The integration of electronics, sensors, actuators, and microprocessor technology into manufacturing processes and consumer products is requiring engineers to possess greater mechatronics knowledge. Students must be encouraged to embrace a mechatronics perspective through combined classroom and "hands-on" laboratory activities to develop critical systems skills for multidisciplinary teams. In this paper, laboratory experiments and their accompanying learning objectives are introduced and discussed which highlight key industrial technologies and establish a foundation for skill achievement.

Development of a mechatronics laboratory-eliminating barriers to manufacturing instrumentation and control

This is a paper which has two purposes. The first is to highlight the effort, and the results that came about when a commitment was made by The University of Memphis to rebuild and revitalize The Electrical Power lab. This required a certain financial commitment from the university. That amounted to approximately $21,000. The value of this investment can be viewed, in perspective, from the fact that The US Naval Academy recently invested about $450,000 for new equipment and software in a Power Engineering Concentration (1). This purpose has been realized, and the students who use the lab have already benefited greatly. The second purpose is to bring attention to the need to teach electrical power to university students across the country. The teaching of electrical power principles has been de-emphasized by many universities across the country (2). The number of electrical engineers graduating with a power concentration is about 500 per year (3). Although hard data of the number of power engineers needed in the coming years is hard to come up with, there is a general feeling that there will be a shortage. This problem is being exasperated by a by a decrease in the number of power educators (5). As a result it is difficult to find a place to study electrical power and electrical power principles. Also, approximately 50 % of the students taking power classes are international students, many of whom will return to their home country after graduating (5). It is my sincere desire to bring this to the attention of college and university personnel and have electrical power concentrations available to more students. I believe that this is important because there is going to be a need, in the near future, for engineers and technicians who understand electrical power.

The Rebuilding and Revitalization of The Electrical Power Lab At The University of Memphis

The author discusses industry changes and their impact on the IEEE Power Engineering Society (PES). Some of the actions proposed or already being taken by some PES in response to these changes are presented. They concern non-US membership, standardization activities, and power education. >

C.L. Wagner

Papers

The changing electric power equipment industry and the future role of the Power Engineering Society