An interdisciplinary undergraduate laboratory for robotics, machine vision and system integration is being developed to serve senior-level undergraduate students in Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The laboratory provides the students with hands-on experience in the state-of- the-art robotics and manufacturing technology for reinforcing the scientific and engineering principles learned in related lecture courses. The laboratory consists of four experimental stations, including (1) desk-top CNC machine station, (2) robot and CNC machine integration station, (3) computer vision station, and (4) robot and vision integration station. In addition, a computer-controlled linear conveyor is used for simulating a flexible manufacturing workcell. Each station contains a PC-type computer with appropriate software. The equipment supplements existing equipment currently available in the Robotics Laboratory of the Department of Electrical Engineering and is housed in a room of 900 sq.ft. located in the new Science, Engineering and Technology Building 11. The experiments performed by students range from robot fundamentals to vision-based automated manufacturing. The students are be required to develop software to coordinatively command the robot, CNC machine and other components to perform various tasks with the aid of sensing devices. In addition, all students in the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering benefit from the laboratory in related lecture courses and their senior engineering capstone design project courses.
