A mechatronic system - role, need and clarification

The term mechatronics is composed of "mecha" from mechanical and "tronics" from electronics. Mechatronics is a fairly new area compared to other technologies. It was termed by Tetsuro Mori who was a Japanese senior engineer at Yasakawa Electric Corporation in the year 1969. Yasakawa Electric Corporation was famous for building mechanical factory equipment. At the time, the corporation was using electronic features for manufacturing mechanical equipment. Testuro Mori wanted to introduce a technical term for this new technology and came up with the term mechatronics consisting of both mechanical and electronics.

The basic elements of a mechanical system consist of Digital/analogue sensors, microprocessors, digital/analogue actuators. Each and every single part of the mechatronics system plays a very important role in the functioning of the entire system. The sensors are devices whose role is to detect the changes in or around the system. A microprocessor system consists of the data input, storage, processing and output devices. It can be considered as the central processing unit of the system. Finally the actuators are responsible for moving and controlling the system.  

 Role and need

If we think about it, we come to the realization that the applications of a mechatronics system can be seen everywhere around us and is very broad. This technology is nowadays used in the automation of machines, servo-mechanics, industrial goods, biomedical systems, energy and power systems, vehicular systems, data communication systems, computer aided design, CNC and DNC systems, etc. 

MEDICAL:

Throughout the years mechatronics have influenced the medical industry as well. Some of the benefits that we get from the mechatronics system over traditional methods are the reduction in the size of the devices, low cost disposable devices can be manufactured, the increase in the efficiency of the said devices and higher accuracy and precision. The best example of all the above stated points we can see is in 3D printing. The improvements that mechatronics has allowed the medical devices has changed the face of the industry. 3D printing is now being used to print stem cells, blood vessels, heart tissues, prosthetic organs and skin. 3D printing is also helps to study the cancer cells by printing the infected cells.

AROUND THE HOUSE:

The possibilities with the mechatronics system are limitless. Now we have gotten systems that can start the lights when someone enters the room, fans that can vary their speed according to the temperature of the room and so on the list is countless. Many ideas such as Refrigerators that can order milk when you are running low, Washers that text you when the load is ready for the dryer, Vacuums that carry cats around the house while they clean your hardwood floors are also being implemented nowadays around the house. All of these devices can be connected to your smartphone and you can have complete autonomy over these systems.

CARS:

The manufacturing processes in the automobile industry has been made much more convenient as it has become automated for the most part by the help of mechatronic systems. Industrial robots perform consistently and quickly, enabling manufacturers to keep up with demand while reducing costs. Like many other areas, manufacturing has adopted these systems to ensure efficiency. Not only has the manufacturing process been under massive changes but also the basic systems in cars such as the air bags inflation, anti-lock brakes, much higher stabilization have saved many lives. Another massive breakthrough by using mechatronic systems are the autonomous vehicles. The main features of these vehicles is that the car drives itself

 

SPACE:

 

Space robotics will become a key technology for the exploration of the outer space and the operation and maintenance of space stations, satellites and other platforms, saving costs and relieving man from dangerous tasks. The Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity provided a view of the red planet that had never been seen, sending to Earth a combined 342,432 pictures. Some proposed uses for mechatronics in space exploration include robotic arms on the International Space Station, development of life-sustaining systems on the moon or otherwise uninhabitable planets, or flying robots to examine planets’ surfaces

 

Clarification

Even though we have discussed about many of its uses, advantages and real life applications, there are still some points that we need to set straight about mechatronic systems. The initial cost of installing/setting up the system is high and may turn off a lot of people from even starting the discussion about these systems. After the system has been set up, to monitor the workings of the systems just so the systems can be in good working quality is also costly i.e. the maintenance and repair cost is costly. To operate very complicated systems a thorough understanding of the subject is required hence you need someone with a multi-disciplinary engineering background to design and implement it in actuality. In industries where the systems are very complicated highly trained workers are required to operate the systems. If under any circumstances you need to change the entire system it will also be very difficult to replace. If someone is looking for short term manufacturing in industries then mechatronics systems is not recommended. Lastly to identify the faults in a system is also very difficult.

In the past 50 years mechatronics has evolved to such an extent that just on a command you can do multiple operations. From being only used in big industries for manufacturing to being used in homes very regularly the systems keep evolving even to this day. Mechatronics systems are being used in manufacturing of health care, space exploration, cars and many other industries. The possibilities with these mechanicals systems are infinite and are generally more efficient than regular methods. Even though it has so many advantages over regular methods no one system comes with some disadvantages (monetary and maintenance issues) and mechatronic systems are familiar to it.

 Authors-

Guided by :- Prof. PROF.(SMT.) SHIRBAVIKAR KETKI AKSHAY

Upendra Dani (55) 

Vishwajeet Desai (64) 

Nivedita Deshmukh (66) 

Swanand Deshmukh (69) 

Saurabh Dhirde (76)