A Career in Mechatronics

Joshua Hallman

Ms. Davis

English III Honors

22 February 2018
 Hallman 1

Joshua Hallman

Davis

English III Honors

22 February 2018

A Career in Mechatronics

Working in the mechatronics field could establish one in a growing technological market.

Mechatronics engineers work in high-tech companies where they develop, design and manage

electrical and mechanical systems. They facilitate technology and the development of the

products and processes of the future. This field of engineering commands a need for more

bright, intuitive, responsible, dependable engineers. This technical area required knowledge

from many related fields of engineering, like mechanical engineering, electronics, control

engineering, and manufacturing engineering. A career in mechatronics requires the use of

technical skills, a good education, and great knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering.

Many different teaching methods can help students learn mechatronics easier. The

emerging technologies method stands out as a positive approach, which helps in many ways.

This elaborates on how the students have had great success with this method of teaching, “Based

on the limited assessment data available thus far, it appears that students' confidence and overall

academic performance has improved in some courses following the reform.” (Delale 1). This

suggests that students have displayed greater improvement in learning mechatronics. It also

suggests that the students had built a better confidence level in doing things. A concept

regarding the laboratory experiments became available in order to help the students identify and

formulate engineering problems (Delale 11). Instructors require students to complete lab
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assignments without any assistance. This helps students try to solve some real-life engineering

problems along with working creatively and independently.

Another effective method of teaching the mechatronics curriculum comes forward as the

web-based teaching method. Most students concur that the experiment proved extremely

challenging and fascinating, compared to the traditional classroom environment (Shyr). An ideal

effective method of teaching occurs when the students think that the experiments become fun

and challenging, rather than boring and not interesting. The method should also end up seeming

more in depth than the hands on method, since the technology can go all out with examples.

This study shows RECOLAB’s capability in showing students how to comprehend the notion

and experience the technology used in the web-based environment of the mechatronics

curriculum (Shyr). This RECOLAB experiment has had great success in showing students how

to get a good experience in learning. The program, RECOLAB, has an extremely good outlook

on students and how to help them succeed in their class.

Another method of teaching, called the hands on method, became effective. More hands

on activities can give students, that take a mechatronics class, the technical and analysis skills

that they will need as full time mechatronic engineers (Martín). Working hands on with

technical skills allow students to learn more quickly. The students may also have a better time,

and comprehend the experience better when they use their hands to do the project. The ability to

manage and create experiments, ranked as one of the best technical skills for all engineering

students and graduates (Martín). If students do not perform any real projects, they will never

know if they really work. Students need to practice technical skills to put products together and

design prototypes. These skills will end up helping them in the real engineering world.
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The mechatronics student must enroll into one of the extremely few colleges around the

world. The new master’s degree program, developed by New York University Tandon School of

Engineering remains expected to give at least forty masters degrees per year (PR Newswire).

The mechatronics master's degree program at New York University Tandon School of

Engineering seems to have a genuinely high demand of students wanting to join the program.

This program describes itself as one of few in the eastern US. Higher paying jobs become

readily available to those students who pursue a master’s degree. Most mechatronics graduate

programs exist in Australia, Germany, and Canada. New York University Tandon School of

Engineering participates among the few American schools that offer a master’s degree program,

based off of mechatronics (PR Newswire). Many schools outside of America provide students

with the ability to earn a master’s degree in mechatronics. Unfortunately, America has a few

mechatronics master's degree programs. Mechatronics master degree programs appear difficult,

but highly respected.

Another school with a thriving mechatronics program, Surry Community College, in

Yadkin, North Carolina offers a mechatronics program to students who show an interest. Surry

Community College has a good turnout in numbers of enrollments, 46 in total in the first year of

launch ("Mechatronics Program Thriving at Two Locations"). The program continues doing

acceptably well for a community college. It appears extremely well respected, even though it

takes place at a community college, not a major university. The professor at Surry Community

College said that his students display self-motivation, and they need to enjoy figuring out how

things work mechanically ("Mechatronics Program Thriving at Two Locations"). The inventive

curriculum at Surry Community College helps their mechatronics students use normal
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engineering techniques and their technological skills in testing automated robots, and many other

electromechanical structures. This reinforces the fact that Surry Community College puts forth

effort in helping students learn mechatronics effectively.

Another school that so far has a great, thriving mechatronics program includes Middle

Tennessee State University. Nasab, the curriculum’s adviser, received twelve calls about a

meeting for students that seem interested in the bachelor's degree program in mechatronics

(​"Mtsus Mechatronics Engineering Program Signals Growth, Jobs"​). This bachelor’s degree

program looks enticing and interesting to many engineering students at MTSU. This shows

cause to believe that colleges have few mechatronics degree programs in the United States. Fifty

to one hundred students express an interest to enroll in the curriculum by the conclusion of the

autumn semester (​"Mtsus Mechatronics Engineering Program Signals Growth, Jobs"​). These

projections cause one to think how the course will eventually grow, and how many people want

to remain a part of this program. It appears that many people will enroll in this program by the

conclusion of the year.

