Mechatronics

Mechatronics engineering also called

mechatronics, is an interdisciplinary
branch of engineering that focuses on the
integration of mechanical, electrical and
electronic engineering systems, and also
includes a combination of robotics,
electronics, computer science,
telecommunications, systems, control, and
product engineering.[1][2]
 Mechatronics

Occupation

Names Mechatronics
Engineer

Occupation type Engineering

Activity sectors Electrical and

mechanical industry,
engineering industry

Specialty Mechanical
engineering,
electrical/electronics
engineering,
computer
 engineering, software
programming, system
engineering, control
system, smart and
intelligent system,
automation and
robotics

Description

Competencies Multidisciplinary
technical knowledge,
electro-mechanical
system design,
system integration
and maintenance

Fields of Science, technology,

employment
engineering, industry,
 computer, exploration

As technology advances over time, various

subfields of engineering have succeeded
in both adapting and multiplying. The
intention of mechatronics is to produce a
design solution that unifies each of these
various subfields. Originally, the field of
mechatronics was intended to be nothing
more than a combination of mechanics,
electrical and electronics, hence the name
being a portmanteau of the words
"mechanics" and "electronics"; however, as
the complexity of technical systems
continued to evolve, the definition had
been broadened to include more technical
areas.

The word mechatronics originated in

Japanese-English and was created by
Tetsuro Mori, an engineer of Yaskawa
Electric Corporation. The word
mechatronics was registered as trademark
by the company in Japan with the
registration number of "46-32714" in 1971.
The company later released the right to
use the word to the public, and the word
began being used globally. Currently the
word is translated into many languages
and is considered an essential term for
advanced automated industry.[3]
Many people treat mechatronics as a
modern buzzword synonymous with
automation, robotics and
electromechanical engineering.[4]

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".[5]

History
The word mechatronics was registered as
trademark by the company in Japan with
the registration number of "46-32714" in
1971. The company later released the right
to use the word to the public, and the word
began being used globally.

With the advent of information technology

in the 1980s, microprocessors were
introduced into mechanical systems,
improving performance significantly. By
the 1990s, advances in computational
intelligence were applied to mechatronics
in ways that revolutionized the field.
Description

Aerial Euler diagram from RPI's website describes the fields that make up mechatronics

A mechatronics engineer unites the

principles of mechanics, electrical,
electronics, and computing to generate a
simpler, more economical and reliable
system.[6]
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, exploration rovers,
automotive subsystems such as anti-lock
braking systems and spin-assist, and
everyday equipment such as autofocus
cameras, video, hard disks, CD players and
phones.

Course structure
Mechatronics students take courses in
various fields:

Engineering Mathematics
Mechanical engineering
Electronics engineering
Electrical engineering
Materials science and engineering
Computer engineering
Computer aided and integrated
manufacturing systems
Computer-aided design
Electronic design automation
Computer Science
Systems engineering
Control engineering
Robotics
Applications

Applied Mechatronics

Applied mechatronics

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
Building automation / Home automation
Computer-machine controls, such as
computer driven machines like CNC
milling machines, CNC waterjets, and
CNC plasma cutters
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
Engineering and manufacturing systems
Packaging
Electronics
Computers
Microcontrollers / PLCs
Microprocessors
Biomechatronics

Physical implementations
Mechatronic system

Mechanical modeling calls for modeling

and simulating physical complex
phenomena in the scope of a multi-scale
and multi-physical approach. This implies
to implement and to manage modeling
and optimization methods and tools,
which are integrated in a systemic
approach. The specialty is aimed for
students in mechanics who want to open
their mind to systems engineering, and
able to integrate different physics or
technologies, as well as students in
mechatronics who want to increase their
knowledge in optimization and
multidisciplinary simulation techniques.
The specialty educates students in robust
and/or optimized conception methods for
structures or many technological systems,
and to the main modeling and simulation
tools used in R&D. Special courses are
also proposed for original applications
(multi-materials composites, innovating
transducers and actuators, integrated
systems, …) to prepare the students to the
coming breakthrough in the domains
covering the materials and the systems.
For some mechatronic systems, the main
issue is no longer how to implement a
control system, but how to implement
actuators. Within the mechatronic field,
mainly two technologies are used to
produce movement/motion.

