Mechatronics

Bill Bolton was formerly Consultant to the Further Education Unit and Head of Research and Development and Monitoring at BTEC. He has also been a UNESCO consultant and is the author of many successful engineering textbooks.

Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii
I. Introduction 1
1. Introducing mechatronics 3
Chapter objectives 3
1.1 What is mechatronics? 3
1.2 The design process 5
1.3 Systems 6
1.4 Measurement systems 8
1.5 Control systems 9
1.6 Programmable logic controller 21
1.7 Examples of mechatronic systems 22
Summary 26
Problems 27
II. Sensors and signal conditioning 29
2. Sensors and transducers 31
Chapter objectives 31
2.1 Sensors and transducers 31
2.2 Performance terminology 32
2.3 Displacement, position and proximity 37
2.4 Velocity and motion 54
2.5 Force 57
2.6 Fluid pressure 57
2.7 Liquid flow 61
2.8 Liquid level 62
2.9 Temperature 63
2.10 Light sensors 69
2.11 Selection of sensors 70
2.12 Inputting data by switches 71
Summary 74
Problems 75
3. Signal conditioning 78
Chapter objectives 78
3.1 Signal conditioning 78
3.2 The operational amplifier 79
3.3 Protection 90
3.4 Filtering 91
3.5 Wheatstone bridge 92
3.6 Pulse modulation 97
3.7 Problems with signals 98
3.8 Power transfer 100
Summary 101
Problems 101
4. Digital signals 103
Chapter objectives 103
4.1 Digital signals 103
4.2 Analogue and digital signals 103
4.3 Digital-to-analogue and analogue-to-digital
converters 107
4.4 Multiplexers 113
4.5 Data acquisition 114
4.6 Digital signal processing 116
4.7 Digital signal communications 118
Summary 119
Problems 120
5. Digital logic 121
Chapter objectives 121
5.1 Digital logic 121
5.2 Logic gates 122
5.3 Applications of logic gates 130
5.4 Sequential logic 135
Summary 143
Problems 143
6. Data presentation systems 146
Chapter objectives 146
6.1 Displays 146
6.2 Data presentation elements 147
6.3 Magnetic recording 152
6.4 Optical recording 157
6.5 Displays 157
6.6 Data acquisition systems 162
6.7 Measurement systems 166
6.8 Testing and calibration 169
Summary 171
Problems 172
III. Actuation 175
7. Pneumatic and hydraulic actuation
systems 177
Chapter objectives 177
7.1 Actuation systems 177
7.2 Pneumatic and hydraulic systems 177
7.3 Directional control valves 181
7.4 Pressure control valves 186
7.5 Cylinders 188
7.6 Servo and proportional control valves 192
7.7 Process control valves 193
Summary 198
Problems 198
8. Mechanical actuation systems 201
Chapter objectives 201
8.1 Mechanical systems 201
8.2 Types of motion 202
8.3 Kinematic chains 204
8.4 Cams 208
8.5 Gears 210
8.6 Ratchet and pawl 214
8.7 Belt and chain drives 214
8.8 Bearings 216
8.9 Electro-mechanical linear actuators 218
Summary 219
Problems 220
9. Electrical actuation systems 222
Chapter objectives 222
9.1 Electrical systems 222
9.2 Mechanical switches 222
9.3 Solid-state switches...