Many mechatronic applications have occurred over the years. Students must familiarize

themselves with these exercises. Anti-lock brakes, a system required for safety in cars can stop a

vehicle that slips on a road while also keeping traction to avoid car accidents (Obaia). This

becomes a mechatronic system, or application because the brakes involve mechanics, and even

electronic sensors. The anti-lock brakes also use traction devices to assist the car to steer, and it

also uses some hydraulic valves which help the car to stop. Robotics, another mechatronic

application helped grow automation greatly. Most robots automatically build products, like

building cars in Japan, which many call this process automation (Obaia). Robotics have become
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mechatronic applications because they have hydraulic valves and they involve a lot of

mechanics, and they also have a ton of circuits running through them. Robots help manufacture

cars and other products, because of the cost effectiveness over time. Mechatronic engineers need

to learn many facets of the business.

Many interesting events occured in the history of mechatronics. The word

“mechatronics” became known in the year of 1969 by Tetsura Mori as a brand of the

organization he worked for in Japan (Obaia). He used to work for a company called Yaskawa

Electric Corporation (Obaia). The company he worked for became best known for their

machinery. In 1973 Tetsura applied to make the word mechatronics a brand (Obaia). Mori

wanted to propose his new word that combines mechanics, and electronics, which ended up as

mechatronics. After the year, 1980, computer technology started to develop rapidly and that

granted an assortment of mechatronics items that became commonly used in everyday life. The

word mechatronics consists of “mecha” from mechanics and “tronics” from electronics (Obaia).

It shows engineers that the name derived from mechanics and electronics.

Mechatronics has really advanced in today’s life. This technology remains commonly

used in the automation of robots, industrial products, biomedical products, power structures and

vehicle systems, like anti-lock brakes (Obaia). The mechatronics world has developed in a

positive manner. Anti-lock brakes have continued on for the past 20 years. This indicates that

today the functions of the mechatronics industry have progressively become more important

compared to back then. They have also created many robots that automate the building process.

One example stands out with the cars built in the Japanese, Toyota plant. Mechatronic

applications surround everyone in their daily life, like hard drives, and robotics, to dryers, and
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coffee makers (Brown). This shows that engineers have come a long way in the last fifty or so

years, and everyone will keep getting smarter utilizing mechatronics. This also demonstrates

that most of the products people interact with on a daily basis have some sort of mechatronic

system in it.

Many requirements become necessary to get a job in the mechatronics field. The

engineer must obtain at least an associates degree, or a postsecondary certificate in mechatronics

to get a job (“Summary”). For the average American position in mechatronics, the engineer

must have at least a basic level of college education in mechatronics. In the average American

mechatronics job, the engineer does not always need to have any previous job experience in the

mechatronics field (“Summary”). Many mechatronic jobs seem scarce in the United States. This

also reveals a demand for employees, since most do not usually have any previous work

experience. Mechatronics engineering employment supposedly grew by at least four percent in

2016 (“Summary”). This revealed that the mechatronics engineering field continues rising with

more and more positions opening up. This unique position continues to have fewer qualified

people mainly because of insufficient skills. Mechatronic engineers work with and shadow

mechanical and electrical engineers for many of their jobs. Mechatronics acts as a complete

combination of both of those fields.

Mechatronic Engineers work on many different projects during their daily jobs more than

anyone would think. This shows that mechatronic engineers, or electro-mechanical engineers

frequent many different workplace environments,“Electro-mechanical technicians are generalists

in technology, and their broad skill set will help sustain their employment, especially as their

skills working with machines wired to computer control systems grow in importance in the
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manufacturing sector.” (“Summary”). This demonstrates that many of the mechatronic

engineering jobs relate to computers and machines. Mechatronic engineers seem to also have a

great deal of knowledge in manufacturing, technology, and machines. These engineers will

probably play a huge role in helping to create the automation of many processes used in

production (“Summary”). This points out how these engineers help with the creation of the

automation processes for certain products. Engineers also learn that it takes a lot of time to

create these processes to use in automation. These engineers commonly have jobs that pertain

specifically for automation.

The mechatronics field consists of many more kinds of things that the engineer needs to

have knowledge of. They look at blueprints, diagrams, and schematics to help show how to

build a product, piece of hardware, or a machine (“Summary”). This suggests that they have a

wide variety of items, like machines, that they put together. They also need to have knowledge

of how to read all kinds of part diagrams in the mechatronics field. The engineers also need to

know how to run machines that work with metal to create fittings and similar products

(“Summary”). Properly operating machines becomes a responsibility for engineers. They must

become skilled so they can make correct parts with them. This also displays that they need to

know how to make the exact parts with precise specifications so they can deem them acceptable.

