Mechatronics

Mechatronics is the combination of Mechanical engineering, Electronic engineering, Computer engineering, Software engineering, Control engineering, and Systems Design engineering in order to design and manufacture useful products. Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field of engineering, that is to say it rejects splitting engineering into separate disciplines. Originally, mechatronics just included the combination between mechanics and electronics, hence the word is only a portmanteau of mechanics and electronics; however, as technical systems have become more and more complex the word has been "updated" during recent years to include more technical areas.

French standard NF E 01-010 gives the following definition: “approach aiming at the synergistic integration of mechanics, electronics, control theory, and computer science within product design and manufacturing, in order to improve and/or optimize its functionality".

A mechatronics engineer unites the principles of mechanics, electronics, and computing to generate a simpler, more economical and reliable system. Mechatronics is centered on mechanics, electronics, computing, control engineering, molecular engineering (from nanochemistry and biology), and optical engineering, which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile systems. The portmanteau "mechatronics" was coined by Tetsuro Mori, the senior engineer of the Japanese company Yaskawa in 1969. An industrial robot is a prime example of a mechatronics system; it includes aspects of electronics, mechanics, and computing to do its day-to-day jobs.

Engineering cybernetics deals with the question of control engineering of mechatronic systems. It is used to control or regulate such a system (see control theory). Through collaboration, the mechatronic modules perform the production goals and inherit flexible and agile manufacturing properties in the production scheme. Modern production equipment consists of mechatronic modules that are integrated according to a control architecture. The most known architectures involve hierarchy, polyarchy, heterarchy, and hybrid. The methods for achieving a technical effect are described by control algorithms, which might or might not utilize formal methods in their design. Hybrid systems important to mechatronics include production systems, synergy drives, planetary exploration rovers, automotive subsystems such as anti-lock braking systems and spin-assist, and every-day equipment such as autofocus cameras, video, hard disks, and CD players.

Course structure

 

 

Mechatronic students take courses from across the various fields listed below:

• Mechanical engineering and materials science subjects
• Electronic engineering subjects
• Computer engineering subjects
• Computer science subjects
• Systems and control engineering subjects
• Optomechanics (optical engineering) subjects
• Robotics subjects

Application

 

 

• Machine vision
• Automation and robotics
• Servo-mechanics
• Sensing and control systems
• Automotive engineering, automotive equipment in the design of subsystems such as anti-lock braking systems
• Computer-machine controls, such as computer driven machines like IE CNC milling machines
• Expert systems
• Industrial goods
• Consumer products
• Mechatronics systems
• Medical mechatronics,medical imaging systems
• Structural dynamic systems
• Transportation and vehicular systems
• Mechatronics as the new language of the automobile
• Diagnostic, reliability, and control system techniques
• Computer aided and integrated manufacturing systems
• Computer-aided design
• Engineering and manufacturing systems
• Packaging
• Microcontrollers / PLC's
• Mobile apps

 Lihat Juga:

• Cybernetics
• Control Theory
• Electromechanics
• Mechatronics Journals
• List of engineering topics
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Robotics
• Stereochemistry - A very advanced form of Elemental Engineering
• Supramolecular Engineering
• Systems Engineering

Further reading

 

• Robert Munnig Schmidt, Georg Schitter and Jan van Eijk, High Performance Mechatronics. IOS Press, 2011.
• Bishop, Robert H., Mechatronics: an introduction. CRC Press, 2006.
• De Silva, Clarence W., Mechatronics: an integrated approach. CRC Press, 2005
• Onwubolu, Godfrey C., Mechatronics: principles and applications. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005.
• Rankers, Adrian M., Machine Dynamics in Mechatronic Systems. University Twente, 1997