Abstract
It is commonly accepted that hands-on experiences increase both learning and enjoyment during coursework. Mechatronics projects
provide both interesting and relevant hands-on experiences for a wide range of topics including design processes, basic mechatronics
concepts, technical communication, and working in a group environment. ME2110: Creative Decisions and Design at Georgia Tech integrates
mechatronics and technical communication into a sophomore level mechanical design class. This paper describes the course in
detail, highlighting the course goals and layout, tools provided to the students, industry involvement, and the main challenges of administering
such a course.
1. Introduction
Mechatronics is a discipline that combines elements
from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and
computer science. Given its cross disciplinary nature, it is
typically reserved for graduate or upper-level undergraduate
courses [1–5]. This trend may be beginning to change as
schools introduce mechatronics centered curricula [6–10].
However, it is generally believed that beginning engineering
students are usually too inexperienced to handle mechatronics
concepts. While this may be true for advanced
mechatronics, the basic elements of the topic can easily
be grasped by undergraduate students [11–14] and even
high school students [15,16].
One subject in which mechatronics naturally serves as a
vehicle for course material is mechanical design. Students
can be taught traditional mechanical design techniques,
such as planning tools, evaluation matrices, and functional
decomposition through the use of mechatronic examples
and projects. The inclusion of mechatronic projects benefits
students, who are able to practice the design concepts that
they have been taught, while forming a strong foundation
in mechatronics principles. The projects are also rewarding,
as they often afford the students their first opportunity to
design and build a computer-controlled machine. However,
the integration of mechatronics projects into the course
poses significant challenges for the faculty. For example,
the basic mechatronic concepts, such as electric motor
operation and control system programming, must be
taught in addition to the mechanical design material.
Such a course also provides an opportunity to integrate
oral and written technical communication with a two-fold
benefit for the students. First, the students practice the
basic tasks of describing and presenting designs. Second,
in presenting the design tools used to develop their designs,
the students display their understanding of the course
material, allowing instructors to revisit those topics that
the students have not mastered. Large mechatronics projects
provide experience with documenting a complete
design process, including discussion of the traditional
design and concept evaluation tools.


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