Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science

Centre for Automation and Robotics

B.Tech Mechatronics Engineering
MHB4117 - BASICS OF MECHATRONICS

QUESTION BANK

UNIT-I
Introduction to Mechatronics
1. Define Mechatronic System.
2. List out four examples of a Mechatronic System.
3. State the advantages of Mechatronic System over Traditional Systems.
4. Mechatronic System emphasis on integrated design for products and provide
reconfigurability. Justify your answer.
5. List out the advantages of Mechatronic Systems.
6. List out the key elements of mechatronic systems.
7. Represent the elements of mechatronic system in a pictorial form.
8. Point out any four applications of Mechatronic Systems in Automobiles.
9. List out any four mechanical elements used in the design of mechatronic system
10. What do you mean by Electro Mechanical System?
11. List out any four electro mechanical systems used in the design of mechatronic systems.
12. Define System.
13. Explain measurement system
14. Define Control Systems
15. Illustrate the measurement system with a neat sketch (Block Diagram)
16. Differentiate Open loop and Closed Loop System.
17. Draw the block diagram of a closed loop system.
18. Differentiate negative and positive feedback in a closed loop control system
19. Explain Sequential Control in mechatronic system.
20. List out any four examples of mechatronic system working on sequential control.
21. Explain the role of Microprocessors in mechatronic system.
22. List out the applications of Mechatronic systems in manufacturing.
23. List out the applications of mechatronic systems in medical field.
24. List out the parts of a CNC machine.
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25. Is robotic work cell a mechatronic system? Explain.
26. Mention any two examples of a automatic systems.
27. Give examples of open loop and closed loop systems in mechatronics.
PART B and PART C.
5 / 10 marks
1. Discuss the various stages in mechatronic system with a neat sketch.
2. Explain the key elements of mechatronic systems with a neat sketch.
3. Explain the role of mechatronic system involved in the design of door in a luxury car.
4. Illustrate a measurement system and explain its elements.
5. Discuss open loop and closed loop system with an example.
6. Identify the various elements of a closed loop control system in an automatic water level
controller and describe their functions.
7. Illustrate the elements of a closed loop control system and explain its functions with an
example.
8. Illustrate the elements used to design an automatic washing machine based on
mechatronic approach.
9. Propose a sequential control of a bread toaster and explain its relevance with
mechatronic approach of system design.
10. State steps that might be present in the sequential control of an air conditioning system
with a neat sketch.
11. Compare and contrast traditional vs mechatronic approach of system design in detail.
12. With neat sketch compare and contrast traditional vs mechatronic approach of system
design.
13. Discuss the various stages that are present in the mechatronic system design process.
14. Compare and contrast traditional vs mechatronic approach of the design of weighing
scale.
15. Compare and contrast the traditional vs mechatronic approach involved in the design of
Wind Screen Wiper in automobile.
16. Briefly discuss the role of mechatronic system in the design of autopilot of a ship or
aircraft in detail.
17. Discuss in detail about the design of pick and place robotic arm as a mechatronic system.
18. Explain the role of mechatronic system design in smart home applications.
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 UNIT-II
Sensors and Transducers
1. Define Sensor and Transducer.
2. Is Sensor and Transducer are the same? Justify.
3. Differentiate Sensors and Transducer.
4. List out the classification of sensors
5. List out the terms that define the performance of the transducers.
6. List out the different carriers of information in sensing.
7. What are active and passive sensors?
8. List two examples of active and passive sensor.
9. List out the factors to be consider for selection of sensors.
10. Differentiate modifying and interfering inputs.
11. Define calibration.
12. Is range and span are same? Justify
13. List any four static characteristics of sensors.
14. List any four dynamic characteristics of sensors.
15. Differentiate accuracy and precision.
16. Is repeatability and reproducibility are the same? Justify
17. What are static and dynamic characteristics?
18. What do you mean by sensitivity of sensor?
19. What do you mean by resolution of sensor?
20. Differentiate linearity and non linearity?
21. List any four sensors that are used for displacement measurement.
22. Differentiate Contact and Non contact type sensor with appropriate example
23. State the use of potentiometers.
24. What are strain gauges?
25. State the significance of gauge factor.
26. Is it possible to measure displacement using strain gauge? Justify.
27. State the forms of capacitive sensors used for displacement measurement.
28. What is LVDT? State its uses.
29. List down any two kind of proximity sensors.
30. State the applications of proximity sensors.
31. Identify the device used for measurement of position.
32. List the two types of encoders and its uses.
33. Illustrate pneumatic sensors.
34. State the working principle of hall effect sensor
35. List down the types of proximity switches.
36. Point out the types of sensors that are used for temperature measurement.
37. State the working principle of thermocouple sensor.
38. State the working principle of RTD/Thermistor.
39. List the types of thermocouples.
40. Point out any two sensors that are used for sensing motion and velocity.
41. Point out the uses of photosensitive devices?
42. What are light sensors? List out any two devices that are used as light sensors
43. List the components of vision sensor.
44. Is vision sensor and Digital camera are same in functionality. Justify.
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45. State any four applications of vision sensor

