Unit 9

Question 1

What is mechatronics?

Answer 1

Combination of mechanical and electronic systems

Question 2

Give examples of mechatronic systems

Answer 2

Robotic arms, CNC machines. anti-lock braking systems

Question 3

What are gears?

Answer 3

Toothed wheels arranged in trains to increase or decrease speed and torque

Question 4

A large gear drives a small gear whilst a small gear drives a large gear, what happens to the torque and speed for each one?

Answer 4

Large gear w/ small gear = Increased speed, reduced torque
Small gear w/ large gear = Increased torque, decreased speed

Question 5

What does cams and followers do?

Answer 5

Turn rotary motion into reciprocating motion

Question 6

What do linkages do?

Answer 6

Used to change type or direction of motion and/or the size of a force

Question 7

What do levers do?

Answer 7

Used to move a big force (load) using an effort force

Question 8

What are the three classes of levers?

Answer 8

1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class

Question 9

What do pulleys do?

Answer 9

Used to reduce effort when lifting loads

Question 10

Define mechanical advantage

Answer 10

Ability to lift a large load with a small effort force

Question 11

Give the formula for mechanical advantage

Answer 11

M. Advantage = Load/Effort

Question 12

What are sensors?

Answer 12

Devices used to measure changes in the environment around them

Question 13

Give examples of sensors

Answer 13

LDRs, NTC thermistors, proximity sensors, pressure sensors

Question 14

What are transducers?

Answer 14

Electrical components that convert one form of energy into another

Question 15

Give examples of transducers

Answer 15

Sensors, motors and solenoids, sound outputs like bells, buzzers or loudspeakers

Question 16

What are actuators?

Answer 16

Components that turn an electrical, mechanical or environmental signal into a physical movement

Question 17

Give examples of actuators

Answer 17

AC and DC motors
Servo motors
Stepper motors
Solenoids

Question 18

What’s common between microprocessors and microcontrollers?

Answer 18

Both are in the form of an integrated circuit (IC)
Programmed to perform different functions
Replaces discrete components

Question 19

What do microprocessors contain?

Answer 19

Logic and control circuitry required for a CPU

Question 20

Give common applications of microprocessors

Answer 20

Computer controlled robots and smart systems

Question 21

What do microcontrollers contain?

Answer 21

Several pins or ports to connect different input and output devices

Question 22

What do microcontrollers do?

Answer 22

They used text-based programming to replace hardware functions such as responses to sensors, latching, counting

Question 23

What is peripheral interface controller (PIC)?

Answer 23

A group of microcontrollers designed for embedded systems, often with in-built analogue-to-digital signal conversion capability

Question 24

What do motors do?

Answer 24

Convert electrical energy into movement

Question 25

How do **servo** motors function?

Answer 25

They turn through a precise angle which is controlled by a series of pulses

Question 26

Give common applications of servo motors

Answer 26

CNC machinery and robotics

Question 27

How do **stepper** motors function?

Answer 27

They turn through precise steps achieved by dividing full rotation into a sequence of equal steps.

Question 28

What is a **PLC?**

Answer 28

A programmable logic controller

Question 29

Why are PLCs suitable for use in engineering?

Answer 29

Easy to program Rugged Reliable Capable with a large number of input/output devices

Question 30

Give the two types of PLCs

Answer 30

**Unitary** PLC **Modular** PLC

Question 31

What is a unitary PLC?

Answer 31

A PLC with all its components contained within a single housing

Question 32

What is a modular PLC?

Answer 32

A PLC made up of different modules connected to form a customised device

Question 33

Give the main components of a PLC

Answer 33

Power supply CPU Programming device Input and output (I/O) modules/devices

Question 34

Why do analogue signals need to be **conditioned** before being sent to a PLC?

Answer 34

To ensure they're in the correct format

Question 35

How does the programming language Ladder logic work?

Answer 35

Uses a graphical diagram for representation, based on circuit diagrams of **relay logic hardware**

Question 36

Give the advantages of Ladder logic

Answer 36

Simple to use Easy to understand

Question 37

Give the limitations of Ladder logic

Answer 37

Can lack flexibility

Question 38

What does a **motor driver integrated circuit (IC)?** provide and why?

Answer 38

More current as a PLC cannot provide enough current for motor outputs on their own

Question 39

What does an interface device do?

Answer 39

Allows communications to take place between input and output devices, and the PLC

Question 40

Why are interface devices important?

Answer 40

They ensure integrity and accuracy of information

Question 41

Give common engineering applications of PLCs

Answer 41

Controlling movement of robotic arms Automated packaging **Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)**

Question 42

What is **SCADA**?

Answer 42

A software used to supervise, monitor and control processes

Question 43

Give the main elements of a SCADA system

Answer 43

Supervisory computers Remote terminal units PLCs Communication devices **Human-machine interface (HMI)**

Question 44

What is the difference between hydraulic and pneumatic systems?

Answer 44

Hydraulic uses fluid for power Pneumatic use compressed air for power

Question 45

Give the advantages of hydraulic systems

Answer 45

High power Accurate and precise operation

Question 46

Give the limitations of hydraulic systems

Answer 46

Slower speed of operation then pneumatic Can leak, not suitable if contamination occurs

Question 47

Give the advantages of pneumatic systems

Answer 47

High speed of operation Air is clean and renewable

Question 48

Give the limitations of pneumatic systems

Answer 48

Not as powerful as hydraulic Sensitive to vibrations and temperature changes

Question 49

Define a pump

Answer 49

Devices that concert electrical or mechanical energy into hydraulic energy

Question 50

How does a pump creates fluid flow (hydraulic power)

Answer 50

By overcoming the pressure induced by a resistive load

Question 51

Define a compressor

Answer 51

Devices that convert electrical or mechanical energy into pressurised air

Question 52

Define what a **valve** does in a fluid power system

Answer 52

Controls the direction of fluid

Question 53

How do you create simple fluid power logic circuits?

Answer 53

By connecting two valves in **series** (**AND** circuit) By connecting two valves in **parallel** (**OR** circuit)

Question 54

What do actuators do in hydraulic or pneumatic systems?

Answer 54

They turn hydraulic/pneumatic energy back into mechanical energy

Question 55

Give the formula for the output force of a cylinder

Answer 55

F=P * A, where A = πr2