Class and Project Update

So it is probably about time I write about my classes and our project here.

We just finished our third week of classes here. Currently I am enrolled in 5 classes here. Intelligent Mechanics, System Models in Mechatronics, Introduction to Finite Element Analysis, Semester Project, and Slovak Language. Thus far we have yet to have our Slovak Language class. It should be starting next week. I am looking forward to it. I think we have all picked up on a few things here and there, but still we're more or less in the dark when it comes to the language.

Intelligent Mechanics is being taught by our liaison here, Prof Lubos Magdolen. The course is all about using Matlab and Simulink to model at this stage mechanical systems. It has been pretty interesting and really opens ones eyes to the power of the Matlab / Simulink software. As the semester progresses Prof. Magdolen wants to show us how to model systems using both mechanical and electrical components, as well as possibly program a prefabricated robot, using the modeling system. It is a very interesting course and Prof Magdolen has been very accommodating in trying to tailor the course to our specific interests.

System Models in Mechatronics seems like an introduction course to mechatronics which is the combination of different systems into a single product to improve its function. The class is a bit intimidating during the last lecture he would call us up to the board and ask us to write the equation for a system down and if you got one thing wrong he would say no that is an awful mistake. I think he was sightly frustrated with his English, but as the class has revolved more around mechanical systems and I have only had a intro physics course on mechanics I feel a little ignorant at times. Prof Musil has been very helpful thought he won't continue until he is convinced you understand and he always comes to us american students after class and ask's each one of us if we have any questions. Either way robotics is embodies the combination of electrical and mechanical systems and this seems to be what a good portion of mechatronics is and I think it will be a great class to have taken.

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis, has been pretty interesting. We just had our first lab in the class yesterday. Our lab instructor has been out of the country until now so we have only had lectures. Conceptually Finite Element Analysis seems pretty simple. It is a matter of breaking down a structure or structures into small elements that resemble something we already know how to solve and then put it all back together to get a solution for the whole system. That said though the theory we have been getting is a bit more complex and I'm not sure I have followed it in its entirety. The lab was pretty cool though. We built a structure in Ansys gave it material properties and then subjected it to loads and saw how to pull up the numerical solutions. It was just an introduction to the Ansys software but it was interesting and I think was helpful in understanding a little bit better what Finite Element Analysis is. There is a class at the U of A in the AME department which this sounds identical too, so I am sure that there will be no trouble transferring it.

We haven't had our language class yet so I can not say much about it. We should be starting it next week assuming that the teacher as the appropriate time slots free.

We have now had a couple of meetings about our semester project. They have consisted in some basic theory of image processing and then some instruction on the various functions available to us in matlab and simulink. Next week we should be getting a fish tank and attempting to track one fish. It is very exciting. I also was today to use my built in web camera to manipulate live video. I was able to save some of the video although my computer crashed at one point; I guess yrunning matlab on a netbook is a bit silly. It has worked for most things so I think it will be fine for the semester.

Well that is were everything stands. I think we are planning on going to Budapest either this weekend or next weekend. Weather isn't great. When we do go I'll make sure to get pictures from the team to post here.