INTRODUCTION OF MECHATRONIC DEVICES
OBJECTIVES
General objective : To understand the basics of mechatronic devices.
Specific objectives : At the end of the unit you should be able to:
· List the types of mechatronic devices.
· Describe the basics of mechatronic.
· Explain the mechatronic devices.
1.1 INTRODUCTION OF MECHATRONIC.
Mechatronic is a term coined by the Japanese to describe the integration of mechanical and electronic engineering. More specifically, it refers to a multidisciplinary approach to product and manufacturing system design. It represents the next generation machines, robots and smart mechanisms for carrying out work in a variety of environments-predominantly factory automation, office automation and home automation as shown in figure 1.1(a).
As a discipline, mechatronic encompasses electronics enhancing mechanics ( to provide high levels of precision and reliability) and electronics replacing mechanics (to provide new functions and capabilities). Some examples where mechanics has been enhanced by electronics are numerically controlled machines tools which cut metal automatically, industrial robots and automatic bank tellers. The products where electronics replaces mechanics include digital watches, calculator or others.
However, the products that really blur the distinction between electronics and mechanics are machines and robots driven by numerical control. Japan is the first country in the world to have mastered the NC machines technology and as a result the Japanese machine tool industry has flourished. This is because the Japanese have mastered mechatronics, the fusion of precision mechanics and electronics in design, engineering and manufacturing, which are popularly depicted by the Japanese as shown in figure 1.1(b).
1.2 SCOPE OF MECHATRONICS
Since the 1970s , there has been a dramatic change in the technology of these products, mainly an increasing content of electric and electronic systems integrated with the mechanical parts of the products, mechatronic. Example of products which have already moved to mechatronic technology from simple mechanical products are;a. Machine tools incorporating computer numerical control (CNC), electric servo drives,
electronic measuring systems, precision mechanical parts, such as ball screws,
anti friction guide ways and each others ?
b. Electronic watches incorporating fine mechanical parts and sophisticated
electronic circuits.
c. Electronic consumer products – washing machines, electronic cooking appliances,
fax, plain paper copiers and others.
In the last twenty years, the production technology has seen the introduction of high precision measuring instruments such as electronic gauges and measuring instruments, in process gauge and quality control instruments, laser measuring systems and others to ensure high dimensional accuracies, as well as increased productivity on the shop floor.
In the domain of factory automation, mechatronics has had far reaching effects in manufacturing and will gain even importance in future. Major constituents of factory automation include CNC machines, robots, automation systems and computer integration of all functions of manufacturing. Proper application, utilization and maintenance of these high technology products and systems is an important aspect that enhances the productivity and quality of products manufactured by the customers. To ensure correct selection of equipment, an accurate estimation of the techno-economics of various manufacturing systems, developments in the high technology machines and equipment are studied in detail. Also, proper maintenance of various mechatronic elements, diagnostics can increase the life of the various mechatronic elements, which in turn will enhance the life of the product or system. Such inputs in mechatronics can be best given by the manufacturers of hi-tech machines and manufacturing systems. In fact, the machine tool manufacturers are now being called upon to offer a total manufacturing for solution in production, by the customers, rather than supply of just the standalone machines. This trend is already evident in many of the advanced countries. Evidently, the design and manufacturing of future products will involve a combination of precision mechanical and electronic systems and mechatronics will form the core of all activities in products and production technology.
1.3 TYPES OF MECHATRONIC DEVICES.
In this module, we will discuss a several types of mechatronic devices which is in used by working design. The types of mechatronic devices is used such as switches, relay, solenoid, power diode, power transistor, thyristor, gate controller switch, rectifier , chopper, transducer and others. These types of devices will be discussed in this module by unit in this module.
