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Report from the training:
"During the AM1 training, the instructor gave us tasks to complete independently, such as adding a light or a button to the system (without a wiring diagram available). We had to figure out what to connect to what. There was a lot of fiddling around, and many of us made a lot of mistakes, but in my opinion, this form of knowledge transfer is the most effective and efficient. One of the tasks was to connect and activate three contactors in a given sequence, or connect a timer relay to the system to control the system after a specific time..." Read more
Knowledge Zone
Industrial Automation
What is industrial automation?
Industrial automation is a combination of mechatronic systems that perform specific tasks and automate production processes. Automation supports the monitoring and control of machines and is widely used in manufacturing plants.
In plants using industrial automation, processes are automated so that products can be manufactured faster, reliably and precisely to pre-defined specifications.
An additional advantage of industrial automation is the element of continuous control of the production process, which enables continuous improvement of the quality of the final product.
The primary goal in automated plants is to reduce the human role to a minimum.
Why is industrial automation necessary nowadays?
The complexity of the final product increases year by year. Its efficient production would be impossible without fast and reliable systems.
If we add to this the ever-increasing pressure for ever cheaper products produced as quickly as possible, we get a clear answer to the reasons for the rapid development of industrial automation and the demand for specialists.
We also can't forget the concept of a modern factory as a collection of interconnected machines that collaborate and exchange data. Without industrial automation, this wouldn't be possible, nor would the ongoing effort to continuously improve production speed and quality.
What are automation systems and what do they consist of?
Automation systems include many devices that enable operation, control and monitoring of the entire industrial automation system.
Among many elements, we can specify the most important ones:
- machines for assembly, transport and storage of products
- complete assembly lines
- cameras and sensors
- operator panels
- PLC controllers
- pump motors and valves
Additionally, software that provides data from all these devices, such as SCADA, should also be considered. This software enables optimization of production processes.
Mechatronics
What is mechatronics?
Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of engineering, machining, information technology, robotics, and electronics. It combines these diverse fields to design and field-test new and more efficient machine solutions to make production lines run more smoothly. At the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and computer science, mechatronics specialists create simpler, smarter systems. Mechatronics is an essential foundation for the anticipated growth in automation and manufacturing.
What began as a way to integrate machine parts—hydraulics, pneumatics, and other mechanical systems—with computer control systems has evolved into a thriving part of the manufacturing industry, thanks to recent innovations like artificial intelligence and improved user experience design.
A typical day for a mechatronics technologist might include reviewing design solutions, helping install new systems, troubleshooting faulty electronics, and maintaining equipment essential to mechanical production.
Mechatronics is an industry buzzword synonymous with robotics and electromechanical engineering. Robotics, control systems, and electromechanical systems all fall under the umbrella of mechatronics.
Do you have a talent for creative problem-solving? Do you enjoy technical and engineering activities? Do you work well as a team member? Mechatronics could be for you.
Where can you find mechatronic technology?
Mechatronics technologists work in a wide variety of fields, but they are most often found in the manufacturing sector. Any production line that requires mechanical precision in an environment that may be hazardous or inhospitable to human hands is an ideal candidate for newer and better mechatronic solutions.
Specialists skilled in this field of automation are in high demand on production lines, from projects as large as vehicle production to the smallest microelectronic products. Mechatronics has had a measurable impact on the speed with which new products can be assembled, on price, and ultimately, on production profits.
Why is mechatronics changing the world?
The field of mechatronics is transforming the world with one automated solution after another. Consumer benefits include more affordable, well-made products and faster production times. The most advanced technology relies on mechatronic applications for the manufacturing and processing of consumer products you use every day. Mechatronic solutions have been integrated into products to enhance safety, from anti-lock brake systems to medical imaging equipment. The impact these innovations have on human health, well-being, and safety cannot be underestimated.
How to become a mechatronics technician and what kind of job can we expect?
Although mechatronics technicians are often found in mechatronics professions, the field of mechatronics engineering often requires a higher education degree that includes subjects such as programming, integrated circuits, computer networks, and semiconductor systems.
While a technician's degree is earned at a mechatronics technical school, a bachelor's degree in science with a mechatronics specialization is the minimum requirement for many jobs. Advanced positions in this field may require a master's degree or even a doctorate. Such degrees are earned during studies in mechatronics departments at universities.
A degree in mechatronics can lead to management positions, including project management. Jobs range from laboratories and processing plants to engineering design offices.
Mechatronics specialists work in the fields of cybersecurity, telecommunications, computer science, automotive engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and consumer products and packaging.
What do mechatronics engineers do?
Mechatronics specialists can excel in a variety of engineering disciplines and have a solid foundation for development. Mechatronics specialists understand the fundamentals of mechanical and electrical engineering—they speak both languages—so a mechatronics specialist can collaborate with both mechanical and engineering teams.
Mechatronics specialists work, for example, with massive industrial robots, smaller robots in pick-and-place operations, control systems for bottling or packaging food and beverages, drones, designing amusement park ride control systems, and developing prototypes.
Some mechatronics specialists are employed by companies that require the design and maintenance of automated equipment. This includes industries such as manufacturing, mining, aerospace, robotics, defense, and transportation. Other mechatronics specialists are employed by large-scale manufacturing companies. Due to technological advancements, many new career opportunities will emerge.
What tasks do mechatronics specialists perform?
Mechatronics specialists perform a wide range of tasks, depending on the industry. Some design, develop, maintain, and manage high-tech engineering systems for automating industrial tasks. Others apply mechatronic/automated solutions to handling material components or finished goods, or design and assist in the manufacturing of consumer products such as cameras. Still others conduct feasibility studies and investigate the cost and performance implications of new mechatronic equipment. Still others apply electronic and mechanical processes and computers to tasks where the use of human labor may be hazardous (for example, underwater exploration, mining, or forestry).
What skills do mechatronics specialists need?
Mechatronics specialists have broad interdisciplinary skills, allowing them to transition into more traditional engineering disciplines.
A mechatronics specialist is characterized by:
- creative approach to problem-solving
- ability to work in a team
- creative thinking
- the ability to communicate good ideas to colleagues
Many mechatronics engineers use computer-aided design (CAD) and other engineering software to model, simulate, and analyze complex mechanical, electronic, or other engineering systems.