Represent the elements of mechatronic system in a pictorial form and explain the elements with an
example.
Represent the elements of mechatronic system in a pictorial form and explain the elements
with an example.
46. List out the processes that are involved in signal conditioning.
47. Define Opamp.
48. Illustrate any one type of amplifier using op-amp.
49. State the need of Instrumentation amplifier
50. What do you mean by filtering?
51. List the elements that are present in data loggers
52. List any four data presentation elements
53. What are data converters? Point out its need in mechatronic systems.
54. List the types of ADC’s and DAC’s
55. Define Quantizing
56. Define Aliasing
57. What do you mean by sampling rate

PART B and PART C

1. DISCUSS THE CLASSIFICATION OF SENSORS WITH EXAMPLE
2. What are sensors and transducers? Differentiate them on various aspects.
3. STATE THE STATIC AND DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A SENSOR AND BRIEFLY
DISCUSS ABOUT THE FOLLOWING.
a. RANGE AND SPAN
b. REPEATABILITY AND REPRODUCIBILITY
c. ERROR
d. LINEARITY AND SENSITIVITY
4. What are Static and Dynamic characteristics of sensor? List and explain the various
static and dynamic characteristics of sensor in detail
5. Discuss the working principle of a Potentiometer and show how the displacement
could be measured.
6. A potentiometer has a supply voltage of +6V. The total rotary movement of the
potentiometer is 330˚. If the slider voltage is zero when the potentiometer is turned
fully counter clockwise, determine how far has the potentiometer shaft been rotated
when the slider voltage is +4.5V?
7. Illustrate how a strain gauge sensor is used to measure the displacement. Explain its
construction, working principle and the significance of Gauge Factor.
8. Illustrate the use of capacitive sensor for measurement of displacement and explain
its working principle.
9. Explain the construction and working principle of eddy current / Inductive sensor.
10. Explain the construction and working principle of any two types of proximity switches
11. Explain the working principle of Hall effect sensor and show how it could be used for
the measurement of liquid level
12. A platinum resistance thermometer has a resistance of 220 at 20C. This thermometer
is used as a sensor in a closed loop control system of an oven whose temperature has to
be maintained at 50C. Calculate the resistance of the thermometer at the set point of
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 the oven. Consider that the temperature co-efficient of resistance of the thermometer is
0.00392 at 20C.
13. Discuss any one sensor that is used for measurement of temperature
14. Define Encoders and differentiate the two types of encoders used for positional
measurements. Illustrate any one type of encoder and explain its construction and
working principle.
15. Explain the construction and working principle of any two types of sensors that are
used for measurement of motion or velocity.
16. Define LVDT. Discuss how LVDT is used to measure the level of water stored in an
overhead tank with a neat sketch. Explain the construction, working principle and
applications of Bi-metallic strip with neat sketch.
17. What are Vision sensors? List out the components of vision sensor and differentiate
with a digital camera.
18. Discuss the necessity of Signal conditioning in measurement system. List out the
various signal conditioning operations that are commonly performed in measurement
systems.
19. Illustrate the differential amplifier using op amp and discuss how it is used as a
comparator in mechatronic system design.
20. Explain the construction and working principle of any two types of Digital to Analogue
Converter (DAC) in detail.
21. Explain the construction and working principle of any two types of Analogue to Digital
Converter (DAC) in detail.
22. Illustrate the block diagram of the data logger and explain whether data logger and data
acquisition system are similar in terms of functionality. Justify.
23. Illustrate the different configurations of Op-amp based amplifier and explain its
working principle.

UNIT-III
Drives and Actuators
PART A
1. Define actuator. List out any two types of actuators used in mechatronic systems.
2. List the types of actuators that are commonly used in mechatronic systems.
3. Classify actuator based on motion.
4. What are actuation systems?
5. List out the classification of mechanical switches as actuators.
6. What are electro mechanical actuators? Give one example
7. List the solid state switches that are used as actuators in mechatronic systems.
8. Illustrate how transistor acts as a switch.
9. Define Solenoid?
10. What are linear actuators? Give some examples.
11. List the applications of solenoid actuators.
12. What do you mean by drive systems?
13. State the working principle of DC motor.
14. List the components of DC motor.
15. Justify the need for commutator and brushes in DC motors.

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16. Classify DC motors.
17. Is DC motor and Servo motor are similar? Justify.
18. Provide any two differences between stepper and servo motor.
19. Mention the various components of a Pneumatic system.
20. Differentiate between AC motor and DC motor.
21. Mention the various components of a hydraulic system.
22. State the working principle of stepper motor?
23. List out the types of Speed control of DC motor.
24. Show how the speed of the AC motor can be controlled?
25. State the used of the Directional control valves
26. State the uses of cylinders and mention its types
27. What are single acting and double acting cylinders?
PART B & PART C
1. Discuss the role of relays in mechatronic system design and explain its construction and
working principle in detail.
2. At what conditions SPDT, DPST and DPDT switches are used?
3. List the solid state devices that are used as switches in mechatronic systems and discuss
how a transistor is used as a switch in system design with a simple example.
4. Discuss the role of transistors in mechatronic system design and explain its construction
and working principle in detail.
5. Discuss the role of Electro mechanical actuators in mechatronic systems. Explain with a
neat sketch, the construction and working principle of the same.
6. Explain with a neat sketch, the construction and working principle of DC motor and list
out its advantages and disadvantages.
7. Explain the construction and working principle of AC motors.
8. What are stepper motors? Illustrate the construction of the stepper motor with a neat
sketch and explain its working principle and uses in positioning applications.
9. Explain the construction and working principle of stepper motor.
10. Explain the components of the hydraulic system with a neat illustration
11. Explain the components of the Pneumatic system with a neat sketch.
12. Explain the construction and working principle of Directional Control Valves used as
actuator in mechatronic systems
13. Discuss the construction and working principle of double acting cylinder.
14. Discuss the construction and working principle of any one type of linear actuator with a
neat sketch.
15. Discuss the construction and working principle of double acting cylinder and illustrate
its usage as an actuator in Metropolitan Transport of Chennai (MTC) busses.
16. Discuss the role of hydraulic and pneumatic devices as actuators in mechatronic
systems. Explain with a neat sketch, the construction and working of any one
pneumatic actuator used in mechatronic systems.

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 UNIT IV
CONTROLLERS AND ALGORITHMS
1. What is a microprocessor?
2. Define microcontroller?
3. What do you mean by digital computer? Illustrate the four elements of the digital
computer.
4. State the differences between microprocessor and microcontroller?
5. What are the four components of a programmable machine?
6. Define the terms: a)Bus b)RAM c)ROM
7. Define the term: Data Bus,Address bus, Control bus.
8. What are the two types of memories?
9. What are programmable logic controllers (PLC)?
10. Illustrate the basic elements of PLC.
11. Give advantages of PLC system over traditional mechanical system.
12. List the factors to be considered for selection of PLC
13. State the significance of CPU in PLC.
14. List out the different types of memory used in PLC / Micro processor / microcontroller
15. List out the different types of ROMs used in PLC / Micro processor / microcontroller

PART B and PART C

1. How does the microcontroller differs from microprocessor explain.
2. Draw the architecture of Intel 8085 Microprocessor and explain the functions of its
elements in detail.
3. Differentiate microprocessors with micro controllers. List the advantages of
microcontrollers over microprocessors in system design.
4. Discuss the factors that are to be considered for selection of microprocessor /
microcontroller / PLC.
5. Illustrate the block diagram of microcontrollers and state the important differences
from microprocessors.
6. Draw a block diagram of a microcontroller and explain the functions of its elements in
detail
7. What is Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)? Illustrate the basic components of the
PLC with a neat sketch and explain.
8. Discuss the use of artificial neural network in mechatronic systems.
9. Discuss the use of fuzzy logic in mechatronic system design.
10. Explain the configuration of PLC. Give the advantages of PLC based system design with
the traditional approach.
UNIT IV
INTERFACING
1. Define the term Peripheral.
2. What do you mean by interface? Why it is needed in a mechatronic system.
3. Illustrate the arrangement of interface in a mechatronic system.
4. Define Buffer
5. What do you mean by polling?
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6. What do you mean by handshaking?
7. State the necessity of Peripheral Interface Adapters in mechatronic systems.
8. What are peripheral interface adapters (PIA)?
9. Define UART.
10. What is meant by serial interface? Where it is used?
11. What do you mean by parallel interface? Mention its uses.
12. What are interface requirements?
13. Describe the functions that are considered as a requirement for an interface.
14. Explain the significance of using a buffer when interfacing peripheral devices.
15. State the need for Interface requirements in mechatronic systems.

PART B and PART C

1. Describe the functions that can be required of an interface.
2. Explain the difference between serial and parallel interface.
3. What is the function of peripheral interface adapter (PIA)? Briefly Discuss.
4. Compare and contrast serial and parallel interface.
5. Illustrate the arrangement of an Interface between microprocessors and other peripherals
and describe the functions that are required by an Interface.
6. Explain the functions of Buffer and Handshaking while interfacing a sensor or actuator
with controllers.
7. What are peripheral interfaces? Discuss the functions of Peripheral Interface Adapters and
discuss how a stepper motor is interfaced with PIA with a neat sketch.
8. Explain the need of Buffer and Handshaking in the interface system design.
9. Explain the need of Peripheral Interface Adapters and discuss how a stepper motor is
interfaced with PIA with a neat sketch.

ALL THE BEST

Dr. RM. KUPPAN CHETTY., M.Tech., Ph.D.
JAN-MAY 2019

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