Mechatronics is defined as the synergistic application of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, controls engineering and computer science to produce useful products.

The word synergistic in this four-legged stool definition is meant to imply much more than a multi-skilled approach that might be the result of cross-training. It implies a paradygm shift resulting in full integration of knowledge and skills in these four areas.

For an education program in mechatronics to be of reasonable scope, there must be some ballance established between depth and breadth of knowledge and skills. This ballance can best be established by restricting topics to areas that are relavent to a particular industry segment. For example, mechatronics as applied to the design of consumer electronics would focus upon microchip controllersrather than programmable logic controllers. Mechatronics as applied to construction machinery would involve significant depth of study in hydraulics while mechatronics as applied to packaging machinery could replace depth in hydraulics with depth of study in pneumatic and vacuum systems.

The Industrial Maintenance Training Center has chosen to make hybrid industry manufacturing, and especially pacakging operations with these hybrid industries, as its primary mechatronics focus. This provides support for a significant cross section of industries within our region.

The following series of images contrasts the design and implementation of acartoning machine for packaging breakfastcereal usinga conventional approach and a mechatronic approach. Note the significant reduction in mechanical moving parts by utilizing electronic motion control, an enabling mechatronic technology.

Read the summary of a 2007 report on Mechatronics commissioned by the Texas State Technical College System.

Watch mechatronics videos on You Tube or read more on Wikipedia.