Overview
This unit will introduce you to supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system design and development using industry standard SCADA software. You will also learn how to analyse system requirements for a given mechatronics system task, evaluate and select mechatronics modules and components from a pool of mechatronics modules and components. You will design custom components and fabricate them, develop concept designs and select the best option, design and develop a mechatronics solution for a given complex task. You will also program the developed mechatronics system using industry standard control systems and SCADA software, and commission the system. In this unit, you must complete compulsory practical activities. Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for proposed dates.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: ENEX13001 Instrumentation and Industrial Automation AND ENEX13003 Design of Mechatronics Elements
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Verbal feedback at Residential School
The five-day Residential School length helped to complete the project.
The Residential School should be scheduled for the same length.
Feedback from Verbal feedback at Residential School
The Video Tutorials on each single LabView task is very helpful.
The video tutorials should be made available and additional video tutorials should be made upon specific requests during the term.
- Apply skills in industry standard data acquisition and control software to acquire sensor signals and control actuators
- Apply the design process to propose a mechatronics system for a real-world application
- Assemble a mechatronics system designed and fabricated from custom components
- Develop industry-standard control systems and SCADA systems to operate the designed mechatronic system
- Work individually and collaboratively in teams, communicate professionally using mechatronics engineering terminology, symbols and diagrams that conform to Australian and international standards.
The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers in the areas of 1. Knowledge and Skill Base, 2. Engineering Application Ability and 3. Professional and Personal Attributes at the following levels:
Intermediate
Advanced
Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for further information on the Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course level mapping information
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 25% | |||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 25% | |||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Access to a document scanner and a software that can create pdf documents
- LabView 2019 or latest (provided by CQU)
- A computer with speaker & microphone, Microsoft Windows OS(10 or later) with admin rights to install software, and good internet connectivity
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.piyathilaka@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
- Introduction to Mechatronics Systems Design
- Introduction to LabView
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Kinematics of robotic systems
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- 3-D Design and analysis of robotic systems
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- LabVIEW - Virtual Instruments
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- LabVIEW - MathScripts
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- LabVIEW - Editing and Debugging Virtual Instruments
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- LabVIEW - Programming Structures
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- LabVIEW - Sub VIs, Hardware Interfacing
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- LabVIEW - Arrays and Clusters
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Residential School at the Mackay Ooralea Campus
Module/Topic
- LabVIEW - Charts and Graphs
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- LabVIEW - Data Acquisition
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Advanced Mechatronics Systems and Future Opportunities
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students are required to purchase the necessary embedded microcontroller board, sensors, actuators and accessories for the projects.
1 Written Assessment
Students will design mechanical components for a given mechatronics system, ensuring functionality, structural integrity, and manufacturability. Using CAD software, they will create 3D models and perform stress analysis through simulations to evaluate performance under expected loads. Each student will submit technical drawings, stress analysis results, and 3D-printable files (e.g., STL or STEP). Additionally, a brief report will be required, detailing design choices, material selection, and relevant calculations.
Week 5 Friday (11 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Marked assignment with feedback. However, there will be no model answers provided as this is a design.
- Functionality and Design Accuracy: The mechanical components meet the required functional specifications of the mechatronics system, ensuring proper fit, movement, and integration with other components.
- Structural Integrity: The design demonstrates appropriate consideration of mechanical properties, such as strength, stiffness, and durability. Stress analysis results should show minimal risk of failure under expected loading conditions.
- CAD Modeling and Detailing: The CAD models are detailed, accurate, and represent the design clearly. The technical drawings should be precise and follow standard engineering drawing conventions, including dimensions, tolerances, and assembly details.
- Stress Analysis and Performance Evaluation: The student applies appropriate simulation tools to assess the component’s performance under expected loads. The analysis is thorough, and results are used to refine the design where necessary.
- Material Selection: The materials chosen for the components are suitable for the expected mechanical loads, environmental conditions, and manufacturability. Justification for material choice should be provided, considering factors like strength, cost, and availability.
