Mechatronics

1. What is Mechatronics? How is it different from

traditional Mechanical Engineering?
Answer:
Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field combining
mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science, and
control engineering to design smart systems and products.
Unlike traditional mechanical engineering, which focuses
mainly on mechanics, mechatronics involves embedded
systems, automation, and intelligent control.

2. Explain the basic components of a Mechatronic system.

Answer:
The key components are:
 Sensors: Detect environmental inputs.
 Actuators: Convert electrical signals to mechanical
motion.
 Controller (like microcontroller or PLC): Processes
input and gives command signals.
 Power source: Drives actuators and electronics.
 Interface/Software: Enables communication and
control logic.
3. What is the role of sensors and actuators in
Mechatronics?
Answer:
 Sensors measure physical quantities like temperature,
position, force.
 Actuators convert electrical signals into mechanical
actions (e.g., motors, solenoids).

4. What are the different types of sensors used in

automation?
Answer:
 Proximity sensors
 Temperature sensors
 Pressure sensors
 Optical (IR/LDR) sensors
 Ultrasonic sensors
 Accelerometers
 Encoders (rotary/linear)

5. Define feedback control system. Give examples used in

Mechatronics.
Answer:
A feedback control system uses sensor output to adjust inputs
for maintaining desired system performance.
Example: Cruise control in vehicles, temperature control in
HVAC.

6. Differentiate between open-loop and closed-loop

systems.
Answer:
 Open-loop: No feedback; output not monitored. (e.g.,
toaster)
 Closed-loop: Uses feedback to control output. (e.g., air
conditioner with thermostat)

7. What is PID control? Explain each term.

Answer:
PID = Proportional + Integral + Derivative control:
 P: Corrects error proportionally.
 I: Eliminates residual error over time.
 D: Predicts future error and stabilizes response.

8. What is a microcontroller? How is it used in

Mechatronic systems?
Answer:
A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit with a
processor, memory, and I/O pins. It is used in embedded
systems to control sensors, actuators, and communication
modules.
9. Compare microcontroller and PLC.
Answer:
 Microcontroller: Used for custom, low-cost embedded
control.
 PLC (Programmable Logic Controller): Rugged, used in
industrial automation with ladder logic programming.

10. What are the different types of motors used in

Mechatronics applications?
Answer:
 DC Motors
 Servo Motors
 Stepper Motors
 AC Motors
 Brushless DC Motors (BLDC)

Mechanical Engineering Technical Questions

11. State and explain the first and second laws of
thermodynamics.
Answer:
 First Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed
(conservation of energy).
 Second Law: Entropy of a system tends to increase; heat
flows from hot to cold.

12. What is the difference between stress and strain?

Answer:
 Stress: Force per unit area (N/m²)
 Strain: Deformation per unit length (dimensionless)

13. Explain the concept of fatigue and creep.

Answer:
 Fatigue: Failure under repeated loading over time.
 Creep: Slow deformation under constant stress,
especially at high temperatures.

14. What is the function of a flywheel?

Answer:
A flywheel stores rotational energy and smooths out
fluctuations in mechanical energy.
15. What is the difference between hydraulic and
pneumatic systems?
Answer:
 Hydraulic: Uses incompressible fluids, high force,
slower.
 Pneumatic: Uses compressed air, faster, lighter force.

16. Define Reynolds number and its significance in fluid

mechanics.
Answer:
Reynolds number (Re) = (Inertial forces / Viscous forces)
It predicts flow type:
 Re < 2000: Laminar
 Re > 4000: Turbulent

17. What are the different types of gears and their

applications?
Answer:
 Spur Gears: Parallel shafts.
 Bevel Gears: Intersecting shafts.
 Worm Gears: High reduction.
 Helical Gears: Quieter, angled teeth.
18. What are the laws of friction?
Answer:
 Friction is proportional to normal force.
 Independent of contact area.
 Static friction > Kinetic friction.

19. Explain the working principle of a four-stroke engine.

Answer:
1. Intake → 2. Compression → 3. Power → 4. Exhaust
It converts chemical energy of fuel into mechanical
power.

20. What are the modes of heat transfer?

Answer:
 Conduction: Solid contact
 Convection: Fluid motion
 Radiation: Electromagnetic waves

Automation, Robotics & Control

21. What is SCADA and how does it work?
Answer:
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a control
system architecture for industrial automation, using
RTUs/PLCs to collect data and HMI to monitor/control
remotely.

22. What is the role of HMI in automation?

Answer:
HMI (Human-Machine Interface) provides a graphical
interface for users to interact with automation systems —
monitor data, adjust parameters, and visualize alarms.

23. Define robot degrees of freedom.

Answer:
Degrees of Freedom (DOF) refers to the number of
independent movements a robot can perform. For example, a
6-DOF robotic arm can move in 6 directions (x, y, z + roll, pitch,
yaw).

24. What is inverse kinematics?

Answer:
Inverse kinematics calculates the joint angles needed to place
the robot end-effector at a desired position and orientation.
25. What is the difference between a servo motor and a
stepper motor?
Answer:
 Servo Motor: Feedback-based, precise, used for dynamic
motion control.
 Stepper Motor: Moves in fixed steps, open-loop, used
for precise position control at low speed.

Practical/Software Knowledge
26. What CAD/CAE software are you proficient in?
Answer:
Example answer: “I have hands-on experience with
SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and ANSYS for modeling, simulation,
and mechanical design.”

27. What is LabVIEW? Have you used it in any project?

Answer:
LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment used for
data acquisition, control systems, and hardware interfacing.
Example: Used LabVIEW to acquire temperature data and
control a PID heating system in a mini-project.

28. What is MATLAB used for in Mechatronics?

Answer:
MATLAB is used for modeling dynamic systems, control
simulations, signal processing, and interfacing with
hardware.
Example: Simulated control algorithms for robotic arms using
Simulink.

29. Have you worked with Arduino or Raspberry Pi?

Explain any project.
Answer:
Yes. Example: Designed a home automation system using
Arduino, interfacing sensors for motion detection and
temperature, and controlled appliances through a mobile
app.

30. Describe a project where you integrated mechanical,

electronics, and control systems.
Answer:
Example: Developed an autonomous line-following robot
using IR sensors (electronics), DC motors (mechanical), and
PID control logic using Arduino. Designed chassis in CAD,
programmed logic in embedded C.