Mechatronics engineering, also called mechatronics, is an interdisciplinary branch of
engineering that focuses on the integration of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering and software engineering,[1] and also includes a combination of robotics, computer science, telecommunications, systems, control, automation and product engineering.[2][3]
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.[4]
Many people treat mechatronics as a modern buzzword synonymous with automation, robotics and electromechanical engineering.[5]
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".[6]
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 Mechatronics
Occupation
Names Mechatronics Engineer
Occupation type Engineering
Activity sectors Electrical and
mechanical industry, engineering industry
Specialty Mechanical Aerial Euler diagram from RPI's engineering, website describes the fields that electrical/electronics make up mechatronics. engineering, A mechatronics engineer unites the principles computer of mechanics, electrical, electronics, and engineering, software computing to generate a simpler, more programming, economical and reliable system.[7] system engineering, control system, Engineering cybernetics deals with the smart and intelligent question of control engineering of system, automation mechatronic systems. It is used to control or and robotics
regulate such a system (see control theory).
Description Through collaboration, the mechatronic modules perform the production goals and Competencies Multidisciplinary technical knowledge, inherit flexible and agile manufacturing electro-mechanical properties in the production scheme. Modern system design, production equipment consists of system integration mechatronic modules that are integrated and maintenance according to a control architecture. The most Fields of Science, technology, known architectures involve hierarchy, employment engineering, industry, polyarchy, heterarchy, and hybrid. The methods computer, exploration 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. 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.[8] 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.[9]
Industrial
Industrial engineers on 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 and 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. In a large number of factories, especially in automobile factories, robots are found 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.[10]
Knowledge of programming is very important. A mechatronics engineer has to do programming
in different levels – for 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 are Java, Python, Rust, C++ and C programming language.
See also
Electronics portal
Automation engineering
Cybernetics
Control theory Ecomechatronics
Electromechanics
Materials engineering
Mechanical engineering technology
Robotics
Systems engineering
Biomechatronics
References
1. Escudier, Marcel; Atkins, Tony (2019). "A Dictionary of Mechanical Engineering" (https://dx.d oi.org/10.1093/acref/9780198832102.001.0001) . Oxford Reference. doi:10.1093/acref/9780198832102.001.0001 (https://doi.org/10.1093%2Facref%2F978019 8832102.001.0001) .
2. Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (9 August 2012). "Mechatronics Engineering" (ht
tps://uwaterloo.ca/mechanical-mechatronics-engineering/future-undergraduate-students/ mechatronics-engineering) . Future undergraduate students. University of Waterloo. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
3. Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies TUL. "Mechatronics (Bc.,
Ing., PhD.)" (http://mechatronics.tul.cz) . Retrieved 15 April 2011.
4. Msc. Mechatronics and Automation Engineering, University of Strathclyde Glasgow,
Institution of Engineering and Technology, United Kingdom. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
5. Lawrence J. Kamm (1996). Understanding Electro-Mechanical Engineering: An Introduction
to Mechatronics. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-7803-1031-5
6. Bolton, W. Mechatronics. Pearson, 6th edition, 2015. ISBN 978-1-292-07668-3
7. The mechatronics handbook (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/795209909) . Robert H.
8. Hilgers, Michael (2020). Commercial Vehicle Technology. Electrical Systems and
Mechatronics. Berlin/Heidelberg/New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-60838-8 (http s://doi.org/10.1007%2F978-3-662-60838-8) . ISBN 978-3-662-60837-1.
9. "Motion Control and Advanced Mechatronics" (https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.js
p?arnumber=491410) . 10. 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 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.mechatronics.2015. 02.005) . hdl:10059/1355 (https://hdl.handle.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 978-0-471-47987-1
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=CTfQP
QRooMgC) . CRC Press, 2006.
De Silva, Clarence W., Mechatronics: an integrated approach (https://books.google.com/book
s?id=CjB2ygeR95cC) . CRC Press, 2005
Onwubolu, Godfrey C., Mechatronics: principles and applications (https://books.google.com/b
mechatronic applications and realisation (http://www.cedrat.com/en/publications/categories/
device-systems/systems/mechatronics.html) List of publications concerning examples Institution of Mechanical Engineers - Mechatronics, Informatics and Control Group (MICG) (htt p://www.imeche.org/get-involved/special-interest-groups/mechatronics-informatics-and-contr ol-group)
NF E 01-010 2008 – AFNOR (French standard NF E 01-010 (http://www.thesame-innovation.co