- 3D-Printable Files: The submission includes 3D-printable files (e.g., STL or STEP) that are ready for manufacturing. The files should be optimised for the intended fabrication method.
- Calculations and Justification: Relevant engineering calculations (e.g., stress, strain, factor of safety, and deformation) are provided, with clear explanations of the methods used and results obtained. The Report should also justify any design decisions based on the analysis.
- Report Quality: The report is well-organised, clear, and professional, summarising the design process, analysis, material selection, and calculations. It should include any modifications made to the initial design based on analysis or testing outcomes.
- Assemble a mechatronics system designed and fabricated from custom components
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
2 Practical Assessment
Students will design virtual instruments (VIs) for various tasks, utilising LabVIEW software to develop interactive and functional solutions for data acquisition, signal processing, control, or automation applications. Each student will independently design and implement their own VI, ensuring that it meets the specified functional requirements and follows best practices in software development, including modularity, efficiency, and user-friendly interface design. The designed virtual instruments should be capable of performing tasks such as data visualization, sensor integration, or control system implementation, depending on the assigned project. Students will test and validate their designs to ensure proper operation and compatibility with LabVIEW. Each student will submit the completed LabVIEW VI file, along with any necessary supporting files, ensuring compatibility for execution within the LabVIEW environment. Additionally, a brief documentation report will be required, detailing the design process, functionality, key features, and any challenges encountered during development.
Week 7 Friday (2 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Marked assignment with feedback. However, there will be no model answers provided as this is a design.
- Functionality: The virtual instrument meets the functional requirements of the task, performing all specified operations correctly.
- Design and User Interface: The design is user-friendly, with a clear and organised interface. The layout and controls are intuitive for ease of use.
- Code Structure and Efficiency: The VI follows best practices in terms of modularity, efficiency, and readability of the code. Proper use of loops, structures, and subVIs is demonstrated.
- Testing and Validation: The instrument is tested thoroughly, with all functionality verified to work correctly under different scenarios.
- Documentation: The report is clear, concise, and includes an explanation of the design, functionality, and any modifications or challenges encountered during development.
- Apply skills in industry standard data acquisition and control software to acquire sensor signals and control actuators
- Apply the design process to propose a mechatronics system for a real-world application
- Develop industry-standard control systems and SCADA systems to operate the designed mechatronic system
- Work individually and collaboratively in teams, communicate professionally using mechatronics engineering terminology, symbols and diagrams that conform to Australian and international standards.
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
3 Portfolio
This is the main project of the unit, in which you will develop a mobile robotic platform with obstacle avoidance and the ability to follow a prescribed path. The assembly of the robot will be done as a group, while the testing will be carried out individually. The group will collaborate on testing each type of sensor and actuator in the system, working both independently and together before installing them on the individual robots. Once the sensors and actuators are calibrated, they will be fitted onto the mobile platform. Each student will then load their own program for the given task, and the robots will be tested individually. Your portfolio will consist of two parts: the first part will cover the sensor and actuator calibrations conducted in the group, and the second part will focus on your individual program to control your robot.
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
The portfolio will not be returned until the unit grades are released as there is no final examination for this unit.
To obtain full marks students must;
- Provide all required components of the portfolio (a detailed document is available on Moodle)
- Provide the Labview control program developed by the individual student
- Provide a report discussing the control behaviour of the mechatronics system using their own LabView program
- Provide a report on all laboratory experiments conducted with a detailed discussion
- Provide a demonstration video
- All drawings and writing must be clear and legible.
- Apply skills in industry standard data acquisition and control software to acquire sensor signals and control actuators
- Apply the design process to propose a mechatronics system for a real-world application
- Assemble a mechatronics system designed and fabricated from custom components
- Develop industry-standard control systems and SCADA systems to operate the designed mechatronic system
- Work individually and collaboratively in teams, communicate professionally using mechatronics engineering terminology, symbols and diagrams that conform to Australian and international standards.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
