Characteristics of design and development model for mechatronic.

AuthorSeyedhosein, S. Mohammad
  1. INTRODUCTION

    Today, in order to compete in dynamic environments with constant and unpredictable changes, the manufacturing organizations require use of advanced technology in the design and development process of its products. Mechatronic technology has been created from the synergetic combination of multiple areas which have specific capabilities (such as intelligence and fast compatibility to meet the requirements in these environments. Key factor in mechatronics includes the integration of microelectronics, computer science and information technology in the design of mechanical systems to obtain the best possible solution, which obviously designing such processes and products requires interdisciplinary activities, instead of mono disciplinary ones.

    Hence Mechatronic Engineering is not a new branch but it develops a new concept, which emphasizes on the need for increased communication between different branches of engineering. As a result, mechatronics is being competed with traditional engineering thinking, because, to achieve optimal solution for the best design tasks, it needs to create confluence between the limits of the traditional engineering's disciplines.

    Increased flexibility, versatility, level of products and systems' intelligence, safety and reliability , as well as reduced fuel consumption and cost all are among the benefits obtained due to use of the mechatronics concept in the design process--the benefits which mean more customer demand, faster production, lower cost and service to greater markets

    This paper focuses on particular model of product design and development based on mechatronics technology. Initially, after referring to the concept of mechatronics and certain features in this area, the models obtained from other areas involved have been studied for design and development of mechatronic products; then considering the requirements of each area, strengths and weaknesses of each model have been specified; and finally, the necessary characteristics for an integrated model of mechatronics has been proposed.

    It is hoped that this paper will be effective in creating appropriate background for more efficient use of capabilities in the mechatronic field to manufacture the products with competitive capacity.

  2. MECHATRONIC CONCEPT

    The term mechatronics is a combination of two words, Mecha ( abbreviated from the term of Mechanics Electronic).

    For the first time in 1969, this term was introduced for electronic control of electric motors by a Japanese engineer who was involved in research on computer-controlled electric motors in Yaskawa Electric Co. namely [Hewit, 1993]. Then, the word mechatronics was used for those products which have been generated based on synergetic integration of mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer engineering and control systems.

    Various definitions are already proposed on mechatronics, of which the most important ones are as follows :

    "A synergetic combination of mechanical engineering, electronics, computer engineering, control systems and information technology in the design and manufacturing of high precision industrial products and processes."[ Hewit,1993]

    "Mechatronics is an integrated, synergetic cooperation of mechanical engineering, electronics and intelligent computer control in the design and manufacturing of products and processes."[Bradly, 1997] "Mechatronics is the design and manufacturing of products and processes which both have mechanical functions and benefit from integrated control algorithms." [Acer, 1995]

    "Design of Intelligent Machine." [Acer, 1995]

    However, today this term includes a huge range of technologies related to mechanics, electronics and computer software or information technology; in the better words, mechatronics is regarded as a branch of engineering science which is related to the combination of mechanics, electronics, control systems, and computer sciences.

    Figure 1 shows a combination of different domain to form the concept of mechatronic.

  3. TREND OF USING MODELS FOR THE MECHATRONIC PRODUCTS

    As was noted, mechatronics as an interdisciplinary technology has benefited from the combination of different disciplines, but because of the same areas, design and development model of other areas involved (instead of designing a special model) have been...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT