Enhancement of the Synergy in Mechatronics Through Collaborative Research and Education

The genesis of a large variety of technologies in Mechatronics can be traced back to projects in university laboratories with industrial collaboration. Collaboration among multiple groups is particularly relevant in Mechatronics since the associated technologies belong to multiple domains (e.g., mechanical, electrical, electronic, thermal, fluid, control, computing) and mechatronic systems themselves are integrated using many different types of interconnected components and elements. Universities have highly motivated, dedicated, skilled, and inexpensive workers (students, faculty members, and post-doctoral research associates). University laboratories can collaborate with industries in many ways, for example: applied research and development where the laboratory could serve as the research and development arm of the company at a highly subsidized cost; education and training of employees, both present and future; building of awareness of advanced, futuristic, and cutting-edge technologies; and implementation and evaluation of advanced technologies. The activities of the laboratory can be quite flexible and of long-term nature. Furthermore, the involved collaboration may result in an effective use of a spin-off company. Apart from university-industry collaborations one must consider international university-university collaborations as well, for research and education in Mechatronics. The talk will explore several important issues that should be addressed in collaborations involving multiple universities and industry for technology development and education in Mechatronics. Several industrial applications of Mechatronics have been designed and developed in the Industrial Automation Laboratory under the direction of the speaker. Representative applications involving object handling, cutting, inspection, and grading of products will be presented.