Subject
Automation and programmed logical
controls
Power and driving electronics
Modern and digital control systems
Robotics systems
Mechatronics systems
Automated control
Computer applications for mechatronics
Calculus
Electrical circuits
Systems Dynamics
Dynamics and vibrations
Artificial Intelligence
Engineering Mathematics
Numerical engineering methods
Thermostatology
General Physics
Practical General Physics
Signal measurements and processing
General Chemistry
Practical General Chemistry/Laboratory
Principles of Statistics
Sensors and power transformers
Automated Control Laboratory
Electrical Circuit Laboratory
Dynamics and Vibration Laboratory
Capability and Driving Electronics
Laboratory
Electronics Lab for Mechatronics
Processing laboratory and
microcontrollers
Digital Logic Lab
Hydraulic and Antenna Systems
Laboratory
Fluid Capability Engineering Laboratory
Processing and microcontrollers
Digital Logic
 Engineering materials and
manufacturing technology
Machinery mechanics
Fluid capability engineering
Mathematics

Subdisciplines

Mechanical

View of the Volkswagen dual clutch direct shift gearbox transmission.

Mechanical engineering is an important
part of mechatronics engineering. It
includes the study of mechanical nature of
how an object works. Mechanical
elements refer to mechanical structure,
mechanism, thermo-fluid, and hydraulic
aspects of a mechatronics system. The
study of thermodynamics, dynamics, fluid
mechanics, pneumatics and hydraulics.
Mechatronics engineer who works a
mechanical engineer can specialize in
hydraulics and pneumatics systems,
where they can be found working in
automobile industries. A mechatronics
engineer can also design a vehicle since
they have strong mechanical and
electronical background. Knowledge of
software applications such as computer-
aided design and computer aided
manufacturing is essential for designing
products. Mechatronics covers a part of
mechanical syllabus which is widely
applied in automobile industry.

Mechatronic systems represent a large

part of the functions of an automobile. The
control loop formed by sensor—
information processing—actuator—
mechanical (physical) change is found in
many systems. The system size can be
very different. The Anti-lock braking
system (ABS) is a mechatronic system.
The brake itself is also one. And the
control loop formed by driving control (for
example cruise control), engine, vehicle
driving speed in the real world and speed
measurement is a mechatronic system,
too.[7] The great importance of
mechatronics for automotive engineering
is also evident from the fact that vehicle
manufacturers often have development
departments with "Mechatronics" in their
names.

Electronics and Electricals

Electronics and Telecommunication

engineering specializes in electronics
devices and telecom devices of a
mechatronics system. A mechatronics
engineer specialized in electronics and
telecommunications have knowledge of
computer hardware devices. The
transmission of signal is the main
application of this subfield of
mechatronics. Where digital and analog
systems also forms an important part of
mechatronics systems.
Telecommunications engineering deals
with the transmission of information
across a medium.

Electronics engineering is related to

computer engineering and electrical
engineering. Control engineering has a
wide range of electronic applications from
the flight and propulsion systems of
commercial airplanes to the cruise control
present in many modern cars. VLSI
designing is important for creating
integrated circuits. Mechatronics
engineers have deep knowledge of
microprocessors, microcontrollers,
microchips and semiconductors. The
application of mechatronics in electronics
manufacturing industry can conduct
research and development on consumer
electronic devices such as mobile phones,
computers, cameras etc. For
mechatronics engineers it is necessary to
learn operating computer applications
such as MATLAB and Simulink for
designing and developing electronic
products.

