I Mechatronics

Leading

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China began to carry out mechatronics research and application from the early 1980s.The government created the National High-tech R & D Program (also referred to as the 863 Program). Considering the international development trend towards mechatronics and the impact that may bring about, when making the 9th Five-Year Plan and 2010 Development Program, many colleges, universities, research institutions and some large and medium-sized enterprises had done a lot of work on the development and application of this technology.Although there is still a gap between China and Japan, Europe, the United States and some other advanced countries, mechatronics training equipment has been successfully used in various machinery, science and technology fields with the rapid development of the new technological revolution. China has also increased the research of mechatronics technology,identified it as the national key research area of high technology, given top priority support and obtained some achievements. At present, the achievements of mechatronics technology in the numerical control, industrial robots and computer integrated manufacturing are particularly obvious for the industrial and economic development of China.

我国从 20 世纪 80 年代初开始进行机电一体化的研究和应用，国务院成立了国家高科技研发项目并将其列为“863 计划”。在制定“九五”规划和 2010 年发展纲要时充分考虑了国际上关于机电一体化技术的发展动向和由此可能带来的影响，许多大专院校、研究机构及一些大中型企业对这一技术的发展及应用做了大量的工作。虽然目前国内机电一体化技术与日本、欧美等先进国家相比仍有一定差距，但随着新技术革命的迅猛发展，机电一体化实训装置已经成功运用到各个机械、科技领域。我国也加大了机电一体化技术的研究力度，并将其确定为国家高技术重点研究领域，给予优先支持，并取得了一定的成绩。目前机电一体化技术在数控技术、工业机器人和计算机集成制造取得的成就在我国产业与经济发展中显得尤为明显。

Warming up

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Look at the pictures below and match them with the proper words.

Discuss with your partner what other fields mechatronics applies to.

Text A

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What is Mechatronics?

The term“mechatronics”comes from the words“mechanical”and“electronics”combined.It combines traditional fields of mechanical and electrical engineering, fused together with IT or computer science and mathematics. The application of mechatronics in everyday life ranges from power systems to transportation, optical telecommunications to biomedical engineering,along with a long list of related disciplines.

Mechatronic systems exist in almost every science, mechanical or industrial field, and it seems that there are no limits to the future of this discipline. Development of robotic systems,implants in the human body to improve physiological functions, and other technologies may improve knowledge and human life. The field has long been popular in Japan and Europe, and since the 2000s, it has slowly gained academic and industrial acceptance as a scientific field in the U.K. and the U.S.

Those who study or complete a degree in the field can have careers in a large spectrum of industries. Career opportunities in this fast emerging and evolving discipline exist both in the private and public sectors. Graduates can have a successful career in aerospace, robotics,defense and automotive production, food processing, space systems, modern industrial systems,manufacturing, sales and manufacturing of engineered products, information technology, and even business.

A person with a degree in this discipline can contribute greatly as a software engineer,project manager, project planner, project designer, or design engineer. Statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that mechatronics engineers have had excellent employment opportunities. Furthermore, the demand for highly qualified professionals possessing multidisciplinary skills, combined with knowledge of mechanical and electronic systems, may continue to rise.

Products considered mechatronic devices or smart devices have become ubiquitous.Engineers can employ their services to companies that develop, design, manufacture, and market these smart devices. People make use of these devices, often without even being aware of the mechatronic field. Some of these smart devices include computer disk drives, robots,photocopiers, clothes dryers, and windshield wipers.

These mechatronic devices can be found in industries such as agriculture, medicine and surgery, homes, buildings, automobiles, entertainment, and the toy industry. Products may also be used as aids for the disabled and elderly. As a highly dynamic and multifaceted discipline, students and teachers must constantly be aware of new academic discoveries, and regularly update and sharpen their skills in order to fully exhaust the discipline’s possible contributions to mankind.

