Of Mechatronics and Missiles
Larry Boulden
May 10th, 2008.
My first brush with Mechatronics came courtesy of White Sands Missile Range.
“Imagine a missile launch,” my boss explained. “It comes out of the silo without warning, goes like a streak, and sometimes explodes on launch. We want an unmanned tracking mount that will sit close to the launch area, pick up the missile, and track it — no matter what.”
The engineering assignment was pure Mechatronics. Make the mechanical pieces strong but light enough for the accelerations and slew rates to come. Give the drives enough power, speed, and responsiveness. Make sure the sensors could pick up the bird, lock on it and follow it to the death. Fashion controls that would tie it all together and make it all work.It was, in short, classic Mechatronics, though we never used that word. It would be two years later, in 1969, before Tetsuro Mori, a senior engineer at Yaskawa, coined it. But how the practice of Mechatronics, and the engineering disciplines it uses, have grown in the years since then.
According to Wikipedia, Mechatronics is the synergistic combination of mechanical, electronic, and software engineering. The purpose of this interdisciplinary engineering field is the study of automated machines from an engineering perspective.
The “automated machines” so created range from planetary rovers to production machines, from automotive subsystems like antilock braking to synergy drives. And yes, the roster of Mechatronics successes includes a bevy of common consumer products such as autofocus cameras, CD-players, washing machines, and hard drives for computers.
Here at Design World, we regard Mechatronics as one of the most challenging and exciting subjects we cover. We hope you’ll visit our Project Mechatronics Website,
www.projectmechatronics.com, and check out our blog, our Wiki, and the rest of the coverage we offer. While you’re there, we suggest you log on and add your comments to the Wiki. We welcome your contributions to Project Mechatronics.
Larry B
Ignorance rules
John Gyorki
April 06th, 2008.
Extraordinary fear of terrorism in the US seems to have paralyzed our law enforcers’ sense of responsibility and what is best for its citizens to the point of compromising many of their rights and freedoms. For example, I have three hobbies and a university degree, all of which recently have come under suspicion for being criminal. Let me explain.
I have been an amateur photographer since I was ten years old. My uncle and I used to do photo shoots on weekends of nature scenes, people, buildings, statues, fountains, and many other objects. Once, I photographed a night scene of a petroleum refinery; its unusual lights and flames made a fantastic, prize-winning gallery picture. Not anymore. Now, I am harassed by the “law” when I take a picture in a public park! Because I carry a tripod and camera with a large lens, I am judged to be either a terrorist or a professional photographer breaking some law. You know what “they” do to terrorists. But as a perceived professional photographer, I am not allowed to take pictures of certain “copy-righted” buildings! That means the owners suspect I will get rich printing and selling pictures of their building (the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame comes to mind); they want the exclusive right to do so. How ignorant is that?
I also collect knives as a hobby. As a youngster, my father made sure I was always equipped with a sharp knife for hunting and fishing. I carried a pocket-knife until shortly after 9/11 when the airlines made a fuss over pocket-knives and fingernail clippers. So, I substituted my pocket knife for a small penknife on my keychain — until two years ago. I was called for jury duty and the penknife was taken from me before I could enter the courthouse!
How ignorant is that?
Thirdly, I was an amateur radio operator in the ‘50s. After a tornado struck our city, all communications were disabled; only the police and ham radio operators maintained communications. We helped rescue traffic and let people know their loved ones were safe. But what happened in New Orleans? The Feds would not let the ham radio operators help with emergency communications as they traditionally had for decades. Could it be that some of them were suspected of being terrorists or other kinds of criminals? Don’t they know that ham radio operators are among the pioneers who developed the radios and cell phones that we enjoy today?
How ignorant is that?
