RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design

RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 1 of 21 
 
School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies 
RME40002 
Mechatronics Systems Design 
 
Portfolio Tasks Description 
Semester 2, 2024 
 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 2 of 21 
 
Instructions 
1. The portfolio is individual assessment. You must complete the tasks by your own. 
Read the RME40002 Assessment Criteria document in Canvas for details. 
2. You could get feedback from your tutor in class on your solution prior to the 
submission due date. 
3. Use the Portfolio Template provided in Canvas for your submission. 
4. You do not need to copy the task questions into your portfolio, but clearly label 
the task number you are answering. 
5. For MATLAB questions, include all source codes and commands as text in the 
portfolio. If a question asks you to plot or display something to the screen, also 
include the screenshots of plot and screen output your code generates. Include 
results and sufficient comments if required. 
6. For LabVIEW questions, provide screenshots of both front panel and block diagram 
with sufficient resolution for readability. 
7. For non-programming questions, you may type in your answers or scan your 
handwritten answers to include in the portfolio. 
8. You should submit two separate portfolios for the tasks required in this document. 
Each portfolio must be a single electronic file in PDF format or Word document. 
9. The file name and deadline of your portfolio submission requirement: 
 
First Portfolio – Answers to tasks from Week 1 to 4 
File name [Your student ID]-[PF1] 
For example, 12345678-PF1.pdf 
Submission deadline Sunday, September 1, 2024 by 23.59pm 
 
Second Portfolio – Answers to tasks from Week 5 to 8 
File name [Your student ID]-[PF2] 
For example, 12345678-PF2.pdf 
Submission deadline Sunday, September 29, 2024 by 23.59pm 
 Penalty will be applied for late submission (see Unit Outline for details). 
10. The only way to submit your portfolio for assessment is uploading through 
Canvas>>Assignment>>Portfolio Submission. Submissions by using other 
methods such as through Email would not be accepted. 
11. Submissions failing to satisfy the above requirements would NOT be assessed! 
12. You also need to keep a record of the source codes of your solution. You may be 
asked to provide the source codes during the assessment period. RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 3 of 21 
 
Week 1 
 
1.1 LabVIEW Basics – Data types, math calculation, and display 
 
1.1.1 Data types 
 
This task is designed to help students get started with LabVIEW, which also helps to 
familiarize the common data types. 
 
 1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week1p1p1.vi 
2) Select Window>>Show Block Diagram (Ctrl+E) 
3) Create controllers-indicator pairs for different variables such as 
i. Name (strings), 
ii. Age (doubles), 
iii. LED (Booleans), 
iv. Exam results (array) 
v. A cluster that contains all variables above, bundle them, then unbundle and 
show with a cluster indicator containing Name, Age and LED three items 
only. 
4) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability 
5) Provide screenshots of both the front panel and block diagram you have 
designed in the portfolio report. Your results may be like below. 
 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 4 of 21 
1.1.2 Math calculation 
 
This task practices how to program a math expression and calculate its result. 
 
Calculate the value of y according to the following expression by using the blocks of 
numeric palette, formula node and mathscript, respectively. 
 
 1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week1p1p2.vi 
2) Select Window>>Show Block Diagram (Ctrl+E) 
3) In the block diagram, right-click and select Functions>>Numeric. 
i. Basic math operations can be found in Numeric such as Add, Subtract, 
Multiply, Divide, Square, and Square root. 
ii. Complete the calculation with basic math blocks. 
4) In the block diagram, right-click and select Functions>>Structure>> 
Mathscript. Complete the same calculation for y with mathscript. 
5) In the block diagram, right-click and select Functions>>Structure>> Formula 
node. Complete the same calculation for y with the formula node. 
6) Create indicators to display the results as calculated by the above methods. 
7) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability 
8) Provide screenshots of both the front panel and block diagram you have 
designed in the portfolio report. Your results will be like below. 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 5 of 21 
 
1.2 Mechatronics Project – Literature review 
 
Peruse the Mechatronics Project Guidelines document and complete a preliminary 
review on how the pick-and-place robotic arms are used in reality. Briefly introduce 
the working principles of at least two examples of such existing equipment and their 
applications. You are suggested to use photo or diagram for clear explanation. 
 
