MT Experiment Procedures and Rules

As of WS22/23, the module "Measurement Technology for Mechanical Engineering" can be passed for all students with a project-based-learning exam by doing two practical courses (MSR & MT). Both of them need to be passed separately. The laboratory practical course Laboratory, Control, Measurement and Regulation Technology (MSR) remains an unchanged part of the module, in addition the Measurement Technology laboratory course (MT Lab) is introduced. There is no written exam anymore at the end of the term.

The MT Lab involves ten experiments. Therefore, only the MT part is relevant for the grade, but BOTH parts (MT & MSR) must be completed for passing. However, the parts may be done in different semesters. The grade is based on the quality of the measurements/measurement data and the calculations and diagrams based on them. To pass each experiment, you need to do five steps (details listed below)

1. You prepare yourself, reading the material for the experiment and attending the lecture

2. You execute an ILIAS-test (link in Stud.ip) to get approval for the live experiment

3. You book a seat in the lab for a time slot, which suits you, go there and receive the material

4. You execute the experiment in the lab, usually it takes around 1.5 hours for each experiment including recording of all data

5. You carry your data home and do some small post-processing-tasks on the data, submitting the results via Stud.ip vips

We recommend doing one experiment every week. But you are free to arrange timing and sequence yourself. However, make sure that all experiments are done until 2 weeks after the lecturing period ends.

An explanatory video for the experiment procedure is available.

The necessary experiments and respective ILIAS-tests and their availability:

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Details of the procedure:

• In the lecture, all important contents are explained theoretically

• In order to be approved for an experiment, an entrance test must first be completed. This takes place digitally via ILIAS. Most experiments require a separate ILIAS-test, as can be seen in table 1. The ILIAS-test consists of about seven questions. You need to achieve 70% correct answers to pass (five out of seven).

  • Following the lectures, there will be time to complete the test with advice and help from us.

  • The ILIAS-test for each experiment can be repeated four times per semester, and the earliest time for the next attempt is seven days after the first attempt.

  • Without a successfully completed ILIAS-test, there is no access to the respective experiment! The ILIAS-test must be completed at least two days before the execution of the experiment, so that the transmission of the result can take place in time.

• If the ILIAS-test is passed, the preparation for the experiment itself and the self-study of the respective documents follows.

• Once the ILIAS-test has been passed and the self-study has been completed, a time slot must be reserved in the WorkING Lab.
  
  

  • For each experiment, a time slot of 1,5h is recommended to be booked

  • For each student, an own workplace has to be booked!

  • You will need a computer. If you cannot bring your own laptop with already installed Arduino IDE and Matlab, please register for one of the places equipped with stationary PCs.

• Execution of the experiment:

  • Attendance in the booked time slot, your arrival will be registered and you will need your student ID-card.

  • Tutors will check that the corresponding ILIAS-test has been successfully completed and will hand out the respective equipment-kit.

  • The experiment is carried out independently, in case of questions the tutors are available (during the dedicated time for MT Lab).

  • Many experiments include the execution of final measurements at a test stand. There, the measurements are either recorded directly via analog signals or have to be entered manually via a Matlab app interface on the available measurement computer. The measured values of the measurements previously performed without a test stand should be saved/noted by yourself for later calculations!

  • Once all measurements have been completed and all measured values have been saved/submitted to the Matlab app interface, the experiment-kit is returned to the tutor with its complete contents.

• Follow-up of the experiment:

  • With the stored measured values, some additional values must now be calculated or, for example, diagrams must be created. It is important that you use the same raw data that you entered to the Matlab interface.

  • These results (calculations/diagrams) must now be submitted via the Stud.ip function vips within 30 days of the experiment.

Important information:

Examination information:

• If the experiments are not passed, the whole MT Lab can be repeated in the next semester (with the usual maximum of two repetitions).

• Experiments 1-4 should be completed before booking the seats for experiments 5-10.

• The score for the already completed experiments will be published once at the middle of the semester (beginning of December) and at the end of the lecture period (end of January).

• You do not have to write a final report, the upload of final data/diagrams in Stud.ip vips is sufficient!

• Once the third experiment is started (we consider it started, once the experiment kit is handed out), this is considered a clear decision to participate in the experiments. This means that registration for the PBL in tune is inevitable.

Fairness:

• Please only register for a time slot/seat, if you actually use it.

• Return the experiment-kits complete! Missing components make the experiments more difficult for you and your fellow students. If any components are damaged, please let the tutors know immediately so that they can be replaced.

Technical precautions:

• Always observe the measuring range of the devices to avoid destruction or damage to the equipment. 

• Electrical circuits may only be set up, modified and disconnected in a voltage-free condition.

• Do not unscrew any devices.

• Make sure you already log all measurements during the experiments. This will be easier, if you come prepared and know what is supposed to be measured. There is no possibility to retake any measurements.

Helpful tips:

• Watch the introductory video on how to use the oscilloscope before experiments, the content is relevant for experiments no. 2, 4 and 5.

  • Video on EDUX1052G

  • Optional: Extended video by Keysight “How to Use an Oscilloscope - Mega Guide“ (remark: contains some puns and sketches)

• Hall-Sensor Introduction

• Capacitive Sensors Introduction

• The experiment-kits can lead to different values. Therefore, do not switch the kit or its contents in the experiment. The tutors will note the respective number and can later match your results to the correct components.

Necessary preparations:

To be able to participate in the experiments using your own laptop, please install the following programs:

• Arduino IDE and libraries/boards:

  • Arduino Uno, Rev. 3, ATmega328

  • OneWire (by Paul Stoffregen)

  • DallasTemperature (by Miles Burton)

  • HX711 Arduino Library (by Bogdan Necula)

  • Adafruit ADXL345 Library

  • Wire Library

  • Adafruit Unified Sensor by Adafruit Library

• Some program for calculations and diagrams, e.g. Matlab, excel, libre office, ...

  • For using Matlab, this introduction could be useful: https://www.mathworks.com/learn/tutorials/matlab-onramp.html

• PDF reader