Editing Mechatronics (section)

== Subdisciplines ==

=== Mechanical ===
{{Main|Mechanical engineering}}

[[File:VW DSG transmission DTMB.jpg|left|thumb|View of the [[Volkswagen Group|Volkswagen]] [[Dual clutch transmission|dual clutch]] [[Direct-Shift Gearbox|direct shift gearbox]] transmission ]]
Mechanical engineering is an important part of mechatronics engineering. It includes the study of mechanical nature of how an object works. Mechanical elements refer to mechanical structure, mechanism, thermo-fluid, and hydraulic aspects of a mechatronics system. The study of [[thermodynamics]], [[Dynamics (mechanics)|dynamics]], [[fluid mechanics]], [[pneumatics]] and [[hydraulics]]. Mechatronics engineer who works a mechanical engineer can specialize in [[Hydraulic system|hydraulics]] and [[Pneumatic System|pneumatics systems]], where they can be found working in automobile industries. A mechatronics engineer can also design a vehicle since they have strong mechanical and electronical background. Knowledge of software applications such as [[computer-aided design]] and [[computer aided manufacturing]] is essential for designing products. Mechatronics covers a part of mechanical syllabus which is widely applied in automobile industry.

Mechatronic systems represent a large part of the functions of an automobile. The control loop formed by sensor—information processing—actuator—mechanical (physical) change is found in many systems. The system size can be very different. The [[anti-lock braking system]] (ABS) is a mechatronic system. The brake itself is also one. And the control loop formed by driving control (for example cruise control), engine, vehicle driving speed in the real world and speed measurement is a mechatronic system, too.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hilgers |first=Michael |title=Commercial Vehicle Technology. Electrical Systems and Mechatronics. |publisher=Springer |year=2020 |isbn=978-3-662-60837-1 |location=Berlin/Heidelberg/New York |doi=10.1007/978-3-662-60838-8}}</ref> The great importance of mechatronics for automotive engineering is also evident from the fact that vehicle manufacturers often have development departments with "Mechatronics" in their names.

=== Electronics and electricals ===
{{Main|Electronics and electrical engineering}}
Electronics and telecommunication engineering specializes in electronics devices and telecom devices of a mechatronics system. A mechatronics engineer specialized in electronics and telecommunications have knowledge of computer hardware devices. The transmission of signal is the main application of this subfield of mechatronics. Where digital and analog systems also forms an important part of mechatronics systems. Telecommunications engineering deals with the [[Transmission (telecommunications)|transmission]] of [[information]] across a medium.

Electronics engineering is related to [[computer engineering]] and [[electrical engineering]]. Control engineering has a wide range of electronic applications from the flight and propulsion systems of [[Airliner|commercial airplanes]] to the [[cruise control]] present in many modern [[Automobile|cars]]. [[VLSI]] designing is important for creating integrated circuits. Mechatronics engineers have deep knowledge of microprocessors, microcontrollers, microchips and semiconductors. The application of mechatronics in electronics manufacturing industry can conduct research and development on consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones, computers, cameras etc. For mechatronics engineers it is necessary to learn operating computer applications such as [[MATLAB]] and [[Simulink]] for designing and developing electronic products.

Mechatronics engineering is a interdisciplinary course, it includes concepts of both electrical and mechanical systems. A mechatronics engineer engages in designing [[Transformer|high power transformers]] or [[Rf transmitter module|radio-frequency module transmitters]].

=== Avionics ===
{{Main|Avionics}}
[[File:US Navy 060504-N-7981E-012 Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Gary Kopf uses an oscilloscope to verify signals on aircraft avionics equipment aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.jpg|thumb|An avionics technician uses an [[oscilloscope]] to verify signals on aircraft avionics equipment.]]
[[Avionics]] is also considered a variant of mechatronics as it combines several fields such as [[Electronic engineering|electronics]] and telecom with [[aerospace engineering]]. It is the subdiscipline of mechatronics engineering and aerospace engineering which is engineering branch focusing on electronics systems of aircraft. The word avionics is a blend of aviation and electronics. The electronics system of aircraft includes [[Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System|aircraft communication addressing and reporting system]], [[air navigation]], [[aircraft flight control system]], [[aircraft collision avoidance systems]], [[flight recorder]], [[weather radar]] and [[lightning detector]]. These can be as simple as a [[searchlight]] for a [[police helicopter]] or as complicated as the tactical system for an [[airborne early warning]] platform.

