Interdisciplinary laboratory exercises for the design and construction of an LVDT position measurement system

This paper describes a series of laboratory exercises for engineering technology (ET) students in courses involving instrumentation and measurement. The exercises involve the design and construction of a linear variable differentrial transformer (LVDT) position measurement system. A unique feature of this series is that it requires participation from both mechanical and electrical ET students. Exercises include winding of transformer coils, determination of coil properties, fabrication of the core, assembly of the LVDT, construction of a personal computer-based signal conditioner; and determination of system linearity. Efforts required to complete these exercises are roughly divided between mechanical and electrical students.