Word list

mechatronics /ˌmekəˈtrɒnɪks/ n. 机电一体化；机械电子学

mechanical /məˈkænɪkl/ adj. 机械的；力学的

electronics /ɪˌlekˈtrɒnɪks/ n. 电子学；电子工业

combine /kəmˈbaɪn/ vt. 使联合；使结合

fuse /fjuːz/ vt. 融合

application /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃn/ n. 应用；申请

optical /ˈɒptɪkl/ adj. 光学的；视觉的

telecommunications /ˌtelikəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃnz/ n. 电信；电讯

biomedical /ˌbaɪəʊˈmedɪkl/ adj. 生物医学的

discipline /ˈdɪsəplɪn/ n. 学科；纪律

robotic /rəʊˈbɒtɪk/ adj. 机器人的

implant /ɪmˈplænt/ n. （医）植入物；植入管

physiological /ˌfɪziəˈlɒdʒɪkl/ adj. 生理学的；生理的

academic /ˌækəˈdemɪk/ adj. 学术的；学院的

spectrum /ˈspektrəm/ n. 光谱；范围

emerging /ɪˈmɜːdʒɪŋ/ adj. 走向成熟的；新兴的

evolve /ɪˈvɒlv/ vt. 发展；进化；使逐步形成

aerospace /ˈerəʊspeɪs/ n. 航空航天空业；航空与航天空间

defence /dɪˈfens/ n. 防卫；防护

automotive /ˌɔːtəˈməʊtɪv/ adj. 汽车的；机动车的

manufacturing /ˌmænjuˈfæktʃərɪŋ/ n. 制造业

statistics /stəˈtɪstɪks/ n. 统计数字；统计学

multidisciplinary /ˌmʌltiˈdɪsəplɪnəri/ adj. 多门学科的；多专业的

ubiquitous /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/ adj. 普遍存在的

photocopier /ˈfəʊtəʊkɒpiər/ n. 复印机

windshield /ˈwɪndʃiːld/ n. 挡风玻璃

disabled /dɪsˈeɪbld/ adj. 残疾的；有缺陷的

dynamic /daɪˈnæmɪk/ adj. 动力的；有活力的

multifaceted /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ adj. 多方面的

Phrases or Expressions

range from…to… 范围从……到

along with 沿（顺）着；连同……一起；与……一道

combine with 与……结合

make use of 使用；利用

be aware of 知道；意识到；觉察到

be used as 被用来做……

Key structures

1. The application of mechatronics in everyday life ranges from power systems to transportation,optical telecommunications to biomedical engineering, along with a long list of related disciplines.

机电一体化在日常生活中的应用范围从电力系统到运输、光通信技术到生物医学工程，以及一系列与之相关的学科。

range from... to... 指“范围从……到……”； along with 在句中的意思是“以及”。

2. Those who study or complete a degree in the field can have careers in a large spectrum of industries.

那些在该领域学习或完成学位的人可以在许多行业中工作。

who study or complete a degree in the field 是 who 引导的定语从句，修饰先行词 those, who 作定语 从句中的主语。

3. Statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that mechatronics engineers have had excellent employment opportunities.

劳动统计局提供的数据表明，机电一体化工程师有很好的就业机会。

provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistcs 为过去分词作后置定语，修饰名词 statistics ；动词

suggest 在本句中的意思是“表明”， that mechatronics engineers have had excellent employment opportunities 是 that 引导的宾语从句。

4. Engineers can employ their services to companies that develop, design, manufacture, and market these smart devices.

工程师可以为开发、设计、制造和销售这些智能设备的公司提供服务。

employ 在本句中的意思是“应用，使用”； that develop, design, manufacture, and market these smart

devices 是 that 引导的定语从句，修饰先行词 companies, that 作定语从句中的主语。

Understanding your reading

Language Focus

Choose the correct word to complete the following sentences.

1. The two companies have been______a single organization.

2. Don’t give up until you have_____all the possibilities.

3. Students learned the practical______of the theory they had learned in the classroom.

4. Popular music_____from folk songs.

5. We’re looking for people from a wide range of_____.

6. China has been described as an _____“economic powerhouse”.

Choose the correct word to complete the following sentences.Change the form where necessary.

1.combine combination

a. Action and self-discipline are the best_____to keep fit.

b. We are looking for someone who_____all the necessary qualities.

