What's the Outlook for Mechatronics Engineering Technology?

In a world of constantly-evolving technology, it can be difficult to find your footing in an engineering technology field. From smart devices to automated manufacturing robots, it can seem like we've entered into a science fiction world straight out of classic literature. If you've never heard of mechatronics, you're not alone. This relatively new field has recently accelerated at light speed, thanks to its applications in manufacturing. Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering technology blending mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems for manufacturing or engineering applications.  

What is Mechatronics?

Any technology that integrates mechanical, electrical, computer, and control systems is mechatronic in nature. So if you design hardware, robots, anti-lock brakes, copy machines, or any other devices that can be remotely operated by a computer, you work in the mechatronics industry.

It used to be that machines that combined the aforementioned systems would be designed by several separate companies. A computer company would design the computer systems, electricians would design the electrical systems, and manufacturers would design the machine as a whole. In general, these companies refused to collaborate with each other for fear of leaking trade secrets. This model, however, was not efficient, and as business competition became tighter, it became necessary to integrate the many different design processes. Thus was the mechatronics industry born.

What is the outlook for the mechatronics industry?

Mechatronics is already central to the modern global economy. According to a study by the National Instruments Corporation, machine manufacturers all over the world report having to build machines that are increasingly more complex, yet have less and less time to market those machines. In response to this pressure, most design companies and manufacturers are relying increasingly on mechatronics. According to the Aberdeen Group technology think-tank, the most successful companies are the ones that use mechatronics or similar collaborative processes.

The workers who benefit most from mechatronics are mechanical engineers and electrical engineers. According to mechatronics business magnate Terry Precht, mechanical engineers tend to be put in charge of designing systems with complex moving parts, while electrical engineers control projects where the electrical systems are the most complex. These two groups thus tend to have the most power in the mechatronics industry.

How do I get a job in mechatronics?

As awareness of the field grows, many colleges are adding mechatronics programs to their engineering technology departments. At ECPI University, for example, you can get an Electronics Engineering Technology degree with a concentration in mechatronics. Even universities that don't offer mechatronics degrees still require their engineering students to study programming, control systems, and electronics. If you have a bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, you could enter the mechatronics field without any prior work experience.

For more information on mechatronics, engineering, or surviving in the modern economy, contact ECPI University.

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