An Integrated Approach to Model and Analyze Mechatronic Systems

An Integrated Approach to Model and Analyze Mechatronic Systems


A mechatronic system is an integrated electro-mechanical system. It will typically consist of many different types of interconnected components and elements. In view of dynamic coupling between components, an accurate design of the system should consider the entire system concurrently rather than using traditional design methodologies which are single-criterion and sequential. As well, the modelling of a mechatronic system should use a multi-domain approach, where all domains (mechanical, electrical, thermal, fluid, etc.) are treated in a unified manner. The presentation will first introduce the field of Mechatronics. Then it will present some useful considerations of multi-domain modelling, with examples that justify an integrated approach to modelling. The approach of linear graphs will be presented as an appropriate method for mechatronic modelling. In this context how the familiar techniques of Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits may be extended to mechanical systems will be presented. Several industrial applications of mechatronics have been designed and developed in the Industrial Automation Laboratory at the University of British Columbia under the direction of the speaker. Representative applications involving robotic cutting, inspection, and grading of products will be presented.