Integrated Electrical and Electronic Engineering for Mechanical Engineers

Citation

Abbott, P. (1998), "Integrated Electrical and Electronic Engineering for Mechanical Engineers", Assembly Automation, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 89-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.1998.18.1.89.2

Essentially a course book at undergraduate level, the content is aimed at the electrical and electronic skills requirement of today’s mechanical engineer who is most likely to become involved in the mechatronic field at some point. Whether simply incorporating sensors into a mechanical system of some sort or building elaborate systems such as cash machines or robots, this book aims to provide a basis for the broad range of skills required in such a project. It is organized in a linear format that starts off at basic circuit theory, runs through its application with sensors and actuators, introduces digital and microprocessor techniques and rounds off with basic control theory. The second chapter, “Basic electrical technology”, gives an indication of the pace of the remainder of the book. Classical analysis of simple resistive steady state circuits is followed by electrostatic and electromagnetic fundamentals moving swiftly into alternating quantities and their influence in relation to reactive circuit components. The chapter concludes with transformers and the use of three phases in electrical supply systems. The coverage treads a difficult path between the introductory and the comprehensive, the text offering clear explanation and background information, while there is no shying away from the mathematical content of the material. The subsequent chapter covers analogue electronics, with the more common discrete electronic devices, though the bipolar junction transistor is the only one considered in any depth. Amplifiers are considered in the ideal, with a number of operational amplifier circuits presented with some analysis, though there is little in the way of practical advice on selection or potential problems due to imperfect component performance. Physical actuators such as motors and solenoids, and later pneumatic and hydraulic components, form the following two chapters before the book moves into the digital domain.

The authors give an introduction to Boolean algebra and the design and synthesis using gates of basic logic circuits, with a brief discussion of the higher level of integration available in programmable logic architectures. The coverage of microprocessor fundamentals is very basic as are the sections on operating systems and languages, though the latter is made up for with an ample selection of code samples illustrating interface techniques in particular. As with many texts, the inclusion of part specific information is a hostage to fortune in that the text inevitably lags the technology ‐ notably the book has largely missed out on the recent low cost microcontroller explosion and has an application circuit that uses an obsolete ic.

The later sections of the book are concerned with control theory, starting off with descriptions of systems, their responses and stability criteria. Practical methods of tuning controllers are discussed along with the popular classical analysis methods. There is an introduction to state‐variable techniques. The theory is further developed into discrete methods and computer control techniques.

For the student or perhaps professionally curious, the book provides a useful overview of the subject at a working level. There are many worked examples and problems to attempt that give a flavour of the practical implementation of the technology and techniques covered in the text. As a reference volume for engineers, the material covering both the circuit and control theory is well paced and written and makes good revision material for the rusty. While the electronics material gives a flavour of the subject, there are better, more specialized, and up to date texts.