Mechatronics For Manufacturing

Harlal Singh, PhD

Mechatronics is a design process that includes a combination of mechanical

engineering, electrical engineering, control engineering and computer
engineering. French standard NF E 01-010 gives the following definition:
approach aiming at the synergistic integration of mechanics, electronics, control
theory, and computer science within product design and manufacturing, in order
to improve and/or optimize its functionality".

The following talks about study of mechatronics, application of mechatronics,

scope of mechatronics, so as to understand the features and qualities of this
synergistic combination of technologies and how to implement in the
conventional manufacturing process.

1.0 Introduction

Mechatronics is the synergistic integration of sensors,actuators, signal

conditioning, power electronics, decision and control algorithms, and computer
hardware and software to manage complexity,uncertainty and communication in
engineered systems.

The name [mechatronics] was coined by Ko Kikuchi, now president of

Yasakawa Electric Co., Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo.
R. Comerford, Mecha what? IEEE Spectrum, 31(8), 46-49, 1994.

The word, mechatronics is composed of mecha from mechanics and tronics

from electronics. In other words, technologies and developed products will be
incorporating electronics more and more into mechanisms, intimately and
organically, and making it impossible to tell where one ends and the other
begins.

T. Mori, Mechatronics, Yasakawa Internal Trademark Application Memo,

21.131.01, July 12, 1969.
 Integration of electronics, control engineering, and mechanical engineering.

W. Bolton, Mechatronics: Electronic Control Systems in Mechanical

Engineering,
Longman, 1995.

Application of complex decision making to the operation of physical systems.

D. M. Auslander and C. J. Kempf, Mechatronics: Mechanical System

Interfacing,
Prentice-Hall, 1996.

Synergistic integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and

intelligent computer control in the design and manufacturing of industrial
products and processes.
F. Harshama, M. Tomizuka, and T. Fukuda, Mechatronics-what is it, why, and
how?-and editorial, IEEE/ASME Trans. on Mechatronics, 1(1), 1-4, 1996.

Synergistic use of precision engineering, control theory, computer science, and

sensor and actuator technology to design improved products and processes.

S. Ashley, Getting a hold on mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, 119(5),

1997.

Methodology used for the optimal design of electromechanical products.

 D. Shetty and R. A Kolk, Mechatronics System Design, PWS Pub. Co., 1997.

Field of study involving the analysis, design, synthesis, and selection of

systems
that combine electronics and mechanical components with modern controls and
microprocessors.
D. G. Alciatore and M. B. Histand, Introduction to Mechatronics and
Measurement
Systems, McGraw Hill, 1998.

2.0 Evolution of Mechatronics

Mechatronics has evolved through the following stages:

2.1 Primary Level Mechatronics:

Integrates electrical signalling with mechanical action at the basic control level
for e.g. fluid valves and relay switches

2.2 Secondary Level Mechatronics:

Integrates microelectronics into electrically controlled devices for e.g. cassette

tape player.
2.3 Tertiary Level Mechantronics:

Incorporates advanced control strategy using microelectronics, microprocessors

and other application specific integrated circuits for e.g. microprocessor based
electrical motor used for actuation purpose in robots.

2.4 Quaternary Level Mechatronics:

This level attempts to improve smartness a step ahead by introducing intelligence

(artificial neutral network and fuzzy logic ) and fault detection and isolation (
F.D.I.) capability into the system.

3.0 Disciplinary Foundations of Mechatronics

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

Computer/Information Systems

Fig 2.foundation of Mechatronics

4.0 Mechatronic Systems
Mechatronic system have become increasingly popular because of their versality,
functionality and high integration level. Examples of mechatronic system are :

An aircraft flight control and navigation system, weapon system.

Automobile electronic fuel injection, antilock brake systems, collision

detection, global positioning system, camless valve operation, active suspension,
by wire systems etc.

Automated manufacturing equipment such as robots and numerically controlled

(NC) machine tools, autonomous guided vehicles ( A.G.V.).

Smart kitchen and home appliances such as bread machines and clothes
washing machines, and even toys. Photocopying machine, automatic cash
machine , music system, and video player.

Fig.3 Mechatronics based Manufacturing System

The actuators produce motion or cause some action.

The sensors detect the state of system parameters, inputs, and outputs devices
 Digital devices control the system.

Conditioning and interfacing circuits provide connections between the control

circuits and the input/output devices.

Graphical displays provide visual feedback to users.

4.1 Mechatronics-based Product Realization

Systems engineering allows design, analysis, and synthesis of products and

processes involving components from multiple disciplines.

Mechatronics exploits systems engineering to guide the product realization

process from design, model, simulate, analyze, refine, prototype, validate, and
deployment cycle.

In mechatronics-based product realization: mechanical, electrical, and computer

engineering and information systems are integrated throughout the design
process so that the final products can be better than the sum of its parts.

Mechatronics system is not

simply a multi-disciplinary system
simply an electromechanical system
just a control system

4.2 Mechatronic Design Process

Fig 4.Mechatronics Design System(Information of future modules/upgrades)

5.0 Mechatronics Applications

Manufacturing: robotics, machines, processes, etc.
Smart consumer products: home security, camera, microwave oven,toaster, dish
washer, laundry washer-dryer, climate control units, etc.
Medical: implant-devices, assisted surgery, haptic, etc.
Defence: unmanned air, ground, and underwater vehicles, smart munitions, jet
engines, etc.
 Automotive: climate control, antilock brake, active suspension, cruisecontrol,
air bags, engine management, safety, etc.
Network-centric, distributed systems: distributed robotics,
telerobotics,intelligent highways, etc.

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