Mechatronics Engineering

Charles Jacquin

English III Standard Pd.4

Mr. Albuger

February 23rd 2017

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Charles Jacquin

English III Standard

Mr. Alburger

23 January 2017

Mechatronics Engineering

Mechatronics engineers use the whole engineering spectrum to accomplish goals in their

work field. They design, build and test their product all the way to the finish. No middle man

exists during their procedures. One of the biggest problems of countries trying to take steps

towards industrialization is the setting up of the automation and the lack of staff who can

intervene in case of any problems while at the same time checking and setting up the automation

system (Sik). Mechatronics first came around in the late 1960s when computers and technology

became more abrupt in the world. Since the invention of computers a new form of engineering

has developed; a mechatronics engineer consists of a combination of mechanical, electrical and

computer engineering.

Engineering dates back all the way to the Romans when they first designed their cities

with marvelous buildings and streets. The word engineering first came around in the early 1300s.

It came from the latin word engineer, someone that controls a machine. The word mechatronic

occurred first in 1969 by a Japanese engineer named Tetsura Mori. In 1980 the word caught on

and a career emerged from this. The development of fast and reliable computers helped put this

word to use.

The term mechatronics has not existed for many years and has only recently turned into a

career. The career vastly changes with the rapid change of computers. As computers become
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smaller, slimmer and faster, the world needs mechatronic engineers to keep up with this

evolution of technology. Utilization of robots as technology progresses will increase

dramatically; as robots take off in the world, mechatronic engineers will need to create, work on

and update these robots. A new job would commence because the world would need someone to

work on these machines.

Mechatronics engineering students do not have a designated college or school; these

students will obtain a bachelor's degree in mechanical and electrical engineering. They will also

possibly take a computer engineering or computer science class enabling them to use computers

in the mechatronics engineering field. North Carolina has several engineering programs; many

other programs exist across the country as well.

When it comes to schooling for this degree, students have the option of double majoring.

Students also have the choice to minor in many other different degrees. Double majoring

requires a huge investment of time and money but reaps a grand benefit in the future. Double

majoring could include a masters degree in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.

A class that students can take additionally is CAD design. (CAD stands for

computer-aided design.) This software replaces manual drafting by hand. CAD software classes

teach students how to properly use all the tools and features found in CAD. Since mechatronic

engineers use computer engineering, they will most likely find themselves using CAD software

in their fields of work. The mind has the ability to create anything and CAD software holds the

ability to bring an idea to life. CAD software then has the ability to 3D print, mold or mill a

piece or product.
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Internships exist to allow high school graduates the opportunity to learn the basics of

whatever career they have chosen. In the atmosphere of engineering, internships exist in lots of

major corporations. Internships will teach the basics needed to know for working in the

engineering, electrical, mechanical, and computer world. When entering an internship, previous

engineering education should rest under the student's belt from high school. Basics of

engineering classes in high school will make an internship easier to join. An internship will make

it easier to earn a career in mechatronics. Some of the internships that can found for engineering

will pay for schooling and pay while working with them. They will offer benefits while the

student works for them. The possibility exists that a permanent job with that company will reveal

itself after finishing schooling. This would keep the students employed and keep them out of

student debt. Even if not accepted, the person will have learned lots of basic information to

become a mechatronics engineer. Students could take the knowledge they learned and try out for

another internship or apply to a college that works with people wanting to become mechatronic

engineers or just to study the most basic types of engineering.

Apprenticeship 2000, an example of an internship where students looking to become

mechatronic engineers could try to enroll into, focuses around a mechatronics oriented

apprenticeship. If asked to join the apprenticeship after a few different interviews, students will

apprentice for four years. Students will work with whichever company chooses them, finding

them appropriate for the job. All of this will happen right around junior year of high school. If

accepted into the program, one would spend the summer working with the company to assure

that they make a good fit for the job, that they actually like this line of work and that they

understand what they would do for the next four years.

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Mechatronics engineering students can have such a diverse degree. People with this

degree can go into many different fields. Depending on the type of career chosen a very intense,

but entertaining job may arise. A job could vary, from a desk job working at a computer to

working all day at a table building machines that were designed for a customer. Mechatronics

exist in medicine, agriculture, design, and many other careers.

Depending on the career that one decides upon, the everyday work location can vary.

