1. MECHATRONICS The standard EEC definition of Mechatronics is: “The synergistic (Working together; used especially of groups, as subsidiaries of a corporation, cooperating for an enhanced effect) integration of Mechanical Engineering with Electronics and intelligent computer control in the Design and Manufacture of products and processes” The important concept here is that of “synergy”: The final product is more than just the sum of its parts It has new level of performance It has dramatic improvement It can operate in ways which would have been impossible to envisage hitherto.

2. “Traditional” Product development with “over the wall” approach or “Design by discipline” approach MECHANICAL MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT MARKET NEEDS PRODUCT BOUNDARY HARD BOUNDARIES ELECTRONICS COMPUTING

3. “Mechatronic” Product design Approach “Mechatronic” product design approach MECHANICAL ELECTRONIC COMPUTING MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT MARKET NEEDS PRODUCT BOUNDARY FUZZY INTERFACES

4. Design Flow Diagram MARKETING SPECIFICATION CREATIVE DESIGN SYNTHESIS PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DETAIL DESIGN PROTOTYPE BUILDING AND TESTING DESIGN FOR PRODUCTION PRODUCT RELEASE RECOGNITION OF A NEED MARKETING FEED BACK ENGINEERING FEED BACK SPECIFICATION FEED BACK

5. The use of the ‘Plane of Possibilities’ in a Product Design project Customer Synthesis Manufacture Product Functions Needs Evaluation Plane of Possibilities Alternative Sub-solutions Alternative Technologies ControlElectronicsMechanical

6. Simplified model of a Mechatronic Product USER PROCESS CONTROL UNIT CONTROLS DISPLAYS SENSORSACTUATORS MECHANICS

7. Mechatronic product design team organization models M E SW A. Co-operative Specialists M E SW ME B.The Mechatronics Facilitator (Finnish model) M ESW E MSw SW ME C. T-Type Generalists (The Japanese Model)

8. Mechatronic product design team organization models M E SW A. Co-operative Specialists The co-operation of specialists within Mechanical Engineering, Electronics Engineering and Informatics (software) is required. “In Mechatronic product development, we just need E- and M- and SW-designers who can communicate” says a manager at Toshiba Corporation

9. Mechatronic product design team organization models M E SW ME B.The Mechatronics Facilitator (Finnish model) Specialists cooperating through a “Mechatronic Facilitator, who has generalist knowledge of all involved disciplines The facilitator will often be the project leader. He will act as an interpreter between the specialists and ensure the best possible synergy. This approach is favoured by the Finnish Federation of Metal and Engineering Industries.

10. Mechatronic product design team organization models M ESW E MSw SW ME C. T-Type Generalists (The Japanese Model) The cooperation of specialists with some generalist abilities. The team members all have sufficient knowledge of other disciplines to enable them to understand and discuss interdisciplinary solutions. This approach is common in Japanese companies because the job-orientation system leads to foster such specialists.

11. Mechatronic Design Process Modeling/SimulationPrototypingDeployment/Life cycle Recognition of the need Conceptual Design and Functional Specification First principle modular Mathematical Modeling Sensor and Actuator selection Detailed modular Mathematical Modeling Control system Design Design optimization Software in the loop simulation Design Optimization Deployment of Embedded systems Life cycle optimization

12. Summary Successful Mechatronics design can lead, as the Japanese have shown, to products which are extremely attractive to the customer Conversely, products designed in more traditional manner will appear old fashioned, will have limited capabilities and will lack customer appeal. Successful mechatronics design demands a team approach with a strong interpersonal communications element.

13. Mechatronics Design Education Mechatronics Design Education aims at: (a) Interdisciplinary knowledge (b) Communicative skills ( c ) Design skills