Mechatronics engineering is a
interdisciplinary course, it includes
concepts of both electrical and
mechanical systems. A mechatronics
engineer engages in designing high power
transformers or radio-frequency module
transmitters.
Avionics

An avionics technician uses an oscilloscope to verify signals on aircraft avionics equipment

Avionics is also considered a variant of

mechatronics as it combines several fields
such as electronics and telecom with
Aerospace engineering. It is the
subdiscipline of mechatronics engineering
and aerospace engineering which is
engineering branch focusing on
electronics systems of aircraft. The word
avionics is a blend of aviation and
electronics. The electronics system of
aircraft includes aircraft communication
addressing and reporting system, air
navigation, aircraft flight control system,
aircraft collision avoidance systems, flight
recorder, weather radar and lightning
detector. These can be as simple as a
searchlight for a police helicopter or as
complicated as the tactical system for an
airborne early warning platform.

Advanced Mechatronics

Another variant is Motion control for

Advanced Mechatronics, presently
recognized as a key technology in
mechatronics. The robustness of motion
control will be represented as a function of
stiffness and a basis for practical
realization. Target of motion is
parameterized by control stiffness which
could be variable according to the task
reference. The system robustness of
motion always requires very high stiffness
in the controller.[8]
Industrial

Industrial engineers on their duty

The branch of industrial engineer includes

the design of machinery, assembly and
process lines of various manufacturing
industries. This branch can be said
somewhat similar to automation and
robotics. Mechatronics engineers who
works as industrial engineers design and
develop infrastructure of a manufacturing
plant. Also it can be said that they are
architect of machines. One can work as an
industrial designer to design the industrial
layout and plan for setting up of a
manufacturing industry or as an industrial
technician to lookover the technical
requirements and repairing of the
particular factory.

Robotics
An industrial robot manufactured by ABB

Robotics is one of the newest emerging

subfield of mechatronics. It is the study of
robots that how they are manufactured
and operated. Since 2000, this branch of
mechatronics is attracting a number of
aspirants. Robotics is interrelated with
automation because here also not much
human intervention is required. A large
number of factories especially in
automobile factories, robots are founds in
assembly lines where they perform the job
of drilling, installation and fitting.
Programming skills are necessary for
specialization in robotics. Knowledge of
programming language —ROBOTC is
important for functioning robots. 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.

Computer

Telescope automatic control system and a space object observation system

The Internet of things (IoT) is the inter-

networking of physical devices, embedded
with electronics, software, sensors,
actuators, and network connectivity which
enable these objects to collect and
exchange data. IoT and mechatronics are
complementary. Many of the smart
components associated with the Internet
of Things will be essentially mechatronic.
The development of the IoT is forcing
mechatronics engineers, designers,
practitioners and educators to research
the ways in which mechatronic systems
and components are perceived, designed
and manufactured. This allows them to
face up to new issues such as data
security, machine ethics and the human-
machine interface.[9]
Knowledge of programming is very
important. A mechatronics engineer has to
do programming in different levels
example.—PLC programming, drone
programming, hardware programming,
CNC programming etc. Due to
combination of electronics engineering,
soft skills from computer side is
important. Important programming
languages for mechatronics engineer to
learn is Java, Python, C++ and C
programming language.

See also
Electronics
portal
 Cybernetics
Control theory
Ecomechatronics
Electromechanics
Materials engineering
Mechanical engineering technology
Robotics
Systems engineering
Biomechatronics

References
1. Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
(9 August 2012). "Mechatronics
Engineering" (https://uwaterloo.ca/mechani
cal-mechatronics-engineering/future-under
 graduate-students/mechatronics-engineeri
ng) . Future undergraduate students.
University of Waterloo. Retrieved
21 November 2019.

2. Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and

Interdisciplinary Studies TUL.
"Mechatronics (Bc., Ing., PhD.)" (http://mec
hatronics.tul.cz) . Retrieved 15 April 2011.