Some jobs require sitting at a desk, using a computer, or doing lots of long thought out

processing. Different jobs can involve continuous hands-on work outside of a cubical, such as in

a hospital environment. Others, however, can lead an adventurous student into agricultural

realms. An average work day can consist of a nine to five day, five days a week. However, many

times a fresh graduate will find the joy of working evenings, nights, and weekends to gain

experience. Overtime can exist if necessary, but not a requirement. In this career, one must plan

to interact with other colleagues in the field. In order to become a successful mechatronics

engineer, one must have crucial communication skills.

A career as a mechatronics engineer in the medical field shows a possible choice.Many

different jobs exist in this field. In the medical field one would not have much hands on time

with the patients, but more behind the scenes design time. Mechatronic engineers in the medical

field can work with doctors in order to design replacement body parts. They use their knowledge

from CAD classes to create these body parts. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the

knee-loading regimen on human subjects, the design of an electro-mechanical device was

proposed and developed (Prabhala).

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If mechatronics engineering intrigues a someone they should know how to use the tools

of the trade. The person should know the tools, know how to use those tools properly, and when

to use those tools. The student should also know all the basic engineering terminology. For

example, how to measure lengths and weights, how to measure volts with a voltmeter, know how

to read a Vernier Caliper and how to use micrometers, scales and protractors. You should also

have a sense of basic physics and mechanics.

Math exists on a daily basis as a mechatronics engineer. Mechatronic engineers need to

know how to do lots of mental math, math with and without a calculator. Formulas and

conversions live in a mechatronics engineers head at all times. Conversions exist in any type of

engineering especially when dealing with other engineers or customers outside of the United

States.The United States does not use the metric system readily and prefers the standard system.

If this problem arises, knowing the strategy on how to quickly convert from standard to metric

and vice versa becomes crucial. Some American companies that base in another country will use

the metric system inside the United States. The problem with this is that some American tools

come in standard and customers that use all metric will have to learn how to convert. The best

way to overcome this problem will exist in getting rid of standard tools and start using metric

only at work.

People who pursue an interest in working as a mechatronics engineer who want to work

on the production and assembly line should know how to use the basic machines that exist on the

production and assembly floor. Mechatronic engineers should know how to use a drill press and

lathe. A drill press prevails in many different applications such as drilling holes, removing

material from a object and creating threads. A lathe continues operating to remove material from
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an object that has a cylindrical shape. It can remove material from this cylindrical item at a very

fast speed in many different ways. When involved in an internship based education or when

hired for a job, lessons exist on how to work the machines. A good idea of at least knowing what

the machines do and how they work becomes necessary if wanting to enlist as a mechatronic

engineer.

As the world grows and humans become smarter with robotics, the assembly process

relies on more and more on these robots. The companies that use these robots need employees

that know how to work with these robots and can use their hands at the same time in the

assembly process. The world needs more of these types of people to keep the assembly process

alive. People with this ability can receive more pay in the mechatronics field.

The ability of problem solving in the mechatronics field endures an important aspect to

grasp. Solving a problem before the actual problem occurs acts as a saver because it keeps

people from having to fix another problem down the line. Mechatronic engineers may also make

a co-worker's work easier down the road especially in the assembly field. If mechatronic

engineers find a problem early in assembly, could keep from having to backtrack to fix the

problem. If mechatronic engineers have a time crunch and run into a problem, having problem

solving skills will keep work production at a regular pace, making work a lot easier.

An agriculture career with a background in mechatronics engineering survives as an

option in the job field. Mechatronics engineers have a place in the agricultural field by working

with companies that create machines for farming. The engineers will work with the company to

design, build and test their products. Mechatronics engineers in the agriculture field can work

with scientists to genetically modify food and make sure what scientist do holds safe from an
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engineer's point of view. Mechatronic engineers endure a difficult job in making sure that the

machines work properly for the farmers.

A career in die and mold offers an option for a person looking to get into the

mechatronics engineer field. A person who works in this field uses all aspects of mechanical

engineering. People use mechanical, electrical and computer applications in everyday work. In

this career engineers swim in CAD documents from customers that would like to get a mold

created so that they can easily inject plastic into this mold to create a final product. They have to

use their skills that they learned in college or in an internship to work with the machines.

A person trying to pursue a career in mechatronic engineering could have a career based

around design. A design engineer could join a company that designs many different things, could

work with a company that helps people design things or they could exist as independent and

make their own products. Designers work with other engineers to reach a final goal by creating

something or finding a solution to a problem.

