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ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL

Interdisciplinary mechatronics systems analysis in the perspective of a performance vocational education

CRISTEA LUCIANA REPANOVICI ANGELA BARITZ MIHAELA NICOLAE IOANA

Precision Mechanics and Mechatronics Department Transilvania University of Brasov Eroilor 29, Brasov ROMANIA [email protected] http://mfm.unitbv.ro

Abstract: The interdisciplinary study of mechatronics systems comes to facilitate and expand the opportunities for interaction, networking and collaboration between teachers, students and others who are either involved or interested in developing the new vocational education perspectives. The knowledge society will recognise the organic link between the learning citizen, the learning organisation and the learning territory as an open system of learning that embraces formal and informal, professional and cultural learning in the same dynamic. According with these conditions we start to develop precision mechanics and mechatronics systems study for promote the development of the reflective capabilities of the students, giving greater responsibility for managing their own learning and preparing for important aspects of work-based on learning.

Keywords: Vocational education, mechatronics, systems, analysis, interdisciplinary.

1 Introduction Mechatronics is the result of evolution reasonable In the next stage by integrating microprocessors technological development. The genesis of in electromechanical structures, and thus they are mechatronics is the interdisciplinary area relating to smart enough to mechatronics. mechanical , electrical and electronic Interdisciplinary analysis requires integration engineering, and (fig.1). This of knowledge from the disciplines being brought has produced many new products and to bear on an issue. Disciplinary knowledge, provided powerful ways of improving the efficiency concepts, tools, and rules of investigation are of the products we use in our daily life. considered, contrasted, and combined in such a way that the resulting understanding is greater than simply the sum of its disciplinary parts [1].

Mechanics 2 Interdisciplinary aspects  Mechanical elements; Many engineering problems can be formulated,  Precision mechanics. attacked, and solved using the mechatronic paradigm. Mechatronics deals with benchmarking MECHATRONICS and emerging problems in integrated electrical– Information mechanical–, science, and technology technologies.  Microelectronics;  Artificial intelligence; Mechatronic systems can be subdivided into [2]:  Power electronics.  technology; • Mechatronic systems;  System theory;  . • Mechatronic machines; • Mechatronic vehicles; • Precision mechatronics; • Micro mechatronics. Figure 1

ISSN: 1790-5109 103 ISBN: 978-960-474-186-1 ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

Mechatronics technology put the spotlight the issue The objectives of the mechatronic high education of information which is part-giving season in are to teach the new generation of students and relation to material and energy. This position of the , as well as to assist industry and information is motivated by these arguments: government in the development of high- • provide information meeting the spiritual needs performance electromechanical systems augmenting of man; conventional engineering curriculum with an ever- • only new information increases the value added expanding electro mechanics core (fig.2). of all things; • information means culture. The synergistic combination of precision "Education through theory" , electronic control and systems thinking in the design of products and manufacturing processes is the essence of the Innovative mechatronic concept. thinking Modern engineering encompasses diverse multidisciplinary areas. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify new directions in research and Project management Teamwork addressing, pursuing, and implementing new meaningful and pioneering Mechatronics Education research initiatives and designing the engineering "Education curriculum. "Education through By integrating various disciplines and tools, through practice" mechatronics provides multidisciplinary leadership research" and supports the current gradual changes in Communication Leadership academia and industry. skills Academic endeavors in order to provide training for specialists in accordance with the requirements of new technology led to the shaping of mechatronic principles in education. Mechatronics is an important part of modern Figure 2 confluent engineering due to integration, interaction, Mechatronics is the interdisciplinary laboratories interpretation, relevance, and systematization for materializing the principles of "education features. Efficient and effective means to assess the through practice", "education through research". current trends in modern engineering with Located at the intersection of fields of science assessments analysis and outcome prediction can be with peak performance in implementing new approached through the mechatronic paradigm [1]. technologies, mechatronics approach and systems Mechatronic systems provide: engineering concepts micro and nano sensing and  versatility; actuation systems, composite materials and suitable  flexibility; for implementation in cellular or atomic scale, cell  shareholders the opportunity to distance; structure and neural network, which prefigure the  continuous evolution due to dynamic market concepts of nanoelectronics systems capable of demands; producing future nano-processors, new concepts of  imitation of nature-adaptability. artificial intelligence on adaptability, ability to Providing effective solutions to promote reason, capacity training, new systems of interdisciplinary, mechatronics has become support management focusing particularly on robust control, moves to encourage initiative and creativity. fault tolerance, adaptive , intelligent, expert systems The multidisciplinary mechatronic research and and neuro-fuzzy, etc. educational activities, combined with the variety of For mechatronics engineering practice, active student learning processes and synergetic philosophy marked leap from traditional teaching styles, will produce a level of overall engineering, sequential or simultaneous engineering student accomplishments that is greater than the competition. achievements which can be produced by refining the In recent years, mechatronics is defined simply: conventional electrical, computer, and mechanical science intelligent machines. More recently engineering curricula [9]. approaches for renewal in education and research

