Mechatronics: Difference between revisions
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'''Mechatronics''' (or '''''Mecha'''nical'' and ''Elec'''tronics''' Engineering'') is the synergistic combination of [[mechanical engineering]], [[electronic engineering]], [[control engineering]], systems design engineering, and [[computer engineering]] to create useful products. The purpose of this interdisciplinary engineering field is the study of [[automata]] from an engineering perspective and serves the purposes of controlling advanced [[hybrid system]]s. The word itself is a combination of "mechanics" and "electronics". |
'''Mechatronics''' (or '''''Mecha'''nical'' and ''Elec'''tronics''' Engineering'') is the synergistic combination of [[mechanical engineering]], [[electronic engineering]], [[control engineering]], systems design engineering, and [[computer engineering]] to create useful products. The purpose of this interdisciplinary engineering field is the study of [[automata]] from an engineering perspective and serves the purposes of controlling advanced [[hybrid system]]s. The word itself is a combination of "mechanics" and "electronics". |
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==Description== |
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Mechatronics is a concept which is debated extensively in academic environments. Many formal definitions are published (e.g. http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/mechatronics/definitions.html) and each of them points one or several of explicit/implied features of the concept of mechatronics. Any physical artefact which functions to satisfy these a-priori features is considered to be a Mechatronic product. However, the simplest and plain definition of mechatronic concept follows as the "Integration of Electronics and Software Technology into a Functional Mechanical Structure". This definition states the necessary conditions, but it does not imply the sufficiency, hence any physical product which encloses electronics and software technology within a mechanical structure need not to be mechatronic. The keyword here is the conceptual "INTEGRATION" of basic mechatronic components into a physical product, provided that the conceptual integration has been started at the very beginning of the design process. The mechatronic concepts are defined formally and properly at the stage of problem definition, and applied all through the engineering design process at every stage/phase and at every decision making activity. |
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This implies that the system is designed and optimized as a whole and not in sequential steps. By concentrating on a limited application area, a mechatronic designer should have enough domain specific knowledge to come to really advanced products. Mechatronic design also implies team work. Specialists with a background in mechanical and electrical engineering, control and computer engineering should cooperate in a team, in all phases of the design, to come to a synergistic combination. Finally a good design philosophy is essential. |
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During its almost 40-year lifetime, the subject has evolved through a series of redefinitions from the original concept of electrification of mechanisms to its current definition, which is based on the concept of synergy. That Mechatronics is the synergistic integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and intelligent computer control in the design and manufacturing of industrial products and processes by Harashima, Tomizuka and Fukuda, represents a milestone in this evolution. It was published in the first issue of the journal IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, where the editors presented it as a new definition of mechatronics. A more concise definition is that, “Mechatronics is a technology which combines mechanics with electronics and information technology to form both functional interaction and spatial integration in components, modules, products and systems”. |
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[[Image:mecha.gif|right|350X350 px|thumb|Aerial Venn diagram from [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute|RPI]]'s website describes the various fields that make up Mechatronics]] |
[[Image:mecha.gif|right|350X350 px|thumb|Aerial Venn diagram from [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute|RPI]]'s website describes the various fields that make up Mechatronics]] |
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Mechatronics is centered on [[mechanics]], [[electronics]], [[control engineering]], [[computing]], [[molecular engineering]] (from [[nanochemistry]] and [[biology]]) which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile systems. The portmanteau "mechatronics" was coined by Mr. Tetsuro Mori ("Toets") and Er. Jiveshwar Sharma ("Jove"), the senior engineers of the [[Japan]]ese company [[Yaskawa]], in 1969. Mechatronics may alternatively be referred to as "[[electromechanical]] [[systems]]" or less often as "control and automation engineering". An industrial robot is a prime example of a mechatronics system; it includes aspects of electronics, mechanics and computing, so it can carry out its day to day jobs. |
Mechatronics is centered on [[mechanics]], [[electronics]], [[control engineering]], [[computing]], [[molecular engineering]] (from [[nanochemistry]] and [[biology]]) which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile systems. The portmanteau "mechatronics" was coined by Mr. Tetsuro Mori ("Toets") and Er. Jiveshwar Sharma ("Jove"), the senior engineers of the [[Japan]]ese company [[Yaskawa]], in 1969. Mechatronics may alternatively be referred to as "[[electromechanical]] [[systems]]" or less often as "control and automation engineering". An industrial robot is a prime example of a mechatronics system; it includes aspects of electronics, mechanics and computing, so it can carry out its day to day jobs. |
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==Description== |
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[[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 [[algorithm]]s, which may or may not utilize [[formal method]]s in their design. Hybrid-systems important to mechatronics include [[production system]]s, synergy drives, |
[[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 [[algorithm]]s, which may or may not utilize [[formal method]]s in their design. Hybrid-systems important to mechatronics include [[production system]]s, synergy drives, |
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Revision as of 18:24, 25 August 2009
Mechatronics (or Mechanical and Electronics Engineering) is the synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, control engineering, systems design engineering, and computer engineering to create useful products. The purpose of this interdisciplinary engineering field is the study of automata from an engineering perspective and serves the purposes of controlling advanced hybrid systems. The word itself is a combination of "mechanics" and "electronics".
Description
Mechatronics is centered on mechanics, electronics, control engineering, computing, molecular engineering (from nanochemistry and biology) which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile systems. The portmanteau "mechatronics" was coined by Mr. Tetsuro Mori ("Toets") and Er. Jiveshwar Sharma ("Jove"), the senior engineers of the Japanese company Yaskawa, in 1969. Mechatronics may alternatively be referred to as "electromechanical systems" or less often as "control and automation engineering". An industrial robot is a prime example of a mechatronics system; it includes aspects of electronics, mechanics and computing, so it can carry out 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 may or may 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.
A typical mechatronic engineering degree would involve study of engineering mathematics, mechanics, machine component design, mechanical design, thermodynamics, circuits and systems, electronics and communications, control theory, programming, digital signal processing, power engineering, and robotics.
Application
- Automation and robotics
- Servo-mechanics
- Sensing and control systems
- Automotive engineering, in the design of subsystems such as anti-lock braking systems
- Computer engineering, in the design of mechanisms such as computer drives
- Computer-machine controls, such as computer driven machines like IE CNC milling machines
- Expert systems
- Industrial goods
- Consumer products
- Biomedical systems
- Mechatronics systems
- Medical mechatronics
- Automotive equipment
- Industrial manufacturing
- Medical imaging systems
- Energy and power systems
- Electromechanical systems
- Structural dynamic systems
- Transportation and vehicular systems
- Database and data communication networks
- 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
- Computer techniques in medical and bio technology systems
Variant of the field
An emerging variant of this field is biomechatronics, whose purpose is to integrate mechanical parts with a human being, usually in the form of removable gadgets such as an exoskeleton. This is the "real-life" version of cyberware.
Another emerging variant is Electronical or electronics design centric ECAD/MCAD co-design. Electronical is where the integration and co-design between the design team and design tools of an electronics centric system and the design team and design tools of that systems physical/mechanical enclosure takes place.
See also
- Biomechatronics
- Cybernetics
- List of engineering topics
- National Instruments
- Robotics
- Systems Engineering
- Mechatronics Journals
References
- 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 978-0-4714798-1
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