Approximately 300 words exclusive of photo and graph are required in this task. 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 6 of 21 
 
Week 2 
 
2.1 MATLAB Basics – Script file, if, for, while 
 
2.1.1 The if Construct 
 
The unit price of a product changes according to the number of units purchased, a 
10% discount is applied when purchasing over 30 units. A customer could enter the 
number of units and original unit price in the command window. Then, the overall 
price is calculated. You should use the if Construct in MATLAB to solve this task. 
 
 1) Write a program in a MATLAB script file named as Week2p1p1.m 
2) The program asks the user to enter the number of units and the unit price in the 
command window. 
3) The program then displays the total price in the command window. 
4) Copy & Paste both the script code in your edit window and the results in your 
command window to the portfolio report. 
Command window example: 
Please enter the number of units: 31 
Please enter the price per unit $: 10 
The overall price is $XXXXX 
 
2.1.2 The for Loop 
 
Write a program to calculate the sum of the first 6 terms of the series: 
 
and display the result. You should use the for Loop in MATLAB to solve this task. 
 
 1) Write a program in a MATLAB script file named as Week2p1p2.m 
2) Calculate the sum for n = 6 and show the result in the command window. 
3) Copy & Paste both the script code in your edit window and the results in your 
command window to the portfolio report. 
Command window example: 
The result for n = 6 is XXXXX. 
 
2.1.3 The while Loop 
 
For sum = 1+2+… + n, create a MATLAB program to calculate the n value that 
yields sum = 5050. The task can be represented by the following formula: 
 
You should use the while Loop in MATLAB to solve this task. RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 7 of 21 
 
1) Write a program in a MATLAB script file named Week2p1p3.m 
2) Find the n value by using the while loop. 
3) Copy & Paste both the script code in your edit window and the results in your 
command window to the portfolio report. 
Command window example: 
For sum = 5050, n is XXX. 
 
2.2 LabVIEW Further – Case, for-loop and while-loop 
 
2.2.1 The case Structure (Do NOT use mathscript-node, formula-node or MATLABscript)
 
The problem is the same as 2.1.1. Whereas, students should use the case structure in 
LabVIEW to calculate the total price. In addition, students should create two text 
boxes such as “unit purchased” and “unit price” shown in the following. A user can 
enter values in the text boxes and the corresponding total price is calculated. 
 
 1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week2p2p1.vi 
2) Calculate the total price using the case structure. 
3) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability. 
4) Provide screenshot of both the front panel and block diagram in the portfolio 
report.  
 
2.2.2 The for Loop (Do NOT use mathscript-node, formula-node or MATLAB-script) 
 
The problem is the same as 2.1.2. students are asked to calculate the sum of the first 6 
terms of the series: 
 
and display the result. Moreover, students should make use of the for-loop structure in 
LabVIEW and display the value of the sum. 
 
 1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week2p2p2.vi 
2) Calculate the value of the sum by using “shift register” or “feedback node” 
with for-loop. (Do NOT use “Add Array Elements” function in this task) 
3) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability. RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 8 of 21 
 
4) Provide screenshot of both the front panel (with your calculated result clearly 
displayed) and block diagram in the portfolio report. 
 
2.2.3 The while Loop (Do NOT use mathscript-node, formula-node or MATLABscript).
 
The problem is the same as 2.1.3. Students are asked to create a LABVIEW program 
to calculate the n value such that 1+2+… + n = 5050. 
 
1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week2p2p3.vi 
2) Use shift register or feedback node within the while-loop to calculate the 
summation then determine the n value. 
3) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability. 
4) Provide screenshot of both the front panel (with your calculated result clearly 
displayed) and block diagram in the portfolio report. 
 
2.3 Mechatronics Project – Design tasks 
 
Refer to Appendix, Section 2: Task Elements in the Mechatronics Project Guidelines 
document. Answer and explain the following questions: 
 
1) What is the task you feel most confident to accomplish; and explain why based on 
your prior knowledge or practice? 
2) What are the most challenging tasks for you; and what is your plan to improve 
yourself in those areas through this project development? 
 
