ME430 Mechatronics -- Winter 2011-2012

Day Date Due Class Topics To Do for Next Class
1 Nov 28 --
2 Nov 29
 --
3 Dec 1
  • Lab 1
  • receipt for PIC chips
  • Check off Lab 1
  • Quiz on "Snubber Diodes, Decoupling Capacitors, and H-Bridges"
  • Discuss schedule and answer questions about 3 project ideas
  • Work on Lab 2
4 Dec 5
  • Quiz on "Motors"
  • Discuss 3 project ideas with instructor
  • Work on Lab 2
5 Dec 6
 --
  • Quiz on "Intro to MPLAB"
  • Discuss 3 project ideas with instructor
  • Work on Lab 2
  • Lab 2 must be ready for check-off first thing next class.
  • Watch "Number Systems" video (46:29) and prepare for a quiz
  • EVERYONE MUST BRING A LAPTOP WITH MPLAB INSTALLED TO CLASS ON DAY 6
6 Dec 8
7 Dec 12
8 Dec 13
  • Must check off Lab 3 by the end of your lab time.
  • Study for Exam 1!
  • Watch "Debugging" video (38:59) and prepare for a quiz on Day 10
    • Here is the sample code to use with the video (right-click and save to your computer).
    • Print out a screen capture to turn in.
    • Note: Video mentions adding a "linker script" you can ignore that comment.  Older software versions required that step.
  • Note that we won't be testing you on the information in the debugging video on Exam I. However, you may find some of the basic MPLAB debugging features useful in checking codes.
9 Dec 15    No class due to night exam.
 NIGHT EXAM 1
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Olson: O257 and O259
Cunningham: O267 and O269
(more details)
10 Dec 19
  • screen capture from debugging video
  • Quiz on "Debugging"
  • Discuss detailed project proposal with instructor
  • Work on Lab 4
11 Dec 20
  • Quiz on "Writing Functions"
  • Discuss detailed project proposal with instructor
Break
12 Jan 5
13 Jan 9
  • Quiz on "Interrupts, day 1 of 2"
  • Work on Lab 5
14 Jan 10 --
  • Quiz on "Interrupts, day 2 of 2"
  • Discuss revised project proposal and shopping list
  • Work on Lab 5
15 Jan 12 --
  • Quiz on "Analog-to-Digital Conversions"
  • Discuss revised project proposal and shopping list
  • Work on Lab 5
  • Lab 5 must be ready for check-off first thing next class.
  • Watch "IR Circuits" video (32:54) and prepare for a quiz
16 Jan 16
  • Check off Lab 5
  • Quiz on "IR Circuits"
  • Work on Lab 6
17 Jan 17 --
  • Watch "Using SolidEdge" video (14:12). Note: although the video says we sell Plexiglas here at Rose, we don't do this anymore. We suggest you purchase it from Lowe's , Menards, or Amber's Glass (formerly Norm's Glass) on Wabash.
  • Print out your solid edge drawing to turn in.
18 Jan 19
  • Solid Edge Drawing
  • Lab 6 must be ready for check-off first thing next class.
  • Watch "UART Communication" video (53:46) and prepare for a quiz.  The "click to continues" sometimes require many (10) clicks.
    • We will use SecureCRT, not HyperTerminal, so don't be concerned that you don't have HyperTerminal installed on your laptop
    • If you would like to see the complete code for the advanced Rx interrupt it is here: UART LCD Messages.c
19 Jan 23
20 Jan 24 --
  • Quiz on "MATLAB GUI Communication Day 1"
  • Soldering Day (all day, in lab). Bring your computers anyway.
21 Jan 26 --
  • Quiz on "MATLAB GUI Communication Day 2"
  • Discuss Exam 2
  • Work on Lab 7
  • Lab 7 must be ready for check-off first thing next class.
  • Watch "Intro to PLCs" video (28:40) and prepare for a quiz
22 Jan 30
  • Check off Lab 7
  • Quiz on "Intro to PLCs"
  • Discuss Exam 2
    • arrange for 3 person teams
    • arrange for students with conflicts
  • Work on Lab 8
23 Jan 31
 --
EXAM 2 -- NIGHT EXAM
Olson: O257 and O259
Cunningham: O267 and O269
 (more details)
Set Up Your Exam Files
--
24 Feb 2 --
  • Quiz on "Learning Picosoft"
  • Work on Lab 8
25 Feb 6
  • Check off Lab 8
  • Tank and Conveyor Demonstration
  • Concept Questions on Ladder Logic 
  • Quiz on "Finite State Machines"
  • Work on Lab 9
  • Create an FSM for the tank, and bring the original and a copy to class on Day 26
26 Feb 7
  • FSM of tank: original and a copy
 --
27 Feb 9 --
  • Lab 9 needs to be ready to check off sometime during lab on Day 28
28 Feb 13
  • Finish your project
29 Feb 14
  • Project completely working and ready to be demonstrated.
  • Project Demonstrations!
 --
30 Feb 16 --