Now we come to the coup de grace. My degree is in engineering, and I just discovered that statistically, I could be a criminal because most terrorists have engineering degrees. The Department of Sociology, University of Oxford, UK, issued a report last year that says engineers are over-represented among violent Islamic radicals everywhere. Furthermore, they claim that among other factors, our “engineering mindset” of understanding complex problems and being able to solve them handily could contribute to making us criminals. The logic is as good as saying the sky is part of the ocean because both are blue!
Come on people, I am not responsible for your ignorance.
John Gyorki
Editorial Director
jgyorki@designworldonline.com
Vista OS—A Love-Hate Relationship
John Gyorki
March 25th, 2008.
I recently purchased a Hewlett Packard laptop computer to replace my 1.5 year-old Apple MacPro ($2500.00) after it developed an annoying screen flicker, which according to experts, would have cost about $800.00 to $1200.00 to repair. But, that’s another story.
My new HP Pavilion dv9000, an “Entertainment PC,” is outfitted with the Home Premium version of the Vista operating system and Office 2007. Now I have an opportunity to experience Vista’s really cool and not so cool features. Because of the many negative reports I heard about Vista when it first appeared, I was wondering if I should have opted for the XP operating system instead. But, I decided I can’t impede progress, and eventually, most of us will be using Vista and Office 2007, anyway.
Unfortunately, the computer comes with no manuals, so I decided to probe around the various onboard application programs to see what I could learn before visiting Border’s Books or Amazon.com. First, Office 2007 apparently comes in a variety of versions. Mine came withWord, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. After firing it up, I was immediately surprised byWord’s new toolbars. The familiar dropdown boxes of yesteryear are replaced with a wide ribbon across the top of the screen. It took some getting used to, but after a couple of days and a little customization, I fully embraced it. And I soon discovered that customization is the key to the whole Vista OS software.We are allowed to change many more attributes to suit our specific ways of working than I can count in an hour. But, even after all of this experimenting, I did have to buy several textbooks on Vista OS, Office 2007, andWord 2007 to really get up to speed.
The big difference between Vista OS and XP, I think, is the extent to which Microsoft incorporated safeguards to protect Vista OS from what is called “malware” attacks. Although Service Pack 2 for XP considerably helped diminish much vulnerability, even more was accomplished in Vista. It appears that many additional steps are needed to install application software, connect to the Internet, set up e-mail, and generally program the computer to fit your working style, but I suspect the problems I encountered are related to the safeguards. Also, one book I read claims that Microsoft has enforced more rigid rules for third party software/peripheral developers to follow, so your computer is all that less open to criminal attacks. In the spirit of security, I highly recommend reading “Windows Vista Security,” by Roger A. Grimes and Jesper M. Johansson, aWiley Publication, and get a thorough grounding on the subject.
I think those who have a negative attitude about Vista OS did not take the time to learn enough about the system’s details before deciding not to purchase it or experiment with its options. Although my personal, home computer system experience was acceptable, I think Microsoft will have a much tougher time selling Vista to large corporations— enterprise systems. I say this because a software security expert I talked to claims Vista OS is not compatible with many other megabuck-application software systems currently in use. Many large firms and their system administrators do not have the time or money to convert to Vista just because it is new and contains more safeguards.
Tell us about your experience with the Vista OS and Office 2007. If you have no experience with it “try it, you’ll like it.”
IT–What is it?
John Gyorki
February 19th, 2008.
It took me about two years, but I was finally able to mentally relate the acronym IT with Information Technology instead of just uppercase it. IT appears in all sorts of publications and seldom does the editor tell you that it represents Information Technology; you are supposed to know that. Which brings me to what I really want to say. What exactly is IT or Information Technology? I looked it up on Wikipedia and the definition begged for authenticity. Their definition is quit thin. Yet, I see that some colleges offer it as a degree. So, I read the syllabus for one small college on a degree in IT and discovered that it taught you how to do things that you ordinarily find in no less than about 25 other occupations! For example, when you earn the degree, you will be able to program computers, network, become a help-desk operator, configure (computer) hardware systems, do something with application software, telecommunicate, purchase something, make decisions, and develop interpersonal skills. But I ask you, how many of you have these skills and do these tasks in your normal workday without being called an IT person? Engineers, scientists, designers, salespeople, clerks, artists, nurses, garage mechanics, grade school students, teachers, and homemakers do many of these things. Are they IT personnel, too?
