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
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" 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.
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" 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
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Fig. 4 Mechatronic System
Fig. 5 Elements of Mechatronic System
The elements of a typical Mechatronics system are shown in Fig. 5
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" 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.
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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
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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.
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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 21st 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 .
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