Advancing Mechatronics Research and Innovation  and Efficient High-fidelity Modeling of Physical Systems

Mechatronics has become one of the most significant engineering application fields emerging in the digital age. This workshop is an opportunity for you to learn about the newest techniques and concepts for modern mechatronic design. Broadly, the workshop is based on two fundamental ideas: greater emphasis on high-fidelity modeling of physical systems, and effective application of advanced, modular, experimental and research platforms and Hardware in the Loop (HIL) exploration

Participants will receive a practical introduction to respective techniques and technologies. Detailed case-studies will be presented by both the primary presenters and practitioners from leading institutions.
The agenda for this session is as follows:
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Introduction and background (Maplesoft and Quanser) 
9:30 AM – 12:00: Efficient high-fidelity modeling of physical systems (MapleSoft)

• techniques and technologies for mechatronics plant modeling and optimized code generation for HIL
• hands-on tutorial of MapleSim modeling tools

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Advancing Mechatronics Research and Innovation  (Quanser)

• a modern design methodology for mechantronics design, research, and education
• detailed demonstrations and case studies including UAVs, haptics, and active automotive components

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Expert mechantronics panel discussion and closing

• Senior representatives from Quanser, Maplesoft, and faculty from leading institutions

Part 1:  Efficient high-fidelity modeling of physical systems (MapleSoft) (AM: 8:30-12:00)
Session Chair: Paul Goossens, Director of applications engineering, Maplesoft
Conventional engineering modeling software packages are reaching the limits of their usefulness for emerging modeling challenges, such as the multidomain systems found in robotics, green engineering, and hybrid vehicles. This portion of the Workshop offers practical insights and techniques for overcoming these modeling challenges.
Using the modeling software MapleSim, participants will learn how to quickly develop high fidelity models of multidomain physical systems. The application focus will be control system development with a special emphasis on plant modeling for mechatronics applications and HIL. The techniques and examples are drawn from real industrial and research applications in automotive, aerospace, and robotics among others.
Key to the techniques presented in this session will be symbolic computation-based model derivation. These new techniques automate the development of complete, and accessible, model equations for high fidelity plant models for mechatronic applications. Additionally, symbolic techniques can perform model simplifications and optimized plant code generation for HIL applications. The ultimate goal is to produce high fidelity physical models that run sufficiently fast in real time enabling a wide range of new applications that were simply impossible with traditional techniques.
This session will consist of two parts each consisting of a half day:
a) A hands-on tutorial where participants are welcome to bring their laptops and learn to use MapleSim. Trial licenses will be provided so that participants can follow along in MapleSim as these important topics are presented:

• Discussion of the principles of physical modeling and control plant modeling
• HIL capabilities and demonstrations on key platforms such as Simulink, and National Instruments
• Select modeling examples from key industries and research areas

b) A workshop consisting of various case studies from industry and academia presented by researchers and practitioners from respective fields. Each case study will present the industrial or research challenge, the details of the resulting model, and the results of the study. Application areas will include: robotics, automotive engineering (vehicle dynamics, powertrain, battery), and space applications. Presenters for this portion will include:

• Dr. Venkat Krovi, SUNY Buffalo
• Aden Seaman, University of Waterloo
• Dr. Orang Vahid, University of Waterloo
• Paul Karam, Quanser

• Mechatronics : Active Suspension & 3DOF Gyro
• Unmanned Vehicle Systems : Collaborative Multi Vehicle Control
• Haptic & Robotic Research: Telepresence (5 DOF Haptic Device with 5DOF Commercial Robot)

Additionally, several important case studies highlighting a variety of research-based will be presented. has a how several educators are introducing mechatronic design into their teaching process and creating truly open and effective learning environments for graduate students.