2.evolve evolution

a. In adapting to extreme climates, animals can_____in pretty interesting ways.

b. The_____of any species is largely influenced by its interactions with other species.

3.emerge emergent emergence

a. Software is different because it is an_____reality.

b. The_____and spread of COVID-19 changed people’s lives around the world.

c. China has once again_____as a world power.

Match the words in Column A with the appropriate definitions in Column B.

Choose the correct phrase to complete the following sentences.Change the form where necessary.

1. Everyone should ______the importance and urgency of protecting the environment.

2. Courses ______cooking______ computing.

3. Parents must ______their natural ability to empathize.

4. She lost her job when the factory closed,______hundreds of others.

5. The database could______a teaching resource in colleges.

6. Only when______targets, can great efforts help people realize their full potential.

Text B

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What Is a Mechatronics Engineer?

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field of science that integrates the principals of mechanical engineering, electronics, computer engineering, telecommunications engineering, systems engineering and control engineering into a unified discipline while keeping the core mechanical engineering education.

In high demand, mechatronics engineers are uniquely equipped to work as mechanical engineers with electronics, instrumentation and real-time software engineering skills. With a core mechanical engineering education and a strong background in integrating electronics, sensors and actuators into devices, mechatronics engineers are a valuable asset in a wide field of engineering.

Mechatronics engineers work in all aspects of the development of products, from design and testing right through to manufacture. There is almost no product in the world that is solely electronic, electrical or mechanical in nature. With the growing capabilities of electronics, modern mechanical systems are embedded with electronics and controls. This means that the lines between each discipline are becoming increasingly blurred, and there is a growing demand for mechatronics engineers whose knowledge is strong across all of these areas.

From consumer goods, such as microwaves, cars and smartphones, to industrial applications such as CNC machine tools, robots and MRI and X-ray machines, mechatronics engineers use fundamental principles of electrical, mechanical, software, and control engineering in their design and development in order to generate a simpler, more economical and reliable way to do things.

Mechatronics engineers create machines that are made up of several parts: the mechanical system, the sensing and actuation, the control system and the software. An industrial robot is an excellent example of a mechatronics system; it includes aspects of electronics, mechanics, and computing to do its day-to-day job.

Some tasks mechatronics engineers undertake:

Develop solutions to industrial problems by using mechanical/electronic/computer technology.

Design and build new products, for example, develop robotic vehicles for underwater exploration.

Introduce automation to factory production lines to improve existing processes.

Improve previous industrial/manufacturing processes—for example, robotic floor cleaners.

Design and develop engineering systems for the automation of industrial tasks.

Apply mechatronic solutions to the transfer of materials, components or finished goods.

Apply control systems which are typically computer-driven.

Apply electronic/mechanical processes and computers to dangerous tasks in underwater exploration, mining or forestry.

Study the feasibility of new mechatronic equipment.

Carry out modelling and analysis of mechanical, electronic or other systems using computers.

Mechatronics engineers work in industries such as robotics, aerospace, medical and assistive technology, mining or defence, material handling, human-machine interaction, manufacturing,unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, and education. They may work in laboratories, high-tech companies, large global enterprises, processing plants or engineering offices, but they can also be involved with research in emerging fields like bioengineering, nanotechnology and robotics.

