Description
Aims:
The aims of this module are to:
- Provide enabling knowledge in the design and analysis of integrated robotic systems.
- Offer essential knowledge in the mechatronic aspects of joints, power transmission and hydraulics.
- Support students in problem solving in the design and modelling of robotic components, assessing likely performance and adapting the design appropriately, then in making and integrating the appropriate subsystems.
- Provide students with the tools for critical analysis to assess and reflect on the performance the robotic systems produced.
- Support students to develop a holistic understanding of the practical application of theory and foundational knowledge of robotic systems (project).
- To build students’ confidence when liaising with and presenting in future industrial contexts, working with peers and participating in robotics projects.
Intended learning outcomes:
On successful completion of the module, a student will be able to:
- Use systems engineering techniques to plan, design and evaluate simple robotic systems.
- Justify choices made for power trains and joint articulation in robots.
- Integrate these design components into a coherent whole, testing this to ensure operability.
- Justify manufacturing and materials choices and demonstrate the ability to design and produce small-scale robotic prototypes.
- Identify and demonstrate a critical understanding of the role that mechatronic and making knowledge plays in the development and build of AI-based robotic systems, including ethical considerations.
- Demonstrate engagement with reflective and learning as key academic and professional skills.
Indicative content:
This is a practical module focussed on the construction of articulated and mobile robotic systems. The module covers both the overall systems engineering process; the specifics of joints, power transmission and hydraulics; and the practicalities of building small robots using modern prototyping technologies.
The following are indicative of the topics the module will typically cover:
- Mechatronic systems case studies.
- Joints, mechanical advantage.
- Power transmission: gears, belt drives, inertia and inertia matching.
- Hydraulics and pneumatics; soft actuators.
- Systems engineering and software engineering:
- Design processes (in theory and in reality.)
- Mathematical modelling.
- Simulation.
- Material properties.
- Small scale manufacturing processes: 3D printing technologies, CNC, laser cutting.
- 3D design.
Requisites:
To be eligible to select this module as optional or elective, a student must be registered on a programme and year of study for which it is formally available.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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