| What is Mechatronics? By reading this article, either | | | | about speed, acceleration, braking, turning, etc. is the |
| you are looking for a definition of Mechatronics or, | | | | program and your eyes and ears are the sensors |
| like me, you are interested in the latest paradigm | | | | feeding data to your brain which in turn uses this |
| used in the teaching of industrial maintenance | | | | input data to make decisions about what actuators, |
| technology curriculums. Either way, I hope you find | | | | your feet for acceleration or braking for example, to |
| this Mechatronics Technology article useful. | | | | activate. |
| Mechatronics has become a major player in many | | | | Since an automated manufacturing process uses |
| manufacturing processes. Mechatronics is the | | | | mechanical actuators, digital electronic sensors and a |
| integration of the Electrical Engineering, Mechanical | | | | PLC (basically a computer), it goes without saying |
| Engineering and Computer Engineering fields of study. | | | | that skilled workers will be needed to operate and |
| These disciplines combine and work together in the | | | | maintain these automated systems. Someone who |
| planning, commissioning, operation, maintenance and | | | | desires to work with an automated system would do |
| repair of computer controlled manufacturing | | | | well to start out by studying a Mechatronics |
| processes. I believe the study of Mechatronics will | | | | curriculum. The student will need to choose a |
| increase because of the high rate of automated | | | | program of study that includes training in mechanical |
| processes being put into place in manufacturing | | | | actuators to include both pneumatic and hydraulic |
| facilities. Due to this increase in automated systems, | | | | systems, digital electronics such as sensors and |
| there is sure to be an increasing demand for qualified | | | | systems interfacing and Programmable Logic |
| workers, technicians and engineers in the field of | | | | Controllers. |
| Mechatronics Technology. As a result, a large number | | | | Even though it is very important to learn all aspects |
| of vocational and engineering schools have introduced | | | | of each of the Mechatronics subject areas, I feel |
| a Mechatronics curriculum in the past couple of years. | | | | that you cannot spend too much time in the PLC |
| A Mechatronics system is a "smart system". A smart | | | | area. Just about all potential employers are looking for |
| system is a process that is monitored by various | | | | graduates with a solid foundation in PLC's. The |
| sensors which feed data to a Programmable Logic | | | | program of study will also contain robot training, both |
| Controller which in turn uses a program to make | | | | computer based and programming a real robot. Spend |
| decisions about what actuators to activate. This is | | | | some time doing a little research before picking a |
| called a "closed loop system". You can use driving | | | | Mechatronics school to attend and I am sure you will |
| your car as an analogy. Your brain is the | | | | do well. |
| Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), your decisions | | | | |