Mechatronics - An Overview

Mechatronics is an integration of different engineering systems including mechanics, electronics and computer science. Mechatronics is widely applied in everyday life for solutions ranging from optical telecommunication to transportation and biomedical engineering.

Mechatronics-enabled systems are efficient and reliable, and have microcontrollers to ensure smooth functioning and higher dependability. These systems have sensors to absorb signals from the surroundings, and use appropriate processing to generate acquired output signals. The principles of mechatronics are regularly applied to robots, automated guided vehicles, digitally controlled combust engines, aircraft flight control and navigation systems, and smart home appliances.

A mechatronics system includes a measurement and actutation module, a communication module, a CPU, an output signal conditioning module, and a feedback module.

A measurement and actutation module comprises of actuators and sensors to receive and reply to signals.

A communication module comprises of circuits and bus communication in order to generate signals by measuring the relative position of actuators and sensors. These singals are then transferred to the CPU. 

The CPU recieves the signal and performs logical and arithmetic operations with a processor and software.

An output signal conditioning module includes amplifiers to drive plotter, audio-visual indicators, ADC/DAC’s and displays. The output signal is forwarded to feedback module. 

The feedback module generates signal proportional to the output signal which is finally forwarded to the measurement and actuation module. 

The main focus of research in the mechatronics domain is the application of electronics, controls, communications and computational intelligence to manufacturing systems and processes. A typical mechatronics system would a device designed to improve the physical interaction between humans and machines. This makes it easier for an operator to interact with the system with little physical effort. 

Currently, researchers are using mechatronics to improve quality of machines in the following spheres: body implants to improve physiological condition, robotics, military robotics, 3d manufacturing, and unmanned robots for oceanographic exploration.