ISSN: 1790-5109 104 ISBN: 978-960-474-186-1 ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

highlight the issue of mechatronics as: educational The primary emphasis is placed on enhancement environment in the Information Society and improvement in student knowledge, learning, environment that integrated design and critical thinking, depth, breadth, results manufacturing background which has developed the interpretation, integration and application of concept design for control. knowledge, motivation, commitment, creativity, In the literature have become established, in enthusiasm, and confidence. These can be achieved other areas of expansion: hydronic, pneutronics, through the new mechatronic curriculum termotronics, autotronics, precision farming. development and implementation. Integronics is science and systems integration Mechatronics interdisciplinary high education processes hiperintegrate, as the human body. The will perform fundamental and applied activities by: personality of an individual not depends on the • integrating electromagnetic, electro mechanics, width of horizon and the richness of his knowledge, power electronics, ICs, and control; but of how he organizes and integrates them, • devising advanced design, analysis, and integration is more important than volume and optimization simulation and analytic tools and richness of his knowledge. capabilities through development of specialized By comparison with the systems theory and computer-aided-design software; , which studies the ready formats • developing actuation-sensing-control hardware; systems, integronics analyzes how systems are set • devising advanced paradigms, concepts, and up and developed. In this context, mechatronics can technologies; be regarded as an integronics vision technology. • supporting research, internship, and cooperative The problem of integration is essential in multidisciplinary education programs for mechatronics. In carrying out different products and undergraduate and graduate students. systems, specific solutions must be found to Mechatronic curriculum design includes integrate components: mechanical-electronic- development of goals and objectives, programs of informatics. Integronics highlight new solutions study and curriculum guides, courses, laboratories, integration as: genetic integration, integration by textbooks, instructional materials, manuals, addiction, integration by choice. In this regard it is experiments, instructional sequences, material important to understand that integration is a natural delivery techniques, visualization and demonstration process in nature. For this nature has created forms approaches, and other supplemental materials to and structures that favors integration. Mechatronics accomplish a wide range of educational and research opened unsuspected horizons in all fields, because goals [3]. the synergistic stimulation. Following the overseas trends where mechatronics education is firmly established, the more educated the work force, the greater will be 3 Mechatronics education – practical the demand for mechatronics education [6]. aspects The computer technology enhances the need for mechatronic professionals, as it involves specific The impact of mechatronics technology exceeds the integration of mechanical, electrical and software economic sphere, the essential social, cultural and engineering. others. This explains the keen interest in the EU The structure of the Mechatronic programme at countries to launch initiatives and develop special the Transilvania University of Brasov fully programs for this area. Approaches strengthen the integrates theory and practice and ensures an belief that the information society, cultural interdisciplinary approach. The education relevance depends on the performance, technology philosophy will ensure not only demand for our [5]. It is envisaged that the future of technological graduates but provide the mutually vital links with development in Romania will increasingly call upon industry by way of collaborative research, and depend on mechatronics expertise to provide consultancies, provision of industry scholarships. equipment and specialised skills that will not only Close links with industry are considered add value to the finished products, but do it quickly, especially important for an engineering discipline in accurately, economically and in large volumes. general and Mechatronic Engineering in particular. Those involved in learning and training are looking The School of Mechatronic Engineering has a lot of for tools to transform the learning experience, connections with companies with mechatronic links. enable learners to become autonomous and enjoy a Interdisciplinary design and analysis demand truly personalized development path. from people trained in traditional disciplines to learn appreciating different perspectives, views, ideas,