Approximately 200 words are required in this task. 
 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 9 of 21 
 
Week 3 
 
3.1 Import MATLAB code in LabVIEW using Mathscript 
 
Note: You must use Mathscript to solve this task. 
 
Simulation of throwing a ball 
 
Below are all the steps you need to follow, but you may also add your own 
meaningful comments to the code as you write it. 
1) Start a new file in LabVIEW and save it as Week3p1.vi 
2) In the file, define some constants (label the constants for readability) 
i. ℎ = 1.7, % Initial height of ball at release is 1.7 m 
ii.      = 9.8, % Gravitational acceleration is 9.8 m/s2 
iii.      = 4, %Velocity of ball at release is 4 m/s 
iv.      = 45, % Angle of the velocity vector at time of release is 45 degrees 
3) Next, make a time vector     , that has 1000 linearly spaced values 
between 0 and 1, inclusive. 
4) In the following figure, x denotes distance and y is height, the 
equations below describe their dependence on time and all the other 
parameters (initial height h, gravitational acceleration g, initial ball 
velocity v, angle of velocity vector in degrees     ). See the following 
illustration: 
 
Solve for x and y 
5) Approximate when the ball hits the ground. 
i. Find the index when the height first becomes negative. 
ii. The distance at which the ball hits the ground is the value of x at that index 
iii. Display the result in Front Panel: The ball hits the ground at a distance of 
X meters. (where X is the distance you found in part ii above) 
6) Plot the ball’s trajectory in Front Panel 
i. Create a new XY graph which can be found in Modern >> XY Graph RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 10 of 21 
 
ii. Plot the ball’s height on the y axis and the distance on the x axis using a 
blue solid line. 
iii. Label the axes meaningfully and give the figure a title. 
iv. In the same graph, plot the ground as a dashed red line. This should be a 
horizontal line going from 0 to the maximum value of x. The height of this 
line should be 0. 
7) Run the program and verify that the ball indeed hits the ground around the 
distance you estimated in 5) and create messages in the form “The ball hits the 
ground at a distance of x.xxxx meters.” 
8) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability. 
9) Provide screenshot of both the front panel and block diagram in the portfolio 
report. 
Example (Note: the distance in below figure is just exemplary): 
 
3.2 Mechatronics Project – Your individual project plan 
 
You should have formed your project group by this week. In this task, address the 
following questions: 
1) Outline the task allocation among your group members. 
2) Outline your individual project plan according to semester weeks. Use a Gantt 
chart with a brief description of each week’s tasks. 
 
Approximately 200 words exclusive of photo and graph are required in this task. 
 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 11 of 21 
 
Week 4 
 
4.1 PLC control design for motors 
 
A PLC control system contains two motors. When a main switch (normally open) is 
on, motor A will start immediately. After 2 seconds, motor B should be started as 
well. When the main switch is off, motor B must be stopped first, and after 2 seconds 
motor A stops. 
Design a program and use the following Input/Output ports to simulate the above 
application: 
I1: Main switch 
Q1: Relay of the motor A control circuit 
Q2: Relay of the motor B control circuit 
1) Build and simulate your PLC program in the Siemens PLC LOGO! Software to 
verify the design requirements. 
2) In your portfolio report, provide the PLC ladder diagram of your design and the 
screenshots of the simulation results from the bottom panel of the LOGO! 
Software. In addition, explain your design solution and discuss the simulation 
results. 
 
4.2 PLC control design for automatic garage door 
 
A PLC system is used to control an automatic garage door that can perform the 
following tasks: 
i. When a pushbutton switch (normally open) is pressed, the motor is started 
clockwise to open the garage door. After 5 seconds the motor stops and a 
lamp is turned on to indicate that the door is opened for the car to go 
through. 
ii. After 10 seconds, the lamp is turned off and the motor is started anticlockwise
to close the garage door. 
iii. The motor stops after 5 seconds and the door is closed. 
iv. The above operations can be repeated without the power reset. 
Design a program and use the following Input/Output ports to simulate the above 
application: RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 12 of 21 
 
I1: Pushbutton switch 
Q1: Relay of the motor clockwise control circuit 
Q2: Relay of the motor anti-clockwise control circuit 
Q3: Lamp 
1) Build and simulate your PLC program in the Siemens PLC LOGO! Software to 
verify the design requirements. 
2) In your portfolio report, provide the PLC ladder diagram of your design and the 
screenshots of the simulation results from the bottom panel of the LOGO! 
Software. In addition, explain your design solution and discuss the simulation 
results. 
 
