Clint James A.

Agustin BSME – LP5

INTRODUCTION TO MECHATRONICS
Mechatronics, which is also called mechatronic engineering, is a multidisciplinary
branch of engineering that focuses on the engineering of both electrical and mechanical
systems, and also includes a combination of robotics, electronics, computer,
telecommunications, systems, control, and product engineering.

The term mechatronics was coined by Tetsuru Mori, a senior Japanese engineer at
Yasakawa Company in 1969.
A mechatronic system is a computer controlled mechanical system

1.1 COMPONENTS

 Mechanical – The moving parts of the system

 Electronics – the part which contains the circuits and regulators
 Sensors – components that detect physical properties such as temperature, light sound
and etc.
 Actuators – a device that causes the other parts to operate such as pistons, solenoids
and etc.
 Control – the component that creates the link between the human and the actuators
 Computing – these are the computing parts of the mechatronic system

1.2 Evolution of automated systems:

1. Completely mechanical automatic systems (before and early 1900s)
2. Automatic devices with electronic components such as relays, transistors, op-amps (early
1900s to 1970s)
3. Computer controlled automatic systems (1970s–present)
 MODULES OF MECHATRONIC SYSTEM
2.1 Sensing
1. Sensors – components that detect physical properties such as temperature, light sound
and etc.
2. Signal Conditioning – the signals produced by the sensors are not in a form ready to be
read by the controller and need some signal conditioning operations performed on
them
3. Analog-Digital & Digital-Analog Conversions - conditioned, sensed signals are then
converted to a digital form by Analog-to-Digital Convertor (ADC) and are then sent to
the controller.
2.2 Control
1. Open Loop - the command signals are sent to the actuators without utilizing any
feedback information from the sensors
2. Closed Loop - command signals sent to the actuators utilize the feedback information
from the sensors
2.3 Action
1. Drive Circuits - is an electrical circuit or other electronic component used to control
another circuit or component
2. Actuators - a device that causes the other parts to operate such as pistons, solenoids
and etc.
 3. Motors – devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.

BENEFITS OF MECHATRONIC SYSTEM

 Enhanced Features and functionality

A mechanical design typically provides only one function. Designing with a microcontroller
offers the flexibility of adding features like LCD displays, lighting LEDs, a user interface,
programmability, safety features, speed control etc. Modern washing machines, for instance,
offer many features over the mechanical designs of old. These features include a display that
gives cycle information as well as providing a stain removal guide. These machines use
microcontrollers to efficiently vary the speed of different cycles based on the content being
washed.

 More User Friendly

Mechatronic systems are more user-friendly e.g. power door locks, keyless entry, cruise
control etc.

 Lower Cost
A complex mechanical solution may be simplified using a microcontroller-based approach.
Design time, product size, and reliability can all be improved with a mechatronic solution.

 Precision Control
Flow rate, speed, position, and any number of other variables can be controlled precisely
with a microcontroller. Cruise control in an automobile is a great example of how a
mechatronic solution allows for precise control. In order to give the car a smooth acceleration
to the desired speed as well as maintaining a constant velocity over varying load conditions.

 More Efficient
The efficiency of a system can be improved by adding intelligence to the design. Certain
portions of the system can be shut-off when not in use or a microcontroller can make better
use of the energy available

 Flexible Design
Mechatronic systems are flexible and can be easily switched to perform different jobs by
simply changing the robot control program. This procedure is called "reprogramming“.

 More Reliable
 Mechanical designs are prone to wear and tear over time. For example mechanical
odometers use a direct drive system that consists of a flexible cable running from the
transmission to the odometer gage. The solution is unreliable because the cable is prone to
failure. The modern mechatronic solution consists of an optical encoder and digital display,
which increases system reliability.

 Smaller Size
Adding a microcontroller to a system may result in space savings.

 Safer
Adding intelligence to a system makes it safer. Whether you add an automatic shutdown to
a coffee pot or sense when a system is overheating, numerous safety checks can be easily
added to a system when a microcontroller is controlling the system.