Mechatronics is a composite technology, the product of the mutual penetration of mechanical technology, microelectronics technology and information technology, and the inevitable trend of the development of electromechanical industry. This paper briefly describes the basic structure and main application fields of mechatronics technology, and points out its development trend.

Keywords: machinery industry; Mechatronics; Numerical control; modularize

The development of modern science and technology has greatly promoted the intersection and infiltration of different disciplines, and caused technological changes and revolutions in the engineering field. In the field of mechanical engineering, due to the rapid development of microelectronics and computer technology and its penetration into the mechanical industry, the technical structure, product organization, function and composition, production mode and management system of the mechanical industry have undergone tremendous changes, and industrial production has entered a development stage characterized by "mechanical electrification".

First, the core technology of mechatronics

Mechatronics includes software and hardware technologies. The hardware consists of mechanical body, sensor, information processing unit and driving unit. Therefore, in order to accelerate the development of mechatronics, we must start from the following aspects.

(A) mechanical ontology technology

Mechanical body must be considered from several aspects, such as improving performance, reducing mass and improving accuracy. Modern mechanical products are generally made of steel. In order to reduce the weight, besides improving the structure, nonmetallic composite materials should also be considered. Only when the weight of the mechanical body is reduced, it is possible to realize the miniaturization of the drive system, thereby improving the rapid response characteristics, reducing energy consumption and improving the control efficiency.

(2) Sensing technology

The problem of sensor focuses on improving reliability, sensitivity and accuracy, which is directly related to anti-interference. In order to avoid electrical interference, there is a tendency to use optical fiber cable sensors. For external information sensors, non-contact detection technology is mainly developed at present.

(3) Information processing technology

Electromechanical integration is closely related to the remarkable progress of microelectronics and the popularization and application of information processing equipment (especially microcomputers). In order to further develop mechatronics, it is necessary to improve the reliability of information processing equipment, including the reliability of analog-to-digital conversion equipment and the reliability of time-sharing input and output processing, so as to improve the processing speed and solve the problems of anti-interference and standardization.

(4) Driving skills

As a driving mechanism, motor has been widely used, but there are still some problems in rapid response and efficiency. At present, the motor with built-in encoder and the servo drive unit with special control element-sensor-motor are being actively developed.

(5) Interface technology

In order to communicate with computers, it is necessary to standardize the data transmission format. Using the same interface standard specification is not only beneficial to information transmission and maintenance, but also can simplify the design. At present, technicians are working hard to develop low-cost and high-speed serial interfaces to solve the miniaturization and standardization of contactless signal cables, large capacity, optical fibers and optocouplers.

(vi) Software technology

Software and hardware must develop in harmony. In order to reduce the cost of software development and improve the efficiency of production and maintenance, software standardization should be gradually implemented, including program standardization, program modularization, software program solidification and software engineering.

Second, the main application fields of mechatronics technology

(1) CNC machine tools

After 40 years of development, CNC machine tools and corresponding CNC technologies have been rapidly improved in terms of structure, function, operation and control accuracy, as shown in the following:

1, bus type, modular, compact structure, that is, multi-CPU and multi-main bus architecture.

2. Open design, that is, the hardware architecture and functional modules are hierarchical, compatible and in line with interface standards, which can maximize the efficiency of users.

3.WOP technology and intelligence. The system can provide workshop-oriented programming technology, realize dynamic simulation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional machining process, and introduce intelligent mechanisms such as online diagnosis and fuzzy control.

4. The application of mass storage and modular design of software not only enrich the functions of CNC system, but also enhance the control functions of CNC system.

5. Multi-process and multi-channel control can be realized, that is, one machine tool has the ability to complete multiple independent processing tasks or control multiple machine tools at the same time, and the tool breakage detection, material handling and manipulator control are integrated into the system.

6. The multi-level network function of the system enhances the ability of system combination and complex machining system.

7. A compact numerical control device is composed of single board and single chip microcomputer, plus special chip and template.

(2) Computer Integrated Manufacturing System (CIMS)

The realization of CIMS is not a simple combination of existing decentralized systems, but a global dynamic optimal synthesis. It breaks the boundaries between original departments, controls "logistics" and "information flow" based on manufacturing, and realizes the organic combination of business decision, product development, production preparation, production experiment and production management. The improvement of enterprise integration can better optimize the allocation of various production factors and give full play to the potential of various production factors.

(3) Flexible manufacturing system

Flexible manufacturing system is a computerized manufacturing system, which is mainly composed of computers, CNC machine tools, robots, pallets, automatic handling carts and automated warehouses. It can randomly, timely and quantitatively produce any workpiece within its capacity according to the requirements of the assembly department, and is especially suitable for the batch production of discrete parts with multiple varieties, small and medium batches and frequent design changes.