Mechatronics

Mechatronics deals with the interdisciplinary interaction of mechanical, electronic and information technology elements and modules in mechatronic systems.

The term Mechatronics (Mechanical Engineering / Electronic Engineering ) is a portmanteau word. He was from 1969, influenced by the Japanese company Yaskawa Electric Corporation, one of the world's largest manufacturers of industrial robots and finds its origin in precision engineering. Later, the computer science joined as the new core discipline. The term mechatronics has established itself in the technology in recent years. It is closely related to the electro-mechanics, precision engineering, microsystems technology and Adaptive Systems in relationship.

Mechatronics can also be derived from the three main points of the department. Mechanics as the main point, with electronics and as a link between the two areas, the computer science.

Mechatronics according to VDI regulation 2206

Mechatronics refers to the synergistic interaction of the disciplines of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information technology in the design and manufacture of industrial products and in the process design.

The mechatronic system

Mechatronics is to merge mechanics, electronics / electrical engineering and computer science together and describe a mechatronic system as a whole instead of multiple models. Mechatronic systems have the task with sensor, processor, actuators and elements of mechanics, electronics and computer science (and other functionally required technologies) to transport energy, material (matter ) and / or transform information, and / or store.

Mechatronic systems can thus be divided into functional groups that usually form loops and consist of modules with mechanical- electrical- magnetic- thermal- optical devices, sensors for detecting measurement variables of the system state, actuators for regulating and controlling and Prozessorik and computer science to information processing.

Examples: • Automatic transmission • Fluidtronische spring-damper modules • Handhabungs-/Roboter-Systeme • Machine Tool Modules • Digital cameras • Electronic Balances • CD / DVD player • Computer hard disk drives • Anti -lock braking systems • Electronic vehicle stability programs • wind turbines.

Mechatronics in Makro-/Mikro-/Nano-Technik

The tasks of the Mechatronics in the art relates to today technical systems whose dimensions comprise more than 10 orders of magnitude. Mechatronics in the macro -, micro- and nano-technology can very briefly be marked as follows:

Macros with cm / m- dimensions is the technology of the equipment, apparatus, machinery and technical equipment. Characteristic of the Mechatronics is an extension of classical electromechanics through electronic circuits and data processing modules and the replacement of mechanical energy and information flows through electrical, electronics, magnetics, optics, such as brake-by -wire braking systems, " fly-by- wire " aircraft technology, sensor-actuator control systems, programmable logic control technology.

Microtechnology mm / micron device dimensions, the field of precision engineering and microsystem technology. A micro system combines with micro - manufacturing technology and miniaturized assembly and connection functionalities of micromechanics, microfluidics, micro-optics, micromagnetics, microelectronics.

Nanotechnology uses nano-scale effects in the physics, chemistry and biology. Nanoscience founded in 1960 by Richard Feynman ( Nobel Laureate in Physics 1965). Examples of nano - mechatronic device technologies, the scanning tunneling microscope and the atomic force microscope. They allow by mechatronic piezoelectric actuator module, the presentation of material surfaces at the atomic level and the determination of nanoscale forces, for example to optimize the magnetic data storage and electronic microchips.

Biological finally Mechatronics is an intermediate region which is caused by the aspiration of some far-eastern ( esp. Japanese ) developers of humanoid construction robots, capable of growth linking may also, at least in limited sizes and bioconvertable materials as well (currently mainly ) artificially generated to explore " one-dimensional " liquids or solids and drive. First publications were read for a while until end of February 2009 on the website of the University of Honshu.

Training

Vocational training

Since 1998, there has recognized occupation mechatronics / mechatronics engineer with a rule - training period of 42 months. The profession can be learned both in the craft as well as in industry.

In Austria there is the teaching mechatronics since 1999 in the Austrian Industrial Code, there are four crafts from the area of ​​mechatronics. ( § 94 paragraphs 49 Industrial Code. ): Mechatronics for machinery and manufacturing technology, electronics, office and computer system technology, for electrical engineering and automation and medical device technology.

Higher technical schools

In Austria there is the possibility of many technical colleges (HTL) engineering degree (5 years) or the technician (4 years) to acquire. Also at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, there is a 5 - year course with the name " Automation and Robotics ".