The list goes on. You will see IT people program databases and spreadsheets, process words, communicate data, and learn verbal and written communication skills (doesn’t everyone?). You can also expect them to install, operate, upgrade, and troubleshoot computers; assist purchasing departments, and program computer systems in both networked and non-networked environments. The only thing missing here is taking out the garbage and getting coffee for the boss (which was probably only a minor oversight).
But what is worse than the scope of work is the fact that “they” call it a technology. How can IT possibly be a technology? Electronics is a technology. MEMS is a technology. Fiber optics is a technology. But Information Technology? That’s a stretch. Now, sales and marketing people carelessly toss around the term technology to satisfy their own egos and to make their product or service sound more important or more complex than it really is. For example, I read about a “new vacuum sweeper technology.” I took one apart and found the same stuff that my mother’s 1945 vacuum sweeper contained. The only difference was that the new one was made of plastic, not cast aluminum like the 1945 model. Incidentally, they both sucked.
Bottom line; are you called an IT person? If so, please let us know what you do. I think it will be extremely interesting to find out the truth in this dumbed-down world we live in. By the way, if you have a degree in Project Management, ditto.
jgyorki@designworldonline.com
Listening to the user and lots of them
Scott McCafferty
January 26th, 2008.
Notes from Solid Works World 2008
While most of Boston was either at Foxboro or listening to the New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers football game, part of Boston, at least those in Concord, Mass from Solid Works were beginning their largest user conference in San Diego, CA with over 4,400 pre-registered attendees and hosting the largest press audience in the event’s history. To kick off the media event, Jeff Ray, CEO, Marie Planchard, Education efforts at Solid Works, and Jon Hirschtick, History of CAD captivated the media packed room.
Jeff Ray’s opening comments we were welcomed to a paparazzi type atmosphere with cameras flashing from all angles of the room and early remarks were fostered around the emphasis of being respectful to their user’s needs and design intents. Offering a slight sneak peak to SW 2009, Jeff commented that it will be focused on performance. In speaking openly and without a power point (thank you), Jeff’s introduction was business as usual for Solid Works.
Speaking on education, Marie Blanchard provided an enthusiastic overview of Solid Work’s Global efforts to supporting CAD in the classroom. Interestingly, when asked about concern for future engineers, Marie candidly commented that it is our job (media) to help portray engineering as a rock star profession (check out the January issue of Design World). Marie introduced Scott Fraser from Long Beach Technical College and his student Ian on the impact SW has made on his education program and job placement record (96% of Scott’s student’s get jobs). Scott emphasized that industry has an increased need for a multi-disciplined engineering – not simply a CAD guy, or motor guru, but an engineer that can work with all technologies. In driving participation in schools at all levels, there was a focus on contests centered on youth participation; see the January issue and How to Cultivate Future Engineers.
In 30 minutes or less, Jon Hirschtick provided a quick overview of 50 year History of CAD starting with the 1963 and Ivan Sutherland’s sketchpad. Emphasizing that these are his opinions, he offered insight into his top priorities and his favorite trends to watch. Top priorities for Jon revolve around reliability, speed, ease of use, data exchange, drafting and geometric modeling. As for trends that intrigue Jon personally, he spoke on hosting computing, open source, video games, touch interfaces and impact of 3D printing.
As the Patriots experienced victory over the Chargers, Solid Works World 2008 is well on its way to a victorious, jam packed, educational based, user event in 2008 – in San Diego.
Authors:
- John Gyorki (17)
- Larry Boulden (4)
- Leslie Langnau (3)
- Mike Emich (1)
- Scott McCafferty (2)
