Mechatronics

Mechatronics

What is mechatronics?

“Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that is based on the classical disciplines of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.  A typical mechatronic system receives signals, processes them, and outputs signals, which it converts into forces and movements, for example.” (translated from G. Schweitzer: Mechatronics, VDI Reports 787, VDI-Verlag, Düsseldorf, 1989).

This general definition aptly describes what the TAF Mechatronics is about. The computer science portion of the CE program is combined here with topics from electrical and mechanical engineering as well as related disciplines. Due to the strong interdisciplinarity, there are overlaps with the TAFs Thermodynamics and Fluid Dynamics, Solid Mechanics and Dynamics, Medical Engineering, and Control Engineering. Here, focus is always on the consideration and understanding of the overall system and the interaction of different physical principles and technical aspects. Linking mechanical and electrical engineering, mechatronics also deals with actuator and sensor technology in order to be able to influence technical processes through control and regulation, in addition to the simulation of mechanical and electrical processes.

Course content

At the undergraduate level, TAF Mechatronics focuses on the fundamentals of the underlying engineering disciplines. This includes a comprehensive introduction to electrical  and control engineering. Addtionally, sensor technology is also an integral part of the bachelor’s program, where a variety of transducers are considered for sensing a wide range of physical quantities. Electives in the bachelor’s program deal with statics, FEM simulation, fluid mechanics, signal processing and production engineering, among others.

The master’s program builds on the knowledge from the underlying disciplines and emphasis on their connection. There is an increased focus on the interaction of the elements in the overall system as well as the interface to humans users.

 

TAF Adviser