The document provides an introduction to mechatronics systems. It discusses: 1. The origins and definitions of mechatronics, which involves the synergistic integration of mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer control. 2. Mechatronics has evolved through industrial, semiconductor, and information revolutions to allow the integration of sensors, actuators, computers, and control systems. 3. Common mechatronics applications include smart consumer products, medical devices, manufacturing systems, and automotive systems.

1. ME 1024 – ELEMENTS OF MECHATRONICS
1
UNIT – 1 INTRODUCTION

2. 2
The word mechatronics was originated from Japan (Yasakawa Electric Company) in the
late 1960s, spread through Europe, and is now commonly used round the globe.
“The word, mechatronics, is composed of ‘mecha’ from mechanism and the ‘tronics’
from electronics.
Mechatronics solves technological problems using interdisciplinary knowledge consisting
of mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer technology.
In 1996, Harashima, Tomizuka, and Fukuda defined mechatronics as being “the
synergistic integration of mechanical engineering, with electronics and intelligent computer
control in the design and manufacturing of industrial products and processes.”
Bolton presented yet another definition by saying “The term mechatronics is used for this
integration of microprocessor control system, electrical system and mechanical system.”
Mechatronics is the field of study concerned with the design, selection, analysis, and
control of systems that combine mechanical elements with electronic components,
including computers and/or microcontrollers.
Introduction to Mechatronics Systems

3. 3
Mechatronics is the synergistic integration of sensors, actuators, signal conditioning, power
electronics, decision and control algorithms, and computer hardware and software to
manage complexity, uncertainty, and communication in engineered systems.
Working definition
Graphical Representation of Mechatronics

4. 4

5. 5
Evolution of Mechatronics
Technological advances in design, manufacturing, and operation of engineered
products/devices/processes can be traced through:
– Industrial revolution
– Semiconductor revolution
– Information revolution
Industrial Revolution
• Allowed design of products and processes for energy conversion and transmission thus
allowing the use of energy to do useful work.
• Engineering designs of this era were largely mechanical
– e.g., operations of motion transmission, sensing, actuation, and computation were
performed using mechanical components such as cams, gears, levers, and linkages).
• Purely mechanical systems suffer from
– Power amplification inability.
– Energy losses due to tolerances, inertia, and friction.

6. 6

7. 7
Semiconductor Revolution
• Led to the creation of integrated circuit (IC) technology.
• Effective, miniaturized, power electronics could amplify and deliver needed amount of
power to actuators.
• Signal conditioning electronics could filter and encode sensory data in analog/digital
format.
• Hard-wired, on-board, discrete analog/digital ICs provided rudimentary computational
and decision-making circuits for control of mechanical devices.

8. 8
Information Revolution
• Development of VLSI technology led to the introduction of microprocessor,
microcomputer, and microcontroller.
• Now computing hardware is everywhere, cheap, and small.
• As computing hardware can be effortlessly interfaced with real world electromechanical
systems, it is now routinely embedded in engineered products/processes for decision-
making.
– Microcontrollers are replacing precision mechanical components, e.g., precision
machined camshaft that in many applications functions as a timing device.
– Programmability of microcontrollers is providing a versatile and flexible alternative to the
hard-wired analog/digital computational hardware.
– Integrated computer-electrical-mechanical devices are now capable of converting,
transmitting, and processing both the physical energy and the virtual energy (information).
• Result: Highly efficient products and processes are now being developed by
judicious selection and integration of sensors, actuators, signal conditioning, power
electronics, decision and control algorithms, and computer hardware and software.

9. 9
Mechatronics has evolved through the following stages:
• Primary Level Mechatronics: Integrates electrical signaling with mechanical action at the
basic control level for e.g.fluid valves and relay switches
• Secondary Level Mechatronics: Integrates microelectronics into electrically controlled
devices for e.g. cassette tape player.
• Tertiary Level Mechantronics: Incorporates advanced control strategy using
microelectronics, microprocessors and other application specific integrated circuits for e.g.
microprocessor based electrical motor used for actuation purpose in robots.
• Quaternary Level Mechatronics: This level attempts to improve smartness a step ahead
by introducing intelligence ( artificial neutral network and fuzzy logic ) and fault detection
and isolation ( F.D.I.) capability into the system.

10. 10
Mechatronics Applications
• Smart consumer products: home security, camera, microwave oven, toaster, dish washer,
laundry washer-dryer, climate control units, Automatic Digital Cemera etc.
•Computer disk VCR/DVD drives, ATM, etc
• Medical: implant-devices, assisted surgery, haptic, etc.
• Defense: unmanned air, ground, and underwater vehicles, smart weapons, jet engines, etc.
• Manufacturing: NC & CNC machine tools, Rapid Prototyping, robotics, etc.
• Automotive: climate control, antilock brake, active suspension, cruise control, air bags,
engine management, safety, etc.
• Network-centric, distributed systems: distributed robotics, telerobotics, intelligent highways,
etc.

11. 11

12. 12

13. 13

14. 14

15. 15

16. 16
Advantages of Mechatronics
Cost effective and good quality products
High degree of flexibility to modify or redesign
Very good performance characteristics
Wide are of application
Greater productivity in case of manufacturing organization
Greater extend of machine utilization
Disadvantages of Mechatronics
High Initial cost
Multi-disciplinary engineering background required to design and implementation
Need of highly trained workers
Complexity in identification an correction of problems in the system

17. Elements of Mechatronics System

18. 18
Actuators & Sensors
Sensors and actuators come under mechanical systems
Actuators Sensors
The actuators produce
motion or cause some action
The sensors detect the state
of the system parameters,
inputs and outputs
Various actuators: Pneumatic
an hydraulic actuators,
Electro Mechanical actuators,
Piezoelectric, Electrical
Motors, i.e. D.C, A.C, Stepper,
Servo motors.
Various Sensors: Liner and
rotaional sensors,
acceleration sensors, force,
torque, pressure sensor,
temperature, proximity and
light sensors.

19. 19

20. Difference between Open loop and Closed loop
system
SI.No. Open loop system Closed loop system
1 Not using feedback Feedback using
2 Less accurate More accurate
3 Simple in construction Complicated in construction
4 Optimisation in control is not possible Optimisation in control is possible
5 Easy maintenance & cost is less Difficult to maintain & cost is more
6 Eg. CD deck, Digital thermometer Eg. Automatic water level, washing
machine

21. Open Loop system

22. Closed loop system

23. Basic Elements of a closed loop
system
1.Comparison element
2.Control element
3.Correction element
4.Process elements
5.Measurement elements

24. Various elements for controlling the
room temperature.
Controlled variable - the room temperature
Reference value - the required room temperature
Comparison element - the person comparing the measured value wit required temp.
Error signal - difference between measured and required temperatures
Control unit - the person
Correction unit - the switch on the fire
Process unit - the heating by the fire
Measuring device - a thermometer

25. Shaft Speed Control

26. Water Level Controller

27. Washing machine control

28. Cam operated Switch

29. Engine Management system

30. Automatic Camera

31. The Digital Camera

32. The basic elements of a
mechatronics system