New motion control machine elements representation for mechatronic education

Abstract

The paper presents a new proposal for representing machine designs involving motion control. The new mechatronic approach for machine design is moving from a mechanic concept where mechanical transmissions, mechanical gears and coupling etc. are being implemented by electronic coupling, gears, etc. New concepts such as electronic virtual axis are also being employed very often. This brings that, in regards with machine design communication, mechanic elements represented in the past by mechanical drawings are being replaced by new electronic concepts. However, these new electronic motion control concepts should be also represented for a full understanding of the machine behaviors. Drawings are a fundamental tool to communicate preliminary designs, both in an academic and education environments as in professional ones. The new mechatronic elements graphical representation presented in the paper has the objective of bringing the gap between a pure mechanical machine design view and an automated one, including new electronic motion control concepts, and remarking the relevant “mechanic” information from the electronic motion control point of view. All this should facilitate the presentation and explanation of system-based mechatronic designs both in the classroom and at the professional level.