Mechatronics in conclusion

Mechatronics involves the bringing together of a number of technologies: mechanical engineering, electronic engineering,computer technology, and control engineering. This can be considered to be the application of computer based digital control techniques, through electronic and electric interfaces, to mechanical engineering problems. Mechatronics provides an opportunity to take a new look problems. with mechanical engineers not just seeing a problem in terms of mechanical principles but having to see  it in terms of a range of technologies. The electronics, etc., should not be seen as a bolt-on item to existing mechanical hardware. A mechatronics approach needs to be adopted right from the design phase. there needs to be a complete rethink of the requirements in terms of what an item is required to do.
There are many applications of mechatronics in the mass produced products used in the home. Microprocessor based controllers are to be found in domestic washing machines, dish washers, microwaves ovens, cameras, camcorders, watches, hi-fi machines, etc. They are to be found in cars in the active suspension, anti-skid brakes, engine control, speedometer display, transmission, etc.
A larger scale application of mechatronics is a flexible manufacturing engineering system (FMS) involving computer controlled machines, robots, automatic material conveying and overall supervisory control.

Mechatronics Tutorial Information

Very useful website for more mechatronics tutorial information.
Mechatronics Tutorial Information

EMYS MKII

The Cubli: a cube that can jump up, balance, and 'walk'

Mechatronics systems

Mechtronics involves, what termed, systems. A system can be thought of as a box which has an input and an output where we are not concerned with what goes on inside the box but only the relationship between the output and the input. Thus, for example, a motor may be thought of as a system which has its input electric power and as output the rotation of shaft.

                           

A measurement system can be thought of as a black box which is used for making measurements. It has as its input the quantity or object being measured and its output the value of that quantity or object. Also can in general be considered to be made up of three elements as following:

1. A sensor which responds to the quantity or object being measured by giving as its output a signal which is related to the quantity.
2. A signal conditioner takes the signal from the sensor and manipulates it into a condition which is suitable for either display or in the case of a control system.
3. A display system where the output from the signal conditioner is displayed this might be for example be a pointer moving across a scale or a digital readout.

A control systems is maintaining constancy of process and operations according to required conditions and provides the appropriate response in order to obtain the required action. There are two basic forms of control systems as following:

1. Open-loop control system the output from the system has no effect on the input signal, there is no information feedback to the element to adjust and maintain the required response and action. Also open-loop systems have the advantage of being relatively simple and consequently low cost with generally good reliability. However, they are often inaccurate since there is no correction for error. 
2. Closed-loop control system the output does have an effect on the input signal, modifying it to maintain an output signal at the required value. Also closed-loop systems have the advantage of being relatively accurate in matching the actual to the required values 

                 

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