Mechatronics Courses and Classes

In the engineering field of mechatronics, students can enroll in degree and certificate programs at colleges and universities. Common courses cover manufacturing, hydraulics and industrial electronics.

Essential Information

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary engineering field that combines systems design, computer, electronic, mechanical, and control engineering. Students interested in studying mechatronics can gain hands-on experience working with pneumatics, hydraulics, electricity and manufacturing of mechanical parts and machines through degree and certificate programs at colleges and universities. Mechatronics courses might incorporate any or all of the engineering disciplines that the field comprises. You can find the following subjects in your studies:

• Conveyor belts
• Robots
• Conduits
• Hydraulics in machinery
• Bar code
• Stability
• Process control

List of Courses

Introduction to Mechatronics

Students typically study analog and digital electronics in introductory mechatronics courses. Electrical engineering basics, such as sensors, logic gates, op-maps, controllers and microprocessors are usually covered, often through both lecture and hands-on lab components. Introductory courses are typically among the first in-field classes taken in a mechatronics program.

MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING

Control Systems

Students study control systems topics like the creation, repair and troubleshooting of electrical, thermal, flow and mechanical systems. Topics like digital control help prepare students to work with remote controllers for mechanic-to-human interfaces. The use of computers and stability analysis systems to test mechanical systems may also be covered.

Industrial Electronics

Industrial electronics courses often follow guidelines set by the National Center for Integrated Systems Technology (NCIST) advanced manufacturing curriculum. Students learn industrial electronics topics like the use of alternating circuits (AC) and direct currents (DC) in manufacturing. Other areas of study might include pressure, speed motor control, servo-mechanisms, conduits and timers. Troubleshooting and replacing faulty circuits may also be addressed. Students are typically prepared to take industrial electronics courses after completing basic foundational mechatronics coursework.

Manufacturing

Through this course, students gain familiarity with computed numerically controlled (CNC) machines, conveyor belts, robots and other machines used in manufacturing. Coursework might include examining the reliability of machines and products, comprehension of manufacturing techniques, testing and diagnosing flawed manufacturing components and consideration of environmental factors. Class projects might include the creation of a robot-based bar code or other tasks that use a variety of engineering skills. This course is typically aimed at students who want to work in the manufacturing and sales field of mechatronics.

Hydraulics

This course focuses on topics like the diagnostics, repair and replacement of hydraulic components in a manufacturing machine. Coursework typically focuses on the construction and uses of hydraulics in machinery. Through lab work, students construct hydraulics and learn the assembly and disassembly of these components. Skills and techniques learned in this course may be applicable in many of the engineering areas in a mechatronics curriculum.