Mechatronics - Understanding the origin of the term mechatronics

MECHATRONICS - BEGINNING OF TERMS

|            The term mechatronics was introduced to technical terminology and Tetsuro Mori, a senior engineer of the Japanese company Yaskawa Electrical Corporation (a company founded in 1915) and since 1971 has been protected as a trade name. (Mecha / Mechanism and Tronics / Electronics became Mechatronics).

Mechatronics in the early period was understood as a design and construction activity that involved the insertion of electronic components and systems into functional structures as a precision mechanism.

In 1982, Yaskawa Elektrik Co. withdraw from the patent protection of its trademarks and from now on we can all use this term.

Today means mechatronic engineering activities including designing, testing and operating machines and equipment, where there is a high functional integration of mechanical systems with electronic and computer control.

GENERAL DEFINITIONS

|            Mechatronics is a combination of the disciplines of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Engineering and Control Engineering. By looking at the origin of the word, it can be easily understood that this science combines or synergizes the disciplines of Mechanics, Electronics and Informatics.

Initially developed in the field of Feinwerktechnik, which is a branch of engineering that emphasizes aspects of accuracy, for example in watchmaking, optical devices and so on. Then added after the emergence of informatics as a new discipline.

Until recently, it was seen as the relationship between   mechanical, electronic and informatic sciences . In the future, mechatronic applications will be used in almost all fields, such as automotive, CD player, space station or production facility.

Examples of mechatronic products / goods:

Robot, Antilock Braking System (ABS), Air Bag System, Automatic Gear Box, Traction Control, Photocopier, Numerical Controlled Lathe (CNC), Evator / lift etc.

            Each of these products is essentially mechanical, but cannot function without the integral design of the electrical and computer control systems essential to their operation.

DEFINITION         

Based on the results of the national mechatronics meeting, Bandung, July 28, 2006, the Indonesian Mechatronics Community recommends the following definitions of mechatronics:

Mechatronics is a synergy of mechanical engineering science and technology, electronic engineering, informatics engineering and regulatory engineering (or control engineering) to design, manufacture or produce, operate and maintain a system to achieve the desired goals.

 

Mechatronics Chart: Simple diagram of the formation of mechatronics. Consists of two layers of physics and logic. And the three main basic sciences of electronics, informatics and mechanics.

MECHATRONIC STRUCTURE / ELEMENTS

            Object to be controlled, could be a robot arm, car propulsion, power plant, DVD Disk Drive etc.

Sensors and signal conditioners monitor the state of the object and convert it to an electrical signal.

Controller as a controlling element and decision maker.

The Drive Network serves to receive the command signal from the controller and convert it into energy that can move the actuator

Actuators are elements that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy such as electric motors, hydraulic tubes, pneumatic tubes etc.

Energy source: battery, AC / DC adapter, etc.                

 

WHY LEARN MECHATRONICS?

|            The primary role of mechatronics is one of initiation and integration throughout the entire design process, with the mechatronic engineer at the helm.

Experts in interdisciplinary mechatronics should acquire a general knowledge of various techniques and be able to master the entire design process. They must be able to use other people's specialized knowledge sources and a particular mix of technologies that will provide the most economical, innovative, elegant and precise solution to the problem at hand.

Industry needs mechatronic engineers to continue to develop innovative products with speed, quality and low cost.

 

WHERE DO MECHATRONIC MEMBERS WORK?

            Mechanical devices or “smart” devices have become common in our technologically advanced society.

Mechatronic engineers can work for any company that develops, designs, or manufactures and markets “smart” devices.

Opportunities exist in manufacturing, sales as well as research. Mechanical devices have crept into everyday life.

 

MECHATRONIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Ø  Element mechanical

-          The mechanical, mechanical, thermo-fluid, and hydraulic structures of the mechatronic system

Mechanical elements have static and dynamic characteristics

Mechanical elements interact with the environment according to their intended use.

Mechanical elements require physical power to generate motion, force, heat and so on.

 

Ø  Basic mechanical elements

-          Construction / keeling

-          Crankshaft pump

-          Mechanical arm

-          Helical gears

-          Chain and shaft teeth

-          Roda, jari-jari

- You          hit

-          Levers / excavators

-          Camshaft and propel lever

 

MECHATRONICIC ELEMENTS: ELECTROMEKANIC SYSTEM

Ø  System electromechanical :

-          Sensor

Physical variables can be measured by sensors, for example: light measured with a photoresistor, displacement with a potentiometer, direction or tilt with a magnetic sensor, sound with a microphone, voltage and pressure with a strain gage, temperature with a thermistor.

Actuators : DC servomotor, stepper motor, relay, solenoid, speaker, light emitting diode (LED) shape memory alloy, electromagnet, dan pompa memberikan input ke system fisik.

IC-based sensors/actuators (digital-compass, potentiometer, dsb).

MECHATONIC ELEMENTS: ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND ELECTRONIC ELEMENTS

Ø  Electrical Components

Resistors (R), capacitors (C), inductors (L), transformers, electrical circuits, and analog signals

Ø  Electronic elements:

Analog/digital electronics, transistors, thyristors, opto-isolators, operasional amplifiers, power electronics dan signal conditioning. 

Ø  Electrical and electronic elements are used to connect sensors and electromechanical actuators with computer hardware elements.

 

MECHATRONIC ELEMENTS: CONTROL / COMPUTATION ELEMENTS

Ø  Control / computational elements:

Analog-to-digital (A₂D) converter, digital-to-analog (D₂A) converter, digital input/output (I/O), counters, timers, microprocessor, microcontroller, data acquisition and control (DAC) board, dan digital signal processing (DSP) board. 

Ø  Control interface as an analog / digital signal liaison

Communication from sensor signal from computer to actuator 

Ø The  computer implements a control algorithm that uses the results of the sensor measurements to determine the controller action assigned to the actuator.

 

MECHATRONIC ELEMENTS: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Information system: hardware / software for

Ø  Dynamic system analysis with computer assistance, optimization, design and simulation.

Ø  Virtual instrumentation (labview)

Ø  Rapid control prototyping

Ø  Hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HIL)

Ø  PC-based data acquisition and control (labview, matlab dll.

 

USE

            So many uses of the mechatronic system in our lives strengthen one of its multipurpose (applicative) properties

Automotive Engineering

            For example, a mechatronic system in a motorized vehicle is the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) brake system or a braking system that avoids locking the wheels so that the car can still be controlled in sudden braking, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ABC (Active Body Control) and Motor- Management-System.

Aviation Technology

            In modern aviation technology, the Comfort-In-Turbulence System is used so that it can increase passenger comfort even when turbulence occurs. Gust Load Alleviation as well as many other examples.

Production techniques

            An example in production techniques is the use of sensors on robots. Feedback control system on high rotational speed electromotor with magnetic 'axle holder'.

As well as CD players, hard disks and high-speed printers, or electronic devices that we usually use everyday, we will very often encounter mechatronic applications.   

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Warm regards

 

Author

@isrul_muhamad