Engineers also should have the necessary skills to institute electronics and hardware into a

component using tools like a soldering iron, and some other handy tools (“Summary”). This

mainly demonstrates that the engineers need to have the technical skills to put many of the

components together by hand. This also shows that the engineer cannot remain afraid to get his
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or her hands dirty in the process, since they will end up using many things that can get them

dirty.

Many different positions currently exist in the mechatronics field. Mechatronic engineers

can analyze and conduct the operation of machines in mills or other kinds of workplaces

(“Summary”). They use or fix machines in many different places. This also looks like what the

engineers mainly spend their valuable time on during the work day. Mechatronic engineers also

do the installation, preservation, and the fixing of machinery used with the process of automation

(“Summary”). Engineers use a variety of tools in the repair many types of machinery. They also

use computers to help aid the repair and use of the CNC machines.

The Mechatronics field consists of a few different and interesting working environments,

which includes the industrial environment. The industrial environment includes computer

equipment, communications equipment, energy, plastics, and the aerospace field (“Summary”).

Mechatronic engineers have many things to do in their industrial working environment. They

also use all of these items or skills on a daily basis in this environment. Sometimes the engineers

can even find themselves working in an office environment (“Summary”). This environment

usually remains open for making sales calls, and for using software to help with what they do in

the industrial area. These two environments can sometimes collaborate to get things done in an

efficient manner by using collaborative software.

The daily life of a mechatronics engineer looks interesting. Frequently engineers at

Saacke North America stay at their workstation helping people on phone support, running some

programs, or reading training booklets (Eckstein). The engineers mostly spend their time on the

phone, helping other people, or working on specific machine programs. Mechatronics engineers
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appear active and up to date on their training expertise, and helping their customers.

Mechatronic engineers can also travel to customers’ offices, helping them with training for using

their own machine, the software for it, and even doing minor repairs for them (Eckstein). These

engineers perform training exercises with customers on a specific machine. They also appear to

actively help and diagnose the problems in the machines, even fixing them when a repair seems

imminent.

Mechatronic Engineers can help their customers in many great ways. The mechatronic

engineers at Saacke mainly focus on upgrading their software called Numroto to the newest

version available at the time and helping them understand the functions of the software and the

machine (Eckstein). This shows that they take a lot of time in trying to make the customer

happy, and make sure the customer knows how to use all of the main functions on the machines.

The engineers also want to help the customers learn how to operate the machine when they first

use it, and keep them up to date on their software. In the end, the customer and the engineer

grind some sample tools that they create daily so they can feel comfortable with their machine

and the software (Eckstein). It becomes apparent that the Saacke engineers care about their

customers overall experience, and they want the customers to keep coming back and buying the

machines from Saacke. The engineers also want to make sure the machine has no defects and

runs correctly.

Mechatronics Engineers travel to many places around the world for their profession.

Saacke, a German manufacturer of tool and cutter grinding machinery, soon became popular

(Eckstein). Many of the engineers attend training exercises on new machines, or accessories

produced by Saacke (Eckstein). This demonstrates that the engineers that work for Saacke travel
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over to Germany to receive training on machines and new features of the machinery. They travel

extensively to other parts of the world as required for their job. Most of the United States based

companies that the Saacke engineers visit produce small drill bits, and other cutting tools.

(Eckstein). The Saacke engineers travel all over the United States to service their machines, and

assist customers with production. Without this support by a Saacke engineer, the companies

would have major production and sales problems.

A career in mechatronics has many amazing advantages. The average pay for a

mechatronic engineer averaged $26.74 per hour and $55,610 per year as of May 2016

(“Summary”). This demonstrates that mechatronic engineers generally get compensated very

well for their occupation. They also seem to make a high salary compared to the American

average salary. Mechatronic engineering jobs ended up rising to a whopping 13,800 jobs as of

May 2016, for this specialized field (“Summary”). This shows that the mechatronics field can

usually remain specialized. The job market can remain scarce for these special types of

engineers.

A career in mechatronics can serve as a stimulating lifelong journey. It can follow areas

of mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineering. As an engineer one must apply

knowledge in each discipline. A few examples of applications include assembly of cars, and

robotics as used in automation. Employers require an associate's degree or above. A Master’s

degree becomes important if the engineer wants their salary to increase. It also offers more of an

opportunity for career advancement. Some education methods include a variety of laboratory,

web-based and hands on experiments. All of these become necessary if the engineer wants a
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rewarding career. If an engineer has the skills to design, construct, operate, analyze and

collaborate, a mechatronic engineering job awaits them.

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Works Cited

Brown, Alan S. “Mechatronics and the Role of Engineers.” ​ASME​, ASME, Mechatronics and the

Role of Engineers.

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e-of-engineers

Delale, Feridun, et al. "Infusion of Emerging Technologies and New Teaching Methods into the \

Mechanical Engineering Curriculum at the City College of New York." ​Advances in

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Eckstein, Tony. Personal Interview 11 February 2018

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