Untitled

• Group 1 Report

History Of Mechatronics

• The name "mechatronics" dates back to 1971.
• Tetsuro Mori, a senior engineer at Yaskawa Electric Corporation in Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, coined the term.
• Mechatronics integrates mechanics and electronics.
• Harashima, Tomizuka, and Fukada define mechatronics as the synergistic integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and intelligent computer control.
• This integration is applied to the design and manufacturing of industrial products and processes.
• Auslander and Kempf define mechatronics as the application of complex decision making to the operation of physical systems.
• Mechatronics engineering involves the study of mechanical, electrical, robotics, electronics, control, and telecommunications.

Design Concepts

• Concurrent discipline design forms the foundation of the mechatronic design methodology.
• The mechatronic design methodology improves synergistic products and overall performance.
• Modeling involves a visual interface for creating a mechatronic system.
• The interface integrates mechanical, electrical, and control components.
• It combines models from each domain to analyze and optimize behavior before physical prototyping.
• Simulation verifies a design before construction using modeling and simulation tools.
• It helps designers comprehend a system's behavior and optimize its design.
• Project Management handles a database for maintaining project information and sub-models for reuse.
• Design employs numerical methods for optimizing performance functions based on model parameters and signals.
• Analysis uses numerical methods for frequency domain, time domain, and complex domain assessments
• The real-Time Interface is an interface to the model via actuators and sensors, replacing parts of the model with real hardware.
• Code Generator generates high-level source code from the visual modeling interface or block diagram.
• The embedded processor will use the compiled control code and C language is typically used.
• The Embedded Processor Interface allows the embedded processor within the final product to communicate with a computer-aided prototyping environment; this is a full system prototype.
• The mechatronic design concept includes maintaining high quality and life cycle design.
• Important life cycle design factors include:
  • Delivery of time, cost, and medium
  • Reliability of failure rate, materials, and tolerances
  • Modular design for maintainability
  • Onboard diagnostics, prognostics, and modular design for serviceability
  • Future compatibility with current designs for upgradeability
  • Recycling and disposal of hazardous materials for disposability
• Stages in designing a mechatronic system:
  • The Need identifies customer needs via market research.
  • Analysis of the problem is critical to avoid wasting time.
  • Preparation of Specification is a definition of requirements and functions to be met.
  • Conceptualization generates possible solutions for each function required.
  • Optimization is about comparing different potential solutions to problems to find the most suitable one,
  • Detail Design may involve mechanical layout to physically accommodate all components.
• Production of Working Drawings: Selected designs are translated into working drawings, with circuit diagrams, and drawings included manufacturing tolerances

Traditional vs Mechatronics Approach

• Traditional approach systems are bulkier than mechatronics systems, which are compact
• Traditional systems mean complex interaction between many skills and fields, mechatronics is basic integration with mechanical engineering
• Traditional systems use manual controls, mechatronics systems use microprocessors
• Traditional systems use complex mechanisms, mechatronics systems use simplified ones
• Traditional systems use non adjustable movement cycles, mechatronics movements are programmed
• Traditional systems use constant speed drives, mechatronics ones use variable speed drives
• Traditional mechanical synchronization is replaced by electronic synchronization in mechatronics
• Traditional systems rely on tolerances of the mechanism for accuracy, modern systems use feedback
• Traditional systems feature more components, modern systems have fewer components
• Traditional systems have rigid heavy structures while modern systems can be built using light ones
• Traditional systems mean less accuracy and flexibility, modern systems mean more accuracy and higher flexibility
• Traditional systems mean less cost, modern systems tend to come for a higher cost.

Mechatronics Area of Study

• Key components are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer/information systems.
• Key areas of study include:
  • Physical Systems Modeling which involves creating mathematical models to represent, analyze, and help predict system behavior and optimize performance (ex: designing robotic arms for precision tasks, developing automobile suspensions to improve stability).
  • Sensors and Actuators detect environmental changes and provide input signals, while actuators convert signals into mechanical movement or actions (ex: automatic sliding glass doors with sensors).
  • Signals and Systems focuses on how systems process input signals to produce desired outputs, including filtering, feedback, and system dynamics (ex: smart home systems use signals to automate lighting and temperature, health care monitoring devices analyzing data for real-time diagnostics).
  • Computers and Logic Systems uses embedded systems, microcontrollers, and logic circuits to control and manage mechatronic devices (ex: self-driving cars rely on embedded system, consumer electronics use logic systems).
  • Software and Data Acquisition covers software development for controlling mechatronic systems, as well as the collecting of data for analysis and decision-making (ex: medical imaging systems use data acquisition to create diagnostic images).

Challenges to Industry

• Mechatronics provides numerous benefits but presents integration complexity between different systems and technologies.
• High Costs: Developing mechatronic systems involves using expensive sensors, actuators, and software.
• Reliability and Maintenance: Complex systems have more failure points and require sophisticated troubleshooting.
• Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Electronic waste waste from outdated systems can be an environmental concern,
• Rapid Technological Advancements mean industries must continuously upgrade their mechatronic systems to stay competitive.