ISSN: 1790-5109 105 ISBN: 978-960-474-186-1 ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

and approaches from other disciplines. actions, economic optimization, and coordination. Mechatronics curriculum should emphasise a The tasks of the higher levels are sometimes balance of the content between technology, summarized as “process management.” methodology and knowledge of theoretical science. The mechatronics curricula attempts to bring real The degree programme should not focus only on the world experiences for the student and part of this design process and building up practical skills and include integrating various engineering disciplines. neglect the potential role of the scientific issues along with the associated theories. [4] References: Mechatronic systems such as robots, cameras [1] Michael Seipel, : An and automobile, which integrate the various Introduction, Truman State University, Kirksville, disciplines, make good topics to illustrate the value Missouri, 2005, pp3. of an interdisciplinary approach. [2] Rolf Isermann, Mechatronic Design Approach, The goal mechatronic education in UTBv (fig.2) CRC Press LLC, 2002. is to obtain engineers who are educated in the [3] Sergey Edward Lyshevski, Mechatronics: New theories, principles and applications of Directions in Nano-,Micro-, and Mini-Scale Mechatronics while improving their competencies Electromechanical Systems Design, and in innovative thinking, communication skills, Engineering Curriculum Development, CRC Press teamwork, leadership, and project management [7]. LLC, 2002. According with these aspects in our activities we [4] Maki K. Habib, Interdisciplinary Mechatronics intend to assure: engineering and science: problem-solving, creative- - The gradual training of our students in order to thinking and concurrent design synergy, Int. J. face effectively the requests of the labour Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, Vol. 1, market trough: developing the students’ No. 1, 2008,pp4-22. cognitive capacities based on up-to date [5] Rogozea L. - Towards ethical aspects on knowledge taught and assessed in a modern and artificial intelligence, Conference Information: 8th effective way, developing the students’ team WSEAS International Conference on Artificial working skills as a base of an efficient further Intelligence, Knowledge Engineering and Data social and professional integration, developing Bases, 2009,Cambridge England, p: 507-512, 2009, the students’ effective self assessment skills by ISBN: 978-960-474-060-4. using a transparent and formative assessment [6] Simovic V. - The Strategic Role of New system. Education Technologies With Relation To Usage of - The developing of competencies for users, ICT Supported Knowledge Management Models for providers, administrators and policy makers. Competitiveness and Performance Management - The running of a quality educational process Improvement, Proceedings of the 8th WSEAS management. International Conference on Education and - The developing of an intrinsic motivation for Educational Technology, Genova, Italy, 200ISBN: the profession of our students. 978-960-474-128-1, ISSN: 1790-5109, pg. 44-51. - The developing of an effective research activity [7] Cristea L., The Improvement of Performances in of teaching staff and with and for students. Automatic Dimensional Inspection for Bearing - The development of an effective co-operation Production, an Important Way to Quality Assurance with other faculties and universities from in Mechanical Engineering, 8th WSEAS Romania and from abroad. International Conference on Instrumentation, - The developing of high quality in- service Measurement, Circuits and Systems, WSEAS training programs for pre-university teachers. International Conferences Hangzhou, China, 2009 ISBN: 978-960-474-076-5, ISSN: 1790-5117, pp91. [8] Matija Pipan, Tanja Arh, Borka Jerman Blažič, 4 Conclusion Advanced eVocational Education of Mechatronic Recent approaches to mechatronic systems use Professions, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF signal processing in the lower levels, such as EDUCATION AND INFORMATION damping, control of motions, or simple supervision. TECHNOLOGIES Issue 1, Volume 3, 2009, pp. 14. Digital information processing, however, allows for [9] Rogozea L., Leasu F., Repanovici A., Baritz M, the solution of many tasks, like adaptive control, Ethics, and Medicine Development, The learning control, supervision with fault diagnosis, 9th WSEAS International Conference on SIGNAL decisions for maintenance or even redundancy PROCESSING, ROBOTICS and AUTOMATION (ISPRA '10),2010, Cambridge, England.

ISSN: 1790-5109 106 ISBN: 978-960-474-186-1