University of North Alabama

The Lowell M. and Judith Carolyn Guthrie Mechanical Engineering Lab in the Department of Engineering Technology at UNA is equipped with multiple state-of-the-art pieces of equipment. The facility incorporates a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) room for manufacturing classes and student project work. The lab serves the mechanical engineering teaching purposes in material and structural analysis, computer aided design, manufacturing, and automated fabrication.

Courses taught in the facility include ET 150 Computer Aided Drafting and Design, ET 310 Introduction to Solid Modeling, ET 200 Manufacturing Processes, ET 320 Statics and Strength of Materials, ET 300 Materials Science, ET 340 Power Transfer Technology and more.

Automated Fabrication Equipment:

1. MakerBot Replicator 2X Desktop 3D Printer

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The MakerBot Replicator 2X 3D Printer is an advanced desktop 3D printer with dual extrusion that is optimized for printing with MakerBot ABS and Dissolvable Filament. It is capable to create complex designs with intricate or interior supports using dissolvable filament. Connections via USB or SD Card are supported.

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  2. BenchMill 6000 CNC Machining Center

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CNC Milling Technology introduces students to the fundamentals of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling by working with a variety of machining applications with the BenchMill 6000.

Students learn the fundamentals of CNC milling by working with industrial-based equipment to accurately machine series of complex parts. The machining center features an intuitive software interface and conforms to industrial EIA, ISO, Fanuc and G&M code standards.

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  3. BenchTurn 7000 CNC Turning Center

The BenchTurn 7000 comes equipped with 2-axis stepper motors, ball screws, a variable speed brushless spindle motor, limit/home switches, and an MT3 taper spindle with MT2 taper tailstock. The BenchTurn 7000 uses EIA, ISO, and Fanuc-compatible G&M code programs to cut parts in a variety of materials.

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Material and Structural Analysis Equipment:

1. SM1090 Rotating Fatigue Machine

The SM1090 rotating fatigue machine demonstrates the fatigue failure of materials when subject to alternating stresses. Based on Wohler's design, it uses a motor to rotate a circular cantilever specimen with a load at its free end. It is in two parts: a robust main unit, and a separate control and instrumentation unit.

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2. ADMET eXpert 2600 Dual Column Testing System

This testing system is capable of performing tension, compression and flexure tests. It comes with a full line of grips, fixtures, load cells, extensometers and heating and cooling systems.

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3. Phase II 900-331D Rockwell Hardness Tester

Phase II hardness testers are renowned for their precision and cutting edge design. The 900-331 Rockwell Hardness Tester combines ease of use with reliable precision and accuracy. Conforming to ASTM E-18 Rockwell Hardness tester standards, the 900-331D hardness tester offers excellent repeatability in all standard Rockwell Hardness scales.

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4. Carver Bench Top Manual Heated Model CH (4386) Press

This press is a 12-ton, manual, two-column hydraulic lab press with digital heated platens. Daylight opening adjustable to 15". Easy-to-read dual scale analog gauge, reading in pounds force and metric tons. Electrically heated platens for temperatures up to 650 deg F (343 C upon request) with digital controller per platen.

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5.  Model IT 503 Pendulum Impact Tester

The Model IT 503 plastics impact tester, equipped with an interlocking safety shielding, is capable of determining the impact resistance using either a Charpy or Izod configuration, without changing the entire pendulum.

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6.  3B Scientific Torsion Apparatus

Measurement apparatus for investigating torsion as applied to bars with cylindrical geometry and to determine both directivity values and shear modulus. With a scaled disc for torsion angle measurement and a pendulum disc for transmission of tor-sional forces to the clamped material samples in the case of static measurements as well as for the determining moment of inertia in the case of dynamic measurements. The period of oscillation is measured electronically in the dynamic case using a light barrier. 

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As part of the course curriculum in the Engineering Technology program under the Electro-Mechanical Option, the students are trained primarily in four major avenues:

1. Electrical and Electronic Circuit Design, Analysis and Testing
2. Robotics and Controls
3. Green Energy Studies
4. Fluid Power System & Mechanical System

Electrical & Electronics Testing Equipment:

1. Analog-Digital Training Systems (ETS-7000A), Digital Multimeter (Amprobe 33XR‑A), Two Channel Digital Oscilloscope (TDS 2012C)

To train our students in Circuit design and analysis – the students are extensively trained to simulate electric and electronic circuits using PSpice, and digital circuits using Logisim.

The circuits designed are built on the Analog & Digital Trainers available in the lab. The training systems provide both DC voltages up to 15 V and AC signals (signal generator type) with Sinusoidal, Triangular and Square wave profiles from 2 – 200 kHz frequencies. Starting from simple ‘resistive circuits’ to complex ‘reactive circuits’, logic gate circuits, all sorts of circuits are designed, built and tested on these trainers. The DMM (Digital Multimeter) and the oscilloscopes are used to provide an extensive first-hands-on experience and experiential exposure, and instill in the students the measurement methods and techniques for circuits.

The Trainers and the Measurement devices are used in the following courses: ET 210 (Electrical/Electronic Fundamentals and Green Energy), ET 220 (Digital Electronics), ET 350 (Electronic Devices & Circuits).

