Mechatronics refers to the efficient and effective integration of mechanical systems and electronics. It is a blend of mechanics and electronics, and has come to mean the synergistic use of:
* Precision engineering
* control theory
* computer science
* mathematics
* Sensor technology, to design enhanced or "smart" products, processes and systems.
It integrates the classical fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, and computer science/information technology. Its application areas range from power systems to transportation to optical telecommunications to biomedical engineering, along with a host of others. Mechatronic systems are almost everywhere you look.
Defining Mechatronics
For Takashi Yamaguchi, who works at Hitachi Ltd.'s Mechanical Engineering Laboratory in Ibaraki, Japan, Mechatronics is "a methodology for designing products that exhibit fast, precise performance. These characteristics can be achieved by considering not only the mechanical design but also the use of servo controls, sensors, and electronics." He added that it is also very important to make the design robust. Computer disk drives, for example, are a prime example of the successful application of Mechatronics: "Disk drives are required to provide very fast access, precise positioning, as well as robustness against various disturbances," he said.
For Giorgio Rizzoni, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Ohio State University in Columbus, Mechatronics is "the confluence of traditional design methods with sensors and instrumentation technology, drive and actuator technology, embedded real-time microprocessor systems, and real-time software." Mechatronic (electromechanical) products, he said, exhibit certain distinguishing features, including the replacement of many mechanical functions with electronic ones, which results in much greater flexibility and easy redesign or reprogramming; the ability to implement distributed control in complex systems; and the ability to conduct automated data collection and reporting.
What do Mechatronics Engineers do?
Mechatronics combines mechanical, electrical and software engineering in the design, development and control of diverse systems used in a range of industries including manufacturing, medicine and the service industries. Examples of Mechatronic systems include aircraft, dishwashers, motor vehicles, automated manufacturing plants, medical and surgical devices and systems, robots of all types, many toys, artificial organs and many others. Mechatronics engineers are therefore involved in almost every possible industry at levels from applications development to manufacturing to advanced research.
Where do Mechatronics Engineers work?
Graduates with a Mechatronics degree can take up careers in a wide spectrum of industries including robotics, aerospace, chemical, defense and automotive and manufacturing where complex software plays a major role, as well as in businesses that require extensive computer support, such as banking and commerce. Contributions can be made to these industries in a variety of roles including design engineer, software engineer, project planner, product designer and project manager.
