Abstract:

It is well known that one of the most important phases in research is the experimental process. With an increasing number of innovative final degree projects, students have the necessity of developing several different tests. This reliable and cheap multi-purpose tool was designed with the aim of supplying students a way for pick up the information given by different sensors. The DAQ design involved Arduino and Microsoft Excel programming in order to communicate the device with a PC, furthermore, electronics and machining skills were developed while the montage process.

All that design steps help students to stimulate discussion, take decisions and establish or clarify some concepts. Despite the apparently simplicity of such a montage it really helps to improve practical abilities while a functional laboratory device is developed.

This paper shows how the combination of the theoretical concepts (given by subjects such as “Materials' science”, "Electronic devices" and "Fabrication processes technology") and a research project based on elastomer materials characterization can be useful for degree students to acquire the knowledge of developing a technical product and obtaining experimental information.

The developed DAQ system was used for carrying out several laboratory practices involving material mechanical characterization and oven temperatures monitoring.

Keywords:

Data Acquisition, Arduino, Education-research relationship, Research projects, Innovation.