Measurement Technology Experiments (MT Experiments, new)
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 Experiments/MT Lab” involves ten mandatory experiments and one optional experiment. Therefore, only the MT part is relevant to the grade! (but BOTH parts (MT & MSR) must be completed for passing). However, MT Experiments and MSR laboratory may be done in different semesters.
Your grade on the module 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 four steps (details listed below):
1. Preparation
You prepare yourself, reading the material for the experiment and attending the lecture.
This is crucial for some experiments to pass in time!
2. Reservation
You book a seat in the lab for a time slot, which suits you, go there and receive the material.
Booking is done here: WorkING Lab Access You book seats according to time slots highlighted in the topmost row. Times vary from day to day!
For each experiment, a time slot of 2h is recommended to be booked according to the slot “MT lab experiment - use this timeslot“.
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.
3. Execution
You execute the experiment in the lab, usually it takes around 1.5 hours for each experiment including recording of all data.
Attendance in the booked time slot, your arrival will be registered and you will need your student ID-card.
Tutors 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 or use the MATLAB app on your own device (Windows only). 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. You will receive an email with your data right after submission.
4. Evaluation
You carry your data home and do some small post-processing-tasks on the data, submitting the results via Stud.IP VIPS .
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 until March 15th, 23:59. We recommend to submit VIPS within 14 days, but not later than 30 days after the experiment was conducted as memories tend to get blurry and notes sometimes lost.
Submissions handed in 31 days after the experiment will be rejected (date embedded in the .mat-filename sent via mail+ 31 days).
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.
VIPS questions will be presented during the lecture. Bonus points amounting to 20% of the total lab score can be achieved here. A final score of 120% is therefore possible.
The necessary experiments and their availability:
Experiment | Experiment Name/Content | Experiment availability from: |
---|---|---|
1 | Mechanical measurements | Nov 4, 2024 |
Electrical measurement equip. | Familiarization with measurement equipment | Nov 11, 2024 |
2 | Motor Power | Nov 18, 2024 |
3 | Resistive I: Potentiometers | Nov 25, 2024 |
4 | Resistive II: Strain-gauge & Wheatstone-bridge | Dec 2, 2024 |
5 | Capacitive I: General | Dec 9, 2024 |
6 | Capacitive II: Acceleration | Dec 16, 2024 |
7 | Optical I: Light reflection switch | Jan 6, 2025 |
8 | Optical II: Diodes/phototransistors/photoresistors | Jan 13, 2025 |
9 | Magnetic: Hall--sensor | Jan 20, 2025 |
10 | Piezo-electric | Jan 27, 2025 |
General Guidelines:
Exam Details:
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.
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.
Optional: Extended video by Keysight “How to Use an Oscilloscope - Mega Guide“ (remark: contains some puns and sketches)
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
MATLAB APP and Matlab
version MATLAB R2024a
or the MATLAB runtime version R2024a (24.1): MATLAB Runtime - MATLAB Compiler
MATLAB APP
Institut für Mechatronik im Maschinenbau (iMEK), Eißendorfer Straße 38, 21073 Hamburg