding using a variety of media. Where appropriate to their discipline, the student will be required to present new design work to include the development of hardware & software as appropriate.

This forms part of a pair of modules with Model-Based System Integration with Individual Project in Block 4 being the second.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics with Individual Project introduces and gives students an understanding of the fundamentals of the field of Power Electronics starting with basic linear and switching power conversion. The module reflects the very wide knowledge base associated with the field of power electronics drawing on knowledge of power semiconductors, control, signal processing, DSP and embedded systems.

This forms part of a pair of modules with Advanced Power Electronics with Individual Project in Block 4 being the second.

Renewable Energy Electronic Devices 1 with Individual Project focuses on various aspects of semiconductor materials and devices for their applications in renewable energy electronics devices. Semiconductor devices are used for switching action in various appliances; power electronics-based power converters are widely used in renewable energy systems. Wide bandgap semiconductor materials are becoming important in terms of power electronics, and this will be introduced in detail. Semiconductor materials are an integral part of solar PV cells; solar PV electricity production is expected to increase in years to come. Therefore, learning the basic aspects of semiconductor materials and devices from the perspective of their application in energy-related devices is a philosophy of this module. This module provides a background on the science and technology of materials deposition/ processing and how semiconductor materials and devices are used to enable clean energy. The module covers the fundamentals of semiconductor materials and devices required for their applications in renewable energy, conventional fabrication processes used in making such devices, and their testing and analysis.

This forms part of a pair of modules with Renewable Energy Electronic Devices 2 with Individual Project in Block 4 being the second.

3D Printing and FEM for Mechanical Projects 1 addresses the main concepts and methods of 3D Printing and Finite Element Method in the context of part of a project using these techniques.

Each project will be individual to the student, who will be assigned a supervisor and will also have the support of the teaching team on this module. The chosen topic will require the student to formulate problems, conduct literature reviews, determine solutions, evaluate information, develop hardware and software as appropriate, process data, and critically appraise and present their findings using a variety of media.

This forms part of a pair of modules, with 3D Printing and FEM for Mechanical Projects 2 in Block 4 being the second.

Model-Based System Integration with Individual Project aims to create understanding and awareness of model-based system integration, and its approaches and tools. Students will gain insight into, and understanding of, the Model Based System Integration (MBSI) methodology. This includes application of the Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) and Model Based Design (MBD) methods and tools to the unique goals of the system integrator. Furthermore, the module will demonstrate the essential features of system integration and its application in realising innovative modern engineering design via a design study. The role of system integration and its relevance to modern engineering will feature in terms of product design, machine design, and process design.

Advanced Power Electronics and Applications with Individual Projectbuilds on the fundamental power conversion covered in Fundamentals of Power Electronics. This module covers the use of power electronics to control motor drives, electric automotive power systems and power generation systems. Modern motor drives and renewable energy power conversion are also covered, together with the applications of each. Content includes: Motors, motor control circuits and motor control; Embedded power generation applications (e.g. photovoltaic power systems); Switching power supply circuits and control; Electric vehicle applications (e.g. AC motor controller, DC-DC. converters and battery chargers) and Semiconductor device selection and thermal management modelling.

Renewable Energy Electronic Devices 2 with Individual Project provides an advanced knowledge of emerging semiconductor materials and devices (e.g. bandgap engineering for tandem solar cells and wide-bandgap materials for power electronics devices) that are used to enable clean energy. The module includes the fundamentals of emerging semiconductor materials and devices (including nanomaterials) requirements for their applications in renewable energy, energy conversion and storage, emerging fabrication processes (including printing) used in making such devices, and exposure to advanced testing facilities and analysis.

Year four (MEng)

Engineering Business Environment and Research Methods

In this module students will understand and reflect upon sustainability and the role of business in a rapidly changing, globalised world. It identifies opportunities and threats for industry arising from environmental policy, legislation and societal change, and explores how businesses respond to future environmental challenges: for example, through supply chain management, logistics, life-cycle analysis, green accounting and carbon trading. This module benefits future practitioners in industry, and future academics exploring the sustainability of engineering businesses.

The module teaches students to demonstrate self-direction, group working and originality in problem solving. Teaching of research methods and associated study skills will be integrated through coursework and assignments to prepare students to plan and successfully complete their project. Material includes: understanding the research of others, literature reviewing, research methodologies, data interpretation and analysis, research ethics, intellectual property and report writing.

Machine Vision, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence provides both conceptual and detailed knowledge in the area of robotics, machine vision and artificial intelligence. The module will explore key concepts related to machine vision, robotics and artificial intelligence and their current challenges, develop techniques and present applications of these technologies. Content includes: Robotics hardware, software and structures; Sensors & actuators; Mobile and autonomous robots; Motion, kinematics, drive systems and control; Multi-robot systems; Probabilistic robotics; Distributed robotics and sensor fusion; Image processing and machine vision; Pattern recognition techniques; Statistical classification; Moving towards artificial intelligence; Neural networks and Applications and examples.

Digital Signal Processing and Embedded Systems covers two parts: Digital Signal Processing and Embedded Systems. Digital Signal Processing considers the applications of signal analysis and computational methods for processing digital signals, including images. The emphasis is on the generation of appropriate 'software solutions' for digital signal and image processing (DSIP) in the time and frequency domains. Students are provided with problem sheets whose solutions are compounded in the design, implementation and testing of various DSIP algorithms.

Embedded Systems covers topics such as the aspects of C programming for embedded systems, interrupts, shared-data problem, the use of sub-routines/co-routines/semaphores and real-time operating systems (RTOS). The principles of assembly language programming are also introduced and compared with the C programming of microcontrollers. This part develops students’ ability to critically analyse engineering problems involving microcontroller issues and their experimental and theoretical skills in embedded systems.

Group Project is an opportunity for students to work on an engineering project as a multidisciplinary team, similar to that found in industry. The module has been specifically designed to expose students to the multidisciplinary and team nature of many engineering projects, helping to highlight individual strengths and weaknesses, which may help the individual in selecting a pathway to an engineering career. It will also help to prepare students for being responsible for the quality of their output, in particular conforming to required protocols, and managing technical uncertainty.

The project will include using appropriate technical information and engineering knowledge, problem solving, application and development of mathematical and computer models, the understanding and selection of components and materials, and the necessary workshop and laboratories techniques. Students will develop key skills in understanding and practising project manage, leadership and risk management applied to a technical project.