A Mechatronic Load Testing Equipment

Abstract

In a Project given to 2nd year students in Engineering Mechanics I (Statics) course the students are required to make calculations and prototype of a spring link- rigid body link weight carrying body with concurrent forces in 2D. Unfortunately the student had problems in visualization of the problem and also the solution. In this paper a prototype is shown (manufactured) which have an output of the results so as to use these results in checking calculation and visualization of the system in a lab environment study. Results are given to the students as: Theoretical, mechanical, through potentiometric device readings and by image processing. By this test apparatus, students change connection points and the weights and make the calculations to find forces in elements, displacement of spring and the angles that links make with horizontal. They see the results as; change in length of spring, the forces in each member visually on LCD (PC) and compare their results. The main object of this equipment, is to make Mechatronics Engineering students understand the problem better, check their results, meet with future mechatronic devices they will see in their following semesters and have an understanding of what mechatronic systems are.