Mechatronics as a discipline has an ever growing impact on engineering and engineering education as a defining approach to the design, development, and operation of an increasingly wide range of engineering systems. The increasing scope and complexity of mechatronic systems means that their design and development now involve not only the technical aspects of its core disciplines, but also aspects of organization, training, and management.

Mechatronics and the Design of Intelligent Machines and Systems reflects the significant areas of development in mechatronics and focuses on the higher-level approaches needed to support the design and implementation of mechatronic systems. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize the importance of systems integration. Each chapter deals with a particular aspect of the design and development process, from the specification of the system to software design and from the human-machine interface to the requirements for safe operation and effective manufacture.

Notable among this text's many features is the use of a running case study-the autonomous and robotic excavator LUCIE-to illustrate points made in various chapters. This, combined with the authors' clear prose, systematic organization, and generous use of examples and illustrations provides students with a firm understanding of mechatronics as a discipline, some of the problems encountered in its various areas, and the developing techniques used to solve those problems.

Autorentext

David Allan Bradley, Derek Seward, David Dawson, Stuart Burge

Inhalt

OF MACHINES AND MECHATRONICS
Introduction
Mechatronics and Technology
Engineering Design and Mechatronics
Mechatronics and Concurrent Engineering
Summary
MECHATRONICS AND INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
What is Intelligence?
Intelligent Machines
Artificial Intelligence and Expert systems
Architectures
Safety
Operating Modes
Summary
Case Study: An Intelligent Robot or Unstructured Environments-Autonomous Robotic Excavator
A MECHATRONIC DESIGN PROCESS
Introduction
Engineering Design Models
A Mechatronic Design Framework
Summary of Principles
Approaches to Designing Mechatronic Hardware
REQUIREMENTS INTERPRETATION FOR MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS
Introduction
Customer Requirements and the Product Life Cycle
Customer Requirements
Customer Requirements and the Mechatronic System Design Framework
Requirements Interpretation
Summary or Beyond Requirements Interpretation
Case Study: Autonomous Robotic Excavator
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Introduction
AI Programming versus "Conventional" Programming
Knowledge Acquisition
Knowledge Representation
Searching for Solutions
Case Study: The Use of Artificial Intelligence for an Automated Robotic Excavator
NEURAL NETWORKS AND FUZZY SYSTEMS
Neural Networks
Artificial Neural Networks
The Adeline
The Perceptron
Kohonen Network
Adaptive Resonant Theorem Networks
Hopfield Network
Implementation of Neural Networks
Fuzzy Systems
Fuzzy Sets
Set Operations
Fuzzy Reasoning and Control
Developing a Fuzzy System
Fuzzy-Neural Systems
SOFTWARE
Introduction
Software Development Process Models
Software Methods
Requirements
Design
Object-Oriented Methods
Testing
Case Study: The Role of Software in Automated and Robotic Excavation
USER INTERFACES
Introduction
The Design of the Human-Machine Interface
Tele-Operation
Summary
Case Study: Prototyping and User Interface Design
SYSTEM SAFETY
Introduction
Background to Safety
The IEC 1508 Approach
Case Study: The Role of Safety in Automated and Robotic Excavation
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
Introduction
Computer Numerically Controlled Machines, An Overview
CNC Machines and Programming Essentials of Cell Manufacturing and FMS
Parts Classification Systems and Design by Features
The Extension of FMS to CIM
CIM Architectures
Identifying Information Flow in the CIM System
Databases in Manufacturing
In-Process Gauging and Coordinate Measurement
Rapid Prototyping and Modelling
CAD-CAM Integration and Rapid Prototyping
Rapid Tool Making
Principles of Design for Ease of (Automated) Assembly
Sensors in Manufacturing
On-Line Monitoring of Manufacturing Equipment
Automatic Guided Vehicles and parts Handling
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN MECHATRONICS
Automotive Systems
Home Systems
Telecare and Telehealth
Automation and Robotics
Manufacturing
Design
Summary
CASE STUDIES IN MECHATRONICS
Mechatronic Guided Bus
Microsystems, MEMS, and Built-in-Self-Test
High-Speed Tilting Trains
A Practical Application of Expert Systems Design
The Torotrak Infinitely Variable Transmission: Optimizing Power Transmission System, A Goal within Sight?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX