Hello folks, here's a fast recap of what happened last semester. The post is incomplete as of now, at least until I get the goody pictures from Priscilla and the gang.
As the bulk of the first main
activities of this club, the Swinburne Sarawak Robotics and Automation Club had
organized 2 sessions of workshops to briefly introduce the foundations of
implementing mechatronic and robotic systems. In the span of 2 days, we have
explored the building blocks for constructing automated systems to completing
basic systems in order to understand how electronics, coupled with motorized
actuators and programming skills, create the beginnings of simple robots.
Stage 1 covered the idea and
overview of mechatronics and robotics which are not conventionally illustrated
in academic lectures. This also had the dual intent of forming a framework of
understanding for 1st year students. Introduction to mechatronic
components encompass commonly used sensors and actuators. Finally, the
participants learnt what interfacing is necessary between microcontrollers and
various sensors, motors and the computer. The first session was completed on
the 14th April 2012 with 21 new members.
Stage 2 builds upon the skills
and knowledge introduced in the initial session, extending this experience with
a series of challenges that took participants from just merely getting a motor
to work, to implementing a speed-controlled actuator, a feature made possible
only by adding an encoder and writing a program to model a simple control
system architecture. The second, slightly more complicated stage, was conducted
on the 28th April with 12 participants.
Both workshops were aptly
conducted by the SSRAC’s 2 main supervisors, Mr. Hudyjaya Siswoyo and Mr. Riady
Siswoyo. While it is not entirely possible cover an entire branch of
engineering in 2 days, the workshop succeeded in breaking the ice between
academic engineering studies and practical implementations of robotic systems.
Overall, the events have proven successful at helping engineering students of
all fields nip the tip of the iceberg of robotics engineering.
Future workshops will be held to
explore other facets of practical skills as well as more advanced lessons revolving
around automated systems. Stay tuned!