John Wiese works with a design firm and has a background in mechatronics engineering.

In his everyday job he works from eight thirty in the morning to five in the evening. This

fluctuates as his travel plans change throughout the day. He uses math, people, computer and

drawing skills in his average workday. Many days he works alone in his cubicle but other days

he works on the job site taking measurements for current and future projects. In his job he has to

go through lots of extensive safety classes to even step foot on a job sight. I took OSHA classes,

CPR and obtained licenses to drive machinery (Wiese). He did not attend any internship or

apprenticeship but always knew that he wanted to go into the engineering field since a young

age.
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In the end, since the invention of computers, a new form of engineering abides; a

mechatronics engineer consists of a combination of mechanical, electrical and computer

engineering. Mechatronics engineers have such a vast degree that investing in this career could

get them involved in many different companies with different outcomes. Many different jobs

options exist in the mechatronics career field, depending on the career chosen relating to the

work time, workload and work environment.The role of communication when working in any

type of mechatronics engineering job has value. Not many colleges offer a specific mechatronics

degree so most students will study mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering in college.

A solid background knowledge in robotics must exist for the serious student. The growing world

demands the need for people to keep the engineering aspects of our world at peace. The world

needs more young people to take over the jobs of retiring engineers. Workers that understand

how to use computers with mechanics and electronics will always win.
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Work Cited

"BS Mechatronic Engineering." BS Mechatronic Engineering. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://www.csuchico.edu/mmem/programs/bs_mechatronic_engineering/index.shtml>

Daniela, et al. "Integrated Mechatronic System For Bearing Rings Control." Romanian Review

Precision Mechanics, Optics & Mecatronics 49 (2016): 48-57. Academic Search

Complete. Web. 1 Jan. 2017

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=117202176&site=ed

s-live&scope=site>

DUKE, Mike, Ben McGUINNESS, and Rainer KUNNEMEYER. "Development Of

Mechatronic Dibbling Machine For Improving The Quality Of Forestry Seedlings." Acta

Technica Corvininesis - Bulletin Of Engineering 9.3 (2016): 51-56. Academic Search

Complete. Web. 28 Dec. 2016

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s-live&scope=site>

Kaneps, Janis, and Anita Gerina-Ancane. "Perfection Of Learning Methods For Mechatronics

Basic In Mechanical Engineering And Industrial Design Studies." Engineering For Rural

Development - International Scientific Conference (2016): 597-605. Academic Search

Complete. Web. 1 Jan. 2017

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<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=116286798&site=ed

s-live&scope=site>

Lukasz Tesiorowski. "Mechatronic Line For Activation And Testing Of Printed Electrodes."

Tehnicki Vjesnik / Technical Gazette 23.4 (2016): 1003-1010. Academic Search

Complete. Web. 28 Dec. 2016

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=117657427&site=ed

s-live&scope=site>

Prabhala, Sai Krishna, et al. "A Mechatronic Loading Device To Stimulate Bone Growth Via A

Human Knee." Sensors (14248220) 16.10 (2016): 1-16. Academic Search Complete.

Web. 28 Dec. 2016

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=119145630&site=ed

s-live&scope=site>

Prsser, Malte, et al. "A New Approach Towards Systems Integration Within The Mechatronic

Engineering Design Process Of Manufacturing Systems." International Journal Of

Computer Integrated Manufacturing 26.8 (2013): 806-815. Business Source Complete.

Web. 1 Jan. 2017

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=89552297&site=eds-

live&scope=site>

Sik, Mehmet Fatih. "Design And Implementation Of A Training Set For Distributed System

And Mechatronic Applications: Project Based Learning." Tehnicki Vjesnik / Technical

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Gazette 23.6 (2016): 1609-1616. Academic Search Complete. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=120026209&site=ed

s-live&scope=site>

"Mechatronics Engineering Degree Programs." Mechatronics Engineering Degree Programs.

N.p., n.d. Web

<http://typesofengineeringdegrees.org/mechatronics-engineering/#context/api/listings>

"Mechatronics Engineering." Mechatronics Engineering. Middle Tennessee State University,

n.d. Web.

<http://www.mtsu.edu/programs/mechatronics/>

Wiese, John. Interviewee. Works for a design firm with a background in mechatronics

engineering. 21 Feb 2017

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