Technical College

The Technical High School Telfs in Tyrol offers within the AHS Matura on vocational training in teaching mechatronics and mechanical engineering apprenticeship with the special module automation technology.

State Technical College

In Germany there is the rise of continuing education at the tertiary level, with the existence of a state exam, including project work and colloquium, to the protected professional title Certified Technician (English: State certified engineer ( SCE) ), the field of mechatronics, focus leads machine and plant engineering.

Study

In a typical mechatronics study program in mathematics, engineering mechanics, mechanical engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electrical circuits, system theory, electronics, communications technology, control technology, programming, digital signal processing and robotics are taught.

Since 1990 there is the opportunity to study mechatronics in Austria ( Johannes Kepler University Linz). The first university Chair of Mechatronics in Germany was founded at the University of Duisburg -Essen in 1991. As of 1994, the Otto -von- Guericke University in Magdeburg, the University of Bochum and the University of Applied Sciences Kiel were added. Currently offer over 25 German universities in the degree program as a graduate engineer or Bachelor / Master of Mechatronics. In addition, there are also Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary specialization. Standard period of study for the Diploma in universities is ten semesters, at colleges eight, for Bachelor / Master study programs six or seven semesters (Bachelor ) or two to four semesters in addition to the master. At Berufsakademien one gets within a duration of six semesters Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics.

Except in Linz, Austria has also since 2003 the polytechnic diploma degree in Mechatronics / Robotics at the University of Applied Sciences Vienna pilot plant, which is now offered as Bachelor and subsequent Master's degree. At the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt also since its founding in 1994, Mechatronics / Microsystems Technology is offered. In 2004, the multi-level study model and thus the Bachelor Degree Mechatronics was | microsystem technology introduced. In the fall of 2013, this study starts for the first time with 3 new specializations: Engineering Management, Mechatronic Systems Design and Micro & Nano Engineering. Since 2007, the Master's program is offered Mechatronics - currently with the future-oriented specializations in topic Computational Engineering, Mechatronic Systems and Surface Engineering & Tribology. Since 2004, the University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg offers a bachelor's and a master's degree in Mechatronics. Since October 2008 a Bachelor degree Mechatronics is offered with a focus on machine also at MCI Innsbruck. As of October 2011, an English-language full-time Master Mechatronics Mechanical Engineering is offered at MCI. In the fall of 2012, the Master then starts in a part-time form in German. Part-time, you can study automation technology at CAMPUS 02 in Graz Mechatronics within the framework of the program. Since October 2009, a bachelor's program since 2012 and a master's degree Mechatronics is also offered at UMIT in Hall in Tirol in cooperation with the University of Innsbruck. At FH Carinthia Villach site in Mechatronics Engineering & IT is offered as a bachelor's program Systems Engineering with majors Robotics / Electronics / process and automation technology. On the FH Kärnten there is the opportunity to study full-time, part-time or dual study in cooperation with partner companies. Related offers the FH Kärnten Master's degree in Systems Design in the language of instruction in English.

The universities of applied sciences in Reutlingen, Bochum, Bocholt, Friedberg, Heilbronn, Lemgo and Zittau also offer a combination of teaching and study, called KIA ( Cooperative study with an integrated training). In addition, offers the colleges Esslingen (at the site Göppingen) and Offenburg the MechatronicsPlus to - also a composite of education and study. A dual combination of undergraduate study and practice Jobs at partner companies offer since 2009 at the University of Buxtehude (near Hamburg ) and the Hamm-Lippstadt University newly established; since 2011, the University of Esslingen with the model MechatronikCom The study of mechatronics is possible in addition also at vocational colleges.

The University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland ( FHNW) in Muttenz, the Université de Haute- Alsace ( UHA ) in Mulhouse and the Cooperative State University ( University of Cooperative Education ) in Lörrach have teamed up in 1997 to a new, cross- border higher platform and gives the first tri-national program in mechatronics to life. The students spend one third of their training time in Switzerland, in France and in Germany. The study is 3.5 years and the students receive diplomas upon successful completion of all three countries, ie a university ( F), a technical college (CH) and a dual university ( D). These are sorted by country and lic. Licence Sciences et Génie of Systèmes ( UHA, F), B.Eng. Bachelor of Engineering ( University of Cooperative Education, D), B.Sc.: Bachelor of Science ( FHNW, CH).