2. Soldering Kit (Velleman VTSS5U)

Soldering electrical and/or electronic components is a very fundamental and basic concept that should be mastered by an electrical/electronic discipline engineer. To this end, we believe that teaching students to solder components on a PCB is the best way to start their training into the electrical discipline. This is one of the very first experiments performed in ET 210. Students are taught basic soldering techniques using the labeled circuit board pictured. Students will build a European siren with flashing lights and learn how the circuit works.

3.  Analog Discovery (USB Oscilloscope, Logic Analyzer and Variable Power Supply Kit by Digilent & Analog Devices)

Analog Discovery is a kit that is very versatile and handy kit that comes with a signal generator source, dc source, oscilloscope, network analyzer and many other features that are useful to build circuits, test and analyze them. We use this kit in ET 360 course (Electronics Devices and Circuits).

Robotics and Controls Equipment:

1.  Robot Arm - SCORBOT-ER 4u

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The SCORBOT-ER 4u is a versatile and reliable system for industrial robotics training and education.  The robot’s speed and repeatability make it highly suited for both stand-alone operations and integrated use in automated workcell applications such as robotic welding, machine vision, CNC machine tending and other FMS operations

The robot is supported by SCORBASE robotics programming and control software. Optional RoboCell 3D graphic software lets students design, create and control simulated industrial workcells, and provides dynamic simulation of the robot and workcell devices during position teaching and program execution.

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2. Allen-Bradley Analog PLC Trainer Training Kit

PLCs are an integral part of the many industries that involve automatic control. Allen-Bradley PLCs are industry standard PLCs found very commonly in the manufacturing industry, chemical plants, process control, etc. The MicroLogix (Analog) PLC is used to teach our students the basics of PLCs and teach them to design control circuits using Ladder Logic. There are ten (10) PLC kits in our lab, that are used in the course ET 350 (Robotics and Automated Manufacturing).

3. Arduino-based Robotic Sensor System

Hardware level programming to bring sensors, detectors, sources (optical, sound, etc) to build automatic circuits for sensing, detection and process control is very essential to being an Engineering Technology major. As part of our curriculum, we teach our students to program hardware using Arduino IDE. The lab has ten (10) kits (such as one shown above) where the students will program the Arduino, motor shield and the ultrasonic sensor to move the mini robot, avoiding obstacles. These kits are used in both the ET 220 (Digital Electronics) and ET 350 (Robotics and Automated Manufacturing) courses.

4.  Comprehensive Mechatronics Workstation

Programmable Logic Controllers are the backbone of automation and manufacturing industry. While the Analog PLC Trainer Kits that are available in the lab are used to introduce the students to basics of PLC Ladder Logic programming, this Mechatronics Workstation provides students the opportunity to master the skill of interfacing different types of multiple sensors to a complex automated system to make decisions based on the sensor inputs. Such types of decision-making based on data provided by multiple sensors during one process offers the students an experiential learning experience to master the complex world of automatic control. This Mechatronics Workstation was acquired to provide a comprehensive programming education to our students.

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Green Energy Studies:

1.  Table Top Solar Photovoltaic Trainer (Model H-SPT-AC-1-HS)

Green Energy studies is an essential part of being an Engineering Technology major.  Understanding the workings of a Photovoltaic Panel and testing and analyzing a working model, will provide the students with a first-hand experience to green energy concepts. To this end, we use the Solar Photovoltaic Panel to teach students the interworkings of electrical currents and operational features normally associated with a photovoltaic power source. This panel is used in the ET 210 course (Electrical/Electronics Fundamentals and Green Energy).

2.  Wind Powered Generator (Model H-WPG-1B)

Wind Energy is a major contributor to the energy generation industry currently. This generator model consists of a wind tunnel providing gusty wind, which turns the blades of the generator. The shape of the generator blades mimics the wind turbine generators seen in the real world. The students use the model to learn the amount of current generated by the rotating turbine blades as the wind speed and the angle of the wind direction is changed. Used in the ET 210 course, students gain basic understanding of how wind generators function as an alternate source of energy.

Mechanical System & Fluid Power System:

1. Mechanical Drive Learning System(Model: 950-ME)

The study and understanding of the concept of gears and power transfer between devices and components is essential for an engineer to design, build, and operate any mechanical system. The Mechanical Drive System is used to teach and provide the experiential exposure to our students. This model is used in ET 340 (Power Transfer Technology).

2. Hydraulic Power Unit (Model: 1530036; Concentric HP 115/208-230 Volt AC)

The Fluid Power System is one of the basic components that is widely used in the real world such as in heavy machines for digging, drilling and so on. The fundamental operation of a Hydraulic Power System is taught to the students by using the model shown above.

Courses taught under the Bio-Engineering option and under the Chemical option are in collaboration with the Department of Biology and with the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Hygiene here at UNA and are housed in the Science and Technology Building as well.  An example of some of the lab equipment include:

Biological Equipment -- to date

1.  IKA LR 1000 Reactor

This reactor is designed for optimizing chemical reaction processes as well as for mixing, dispersing and homogenization applications at the laboratory scale. 

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2.  IKA Algaemaster 10 Control Photo Bioreactor

This photo bioreactor is the perfect equipment for scientists to re-create the ideal conditions for growing phototrophic organisms such as microalgae. 

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