ME430 Mechatronics -- Fall 2011-2012

Day Date Due Class Topics To Do for Next Class
1 Sept 1 --
2 Sept 5
  • test MPLAB ICD2 hardware
  • Quiz on "Intro to MPLAB"
  • Buy lab kits for $20
  • Record lab partners and assign lockers
  • Test MPLAB ICD2 hardware on helpers computers
3 Sept 6
  • receipt for PIC chips
4 Sept 8
  • Quiz on "Snubber Diodes, DEcoupling Capacitors, and H-Bridges"
  • Check off Lab 1
  • Discuss schedule and answer questions about 3 project ideas
  • Work on Lab 2
5 Sept 12
  • Quiz on "Motors"
  • Discuss 3 project ideas with instructor
  • Work on Lab 2
  • 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 Sept 13
  • Watch "Variable Types and Operations" video (43:42) and prepare for a quiz
  • Lab 2 must be ready for check-off first thing next class.
  • EVERYONE MUST BRING A LAPTOP WITH MPLAB INSTALLED TO CLASS ON DAY 7
7 Sept 15
8 Sept 19
  • Quiz on "Instruction Cycles and Special Function Registers"
  • Discuss detailed project proposal with instructor
  • Work on Lab 3
  • Lab 3 must be ready for check-off first thing next class.
  • Watch "Debugging" video (38:59) and prepare for a quiz on Day 12
    • 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.
9 Sept 20
  • screen capture from debugging video
  • Lab 3
  • Check off Lab 3
  • Quiz on "Debugging"
  • Work on Lab 4
10 Sept 22
  • Must have Lab 4 part A complete
11 Sept 26
12 Sept 27 --
 NIGHT EXAM 1
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Olson: O257 and O259
Fisher: O267
Boutell: O269
(more details)
  • Lab 4 must be ready for check-off first thing next class.
13 Sept 29
  • Quiz on "Interrupts, day 1 of 2"
  • Work on Lab 5
14 Oct
3
  • Quiz on "Interrupts, day 2 of 2"
  • Discuss revised project proposal and shopping list
  • Work on Lab 5
15 Oct
4
  • 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 Oct
6
  • Check off Lab 5
  • Quiz on "IR Circuits"
  • Work on Lab 6
17 Oct
10
 --
  • 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 Oct
11
Fall Break, Oct 13-14
19 Oct 17
20 Oct
18
 --
  • Quiz on "MATLAB GUI Communication Day 1"
  • Soldering Day (all day, in lab). Bring your computers anyway.
21 Oct
20
  • 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 Oct
24
  • Check off Lab 7
  • Quiz on "Intro to PLCs"
  • Work on Lab 8
23 Oct
25
 --
EXAM 2 -- NIGHT EXAM
Olson: O257 and O259
Fisher: O267
Boutell: O269
 (more details)
Review "Prior to Exam" handout
 --
24 Oct
27
  • Quiz on "Learning Picosoft"
  • Work on Lab 8
25 Oct
31
  • Check off Lab 8
  • Tank and Conveyor Demonstration
  • Create FSM, discuss translating FSM to Picosoft Ladder Logic.
  • Concept Questions on Ladder Logic and Timer Review
  • Quiz on "Finite State Machines"
  • Work on Lab 9
--
26 Nov
1
 --
27 Nov
3
 --
  • Lab 9 needs to be ready to check off sometime during lab on Day 28
28 Nov
7
  • Finish your project
29 Nov
8
  • Project completely working and ready to be demonstrated.
  • Project Demonstrations!
 --
30 Nov
10
 --