=== Advanced mechatronics ===
Another variant is motion control for advanced mechatronics, presently recognized as a key technology in mechatronics. The robustness of motion control will be represented as a function of stiffness and a basis for practical realization. Target of motion is parameterized by control stiffness which could be variable according to the task reference. The system robustness of motion always requires very high stiffness in the controller.<ref>[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=491410 "Motion Control and Advanced Mechatronics"].</ref>

=== Industrial ===
{{Main|Industrial engineering}}

[[File:Industrial Engineer Working.jpg|thumb|Industrial engineers on duty]]
The branch of industrial engineer includes the design of machinery, assembly and process lines of various manufacturing industries. This branch can be said somewhat similar to automation and robotics. Mechatronics engineers who works as industrial engineers design and develop infrastructure of a manufacturing plant. Also it can be said that they are architect of machines. One can work as an industrial designer to design the industrial layout and plan for setting up of a manufacturing industry or as an industrial technician to lookover the technical requirements and repairing of the particular factory.

=== Robotics ===
{{Main|Robotics}}
[[File:Float Glass Unloading.jpg|thumb|An [[industrial robot]] manufactured by [[ABB]]|left]]
Robotics is one of the newest emerging subfield of mechatronics. It is the study of robots and how they are manufactured and operated. Since 2000, this branch of mechatronics is attracting a number of aspirants. Robotics is interrelated with automation because here also not much human intervention is required. In a large number of factories, especially in automobile factories, robots are found in assembly lines, where they perform the job of drilling, installation and fitting. Programming skills are necessary for specialization in robotics. Knowledge of programming language—[[C (programming language)|ROBOTC]]—is important for functioning robots. An [[industrial robot]] is a prime example of a mechatronics system; it includes aspects of electronics, mechanics and computing to do its day-to-day jobs.

=== Computer ===
{{Main|Computer engineering|Internet of things}}
[[File:ระบบควบคุมกล้องโทรทรรศน์ทางไกลอัตโนมัติ และระบบสังเกตการณ์วัตถุอวกาศ.jpg|thumb|Telescope automatic control system and a space object observation system]]
The [[Internet of things]] (IoT) is the [[Internetworking|inter-networking]] of physical devices, [[Embedded system|embedded]] with [[electronics]], [[software]], [[sensor]]s, [[actuator]]s, and [[Internet access|network connectivity]] which enable these objects to collect and exchange [[data]]. IoT and mechatronics are complementary. Many of the smart components associated with the Internet of Things will be essentially mechatronic. The development of the IoT is forcing mechatronics engineers, designers, practitioners and educators to research the ways in which mechatronic systems and components are perceived, designed and manufactured. This allows them to face up to new issues such as data security, [[machine ethics]] and the human-machine interface.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bradley|first1=David|last2=Russell|first2=David|last3=Ferguson|first3=Ian|title=The Internet of Things-The future or the end of mechatronics|journal=Mechatronics|volume=27|pages=57–74|date=March 2015|doi=10.1016/j.mechatronics.2015.02.005|hdl=10059/1355|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

Knowledge of programming is very important. A mechatronics engineer has to do programming in different levels – for example, [[PLC programming]], [[Unmanned aerial vehicle#Software|drone programming]], [[Computer hardware|hardware programming]], [[Computer numerical control|CNC programming]], etc. Due to combination of electronics engineering, soft skills from computer side is important. Important programming languages for mechatronics engineer to learn are [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[Python (programming language)|Python]], [[C++]] and [[C (programming language)|C programming language]].