ELECTRONICS SUPPLEMENT
Engineering focus – choosing
the right final year project
‘
IT’S THAT same old various syllabuses one of these
a71The kit is compatible with
problem that we face each
projects would be a good most educational PICs and
year. Your students need
by
choice.
software
to chose a final year
An issue that having a project
a71The board has four inputs,
project and you want to
Kevin Spurr
that uses motors presents, is that
complete with test switches
they can be tricky to control.
give them the best possible
a71The board has four outputs,
This is because the control
chance of achieving a good
of Kitronik
complete with debug LEDS
hardware needs to be carefully
grade for their work. The
designed if it is going to be
a71The outputs can drive two
ideal final year project
reliable. One way to address this
motors with forward and reverse
would offer the student the
is to start with a motor
control or four motors with
a71Design a conveyor to
opportunity to meet all of
transport small assemblies to a
controller board that has been
on/off control
the required elements of
professionally designed for this
a71The motor outputs have the
packaging area within a factory
the course while still giving
task. Such a board is available required filtering etc required
environment
the student the chance to
from Kitronik Ltd. for successful motor operation.
a71Design a system for moving
come up with a solution
Even if this board is
water for a situation of your
If you would like more
that is unique to themselves.
eventually replaced by a PCB
choice.
information on the Kitronik
designed by the student it will
Normally you would be able
These project themes have
motor controller board, either
certainly be of great use in
to fall back on your experience
been picked out as they all
visit our website
developing and prototyping
of the type of projects that can
require some form of
www.kitronik.co.uk or call us
solutions at an early stage. It
achieve a good grade, allowing
mechanical movement. A final
on 0845 838 0781. Catalogues
will also allow the software
you to guide your students
year project that features
written by the student, to be
are available on request.
towards the right type of project
mechanical movement is always
’
tested and debugged before
choice. Unfortunately as the
Kitronik’s full address is Unit
going to have a certain ‘wow’
moving over to the custom PCB.
engineering courses have only
18, Lenton Business Centre,
factor that may be hard to
As the design of the motor
been around for a short period
otherwise achieve. To achieve
Lenton Boulevard,
controller board is proven it
of time you will have little
movement the student is likely
Nottingham NG7 2BY
would allow the software to be
experience to fall back upon.
to use a motor and this motor
Telephone 0845 838 0781
debugged without there being
To get you started, a number
will need to be controlled. The
any question marks over the
Fax: 0845 838 0782
of the syllabuses make
control of the motors will hardware.
Email: sales@kitronik.co.uk
suggestions for possible project
normally require the use of a The motor controller board
Website: www.kitronik.co.uk
themes. A selection of those
PIC. As both PICs and control shown offers a number of
suggested by AQA for their
technology are covered in the features:
Circle No.E8
engineering double award are
shown below (you will find that
these themes would also be
suitable for students taking
engineering courses from other
examining boards):
a71Design an automatically
deployable security bollard to
prevent cars being used to break
into shops
a71Design a supermarket
advertising board which
displays three A2
advertisements in a sequence
a71Design an interactive
mechanical toy that will allow
teachers to discuss and explain
educational concepts to pupils
a71Design a simple robotic
system which can be used to lift
and move parts between two
locations in a manufacturing
system
Kitronik’s motor controller board.
Technology in Education No.165 March 2009 20 Check out our website: www.technology-in-education.co.uk
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