Mechatronics

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Mechatronics encourages innovation at a whole new level!

Modern industry relies on highly complex production systems to produce high-quality, economical products for an ever demanding world. Mechatronics teaches systems thinking that is required to effectively operate, program, and problem solve in this complex environment. With the rapid proliferation of automation technology, mechatronics has become one of the fastest growing technical education programs in the world. Many technologies are integrated to make these sophisticated production systems:

  • Mechanical
  • Electrical
  • Electronics
  • Software

Amatrol’s 870 Mechatronics Learning System teaches students a broad array of job-ready skills in integrating technologies. Students work together in a team environment to make the whole process work. Seven stations make up a complete flexible manufacturing system. Each station is a small mechatronics system in itself with multiple, integrated technologies that can be used stand-alone or in various combinations, creating unlimited project capability. The 870 Learning System is compact, enabling it to fit into almost any teaching facility. Whether using one station or many, Amatrol’s Mechatronics Learning System is the ultimate team project!

Amatrol’s Mechatronics Program will quickly bring your Mechatronics program online with the teaching tools you need to get the job done: extensive curriculum in both print-based and CD-ROM formats, high quality industrial hands-on training equipment, teacher guides, computerized classroom assessment system, installation, on-going service and support, and teacher training.

Amatrol’s Mechatronics Program is also unique because it offers:

Industrial Components and Safety

Amatrol’s Mechatronics Learning System uses off-the-shelf industry standard components typical of what learners will see in industry. Recreating the industrial environment in the classroom helps make students job-ready by building skills using the equipment they will find in the workplace. Industrial methods and components combine so that students learn to do tasks they will perform on the job.

Safety in an industrial setting is critical. The 870 Mechatronics System teaches students standard industrial practices and methods that support a safe workplace. Emergency stop circuits meet industrial standards as does the real world operator panel. Students learn the importance of lockout / tagout and procedures for correct machine start-up, shut-down, and emergency stop operation.

Wide Array of Advanced Technology

Amatrol’s Mechatronics System covers a broad array of applications across a balance of mechanical, electrical, electronics, fluid power and software to enable students to work effectively in virtually any industrial setting. The 870 Mechatronics system includes eight types of electronic sensors, three types of electrical motors, four types of pneumatic actuators and 20 different mechanical power transmission components.

Real Product Production

The 870 Mechatronics Learning System teaches students how to manufacture industrial quality working directional control valves. They develop skills needed to enable processes to work together such as making precision physical adjustments. Modern industry leverages technology so that one set of equipment can make many products. Amatrol’s Mechatronics System brings industrial realism to the classroom by allowing students to program it to assemble a minimum of four different variations of the valve.

Individualized and Group Learning Formats

Amatrol’s learning activity packet (LAP) design gives instructors the flexibility to teach students using either a self-directed or traditional lecture-lab format. The LAP design allows labs to be implemented with a minimum of preparation.

Multimedia and Printed Curriculum Formats

Amatrol curriculum is well known for its breadth and depth of industry-relevant skills. Amatrol’s unique curriculum approach uses a task-based design where theory and hands-on activities are structured around industry-relevant tasks that enable students to develop job-ready skills. The curriculum easily supports either traditional lecture-lab format or individualized learning so students can learn at their own pace.

The 870 Mechatronics Learning System boasts a robust ten Learning Activity Packets (LAPs). The first two LAPs concentrate on skills core to all stations: an introduction to mechatronics, systems concepts, safety, machine operation, sensors, pneumatic pick & place, and electrical pick & place. Integration skills across multiple stations as well as skills specific to an individual station are covered in the balance. Overall system skills include discrete I/O handshaking, system start-up / halt, system stop / reset, and FMS programming.

All stations teach operation, sequencing and programming skills. Stations can be easily moved apart to function as individual workstations by releasing two quick connects and one plug-in cable. Stations can also be mixed and matched, enabling instructors to build and change the system as budgets allow or needs change. Many station combination’s are available to support your needs.

Automated Lab Results

Amatrol’s SkillACE software makes documentation of lab results an easy task for teachers with a computerized data collection system and powerful reporting tools.

Amatrol’s Mechatronics Program Contents

  • Learning Systems -These systems include hands-on stations with industrial quality software and equipment to provide learning in mechatronics topics.
  • Printed Curriculum – Each learning system includes a printed curriculum in an individualized, layered, task-based format.
  • Interactive Multimedia Curriculum – Various learning systems are available with an optional interactive multimedia version of the printed curriculum to enhance student learning and motivation.
  • Electronic Assessment System – The optional Amatrol SkillACE software automatically collects student assessment results and organizes them in useful reporting formats.
  • Teacher Training Services – Amatrol provides tuition-free teacher training for initial and on-going professional development of teachers involved in the Mechatronics Program.
  • Service and Support Services – Amatrol offers superior service and support, including free hot-line support and knowledgeable local service technicians.

Learning System Topics

  • Mechanical Drives
  • Fluid Power
  • Servo Control
  • Electrical Motor Control
  • Electronic Drives
  • Programmable Controllers
  • Process Control
  • Robotics
  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)

Individual Station Detail:

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