 
4.3 Mechatronics Project – Preliminary design concepts 
 
It is expected that you have discussed with your group on the project development 
details. This assessment is designed to help you clarify the specific design that your 
group likes to achieve in the project. 
1) Describe the initial design concepts as a result of your group discussion. 
Recommend adding a sketch or drawing to visualize your desired prototype. 
2) Describe the specific design work that you will complete for the project. 
 
Approximately 200 words exclusive of photo and graph are required in this task. 
 
First portfolio submission due by next week: 
You should submit your first portfolio by the end of next week. Refer to the 
Instructions in Page 2 of this document for details. 
 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 13 of 21 
 
Week 5 
 
5.1 System modelling and simulation in LabVIEW 
 
Suppose a DC motor mathematic model can be described by the following inputoutput
differential equation: 
where ω(t) is the angular velocity of the motor shaft, u(t) is the input voltage, and a, b 
are model parameters. 
In order to find the values of the model parameters a and b, an experiment was carried 
out by injecting a square wave voltage to the motor (i.e., u = 0-1Vpp). The angular 
velocity of the motor is not directly measurable, however, the motor has an integral 
angle sensor to measure the rotational angle of the motor shaft θ(t). 
During the experiment, the input voltage and the rotational angle signals are collected 
with a sampling period of 0.1 second, the curves of which are shown in the following 
figure. 
 
One dataset in the above figure is tabulated below, which is sufficient to solve the 
problem in this task. 
Time (second) Input voltage u (Vol) Output angle θ (radian) 
Amplitude
Input voltage (Vol)
Angle (radian)RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 14 of 21 
 
Assuming the following relationship 
1) Use the above data to estimate the values of model parameters a and b. Provide 
the details on your working step. 
2) Build the model in LabVIEW (Do NOT use mathscript-node, formula-node or 
MATLAB-script in this task) and simulate the response of the model to a 0-1Vpp 
square wave input voltage with period=5 second and duty cycle=50% (refer to the 
above figure) for 7 seconds. Display the simulated output angle and the square 
wave input signals in the same graph (results are expected to be similar to the 
above figure), and then discuss and justify the correctness of your results. 
 
5.2 Mechatronics Project – Teamwork 
 
This task is designed to reflect your group project activities. Research shows that 
collaborative problem-solving leads to better outcomes. In this task, address your 
teamwork involvement, group progress, digital tools used for collaboration, one latest 
group meeting minutes. In addition, report any teamwork conflicts if any and how you 
will manage to resolve it. 
 
Approximately 200 words are required in this task. 
 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 15 of 21 
 
Week 6 
 
6.1 LabVIEW – Create a square wave reference trajectory. 
 
Students should create a square wave with an amplitude value switching between 0 
and 1; and a frequency of 0.5 Hz in this task. 
 
1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week6p1.vi 
2) You may use the ‘simulate sig’ block in Signal Process>>Wfm 
Generation; or may use the ‘square wave’ block in Signal Process>>Sig 
Generation with proper parameters. 
3) Display at least 2 periods of the waveform on a waveform chart. 
4) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability 
5) Provide screenshot of both the front panel and block diagram in the 
portfolio report. 
 
Example: 
 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 16 of 21 
 
6.2 LabVIEW – Create trapezoidal wave reference trajectory 
 
A periodical trapezoidal waveform has a period of 5 seconds. For the first 2 seconds, 
the value gradually increases from 0 to 2 and remains at 2 for another 2 seconds. 
Then, the value rapidly decreases back to 0 in 1 second. 
 
