A multidisciplinary field that refers to the skill sets needed in the contemporary, advanced automated manufacturing industry. It can also be defined as the intersecting of mechanics, electronics, and computing. Mechatronics also includes a combination of robotics, computer science, telecommunications, control, and product engineering.
Note: Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing are not the same thing.
Mechatronic professionals know both mechanical and electrical engineering fundamentals, so a mechatronic professional moves between the teams of mechanics and electrical engineers, sometimes bridging the gap between the two disciplines.
Many mechatronic professionals find themselves working with robots- from massive industrial robots to drones, to food packaging machines, and even designing the controls for rides in amusement parks.
Key Aspects of the mechatronics field:
Mechanical Engineering: Mechatronics involves the design and analysis of mechanical systems, such as sensors, actuators, and mechanical structures. This can include anything from robotic arms and automated machinery to consumer products like cameras with auto-focus mechanisms.
Electronics: Electronic components and circuits are used to control and monitor the mechanical aspects of a system. Sensors collect data from the environment, and microcontrollers or microprocessors process this data to make decisions and control actuators. This might involve things like circuit design, PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), and electronic components.
Control Systems: Mechatronic systems often rely on control theory to regulate the behavior of mechanical components. This can involve feedback loops and control algorithms to ensure precise and desired system performance. Control engineering is crucial to maintaining stability and optimizing the system's operation.
Software and Programming: Mechatronics systems often involve software development to control and coordinate the various components. This can include writing code for microcontrollers, implementing user interfaces, and integrating systems with computer networks.
Sensors and Actuators: Sensors gather information about the system's environment, and actuators take action based on this information. Sensors can include things like cameras, accelerometers, temperature sensors, and more. Actuators might be motors, solenoids, or other mechanisms that move, manipulate, or change the state of the system.
Integration: Mechatronics requires a holistic approach, bringing together experts from various disciplines to work collaboratively. Engineers in this field need to understand and bridge the gaps between mechanical, electrical, and software engineering.
Applications: Mechatronics is applied in a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and consumer electronics. Examples include industrial automation, robotics, automated vehicles, smart appliances, and more.
Innovation and Automation: Mechatronics has a strong focus on automation and improving the efficiency and performance of systems. It plays a crucial role in enabling advancements in industries by developing smarter and more capable machines and products.
Common applications include: