Integrated Project II

Objectives

The main objective of this subject is to strengthen and to interrelate technological concepts of previous subjects. Specifically, to integrate knowledge from mechanics, electronics, and control software in order to develop genuine mechatronics projects. Another objective is to deepen in the planning and project management, as well as a practical knowledge of several tools for project analysis and troubleshooting.

Learning outcomes

• LO1. Apply the mechanisms of teamwork and communication.
• LO2. Advance in the application of technical resources to develop projects for a technical office.
• LO3. Understand and apply the technical resources to develop projects for a technical office and integration of various technologies like electronics, control, automation and mechatronics.
• LO4. Consolidate and examine various matters related technological concepts.
• LO5. Manage technical information in English about the specialty of the degree.
• LO6. Critically analyse the results.
• LO7. Expose effectively orally the results of practice and/or work.

Competencies

General skills

• Be prepared to overcome adversity in professional activity and learn from mistakes in order to integrate knowledge and enhance one's preparation. 
• Combine scientific knowledge with technical skills and technological resources to deal with problems in professional practice.

Specific skills

• Individually carry out an original project in the field of mechatronics engineering, of professional quality, bringing together competencies acquired during the degree course. Draft a report, and submit and defend the project before a university panel.
• Know about and apply the principles of analogue and digital electronics, and be able to use the resources of electronic instrumentation and the principles of digital electronics in microprocessors. Apply knowledge of power electronics to mechatronics engineering and design electronic analogue, digital and power systems in the field of mechatronics engineering.
• Know about and how to apply the theoretical principles of production and manufacturing systems, and metrology and quality control in engineering, in order to create and interpret statistical data and analyse results. Apply environmental and sustainability technology in engineering.
• Recognise and understand spatial vision and graphic representation techniques, using traditional methods of metric geometry and descriptive geometry, and computer-aided design applications, applying standardisation and projection systems.
• Understand and apply the basic principles of use and programming of computers, operating systems, databases and computer programs with application in engineering, and know about real-time systems and distributed computer systems, and be able to install, configure and use industrial communication networks, using advanced computer tools for industrial computing and communication.
• Understand materials structures, properties and processing systems,  relating microstructure, and synthesis or processing and properties of materials. Plan and analyse tests and interpret results, and apply the principles of strength of materials and elasticity to the behaviour of real solids. Understand the principles of strength of materials, failure theory and fatigue problems. 
• Understand the concept of enterprises, and their institutional, legal and economic framework, in order to organise, manage and plan business strategy and marketing, and apply this to the organisational structure and operation of an engineering project office. 
• Understand the principles of applied thermodynamics and heat transfer in order to solve engineering problems, and apply the basic principles of fluid mechanics to solving problems in the field of mechatronics engineering. Analyse and calculate piping, channels and fluid systems using thermal engineering applications.
• Understand the principles of circuit theory and electrical machines, apply them in design and use electric drives and switchgear. Calculate and design electrical installations of low, medium and high voltage.
• Understand the theoretical principles of systems dynamics, continuous control, discrete control and multivariable control, to apply knowledge to mechatronics engineering and design regulation and automatic control systems.
• Understand the theory of machines and mechanisms, and be able to apply techniques of calculation, design and testing of machines. Understand and know how to design transmission systems, motors and receivers, machine drives and constructive forms in the field of mechatronics engineering.
• Use dynamic system modelling tools and simulation techniques. Understand and apply the properties of sensors, actuators and signal conditioners, in order to program programmable robots, numerical control and robots to develop complex robotic systems that improve processes and the final product.
• Work in a multilingual, multidisciplinary environment, and give oral presentations and write reports in English in the field of science and engineering.

Basic skills

• Students can communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialists and non-specialists.

Core skills

• Be a critical thinker before knowledge in all its dimensions. Show intellectual, cultural and scientific curiosity and a commitment to professional rigour and quality.
• Interact in international and worldwide contexts to identify needs and and new contexts for knowledge transfer to current and emerging fields of professional development, with the ability to adapt to and independently manage professional and research processes.
• Use oral, written and audiovisual forms of communication, in one's own language and in foreign languages, with a high standard of use, form and content.

Content

• Consolidate and interrelate technological concepts of different subjects in the definition of a project of Mechatronics Engineering.
• Study and apply technical resources to develop projects integrating the various technologies that comprises mechanics, electronics, and computer control.
• Study and apply tools for planning and managing development projects. Integrate them in enterprise environments.

Evaluation

Assessment is based on continuous monitoring of academic work of the student throughout the subject. Several items will be taken into account like the active assistance in the classroom, the participation in discussions and teamwork, the presentation and exhibition of reports both individually or in group.

Although the projects are in group, the final grade will be individual. The final grade for each student is the sum of the following grades:

• Individual grade (30%): Taking into account a team peer review and the teachers' staff review of the work of each member of the group.
• Group grade (70%): Including not only the final results of the project and the Final presentation, but also the Mid-term presentation and the continuous work done along the semester.

In order to pass the subject, it is mandatory to achieve a minimum individual grade of 4.0, as assigned by the teachers. Missing more than 25% of the classes without valid justification will lead to an individual grade below 4.0.

Methodology

The methodology used is Project Based Learning (PBL), with emphasis on team work experience in the development of real projects. The subject develops from a few lectures to make the formal presentation of the project specifications and compare them with existing projects. The work will be done in groups, where students develop different roles at different stages of the project. Students will track the subject's theory and will actively participate in solving assignments and roles for the different stages of the project. At the end of the course there will be practical demonstrations and presentations of the project results.

The teaching staff is composed at least by 2 members and they are organized as follows according to their roles:

• Teacher #1 (mechanics)
• Teacher #2 (electronics)

Bibliography

Key references

• (2016). Project Management from Simple to Complex. Retrieved from https://open.lib.umn.edu/projectmanagement/open/download?type=pdf
• Adrienne Watt (2014). Project Management. Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/open/download?type=pdf
• Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland (2017). The Scrum Guide: The Definitive Guide to Scrum:The Rules of the Game. Retrieved from https://www.scrumguides.org/docs/scrumguide/v2017/2017-Scrum-Guide-US.pdf#zoom=100