Mechatronics

Mechatronics provides a framework within which modern multi-technology products and systems may be designed by teams of collaborating specialists. These team members can be drawn from a wide background of disciplines, both from the traditional areas of mechanical and electrical engineering and from emerging areas, such as laser technology and advanced materials. The result of efficient mechatronics design is a product range possessing new and exciting performance capabilities. In this volume a number of mechatronics practitioners, drawn from a wide representative cross-section of research and development, outline their knowledge bases and how they apply them in a large number of case studies. Examples of mechatronics designs are given ranging from traditional robotics and precision mechanics, through various types of "smart" machinery, to forward-looking applications of artificial intelligence and neural computing to autonomously-operating systems. Also included are descriptions of manufacturing and marketing aspects of modern product development, with an analysis of the Japanese experience.