10

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vol. 1, 2006

INTRODUCTION

TO MECHATRONICS SYSTEMS

J.K. Gera

Deptt. of Mechanical Engineering

Background

The current technological designs are highly complex and interdisciplinary in nature involving

synergistic integration of many aspects of engineering knowledge base. The integration of various

theories, principles , techniques, methodologies and standards to cater to the pressing needs have long

been emerging as new multi-disciplinary subject in the name of mechatronics, which has been attracting

not only manufacturers but also engineers, developers, researchers and academicians.

Advanced technological designs are highly complex and interdisciplinary nature involving synergistic

integration of mechatronics, photonics, computronics and communication. Technological designs have

become a high risk endeavor due to the lack of knowledge and experience on interdisciplinary subjects

and methods. Synergetic integration is solitarily logic based integration. Combined action and

cooperation increases effectiveness and productivity.

Definition

Mechatronics is “the synergistic integration of Mechanical Engineering with Electronics and intelligent

control algorithms in the design and manufacture of products process”. Synergistic integration means

the mechatronic engineers have to study the aspects of engineering that are vital for the design and

manufacture of products, process. A graphical representation of Mechatronics is shown Fig. 1

The main technical areas under the research and development domain mechatronics are:
•

Motion control

•

Robotics

•

Automotive systems

•

Intelligent control

11

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vol. 1, 2006

•

Actuators and sensors

•

Modeling and design

•

System integration

•

Manufacturing

•

Micro devices and optoelectronics

•

Vibrations and noise control

Figure 2 provides an abstract view of the mechatronic discipline. The square like block represents the

subject areas the discipline includes and the semicircular projections represent that there exists

interaction among the subjects emphasizing multidisciplinary scenario.

Figure 2-Detailed layout of basic Mechatronics

Evolution of Mechatronics

Mechatronics has evolved through the following stages:
•

Primary Level Mechatronics: Integrates electrical signaling with mechanical action at the
basic control level for e.g.fluid valves and relay switches

•

Secondary Level Mechatronics: Integrates microelectronics into electrically controlled devices
for e.g. cassette tape player.

•

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.

12

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vol. 1, 2006

•

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.

Scope of Mechatronics

The definition of mechatronics is elusive, as is the definition of computer. The scope of Mechatronics

is vast and can be enclosed within the following domain of activities:
•

Marketing: Signifies market research, identification of user needs, information analysis and
formulation of product specification.

•

Manufacturing: Looks into process development, production planning, material handling and
quality control.

•

Design: The concentration is on studying fundamental aspects of sensors, actuators, control
and integration methods. Broadly the core of a mechatronics system incorporates Mechanical,
Electronics, Control and Information system engineering.

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.

Figure 3 – Scope of Mechatronics

13

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vol. 1, 2006

Fig. 4 Mechatronic System

Fig. 5 Elements of Mechatronic System

The elements of a typical Mechatronics system are shown in Fig. 5

14

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vol. 1, 2006

•

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.

Mechatronics as Design Philosophy

It is “a design philosophy” where mechanical, electrical, electronics components, and it should be

considered together in the design stage to obtain an compact, efficient, and economic product design

rather than designing the components in stages separately. This is illustrated in fig. 6

Fig. 6 Conventional and Modern Design Approaches

Design trends in mechatronics are oriented to reduction of hardware parts of the systems and increasing

the software option volume to improve of the system functionality and system reliability. Typical

aspects of the mechatronics area are the applications of new physical principles, (smart) materials,

electronic and microelectronic systems, complex computing and controlling technologies and

progressive production processes.

15

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vol. 1, 2006

Future results of these special mechatronics aspects are the smart or intelligent systems suitable for all

applications areas of the human life necessity and human interactions to the nature.

Smart devices, while the term smart is elusive in precise definition, in the engineering sense we mean

the inclusion of elements such as logic, feedback, and computation that in a complex design may

appear to simulate human thinking processes.

Mechatronic systems are to be built, designed, monitored, controlled and simulated using hardware

and software tools(modularity), work bench(platforms) and techniques, considering harware software

integration parameters such as modularity, scalability, extendability, flexibility, interoperability,

interchangeability etc.

Measurement Systems

A fundamental part of many mechatronic system is a measurement system composed of the three basic

parts:

•

The transducer is a sensing device that converts a physical input into an output, usually a
voltage.

•

The signal processor performs filtering, amplification, or other signal conditioning on the
transducer output.

•

The recorder is an instrument, a computer, a hard-copy device, or simply a display that maintains
the sensor data for online monitoring or subsequent processing.

