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Getting Hands On with Arduino Mechatronics

Dr. Don Wilcher -
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham
August 8,
2016
Introduction, Driving LCDs and Audio Alarms with an Arduino
A discussion on Mechatronics, with examples, will be presented. Also, two hands-on activities that participants can do at home will illustrate the audible and visual devices that can be used in Mechatronics warning systems. The LCD and a Piezo Buzzer components will be used with an Arduino for the hands-on learning activities.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Global Specialties AAR Arduino Robot Overview - Video
Brushed DC Quad Motor Controller mBed Shield - Video
Arduino Angle Sensor Servo Demonstration - Video
Listen/Download Archive (mp3)
August 9,
2016
Understanding Transistor Motor Drivers
Day two session will focus on driving high DC/AC current electromechanical components with low current DC driver. To illustrate this design method, participants will learn how to build a DC Motor Driver using a Power MOSFET. Power MOSFET basics including how to wire them to a dc motor will be discussed in this session.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Global Specialties AAR Arduino Robot Overview - Video
Brushed DC Quad Motor Controller mBed Shield - Video
Arduino Angle Sensor Servo Demonstration - Video
Listen/Download Archive (mp3)
August 10,
2016
Understanding Stepper and Servo Motors
Stepper and servo motors are key electromechanical components for Motion Control products. ToDay, participants will explore Motion Control driver circuits by building and experimenting with basic Arduino based Stepper and Servo Motor Controllers.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Global Specialties AAR Arduino Robot Overview - Video
Brushed DC Quad Motor Controller mBed Shield - Video
Arduino Angle Sensor Servo Demonstration - Video
Listen/Download Archive (mp3)
August 11,
2016
Introduction to PLCs
The intelligent industrial controller that is at the center of robotics and automation is the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). In this hands-on discussion, participants will learn PLC I/O and CPU Architecture basics. The hands-on activity will illustrate how to program and test a PLC in Ladder Logic code using an input simulator.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Global Specialties AAR Arduino Robot Overview - Video
Brushed DC Quad Motor Controller mBed Shield - Video
Arduino Angle Sensor Servo Demonstration - Video
Listen/Download Archive (mp3)
August 12,
2016
Building the Desktop Automation Trainer
In this final session, participants will learn how to build a Desktop Automation Trainer. The Arduino will be configured as a programmable input simulator to stimulate the PLC Ladder Logic code to operate a dc motor.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Global Specialties AAR Arduino Robot Overview - Video
Brushed DC Quad Motor Controller mBed Shield - Video
Arduino Angle Sensor Servo Demonstration - Video
Listen/Download Archive (mp3)
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Instructor
Dr. Don Wilcher
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham

Dr. Don Wilcher, an Electrical Engineer, is an Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa), a Technical Education Researcher, Instructor, Maker, Emerging Technology Lecturer, Electronics Project writer, and Book Author. His Learn Electronics with Arduino book, published by Apress, has been cited 80 times in academic journals and referenced on patents.

He is the Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham. His research interest is Embedded Controls, Robotics Education, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence applications and their impact on Personalized Learning, Competency-Based Models curriculum, and instructional development in Mechatronics, Automation, IoT, Electronics, Robotics, and Industrial Maintenance Technologies. He is also the Founder and owner of MaDon Research LLC, an instructional technology consulting, technical training, and electronics project writing company serving Electronics Marketing Media, Technical and Engineering Education companies.