Model Integrated Mechatronics (MIM) is a new paradigm in the development of Mechatronic Manufacturing Systems. MIM promotes model integration not only in implementation space artefacts but also during the early analysis and design phases of the development process. MIM exploits the Model Driven Architecture and the IEC61499 function block approach, to allow the MechaTronic System (MTS) builder to compose the design model of the system from already existing MechaTronic Component (MTC) descriptions and proceed through an automated model transformation process to the implementation model of the system.

CORFU is an IEC 61499 compliant environment for the development of Function Block based distributed Industrial-Process Measurement and Control Systems (IPMCSs).

It consists of:

• An Engineering Support System (CORFU ESS),

• An Architecture (4-layer CORFU Architecture),

• A Development Process (CORFU development process).

The proposed approach is motivated by the theoretical viewpoint of constructivism that stresses the importance of the continuity of knowledge growth, based on existing knowledge. Experience from every day life is used to anchor new knowledge in constructing software systems.

The “Goody’s example”, a real-world system was adopted to create the conceptual framework of the OO paradigm. We utilize informal use-cases, class diagrams, and object interaction diagrams to facilitate students in exploiting their real-world experience and building on it the conceptual framework of the object-oriented paradigm. The approach is characterized as software-engineering-centered and more precisely as a design-first approach.

Java was adopted to introduce the constructs necessary for the realization of this framework. A “Lego construction” approach was adopted to guide students to first focus on the basics of integrating existing components and later on building new ones.

A set of assignments based on the Reverse Polish Notation Calculator was developed to guide students to implement their own GUI calculator following a well-defined step-by-step development process.