The
Dutch touch
Indian
companies can take a cue from efforts in the Netherlands to encourage
learning of new technologies in fluid power
Electronics
has always had a significant and profound influence on the development
of the various aspects of any nation. The Netherlands is no exception
to this rule. Though, in the earlier times, industrial development was
restricted to a specific domain, electronic technology has changed this
trend completely.
It may be noted that the advent of electronics has modified the trend
since it has now become an indispensable aspect of various industries,
including the hydraulic and pneumatic industry in the Netherlands.
Considering the rate at which the electronics are expanding their scope,
one may say that about 90 per cent of future technical innovations will
be established by usage of electronics. Within both the hydraulic as
well as in pneumatic industries, faster, better controllable and accurate
motions have been enabled by the smart application of advanced electronics.
Electronics will help these industries overcome the present mechanical
limitations and bring newer applications within reach.
The major problem, however, that inhibits such a positive growth in
the Netherlands is the rigid technical approach towards the issue both
in theoretical as well as practical areas.
The classically educated technician thinks in terms of rigid monosolutions,
which obstruct speedy innovation and flexibility.
The need to radically change the mindset of industry professionals,
hereof, is evident at the design, production as well as the service
levels.
This is where mechatronics, as an important aspect of developing the
hydraulic and pneumatic industries comes to the fore.
Though it is known that the Japanese invented the term ‘mechatronics’,
it still needs to be defined.
Mechatronics can be defined as a fluent combination of different complementary
technologies, which cooperate integrally. Simply put, when applied to
industrial systems, mechatronics refers to the combination of mechanical
motions characterised by electronic controlling systems or provisions.
Hence despite the intermingling of techniques, the term can be analysed
through two parts, namely, the motion process and the control process.
The motion process consists of the mechanisms and the necessary actuators.
These can be pneumatic, hydraulic, and electromagnetic or hand driven.
This process is related to the design dimensions and forms part of the
prefix mecha. The control process consists of the signalling, operational,
....CONTD
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