Word list

integrate /ˈɪntɪɡreɪt/ vt. 使……完整；使……成整体

unified /ˈjuːnɪfaɪd/ adj. 统一的；一致标准的

instrumentation /ˌɪnstrəmenˈteɪʃn/ n. 测量仪器；器乐的谱曲

sensor /ˈsensə(r)/ n. 传感器

actuator /ˈæktʃueɪtə/ n. 执行机构；促动器

asset /ˈæset/ n. 资产；优点

solely /ˈsəʊlli/ adv. 单独地；仅仅

embed /ɪmˈbed/ vt. 把……牢牢地嵌入

blurred /blɜːd/ adj. 模糊不清的

CNC ( Computer Numerical Control) 电脑数值控制

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) 核磁共振成像

fundamental /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/ adj. 基本的；根本的

reliable /rɪˈlaɪəbl/ adj. 可靠的；可信赖的

actuation /ˌæktʃuˈeɪʃən/ n. 冲动；刺激

undertake /ˌʌndərˈteɪk/ vt. 承担；从事

vehicle /ˈviːəkl/ n. 车辆；交通工具

exploration /ˌekspləˈreɪʃn/ n. 探测；探究；探勘

automation /ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃn/ n. 自动化；自动操作

mining /ˈmaɪnɪŋ/ n. 矿业；采矿

forestry /ˈfɒrɪstri/ n. 林业；林学

feasibility /ˌfiːzəˈbɪləti/ n. 可行性；可能性

assistive /əˈsɪstɪv/ adj. 辅助的

unmanned /ˌʌnˈmænd/ adj. 无人操纵的

nanotechnology /ˌnænəʊtekˈnɒlədʒi/ n. 纳米技术

Phrases or Expressions

integrate into 成为一体；融入

real time 实时；同时

in nature 本质上，事实上

be made up of 由……组成

day-to-day 日常的；逐日的

carry out 执行；实行；贯彻

be involved with 涉及；与……有关联

be equipped with 配备有……；具备……

Key structures

1. Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field of science that integrates the principals of mechanical engineering, electronics, computer engineering, telecommunications engineering, systems engineering and control engineering into a unified discipline while keeping the core mechanical engineering education.

机电一体化是一个多学科的科学领域，它将机械工程、电子、计算机工程、电信工程、系统工程和控制工程的原理整合到一个统一的学科中，同时保持核心的机械工程教育。

that integrates the principals of mechanical engineering, electronics, computer engineering, telecommunications engineering, systems engineering and control engineering into a unified discipline 是 that 引导的定语从句，修饰先行词 field of science, that 在定语从句中作主语。 while keeping the core mechanical engineering education 是 while 引导的时间状语从句， while 表示“与……同时”， 从句中省略了主语和 be 动词。

2. With the growing capabilities of electronics, modern mechanical systems are embedded with electronics and controls.

随着电子技术能力的不断提高，现代机械系统中嵌入了电子技术和控制技术。

With the growing capabilities of electronics 是 with 引导的状语部分； are embedded with 表示“嵌入 了……”。

3. Mechatronics engineers create machines that are made up of several parts: the mechanical system, the sensing and actuation, the control systems and the software。

机电一体化工程师创造的机器由几个部分组成：机械系统、传感和驱动、控制系统和软件。

that are made up of several parts 是 that 引导的定语从句，修饰先行词 machines, that 在定语从句中 作主语。

Understanding your reading

Language Focus

Choose the correct word to complete the following sentences.

1. Hard work is_____to success.

2. Finally, you could______one type of document inside of another.

3. A rescue plan could be achieved by sending an______module to the space station.

4. This is your opportunity to begin the______of one of the greatest novels of our time.

5. She_____the task of monitoring the elections.

6. The line between fact and fiction is becoming_____.

Choose the correct word to complete the following sentences.

Change the form where necessary.

1.integrate integration

a. His music is an_____ of tradition and new technology.

b. These programs can be_____ with your existing software.

2.feasible feasibility

a. She questioned whether it was_____ to stimulate investment in these regions.

b. The committee will study the_____ of setting up a national computer network.

3. instrument instrumental instrumentation

a. The intensity of this heatwave has been remarkable. It is hotter than at any time in the_____ record.

b. The design of crucial_____on the control panel will have to be improved.

c. The manufacturer should know the eutectic point and have the necessary _____to assure the uniformity of product temperatures.

Match the words in Column A with the appropriate definitions in Column B.

Choose the correct phrase to complete the following sentences.

Change the form where necessary.

1. She didn’t think that he was well enough to_____such an exacting task.

2. Sometimes we can get stuck in our_____tasks and forget to apply innovative thinking.

3. Here are some healthy habits you can_____your daily grind to free yourself from stress.

4. The rise of a major power is both economic and military_____.

5. Maybe that’s the way life is. Life can_____a variety of unrelated things.

6. I don’t want my son to_____bad guys.

Additional Practice

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Word Building