The twentieth century was very fruitful for the emergence of new sciences, one of which is mechatronics. Who should work after mastering this discipline? What is it and what does it do? How important is it in modern life? What prospects does it open for us? Who are the people who study this discipline at universities and on their own? Here is an incomplete list of questions that will be answered in the article.
What is mechatronics?
This term was obtained by combining the words "mechanics" and "electronics". It was first used in 1969. At this point in time, mechatronics is a science that is dedicated to the creation and purposeful operation of machines and systems, the movement of which is determined by electronic computer technology. It is based on knowledge of mechanics,
microprocessor technology, computer science, electronics and computer control of the movement of units and machines. You can study the basics of mechatronics if you wish, since there is enough scientific and educational literature in this area. For more, you will have to make significant efforts to find the necessary material. Although it is possible, theoretically, to figure out what constitutes mechatronics. What is this we have already figured out, let's move on to individual aspects.
Communication with robotics
Very often they can be found together. Why is that? The fact is that robotics is the most promising area of mechatronics, which can develop exclusively within its framework. Here you need to make a small digression. The fact is that now Mechatronics is engaged in automotive, aviation, space, household, medical and sports equipment. But in order to manufacture objects of this type, there are separate specialties. And specifically, in order to focus on the fact that students will be engaged in the design of robots, machine tools with numerically-programmed control and similar devices, as well as their creation, the training area is called “mechatronics and robotics”.
General description of the practical component
What does mechatronics give us? What is this in terms of the practice of creation? Let's look at the general scheme for constructing machines that have computer control and are focused on automating production and domestic tasks. The external environment for them is the technological environment with which interaction will take place. When the mechatronic system performs its functions, this is due to the working bodies. It should be noted that this scientific direction is quite young, there are a lot of inaccuracies and vague formulations even in the scientific literature, so some theoretical principles may change over time. Mechatronic systems are formed of three parts that are interconnected by information and energy flows:
- Electromechanical. This includes mechanical links, gears, electric motors, sensors, a working body, additional electrical components, sensors. All components are used in order to provide the necessary movements. Of particular importance for the correct execution of tasks are sensors. They collect data about the state of the object of work and the environment, directly mechatronic device and its components.
- Electronic. These include microelectronic devices, power converters and measuring circuits.
- Computer. These include microcontrollers and top-level electronic computers .
The main functions of mechatronic systems
At the moment, 4 are distinguished:
- Real-time control of the mechanical movement process with simultaneous processing of information that comes from their sensors.
- Co-organization of their actions with external sources of influence.
- Interaction with a person through a special interface in offline mode or in real time.
- Organization of data exchange between sensors, peripherals and other components of the system.
The task of mechatronics
They must solve the problem of converting input information that comes from the upper level of control into the necessary mechanical movements. In this case, as a rule, the principle of feedback is used. In designing, this task is expressed in the fact that several elements are integrated into one functional module, which have a different nature - this is the specificity that mechatronics has. The specialty of people who are engaged in the achievement of these goals can be very different. Ideally, when providing the planned information, the desired result will be obtained. Software should help in this hardware component.
The advantage of the mechatronic approach in solving real problems
Comparison will be made with traditional automation tools:
- Relatively low cost of systems, which is achieved due to significant integration, standardization and unification of all components of interfaces and elements.
- The ability to realize precise and complex movements thanks to intelligent control methods.
- High level of reliability, durability and noise immunity.
- Compactness of the used modules that allows to manage less area. They can also be relatively easy to combine to achieve the ability to perform specific tasks.
- Due to the simplification of the kinematic chains, the machines have good dynamic and mass-dimensional characteristics.
That's why mechatronics and robotics are developing. The specialty in this case allows you to get the data already selected and ready for study, while in self-education you have to look for everything yourself.
Examples of mechatronics in real life
Where can we find similar systems near us? To do this, I propose to look at such areas of human activity:
- Machine tool construction and manufacturing of equipment for the automation of technological processes.
- Robotics.
- Military, space and aviation equipment.
- Automotive industry (for example, mechatronic systems are traffic stabilization, automatic parking and similar developments).
- Various non-standard means of transportation and transportation (electric scooters, freight carts, wheelchairs, electric bicycles).
- Control and measuring machines and devices.
- Office equipment (fax and photocopiers).
- Medical equipment (resuscitation, rehabilitation, clinical).
- Household appliances (sewing, dishwashers, washing machines and other similar machines).
- Simulators for training operators, drivers, pilots.
- Systems of light and sound design.
- Micromachines (actively used in medicine, biotechnology, telecommunications).
This list can be continued for a very long time.
Higher education: mechatronics and robotics
Universities offer the opportunity to learn a wide range of professional skills. This list can be very long, but try to make it as short as possible:
- Assess the relevance, prospects and significance of projects.
- To develop information, electromechanical, electro-hydraulic, electronic and microprocessor models of system modules.
- Create software to control mechatronic devices if necessary.
- Draw up design documents that will describe the design and manufacturing process of individual parts.
- Monitor developments for compliance with standards.
- To make, assemble and test the designed equipment.
- Draw up patent and license passports.
- To modernize and debug mechatronic systems.
- Prepare instructions for using the device.
This is what any faculty of mechatronics and robotics licensed by the Ministry of Education can provide its students with. There are few of them, basically there are separate departments, but you can get the necessary education at them.
Self-realization of a person who knows mechatronics and robotics: who should work?
Where can I find a job after graduation? Specialists of this profile create and design robotic systems for industrial and domestic use. They can also develop software to ensure their management and convenient operation. After getting an education, they usually start working as assistants to designers, programmers and technicians, although the prospects for a further job are very wide, because facilitating a person’s work and improving his result is the ultimate task that mechatronics has. What is it, we have already studied. And finally, we want to inform you that it would be possible to engage in one of these activities:
- Research.
- Design.
- Operational.
- Organizational and management.
A feature of this specialty is that there is a significant lack of personnel. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find employment even for self-taught people who were able to demonstrate a significant level of skills and practical skills.
Conclusion
All professions are important, they are all needed. Without exaggerating, we can say that what we described is one of the specialties of the future. Demand for mental workers of this profile is constantly growing. This fact, as well as a good level of cash security, allows us to say that this direction will become much more popular in the coming decades. It is possible that the specialties of lawyers, economists and managers will recede into the background and mechatronics will come forward. We already know what this is, and with an understanding of the importance of this scientific discipline, agreement will also come with these words.