8/12/2019 What is Mechatronics ?

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What is Mechatronics?Published on 06 November 2011

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What ismechatronicsengineering? -

Mechatronics definition.

Mechatronics is a synergistic combination of precision

engineering, electronic control and mechanic systems.

It is the science, that exists at the interface among the

other five disciplines:

mechanics electronics informatics automation robotics

It is one of the most dynamically developing fields oftechnology and science. The word 'mechatronics'

appeared for the first time in Japan in 1969.

mechatronics = mechanics + electronics+ computing

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Mechatronics - the genesis

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The term mechatronics was introduced to the technical

terminology by the Japanese company Yaskawa Elektric

Corporation (a company founded in 1915) and since

1971 it has been protected as a trade name.

Mechatronics in the initial period was understood as the

design and construction activities involving the

inclusion of electronic components and systems to the

functional structure of various precision mechanisms.

In 1982, Yaskawa Elektric Co.. resigned from the

patent protection of its trademark and from now on we

can all use this term. Today it means mechatronics

engineering activities including designing, testing and

operation of machinery and equipment, in which there

is a high level of functional integration of mechanical

systems with electronics and computer control.

Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field, combining in a

synergistic manner the classical knowledge of

mechanical engineering, hydraulics, pneumatics,

electronics, optics and computer science. The aim of

mechatronics is to improve the functionality of

technical systems and the creation of new concepts of

machinery and equipment with built-in 'artificialintelligence'. In various literature sources several

definitions of mechatronics can be found, almost all of

them put the emphasis on the functional integration of

mechanical actuators with electronics and computer

control, eg:

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mechatronics includes programmable electronic devices

and electromechanical systems for embedded,

distributed structure of the sensors, processing signals,

actuators and communications.

Isermann [1] defines mechatronics as a combination of

knowledge from three disciplines - mechanics,

electronics and computer science.

Mechatronics was formed in the engineery environment

of automation and robotics, where the 'mechanical' way

of solving the design was not adequate to the

expectations and opportunities that provide other areas

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of technology, particularly electronics, optoelectronics,

materials engineering, especially computer science [2].

Mechatronics engineering may be regarded as amodern approach to automation techniques for the

broadly defined needs of engineering and education. It

can be assumed that mechatronics is an

interdisciplinary field of science and technology, dealing

with general problems of mechanics, electronics and

informatics. However, it contains too manyrelated mechatronicareas that form the foundation of

mechatronics and cover many well-known disciplines

such as electrical engineering, power electronics, digital

technology, microprocessor technology, and other

techniques. Mechatronics engineering provides an

opportunity, not only humanization of machines, butalso it changes the mindset and the approach to

technological issues and most importantly teaching new

technologies and ways of acquiring knowledge and

skills. The most important feature

ofmechatronicdevices is the ability to process and

communicate information accurately in a form ofdifferent types of signals (mechanical, electrical,

hydraulic, pneumatic, optical, chemical, biological),

with high level of automation of these devices.

The basic assumption for the design of mechatronic

devices is the acquisition by the device itself which is

responsible for the lower levels of the process (task) to

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allow the user to focus on higher-order functions.

Mechatronic device structure can be considered at two

levels: abstract, consisting of the conjunction of partial

functions of the main function device and the specific

plane, consisting of the combined structural parts and

assemblies, which are natural carriers of various

functions involved. The integration of mechatronic

device structure is a result of links among 'smart'

teams which communicate and cooperate. The linking

mechanical structure, sensors, actuators and

information processing occur as a result of mass flow of

streams, of energy and information.

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1.Isermann R.: Integrierte mechanisch-elektronischeSysteme. VDI-Z, nr 10, 1993.

2.Isermann R.: Mechatronische Systeme. SpringerVerlag, Berlin, 1999.

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