I.

Mechatronics Components

Sensor - is a device that when exposed to a physical phenomenon (temperature,

displacement, force, etc.) produces a proportional output signal (electrical, mechanical, magnetic,
etc.).

 Push Button - A button that is pushed to operate an electrical device. A push-button or

simply button is a simple switch mechanism for controlling some aspect of a machine or
a process. Buttons are typically made of hard material, usually plastic or metal.

 Reed Switch - is an electromagnetic switch used to control the flow of electricity in a

circuit. They are made from two or more ferrous reeds encased within a small glass tube-
like envelope, which become magnetized and move together or separate when a magnetic
field is moved towards the switch. The switch effectively works like a gate, or a bridge,
in an electric circuit so when the two reeds are in contact, electricity can flow around the
circuit operating a device.
 Proximitor - is a sensor able to detect the presence of nearby objects without any
physical contact. A proximity sensor often emits an electromagnetic field or a beam
of electromagnetic radiation (infrared, for instance), and looks for changes in the field or
return signal.

Actuator - Are basically the muscle behind a mechatronics system that accepts a control
command (mostly in the form of an electrical signal) and produces a change in the physical
system by generating force, motion, heat, flow, etc.
 Relay - is an electrically operated or electromechanical switch composed of an
electromagnet, an armature, a spring and a set of electrical contacts. The electromagnetic
switch is operated by a small electric current that turns a larger current on or off by either
releasing or retracting the armature contact, thereby cutting or completing the circuit.
 Motor - any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: such as a small
compact engine and rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical
energy.
 Pneumatics - is an aspect of physics and engineering that is concerned with using the
energy in compressed gas to make something move or work. With pneumatics, valves
control the flow of energy from pressurized gas, which is often simply compressed air.
 Control Valve - A control valve is a valve used to control fluid flow by varying the size
of the flow passage as directed by a signal from a controller. This enables the direct
control of flow rate and the consequential control of process quantities such as pressure,
temperature, and liquid level.
  Cylinder - are mechanical devices which use the power of compressed gas to produce a
force in a reciprocating linear motion.
 Gripper - is something that grips things or makes it easier to grip things.

HMI - Human-machine interface (HMI) is a component of certain devices that are capable of
handling human-machine interactions. The interface consists of hardware and software that allow
user inputs to be translated as signals for machines that, in turn, provide the required result to the
user. Human-machine interface technology has been used in different industries like electronics,
entertainment, military, medical, etc. Human-machine interfaces help in integrating humans into
complex technological systems.

Human-machine interface is also known as man-machine interface (MMI), computer-human

interface or human-computer interface.

PLC - PLC is an industrial digital computer which has been ruggedized and adapted for the
control of manufacturing processes, such as assembly lines, or robotic devices, or any activity
that requires high reliability control and ease of programming and process fault diagnosis. A
programmable logic controller (PLC) is a small, modular solid-state computer with customized
instructions for performing a particular task. PLCs, which are used in industrial control systems
(ICS) for a wide variety of industries, have largely replaced mechanical relays, drum sequencers
and cam timers.

II. Project