To create this waveform signal with LabVIEW, you can use ‘Elapsed Time’ and 
Mathscript node, its Front Panel and Block Diagram is shown below: 
 
Please note that in the property of ‘Elapsed Time’, ‘Automatically rest after time 
target’ is turned off. Following the steps below to complete this task: 
 
 1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week6p2.vi 
2) Create a program as the above to display the trapezoidal waveform. 
3) Replace the Mathscript node, with LabVIEW functions to build the relation 
between the output ‘value’ and the inputs variables of the original Mathscript 
node. (Do NOT use Mathscript, MATLAB script, or formula node in this task. RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 17 of 21 
 
You may use multiple ‘select’ nodes for ‘case structure’). 
4) Display at least 2 periods of the trapezoidal wave on a waveform chart. 
5) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability. 
6) Provide screenshot of both the front panel and block diagram in the portfolio 
report. 
 
6.3 Circuit design 
 
An analogue control circuit as shown in the following figure is used to implement the 
controller output u according to the following equation: 
     =      − 0.5     
where r and      are the input signals to the circuit. 
Calculate the values of the resistors R1 and R2 such that the circuit can implement the 
above controller equation. Provide your calculation steps in the portfolio report. 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 18 of 21 
 
Week 7 
 
7.1 LabVIEW – Simulation of a PID control system 
 
In this task, students are asked to create a control system simulation with a PID 
controller in the ‘control and simulation loop’. 
 
The following figure describes a simple mass-spring-damper system to be controlled, 
where m is the mass of a moving object; u is the external control force; y is the 
displacement, k is the spring constant; and b is the friction coefficient. 
 
 Based on Newton's second law, the equation of motion of the above system can be 
described by the following differential equation 
If the parameters are known as m=1, b=15, and k=25, then we have 
 
Alternatively, you can equivalently convert the above equation as a transfer function: 
 
1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week7p1.vi 
2) Students should use Control & Simulation Loop in Control & Simulation >> 
Simulation with the configuration shown in the following figure 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 19 of 21 
 
 3) In the Control & Simulation Loop, students should create a PID controller, 
plant and reference signal. 
4) The requirement for the reference is the same as the square wave in Week 6 
tasks. Students can reuse the program week6p1.vi. 
5) Students can use PID blocks in Control & Simulation >> Simulation >> 
Continuous Linear System or PID.vi in Control & Simulation >> PID or build 
PID from integrator and derivative blocks. 
6) Plant Model can be created by basic integrator blocks or Transfer function 
block in Control & Simulation >> Simulation >> Continuous Linear System. 
7) Tune the PID parameters until the design specifications are satisfied: the 
steady-state error less than 5%; the settling time less than 0.25 second. (Settling 
time is the time required for the response curve to reach and stay 5% of the 
final value). 
8) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability 
9) Provide screenshot of both the front panel and block diagram in the portfolio 
report. 
10) Discuss how the PID control parameters affect the settling time and steadystate
error in the portfolio report. 
Example: 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 20 of 21 
 
Week 8 
 
8.1 LabVIEW – Counter design (Do NOT use Mathscript-node, formula-node or 
MATLAB-script in this task) 
 
In this task, students will create a click speed test program by using LabVIEW. 
 
1) Start a new file in the LabVIEW and save it as Week8p1.vi 
2) The test lasts for 10 seconds and the time spent is shown in “Elapsed time” 
3) A user can click a button with the label “Click Me”. 
4) When a user clicked the button, the “Counter value” is incremented by 1, and 
the last moment when the button is clicked is recorded in “Last time clicked”. 
5) Students can use the ‘Count up’ block in Real-Time>>Function blocks. 
6) The period is defined as the time difference between the last time clicked and 
the second last time when the button was clicked. 
7) Finally, the smallest period is shown in the “smallest period”. 
8) Organize components in your front panel and block diagram for readability 
9) Provide screenshot of both the front panel and block diagram in the portfolio 
report. 
Example: 
 
8.2 Mechatronics Project – Progress reflection 
By this week, your group should have made some progress on the project 
development. Address the technical development your group have completed and 
point out your main contributions. What are the gaps between your group’s current 
progress and the initial plan? How to fill the gaps in the remaining weeks? 
Provide reflection on your learning experience, time management, and teamwork 
involvement. 
 
Approximately 200 words are required in this task. 
 
Second portfolio submission due by this week: 
You should submit your second portfolio by the end of this week. Refer to the 
Instructions in Page 2 of this document for details. 
 
 RME40002 Mechatronics Systems Design – Portfolio Tasks Description 
Page 21 of 21