I often hear teachers and administrators ask for a basic list of all the necessary equipment that should go into a high school mechatronics lab.
While there is no “one size fits all” approach to learning, educators must follow the four primary areas of study in mechatronics – Electricity / Electronics, Mechanical Power, Fluid Power, and PLC Control.
Each of these areas covers the teaching fundamentals of AC/DC, programming languages for PLCs, PLC applications, drives, pulleys, gears, pneumatic control, and more.
What equipment can help you make sure you cover everything? Here’s a blueprint:
Electricity / Electronics
- Preparatory Electricity and Electronics (PEET) 2.0 – Focused on the fundamental electricity and electronics skills development, this trainer features an easily-configurable system that mimics the layout of a circuit diagram, simplifying the transition from circuit diagrams to functional circuits.
- Industrial Controls Training Systems – These training systems are designed to teach the theory and techniques of electric motor controllers. They allow students to select and mount control devices to form typical control circuits, and to troubleshoot them once a fault is inserted.
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Mechanical Power
- Mechanical Training Systems – These training systems cover the installation, use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical drive components in a modular course divided into five levels.
Fluid Power
- Pneumatics Training System – This pneumatics training program is divided into the subsystems: Pneumatics Fundamentals, Electrical Control of Pneumatic Systems, Pneumatics Applications – PLC, Troubleshooting Pneumatic Circuits, Servo Control of Pneumatic Systems, and Sensors.
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PLC Control
- Siemens Educational S7-1200 – This modular trainer covers the basics of PLC programming and automation systems. It includes an explanation of PLCs, teaches the structure and operation of PLCs, and covers generating, loading and testing a sample program.
- PLC Applications – This training system integrates the basic principles of PLC programming with more advanced concepts so that students can learn to design small-scale systems typical of what can be found in the industry.
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BONUS: Robotics
Robotics or computer-based learning concepts are often a common theme in mechatronics programs but don’t necessarily fit into the above four areas of study. Students can definitely benefit if you have the capacity to add such a component to your program.
- VEX Robotics – I see a lot of schools make good use of VEX Robotics programs in their schools. The program is professional and polished, and the competitions are a great way to get students excited about learning.
- Robot Systems – This is a complete and affordable training program for the programming and operation of industrial robots in which students learn to create automated work cells.
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BONUS: Certification
The cherry on top of a mechatronics program is some sort of certification component.
In order to earn certification, a school needs to meet a certification program, like Festo’s Modular Product System 204 (MPS 204) or Advanced Mechatronics Systems (AMS) certification programs. These programs essentially mean that students become Level 1 – Siemens Certified Mechatronic Systems Assistants.
After Level 1, students can then transfer to any of their local community colleges to complete their Level 2 certification (associate degree). Here they will encounter equipment and learning that delves deeper into sensors, process control, and CNC programming, among other topics.
The state of Virginia is a great example of an educational system that has set a clear mechatronics career pathway from high school through college via dual enrollment programs.
Prince George County has a mechatronics dual enrollment program with John Tyler Community College. Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem City, Botetourt County and Franklin County have a mechatronics dual enrollment program with Virginia Western Community college.
Programs like these are great ways to share in resources and expertise to make your mechatronics program as robust as possible.
