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Welcome to FEM & Micromechatronics


The computer simulation became rather popular nowadays in developing the electronic components. The SPIE programs seem to be mandatory to the EE students, however, not many students learn the finite element analysis from practical application viewpoints. In particular, in the smart actuators and sensors utilizing piezoelectric and magnetostrictive effects, and shape memory alloys, which are very promising components in the next micro-mechatronic age, the computer simulation and the successive design optimization concept have started very recently.

This course introduces how to use a finite element analysis (FEA) to these smart materials and structures. We will review briefly the theoretical background of solid state actuator materials, device designs including ultrasonic motors, and drive/control techniques first. Then, we learn how to combine the piezoelectric constitutive equations with an FEA formula. Thus, FEA analyzes the quasi-static, resonating, and transient mechanical vibrations of the piezoelectric device under various applied electric field and mechanical boundary conditions. The main focus is put on the practical applications such as designing the piezoelectric actuators, transformers and under water transducers with the ATILA software code. A limited educational Demo Version of ATILA-Light will be provided to the registered students as a courtesy of Micromechatonics Inc., which should be installed in the student personal computer to be used in the class. Several problem solving with ATILA will be assigned for the grade evaluation.

Textbook: FEM & MICROMECHATRONICS by Kenji Uchino, Micromechatronics Inc., 2005

Reference Book : MICROMECHATRONICS by Kenji Uchino & Jayne Giniewicz, Marcel Dekker, 2003

ATILA Download: Go to Download and/or access to www.micromechatronicsinc.com for help

FULL COURSE CONTENTS

I. FUNDAMENTALS

1. Trend of Micro-Mechatronics and Computer Simulation
2. Overview of Piezoelectricity & Magnetostriction
3. Structures of Smart Transducers
4. Drive/Control Techniques of Smart Transducers
5. Finite Element Analysis for Smart Transducers
6. Design Optimization with FEM
7. Future of the FEM in Smart Structures

II. HOW TO USE ATILA

0. Preparation
1. Piezoelectric Plate
2. Magnetostrictive Rod
3. Composite Structure
4. Piezoelectric Transformer
5. Ultrasonic Motor
6. Underwater Transducer
7. Acoustic Lens

I. FUNDAMENTALS

1. Piezoelectricity - Overview
2. FEM

II. HOW TO USE ATILA

1. Rectangular Plate
2. Bimorph
3. Rosen Type Transformer
4. Cymbal Underwater Transducer

 

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