Introduction to Mechatronics

Study Notes

Mechatronics Overview

Mechatronics is a field of engineering that combines various disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, telecommunication, control, and computer engineering.
The goal of mechatronics is to unify engineering disciplines in a design process.
The mechatronics industry employs both engineers (design/development) and technicians (maintenance).

Career Options in Mechatronics

Mechatronics professionals (technicians and engineers) work in labs, offices, or on-site manufacturing plants.
Their aim is to build safe and efficient automated equipment.
Technicians primarily maintain machinery, while engineers focus on component/product design and development.

Mechatronics Terms

Accelerometer: Measures acceleration, often using piezoelectric materials.
Actuator: Applies force or displacement within a system, especially in computer control.
Alternating Current: Electric current whose direction oscillates.
D/A Converter: Translates digital signals into analog voltage/current levels.
Ampere: Unit for measuring electric current (flow of 1 coulomb/second).
Analog: Continuous, relating to the real world.
Asynchronous: Describes computer connections that can wait or be interrupt-driven.
Battery: Combination of cells to produce electrical potential.
Calibration: Comparing transducer outputs against reference standards.
Capacitor: Stores electrical charge.
Coulomb's Law: Describes the attractive/repulsive force between charged objects.
Commutator: Device for reversing current direction.
Diode: Electrical device allowing current flow in one direction.
Electrical Conductor: Material allowing easy current flow.
Electrical Insulator: Material preventing current flow.
Electric Current: Flow of charge due to potential difference.
Electrical Circuit: Conducting path for electrons between differing potentials.
Electric Motor: Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Facility: A structure for a specific use (e.g., medical).
Grounding: Provides a conducting path for electric charges to the ground.
Hydraulics: Systems using fluid displacement for mechanical work.
Hertz: Unit of frequency (cycles per second).
Horsepower: Unit of power measurement (746 watts).
Inductor: Electrical device resisting current change, creating a proportional magnetic field.
Multiplexer: Equipment transmitting multiple signals on a single line.
Parallel Circuit: Electrical circuit with more than one path for current.
Potentiometer: Measures electric potential by comparison.
Power: Rate of doing work (force x distance/time).
Pressure: Force intensity (force/area).
Resonance: Vibration at a system's natural frequency.
Sampling: Converting analog signals to digital representations.
Saturation: Nonlinear behavior in an electrical system reaches a max limit.
Semiconductor: Material acting as an insulator but becomes a conductor with added energy.
Series Circuit: Electrical circuit with a single path for current.
Span: Algebraic difference in a range (zero to full scale).
Spectrum: Plot representing a signal's frequency content.
Tare: Deducted amount from gross weight.
Thermistor: Device with resistance that varies with temperature.
Transducer: Device transforming a physical stimulus to an electrical signal.
Transformer: Device for increasing/decreasing voltage.
Transistor: Semiconducting electrical device, often as an amplifier or switch.
Transmitter: Device transmitting signals.
Voltage Difference: Difference in electrical potential between two points.
Work: The process of moving something a distance with force.
Pneumatics: Branch of physics dealing with air and gas mechanics.
Dielectric: Non-conducting substance/insulator.

Other Important Concepts

Amplifier: Electronic component to boost power, current, or voltage.
Digital: Using numerical digits (often binary).
Mechanism: A collection of moving parts (often in machines).
Resistance: Property opposing current flow in a conductor.
Relay: Device switching circuits based on current or voltage changes.
Optocoupler: Electronically transmits signals through light.
Oscilloscope: Graphically displays voltage/current variations over time.
Generator: Machine converting energy forms (often mechanical to electrical).
Servomotor: Motor part of a control system.
Controller: Remote hardware to manage electronic devices.
Programming: Act of planning and writing code.
Instrument: Device for measuring quantities.
Driver: Software/hardware connecting computers to devices.
Piezoelectric: Electricity produced by pressure/stress.
Blueprint: Architectural/mechanical plan/outline.
Maintenance: Caring for machinery/property.
Measurement: Determining the dimensions or values of something.