Mechatronic / Apparatus

Mechatronic is a technology which functionally and spatially integrates machine techniques with electronics and software in components, modules, products and compound systems.

Apparatus Technique and mechatronic

Mechatronic is an art word put together of mechanics and electronics. It arose in Japan in the late 70’s as a name for the new possibilities the combination of machine technique and microprocessors made available. Mechatronic very well corresponds to what we know as apparatus technique in Danish. Can we define mechatronic? The only firm ground is to establish in which way the combination of technologies happens:

Definition

Mechatronic is a technology that functionally and spatially integrates machine techniques with electronics and software in components, products and compound systems. The definition is based on a number of assumptions:

1. Mechatronic is a technology, which means a group of functionally principles, which are based on similarly physical phenomena.

2. Mechatronic require two types of integration:
- a functional on, which means the functions of the equipment are divided between the three technologies:
- a spatially one, which means that the three technologies are physically placed in the same unit.

3. Mechatronic can be found on component-, module, product and system level.

Intelligence and flexibility

Apparatus are, by that mean, products that are based on mechatronic technology, f. ex electronic sewing machines, video recorders, robots and medical equipment. The characters typically achieved by using mechatronic in products are intelligent (i.e. the ability to decide from a larger amount of parameters, adaptively) and flexibility (i.e. the easiness in which the product can be adapted to new demands).

Mechatronic product development

As the above definition suggests, mechatronical products achieve their full functionality by interaction between mechanics, electronics and software. In mechatronic products, it is therefore possible to achieve synergy between the technologies. Development of mechatronic products will set up great demands for the developers to cooperate across disciplines. The art of developing mechatronic products is to establish the “cutting of the cake” optimally, i.e. decide the optimally functionally division between mechanics, electronics and software. Mechatronics product development is thereby very dynamic. The rapidly technological development within the technologies results in standing requirements for changes in the developers work routines.

Source: Mechatronics association, Copenhagen. Link:  Mekatronisk Selskab

Tilbage