Mechatronics - what is it? Basics of mechatronics. Mechatronics and Robotics (specialty): by whom to work?

The twentieth century has been very fruitful on occurrenceNew sciences, one of which is mechatronics. Who to work after mastering this discipline? What is it and what does it do? How important is it in modern life? What are the prospects for us? Who do people who study this discipline in universities and independently work? Here is a partial list of questions that will be answered in the article.

What is mechatronics?

Данный термин был получен при соединении слов "Mechanics" and "electronics". It was first applied in 1969. At the moment, 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 computing technology. It is based on the knowledge of mechanics, microprocessor technology, computer science, electronics and computer control of the movement of aggregates and machines. You can learn the basics of mechatronics, if desired, since there is enough scientific and educational literature in this area. For more, you will have to make considerable efforts to find the necessary material. Although it is possible, theoretically, to think about what constitutes mechatronics. What we have already found out is this, 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 direction of mechatronics, which can develop exclusively within its framework. Here it is necessary to make a small digression. The fact is that now Mechatronics is engaged in automotive, aviation, space, household, medical and sports equipment. But to make items of this type there are separate specialties. And specifically, to focus on the fact that students will be engaged in designing robots, machine tools with numerical-programmed control and similar devices, as well as their creation, the direction of training is called "mechatronics and robotics."

General description of the practical component

What does mechatronics give us?What is it in terms of creating practice? Let's look at the general scheme of building machines that have computer control and are focused on automating production and household tasks. The external environment for them is the technological environment with which interaction will occur. When the mechatronic system performs its functions, this is due to the working bodies. It should be noted that this scientific trend is quite young, there are many inaccuracies and vague wording, 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:

1. Электромеханической.These include mechanical links, gears, electric motors, sensors, working body, additional electrical elements, sensors. All components are used to provide the necessary movements. Sensors are of particular importance for the correct performance of the tasks. They collect data on the state of the work object and the external environment, directly the mechatronic device and its components.
2. Electronic. These include microelectronic devices, power converters and measuring circuits.
3. Computer. These include microcontrollers and electronic computers of the highest level.

Main functions of mechatronic systems

At this time, they are distinguished 4:

1. Control of the process of mechanical movement in real time with simultaneous processing of information that comes from their sensors.
2. Coorganize their actions with external sources of influence.
3. Interaction with a person through a special interface offline or in real time.
4. Organization of data exchange between sensors, peripheral devices and other components of the system.

Mechatronics task

Они должна решать проблему преобразования входной information that comes from the top level of control in the necessary mechanical movements. In this case, as a rule, the principle of feedback is used. In the design, this task is expressed in the fact that integration of several elements into one functional module occurs, which have a different nature - this is the specificity that mechatronics has. The specialty of people who are engaged in the implementation of these goals may be very different. Ideally, providing the planned information will produce the desired result. Software needs to help with this hardware.

The advantage of the mechatronic approach in solving real problems

Comparison will be carried out with traditional means of automation:

1. The relatively low cost of the systems, which is achieved due to the significant integration, standardization and unification of all components of the interfaces and elements.
2. The ability to implement accurate and complex movements due to intelligent control methods.
3. High level of reliability, durability and noise immunity.
4. Compactness of the modules used, which allows to manage a smaller area. They can also be relatively easy to combine to achieve the ability to perform specific tasks.
5. Thanks to the simplification of the kinematic chains, the machines have good dynamic and weight and size characteristics.

This is what develops mechatronics androbotics. The specialty in this case allows you to get the data already selected and ready for study, while with self-education you will have to search for everything yourself.

Examples of mechatronics in real life

Where can you find similar systems near us? To do this, I propose to look at these areas of human activity:

1. Machine-tool construction and equipment manufacturing for automating technological processes.
2. Robotics.
3. Military, space and aviation equipment.
4. Automotive (for example, mechatronic systems are motion stabilization, automatic parking and similar developments).
5. Various non-standard means of transportation and transportation (electric scooters, cargo carts, wheelchairs, electric bicycles).
6. Measuring machines and devices.
7. Office equipment (fax and copiers).
8. Medical equipment (reanimation, rehabilitation, clinical).
9. Household appliances (sewing, dishwashers, washing and other machines of this type).
10. Simulators for the training of operators, drivers, pilots.
11. Light and sound systems.
12. Micromachines (actively used in medicine, biotechnology, telecommunications).

You can continue this list 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 we will try to make it as short as possible:

1. To assess the relevance, viability and significance of projects.
2. Develop informational, electromechanical, electrohydraulic, electronic and microprocessor-based models of system modules.
3. Create software to control mechatronic devices, if necessary.
4. Draw up project documents that will describe the design and manufacturing process of individual parts.
5. Monitor development for standards compliance.
6. To make, assemble and test the projected equipment.
7. To make patent and license passports.
8. To upgrade and debug mechatronic systems.
9. Prepare instructions for using the device.

Вот что может предоставить своим студентам любой Faculty of Mechatronics and Robotics, licensed by the Ministry of Education. There are few of them; basically there are separate departments, but you can get the necessary education in them.

Self-realization of a person who knows mechatronics and robotics: by whom to work?

Where can I find a job after receivingeducation? 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:

1. Research
2. Engineering design.
3. Operational.
4. Organizational and managerial.

A feature of this specialty is thatthat there is a significant shortage of personnel. Therefore, not uncommon are the facts of employment even self-taught, who were able to demonstrate a significant level of skills and practical skills.

Conclusion

All professions are important, all are needed.Without exaggerating, we can say that what we have described is one of the specialties of the future. The demand for knowledge workers of such a 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 it is, and with the understanding of the importance of this scientific discipline, agreement with these words will also come.