Fig.7

Examples of Measurement Systems – Digital Thermometer is shown in Fig. 7.

Micro Mechatronics

The system integration has another view point by combining micro sensor and actuator technologies,

which is defined as “micro-mechatronics”. Micro-mechanics is viewed as giving new birth to another

branch of mechatronics showing precision engineering and system integration. This filed introduced

16

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vol. 1, 2006

the bottoms-up approach from semiconductor technology based on photolithography, and the

downsizing/miniaturizing approach from conventional mechatronics, emerging into a new filed as

micro-mechatronics. Microsensors are good examples of micro-mechatronics with the development

of microprocessors and micro actuators.

Modelling and simulation

The behavior of engineering system is studied through modeling and simulation.state of the art

simulation, measurement and test technique enable us to accurately predict performance.

In a conventional design approach, components of a physical system are designed in isolation and test

its feasibility physical prototypes are made. Based on the prototype test results modifications are carried

out. Using such approach, several prototypes are required before a satisfactory design is achieved.

Since making physical prototypes is time consuming and expensive, a large investment is required,

particularly.

Alternatively, with the advent computers researchers are able to solve complex equations. Hence, instead

of viewing components of a physical system in isolation the whole system equations of motions are

derived based on the fundamental principles of the individual components., this is called modelling.

Modeling shapes the foundation for understanding, studying and manipulating the behaviour of the

systems. The total system equations are then solved using a computer, which is referred to as simulation.

The simulation results provide the nature of the system behaviour. Since changing the model parameters

and re-running the simulation does not take much time (only in minutes or hours), the number of real

prototypes are reduced, and a new product can be brought to the market much quicker than in the

conventional approach. This modelling and simulation together is also referred as virtual prototyping,

as it serves the purpose of physical prototypes without really making one.

The challenges in modelling and simulation or in virtual prototyping are:
1.

The methods and ways to write the system equations of motions so that computers take less time
to solve; and

2.

The numerical methods used to solve the equations so as to obtain realistic results without large
numerical errors, which have nothing to do with the physical systems.

Application of modeling and simulation

•

Concept design : a new idea to be examine / discussed / communicated.

•

Design refinement : re-run program with change input data.

•

Design verification : study performance.

•

Test planning : predict behaviour before a real test.

•

System re-construction : study a failure.

•

Teaching and training : useful tool for teaching and training.

17

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vol. 1, 2006

Future Trends

The future has much to offer. The reduction in component sizes is providing new types of actuator and

sensors, which are being increasingly utilized in complex systems such as the provision of low cost

radar sensors for autonomous robot systems and automotive uses.

Mechatronics allows both to achieve increased functionality for the same dimension of a system, and

to reduce its size for the same functionality.

As examples, today’s intelligent washing machines incorporate a wide variety of sensors (turbidity,

conductivity, temperature, humidity, waster-level, position, torque sensor), in order to optimize the

washing cycles and the final washing quality.

Conclusion

The knowledge of mechatronics is a prime requirement and is considered as fundamental to engineers

of all fields.

The concept of mechatronics is very important today to meet the customers’ ever increasing demands

and still remain competitive in the global market. Very often a mechanical engineer without the

mechatronics background is considered equivalent to a mechanical engineer without the engineering

drawing knowledge.

The growing importance of mechatronics, a truly multidisciplinary approach to engineering, is

becoming increasingly apparent. New products and systems based on the integrated application of

mechanics, electronic and computing engineering technologies are demonstrating reduced mechanical

complexity, increased performance, and often, previously impossible capabilities.

Mechatronics system has become increasingly popular because of their versatility, functionality and

high integration level. These advantages have been stimulated by factors including developments in

microprocessors, new and improved sensors and actuators, advances in design and analysis methods,

simulation tool and novel software techniques. To improve communication, control capabilities,

implementation simplicity, efficiency, reliability and safety system design.

Mechatronics is the challenge for future intelligent tools. An expansion of today technologies is expected

in application of nanoelectgronics, bio and molecular technologies. Future is in micromechatronics to

reach the unique quality of the system for new application areas. Mechatronic has a bright future and

will grow steadily in the 21

st

century.

References

1.

David G Alciatore, M B Histand “Introduction to Mechatronics and Measurement System”

2.

D Mecrulescu “Mechatronics

3.

J W Gardener “Microsensor”

4.

N P Mahalik “ Mechatronics Principle Concept & Application”

5.

W Bolton “Mechatronics”.