3. Msc. Mechatronics and Automation

Engineering, University of Strathclyde
Glasgow, Institution of Engineering and
Technology, United Kingdom. Retrieved 29
November 2020.

4. Lawrence J. Kamm (1996). Understanding

Electro-Mechanical Engineering: An
Introduction to Mechatronics. John Wiley &
Sons. ISBN 978-0-7803-1031-5.
5. Bolton, W. Mechatronics. Pearson, 6th
edition, 2015. ISBN 9781292076683

6. The mechatronics handbook (https://www.

worldcat.org/oclc/795209909) . Robert H.
Bishop (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC
Press. 2008. pp. Chapter 1, Page 2.
ISBN 978-1-4398-3320-9. OCLC 795209909
(https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/79520990
9) .

7. Hilgers, Michael (2020). Commercial

Vehicle Technology. Electrical Systems and
Mechatronics. Berlin/Heidelberg/New York:
Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-60838-8 (h
ttps://doi.org/10.1007%2F978-3-662-60838
-8) . ISBN 978-3-662-60837-1.

8. ″Motion Control and Advanced

Mechatronics″ (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/st
 amp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=491410) .

9. Bradley, David; Russell, David; Ferguson, Ian

(March 2015). "The Internet of Things-The
future or the end of mechatronics".
Mechatronics. 27: 57–74.
doi:10.1016/j.mechatronics.2015.02.005 (h
ttps://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.mechatronics.2
015.02.005) . hdl:10059/1355 (https://hdl.h
andle.net/10059%2F1355) .

Sources
Bradley, Dawson et al., Mechatronics,
Electronics in products and processes,
Chapman and Hall Verlag, London,
1991.
Karnopp, Dean C., Donald L. Margolis,
Ronald C. Rosenberg, System Dynamics:
Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronic
Systems, 4th Edition, Wiley, 2006.
ISBN 0-471-70965-4 Bestselling system
dynamics book using bond graph
approach.
Cetinkunt, Sabri, Mechatronics, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2007
ISBN 9780471479871
James J. Nutaro (2010). Building
software for simulation: theory and
algorithms, with applications in C++.
Wiley.
 Zhang, Jianhua . Mechatronics and
Automation Engineering. Proceedings of
the International Conference on
Mechatronics and Automation
Engineering (ICMAE2016). Xiamen, China,
2016.

Further reading
Bishop, Robert H., Mechatronics: an
introduction (https://books.google.com/
books?id=CTfQPQRooMgC) . CRC
Press, 2006.
De Silva, Clarence W., Mechatronics: an
integrated approach (https://books.goo
gle.com/books?id=CjB2ygeR95cC) .
CRC Press, 2005
 Onwubolu, Godfrey C., Mechatronics:
principles and applications (https://book
s.google.com/books?id=bgK8kCMpD_Y
C) . Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005.
Rankers, Adrian M., Machine Dynamics
in Mechatronic Systems (http://www.me
chatronics-academy.nl/Machine%20Dyn
amics%20in%20Mechatronic%20System
s%20-%20Adrian%20M.%20Rankers.pd
f) . University Twente, 1997

External links
IEEE/ASME Transactions on
Mechatronics. (http://www.ieee-asme-m
echatronics.org/)
Mechatronics Journal (http://www.elsevi
er.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws
_home/933/description) – Elsevier
mechatronic applications and
realisation (http://www.cedrat.com/en/p
ublications/categories/device-systems/
systems/mechatronics.html) List of
publications concerning examples
Institution of Mechanical Engineers -
Mechatronics, Informatics and Control
Group (MICG) (http://www.imeche.org/g
et-involved/special-interest-groups/mec
hatronics-informatics-and-control-grou
p)
 NF E 01-010 2008 – AFNOR (French
standard NF E 01-010 (http://www.thesa
me-innovation.com/Publi/Fichier/NF%2
0E%2001-010_draft_translation.pdf) )
XP E 01-013 2009 – AFNOR (French
standard NF E 01-013)

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