Mechanical Engineering is defined nowadays as a discipline “which involves the application of principles of physics, design, manufacturing and maintenance of mechanical systems”. Recently, mechanical engineering has also focused on some cutting-edge subjects such as nanomechanics and nanotechnology, mechatronics and robotics, computational mechanics, biomechanics, alternative energies, as well as aspects related to sustainable mechanical engineering.
This book covers mechanical engineering higher education with a particular emphasis on quality assurance and the improvement of academic institutions, mechatronics education and the transfer of knowledge between university and industry.

Preface xi

Chapter 1. Quality Assurance in Greek

HEIs: Convergence or Divergence with

European Models? 1

Nikolaos M. VAXEVANIDIS

1.1. Introduction 1

1.2. Definitions and fundamentals 3

1.3. Quality management models in HE  6

1.3.1. Overview 6

1.3.2. Implementation of ISO 9001 in HEIs 11

1.3.3. Implementation of EFQM model in HEIs 14

1.4. European focus on quality in HE: a historical
perspective 16

1.4.1. Historical perspective 16

1.4.1.1. Policy and procedures for quality
assurance 22

1.4.1.2. Approval, monitoring and periodic
review of programs and awards 23

1.4.1.3. Assessment of students 24

vi Mechanical Engineering Education

1.4.1.4. Quality assurance of teaching staff 26

1.4.1.5. Learning resources and student
support 26

1.4.1.6. Information systems 27

1.4.1.7. Public information 28

1.4.2. ESG standards versus typical quality
systems 28

1.4.3. Accreditation of engineering education 31

1.5. Quality assurance in Greece: a long and
winding road 33

1.5.1. Higher education in Greece 33

1.5.2. Greek HEI quality assurance system 36

1.5.3. Accreditation of higher engineering
education in Greece 44

1.5.4. Selected cases on QA applications in

Greek (engineering) HEIs 45

1.6. Bibliography 52

Chapter 2. Mechatronics Education  61

Uday Shanker DIXIT

2.1. Introduction 61

2.2. A brief history of mechatronics 63

2.2.1. History of mechanical engineering 63

2.2.2. History of electronics engineering 68

2.2.3. Growth of mechatronics 71

2.3. Definitions and scope of mechatronics 72

2.4. Examples of mechatronic products 76

2.5. Review of literature in the area of
mechatronics education 78

2.6. Common doubts regarding the discipline of

mechatronics 84

2.7. Characteristics of mechatronics education 86

2.8. Incorporating mechatronics in the course
structure of undergraduate students  89

2.9. Mechatronics for postgraduate students 94

2.10. Planning of a mechatronics program at postgraduate and undergraduate level  95

2.11. Some examples of mechatronics projects 98

2.11.1. Design and fabrication of a mechatronic wheelchair  98

2.11.2. Automatic gear changing system for cars 99

2.11.3. Design and fabrication of robots  100

2.11.4. Design and fabrication of an electronic cam 101

2.12. Conclusion 102

2.13. Bibliography 103

Chapter 3. Mechatronics Educational System Using Multiple Mobile Robots with Behavior-Based Control Approach   107

Fusaomi NAGATA, Keigo WATANABE

and Maki K. HABIB

3.1. Introduction 108

3.2. Mechatronics education subsystem I 108

3.2.1. Hardware of mechatronics educational

subsystem I 108

3.2.2. Basic dialog for students’ experiment 112

3.3. Mechatronics educational subsystem II 113

3.3.1. Hardware of mechatronics educational subsystem II 113

3.3.2. Basic dialog for students’ experiment 115

viii Mechanical Engineering Education

3.4. Mechatronics educational subsystem III 116

3.4.1. Mobile robot with three wheels  116

3.4.2. Network-based multiple mobile robot
system 120

3.4.3. Subsumption control architecture

implemented on supervisory server 121

3.4.3.1. Move forward 123

3.4.3.2. Turn to left or right 124

3.4.3.3. Avoid objects 124

3.4.4. Agent dispatcher 126

3.4.5. Multiple sensory sensors 126

3.5. Conclusions 127

3.6. Bibliography 128

Chapter 4. Knowledge Transfer between University and Industry: Development of a Vision Measuring System 131

João M.G. FIGUEIREDO

4.1. Introduction 132

4.2. Measuring system 136

4.2.1. Light plane 138

4.2.2. Mathematical model 140

4.2.3. System calibration 147

4.3. Image processing algorithm 149

4.4. Results 150

4.4.1. Building the wheel’s profile in the horizontal light plane 150

4.4.2. Building the wheel’s profile in the radial plane 153

4.4.3. Experimental results 155

4.5. Conclusions  159

Table of Contents ix

4.6. Acknowledgment 160

4.7. Bibliography 160

List of Authors 165

Index  167