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Teaching students to control mechanical systems through an engaging laboratory activity.

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Title: Teaching students to control mechanical systems through an engaging laboratory activity.
Authors: Bianchi, Giovanni1 (AUTHOR) giovanni.bianchi@polimi.it, Cazzulani, Gabriele1 (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education. Apr2026, Vol. 54 Issue 2, p303-326. 24p.
Subjects: PID controllers, Simulink (Computer software), Student engagement, Automatic control systems, Embedded computer systems, Process control systems, Model validation
Abstract: This paper describes a didactic activity in which students learn how to control a mechanical system composed of two pulleys and two springs powered by a DC motor. The control types studied in the course are P, PD, PI, and PID; these controls were applied for both velocity and position control, with and without ground springs, and students were instructed on system modeling and control implementation using Arduino in conjunction with Matlab and Simulink. The experimental results were finally compared with theoretical expectations. The students worked in groups of four to five people, and all of them successfully implemented the required control algorithms and submitted comprehensive final reports. Feedback from students was gathered anonymously through a questionnaire, revealing that students appreciated the activity as it provided clarity on theoretical concepts that might have been challenging if taught solely in a traditional classroom setting. The positive response from students has led to the decision to repeat this activity in subsequent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Teaching students to control mechanical systems through an engaging laboratory activity.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bianchi%2C+Giovanni%22">Bianchi, Giovanni</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> giovanni.bianchi@polimi.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cazzulani%2C+Gabriele%22">Cazzulani, Gabriele</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Mechanical+Engineering+Education%22">International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education</searchLink>. Apr2026, Vol. 54 Issue 2, p303-326. 24p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22PID+controllers%22">PID controllers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Simulink+%28Computer+software%29%22">Simulink (Computer software)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+engagement%22">Student engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Automatic+control+systems%22">Automatic control systems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Embedded+computer+systems%22">Embedded computer systems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Process+control+systems%22">Process control systems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Model+validation%22">Model validation</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This paper describes a didactic activity in which students learn how to control a mechanical system composed of two pulleys and two springs powered by a DC motor. The control types studied in the course are P, PD, PI, and PID; these controls were applied for both velocity and position control, with and without ground springs, and students were instructed on system modeling and control implementation using Arduino in conjunction with Matlab and Simulink. The experimental results were finally compared with theoretical expectations. The students worked in groups of four to five people, and all of them successfully implemented the required control algorithms and submitted comprehensive final reports. Feedback from students was gathered anonymously through a questionnaire, revealing that students appreciated the activity as it provided clarity on theoretical concepts that might have been challenging if taught solely in a traditional classroom setting. The positive response from students has led to the decision to repeat this activity in subsequent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1177/03064190241300508
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        Text: English
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        PageCount: 24
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      – SubjectFull: PID controllers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Simulink (Computer software)
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      – SubjectFull: Student engagement
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      – SubjectFull: Automatic control systems
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      – SubjectFull: Embedded computer systems
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      – SubjectFull: Process control systems
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      – SubjectFull: Model validation
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              M: 04
              Text: Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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