ASSIGNMENT – 4

Subject - MEB-411(MECHATRONICS)
Branch – Mechanical Engineering, 7th Sem

Very Short Questions

1. What is the mechanical system by using spring of a building block?

Ans. A mechanical system using a spring is one that stores potential energy when
compressed or stretched and releases this energy when the force is removed,
enabling it to return to its original form.

2. Write the energy equation for spring, rotational damper, and moment of inertia.

Ans.

3. What are controllers?

Ans. Controllers are devices or algorithms that manage, command, direct, or
regulate the behavior of other devices or systems in a controlled manner.

4. What are the main component parts of a PID?

Ans. The main components of a PID controller are the
o Proportional (P),
o Integral (I), and
o Derivative (D) elements, which together help in achieving precise control.

5. List various types of PLC programming devices.

Ans. Common PLC programming devices includes
[Link] Programmers, 2. Desktop programming units, and 3. Software-
based programming interfaces on computers.
6. What are the different types of control modes?
Ans. The primary control modes include Proportional (P), Integral (I), Derivative (D),
and combinations like PI, PD, and PID.

7. What is continuous process?

Ans. A continuous process is a production method where materials are
continuously in motion, undergoing chemical reactions or mechanical or physical
transformations without interruption.

8. What is energy stored in masses of a building block?

Ans.

9. Write the voltage and current equation for resistor, capacitor, and inductor.

Ans.

10. What is dashpot of a building block?

Ans. A dashpot is a mechanical device that resists motion through viscous friction,
often used for damping in mechanical systems.
Long Questions

1. Explain the rotational system of a building block.

Ans. A rotational system involves components that experience rotational motion due to
applied torque.
o It includes elements like rotational inertia (resistance to angular
acceleration), rotational damping (resistance to motion due to friction), and
a rotational spring.

o These systems are modeled using parameters such as moment of inertia,

damping coefficient, and stiffness.

o Rotational systems are used in gears, flywheels, and shafts to control

angular motion in mechanical systems.

2. Explain the different types of classification of controllers.

Ans.
o On-Off Controllers: Basic controllers that switch output fully on or off.
o Proportional (P) Controllers: Control output is proportional to error; effective for
reducing steady-state error.
o PI Controllers: Combine proportional control with integral action to eliminate steady-
state error.
o PID Controllers: Use proportional, integral, and derivative actions for stable and
precise control.
o Adaptive Controllers: Adjust their own parameters in response to changes in system
dynamics.
o Feedforward Controllers: Anticipate disturbances by using external inputs to adjust
the output.
3. Explain thermal resistance and thermal capacitance of a building block.

Ans.

4. Briefly explain the velocity control, adaptive control.

Ans. In Mechatronics Engineering, Adaptive velocity control and Adaptive control systems
are used to compensate for uncertainties in a system, and to maintain control in changing
environments

Velocity Control Adaptive Control

o It Regulates the speed of a device, such o It adjusts parameters automatically to

as a motor, to maintain desired velocity. cope with changes in system behavior
or external disturbances.

o Velocity control is crucial in systems o Adaptive control is beneficial in

requiring constant speed, like conveyors. applications where system dynamics
change over time, like robotics or
autonomous vehicles.

o A Velocity controller can be designed to o Adaptive control systems can adjust

compensate for uncertainties in a robot's their characteristics to maintain
actuators and dynamic parameters. For control in changing environments. For
example, a model-reference adaptive example, in the UAS industry, adaptive
control method can be used to derive a controls can be used to automatically
dynamic model that includes actuator adapt to changing flight conditions.
dynamics.
 5. Explain building up a model for a fluid system.

Ans. Fluid systems are modeled by identifying elements like fluid capacitance, resistance, and
inductance.

o Elements: Fluid systems are made up of elements like capacitance, resistance,

and inertance, like mechanical and electrical systems.
o Categories: Fluid systems can be hydraulic or pneumatic. In hydraulic systems,
the fluid is a liquid that is considered incompressible. In pneumatic systems, the
fluid is a gas that can be compressed and changes density.
o Modeling: You can model fluid flow using procedural programming or object-
oriented programming. In procedural programming, you describe the system
using a set of differential equations or matrix.
o Resistance: Resistance models pressure drops in elements like pipes and
valves.
o Capacitance: The capacitance of a tank is equal to its cross-sectional area.
o Inertance: In many applications, the inertia properties of fluid systems can be
neglected.
o MATLAB and Simulink: You can use MATLAB and Simulink to solve for the
natural and forced responses of fluid systems.

6. What are the characteristics of a PID controller?

Ans. The PID controller uses these three components to calculate the output, which is
then applied to the system as the control input. This adjusts system parameters like
motor speeds, valve positions, or heating elements to bring the process variable closer
to the setpoint.

o Proportional Action: Reduces steady-state error, with output proportional to error.

o Integral Action: Eliminates residual error by accumulating past errors.
o Derivative Action: Predicts error trend, improving system response and reducing
overshoot.
PID controllers provide stable, accurate control across various applications. Commonly
used for precise control in industrial processes, robotics, and HVAC systems.
7. Derive an expression for the pneumatic capacitance of a system.

Ans.
8. Describe the hydraulic capacitance of a system
Ans.
o Hydraulic capacitance Ch reflects a fluid system’s ability to store energy under
pressure.
o Defined by the volume of fluid and compressibility factor.
o As pressure increases, fluid compressibility decreases, reducing capacitance.
o Hydraulic capacitance is essential in systems with accumulators or hydraulic
cylinders to smooth pressure fluctuations.

9. Derive the equation for building up a translational mechanical system.

Ans.

10. Explain the electrical system building block.

Ans.
• Electrical systems include resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
• Resistors dissipate energy, capacitors store electric energy, and inductors store
magnetic energy.
• Kirchhoff's laws (voltage and current) apply to determine relationships between
components.
• Electrical building blocks are foundational in circuit design, signal processing, and
power systems.