Questionable Path - Mechatronics Engineering at MIT Manipal

Mechatronics is still a branch in doubt. Parents are rarely ready to send their wards to a branch which does not have a lot of scope in our country today. Everybody wants their child to either be in an electronics related branch or an Information Technology one. No-one wants to stead in the unknown path.

What is Mechatronics Engineering?

Mechatronics Engineering follows an integrated curriculum to provide a broad-based education in the basic principles of electrical, electronics, mechanical, control, instrumentation and computer engineering. As, a student they have the chance to get to learn a bit of every major discipline. This way they are groomed to take up and pursue many a paths in their future. The course aims to produce students who can design and develop smart machines and use their multidisciplinary skills to meet growing demands of an industry.

Mechatronics in Manipal

Although a relatively newer department, Mechatronics has a team of motivated and well-qualified faculty members with diversified specializations in Mechanical, Automobile, Instrumentation, Control Systems, Electrical, Electronics, Computer Science and others. Infrastructure facilities include a well-equipped Centre of Excellence by Rexroth Bosch, complete with a PLC Lab, Drives & Controls Lab, Hydraulics & Pneumatics Lab, Sensorics Lab, Mechatronics Lab, Robotics Lab with a ABB 6 Axis Robot, and a Departmental Library.

Scope

Today, Mechatronics Engineering has gained much recognition and importance in the industrial world and has become an engineering discipline on high demand. It is a multidisciplinary field of engineering with far-reaching applications on various sectors of the society. It is centered on mechanics, electronics, computing, control engineering, molecular engineering and optical engineering which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile systems. It aids design, development, maintenance and management of high-technology engineering systems for automation of industrial operations.

Mechatronics can be viewed as modern mechanical engineering design in the sense that the design of the mechanical system must be performed together with that of the electrical/electronic and computer control aspects that are critical to their operation.

Student Activities

Under the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, 2 Industry Oriented Clubs and 1 National Level Student Project Team along with many other smaller projects are housed. International Society for Automation – Student Chapter Manipal is a mutidisciplinary international club that focuses on Automation and Artificial Intelligence. Institution of Engineers (IE) – Mechatronics – Manipal Chapter is a palce you can build a strong connect with the industry. RoboManipal is a student project team that is under the department. Additionally many students from the Department are a part of many Student Clubs and Projects in varying disciplines in the college. Farming Bot is a recent innovation developed under the Department which has won National laurels. Fraktal Works is a company incubated in Manipal started by students from the Department.

Related Subjects in First Year

Engineering Graphics – would be required to completely understand the drawing class of the subject named Theory of Machines and also in CAD LAB
BET/BE – A combination of knowledge from these subjects will be required in Analog System Design and Digital System Design
Mechanics of Solids – Concepts from this subject will be required in Strength of Materials & Design of Machine Elements
BME – Basic Mechanical Engineering Concepts form the base that the other subjects build upon