Mechatronics is the combination form of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, computer engineering, software engineering, control engineering, and systems design engineering which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile commercial and industrial products.
However, and despite this world-wide interest in mechatronics , it is still not certain that there is a clear and consistent understanding of what mechatronics is and how, and at what level, it should be taught. A review of the literature about mechatronics will rapidly result in a number of definitions, each of which perhaps seeks to emphasise a slightly different aspect of the mechatronics concept, ranging from design to precision engineering and from sensors to actuators. Nevertheless, and despite their difference in emphasis, most of the definitions do manage to agree in some way that mechatronics is concerned with the integration of its core technologies to generate new and novel technological solutions in the form of products and systems in which functionality is integrated across those core technologies, with information technology and software engineering then providing the ‘glue’ which binds the whole together.
The combination of words “mechatronics” was first coined by Mr. Tetsuro Mori, a senior engineer of the Japanese company Yaskawa, in 1969. Industrial applications are becoming increasingly multidisciplinary requiring engineers and technicians to develop skills in a variety of disciplines including mechanics, electronics, computer science, and automation. An industrial robot is a prime example of a mechatronics system; it includes aspects of electronics, mechanical , and computing to do its day-to-day jobs.
Mechatronics has enabled the successful realisation of systems such as the Mars Rover that have left the world standing silently in wonder. The Mars Rover was the product of several years of research and development to ensure engineers on earth could effectively control the Rover. It had to be able to negotiate any terrain encountered as well as perform fine motions to grab and sample rock and soil – much like expecting a rugby union prop to also be an accomplished ballet dancer! Of course that call occurred after a brilliant and novel Mars landing strategy was developed.
Robotic systems and components are already as small as a few microns and researchers are investigating nano-technologies using mechatronic systems for implantation into the human body to repair or replace damaged physiological functions. The next two decades will see an explosion of automated mechatronic systems infiltrating our lives more and more every year – improving our quality of life and our knowledge of the world and universe we live in.
Combine Course structure
Applications
- 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
- Structural dynamic systems
- Expert systems
- Consumer products
- Mechatronics systems
- Medical mechatronics,medical imaging systems
- Computer-aided design
- Transportation and vehicular systems
- Mechatronics as the new language of the automobile
- Diagnostic, reliability, and control system techniques
- Computer aided and integrated manufacturing systems
- Engineering and manufacturing systems
- Packaging
- Microcontrollers / PLC’s
- Mobile apps
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