ME430 Mechatronics

Calendar Labs Project Courseware

Day Date Due Class Topics To Do for Next Class
1 Nov 26
  • Bring $20 for lab kit
  • Identify a partner for the labs and the project
  • Watch "Introduction to Transistors" video (34:32) and prepare for a quiz (click many times if video hangs)
2 Nov 27 --
3 Nov 29
  • Lab 1
  • Receipt for PIC chips (submit with quiz)
  • Check off Lab 1
  • Quiz on "Snubber Diodes, Decoupling Capacitors, and H-Bridges"
  • Work on Lab 2
4 Dec 3
  • Quiz on "Motors"
  • Discuss 3 project ideas with instructor
  • Work on Lab 2
5 Dec 4 --
  • Quiz on "Intro to MPLAB"
  • Remaining teams discuss 3 project ideas with instructor
  • Work on Lab 2
  • Watch "Number Systems" video (46:29) and prepare for a quiz
  • Lab 2 must be ready for check-off first thing next class. (videos are ok)
6 Dec 6
7 Dec 10
8 Dec 11
  • 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 with your quiz.
    • Note: Video mentions adding a "linker script" you can ignore that comment. Older software versions required that step.
9 Dec 13 -- EXAM 1
(more details)

Set Up Your Exam Files
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10 Dec 17
  • Quiz on "Debugging"
  • Work on Lab 4
11 Dec 18
  • Quiz on "Writing Functions"
  • Check off Lab 4
  • Work on Lab 5
12 Dec 20
Christmas Break
13 Jan 7
  • Quiz on "Interrupts, day 1 of 2"
  • Work on Lab 5
14 Jan 8 --
  • Quiz on "Interrupts, day 2 of 2"
15 Jan 10
  • Check off Lab 5
  • Quiz on "Analog-to-Digital Conversions"
  • Work on Lab 6
16 Jan 14
  • Quiz on "IR Circuits"
  • Work on Lab 6
17 Jan 15
  • 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
18 Jan 17 --
  • Quiz on "UART Communication"
  • Work on Lab 7
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19 Jan 21 --
  • Lab 7 must be ready for check-off first thing next class (all but soldering part)
  • Bring in project parts for your week 7 meeting.
20 Jan 22
  • Check off Lab 7
  • Soldering Day (all day, in lab). Bring your computers anyway.
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21 Jan 24 No class due to night exam
EXAM 2
1-2: O267, 3-4: O269, 5-6: O257
(more details)
Set Up Your Exam Files
22 Jan 28 --
  • Quiz on "Intro to PLCs"
  • Work on Lab 8
23 Jan 29 --
  • Quiz on "Learning Picosoft"
  • Work on Lab 8
24 Jan 31
  • Quiz on "Finite State Machines"
  • Tank and Conveyor Demonstration
  • Concept Questions on Ladder Logic
  • Work on Lab 8
  • Create an FSM for the Lab 9 tank and conveyor
  • Lab 8 must be ready for check-off first thing next class.
25 Feb 4
  • Check off Lab 8
  • Discuss FSMs for Lab 9
  • Work on Lab 9
26 Feb 5 --
  • Work on Lab 9
  • If you've finished Lab 9 then it's a project work day, bring your project to class!
27 Feb 7
  • Work on Lab 9 (if not complete)
  • Project work day, bring your project to class
  • Lab 9 must be ready for check-off first thing next class (if not complete).
28 Feb 11
  • Check off Lab 9
  • Project work day, bring your project to class
  • Finish your project
29 Feb 12
  • Project Demonstrations!
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30 Feb 14 --