An overview of Mechatronics
The discipline of Mechatronics cannot be visualized as a signal entity. The definition of Mechatronics is elusive as it gives a broad meaning or concept of Mechatronics. The scope of Mechatronics is quite vast and the following activities can be enclosed is it.
a. Marketing
b. Manufacturing
c. Design
All of the above activities may not have direct impact on the field of Mechatronics.
Marketing as we all know is to identify user needs by surveying, analysing the data and finally the product specification for customer satisfaction.
Design concept is not limited only to dimensions, loads, materials, quality etc., but also from the aesthetic, comfort to use, cost, reliability, service etc. Many of the domestic appliances are designed from aesthetic point of view and some from the comfort point of view. Remote controlled gadgets such as TV, VCR, DVD players, automatic washing machines, remote controlled locking and unlocking system of automobile doors etc are designs from the comfort point of view and all these are mechatronic systems.
Design of mechatronics system
As far as the design of Machatronic systems is concerned the emphasis is more on understanding the fundamentals aspects of sensors, actuators, controls and integration methods, irrespective of the structure and implementation. The core of Mechatronics system broadly incorporates mechanical, electrical, electronics, information and control system engineering.
Mechanical engineering is quite a vast field. But as far as Mechatronics is concerned, actuation, modeling and mechanism are more important.
Electrical Engineering in Mechantronics is majority concerned with electrical actuators such as motors.
Electronic involves manipulation of electrical current and voltage using various components. These components are connected together to form circuit for controlling mechatronics systems. Electronic circuits range from simple load resistors to CPU and ASIC which contains millions of transistors.
Various control systems are adopted depending on the sophistication requirement.
Information systems are genetic and play an important role that significantly enhance the probability at all levels of control system