The emergence of mechatronics is leading to considerable changes in the way machinery is being designed. Central to this change is the adoption of modular (systems-based) methods of machine construction. The benefits include, shortening machine design time, improved machine reliability reduced construction costs and simplifying service/repair. Furthermore, modular (mechatronic) machine construction is increasingly becoming an important means of meeting the large and growing market for low cost flexible manufacturing automation.
Research at CUT is currently concerned with developing design tools to assist in the rapid design of modular machinery based using 'off-the shelf' mechatronic technology (eg. drive systems, transmissions, actuators etc). In particular, the objective is to overcome the limitation of current generation CAE tools, such as FEA and dynamic analysis packages, since they have the wrong focus for modular machine design.To address these problems we are currently working to establish new modelling methods to directly support performance analysis of modular machinery. In particular, we seek to establish methods for synthesising performance analysis models of entire modular machines.
For information regarding current research opportunities in this area see Postgraduate Research Projects
This page is maintained by Toni Lush
tonilush@macros.cage.curtin.edu.au