The crucial role of mechatronics

> Monash University Malaysia’s programmes are geared towards preparing students for Industry 4.0

AUTOMATION, artificial intelligence and robotics are a few terms we are increasingly growing fond of these days. From driverless cars to cashless payments, we see the exponential growth of technology that is making our lives better.

Then there is the issue of 3D (dull, dirty and dangerous) jobs, and the lack of local manpower to do these jobs. However, the advent of the technological age has unleashed upon us changes that have significantly improved productivity and quality.

These things are possible due to the synergy created out of the various platforms in the field of engineering. Mechatronics engineering is one such area of study that combines various disciplines to be at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).

Monash University Malaysia’s Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours) is a fouryear programme geared towards preparing students for Industry 4.0. Students who pursue this degree become versatile and are skilled in multiple disciplines.

“Mechatronics is the synergistic application of various engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, electronics, computing, artificial intelligence and information technology to produce a complete system,” said Monash School of Engineering Discipline Head (Mechatronics), Associate Prof Edwin Tan Chee Pin.

“Bright prospects awaits, and we are constantly on the lookout for new technologies to teach our students. The skills mechatronics students learn here in Monash will prepare them for Industry 4.0,” shared Monash School of Engineering senior lecturer Dr Veera Ragavan Sampath Kumar.

There are nine pillars which form Industry 4.0, namely autonomous robots, simulation, horizontal and vertical system integration, the industrial internet of things, cyber security, the cloud, additive manufacturing, augmented reality, big data and analytics. Many of these are already part of the curriculum for students of the mechatronics engineering programme.

“In our programme, students use a lot of aids and design tools. All our equipment are also industry certified. For example, the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools which we use are also used in the industry, and a lot of analysis tools which we use are available as open-source,” Veera said.

Monash’s commitment to impart students with skills that are crucial for the working world is illustrated by their continuous efforts to collaborate with companies, with the aim of looking for opportunities that would provide students with real life engineering experience whilst still in their studies.

Third-year mechatronics engineering students are required to carry out a team project called The Capstone Project. This three-month project begins at the second semester of the third year. Students then begin their compulsory threemonth internship at the end of their third year and subsequently, their final year project the following year.

Students are encouraged to follow up on their projects through internship and in to the final year. This way students get to finish what they started, seeing a project through to completion.

“What we try to do in the Capstone Project is to work on an industry-related project. Students can then opt to do their internship at the company offering the project, and also continue their internship work as their final year project. This brings good continuity, and a much better sense of accomplishment to all parties, where students could have ‘worked’ for the company for as long as 15 months by the time they graduate,” Tan said.

“We have done framework projects with data acquired from manufacturing processes. These are then stored in relational and nonrelational databases. Data analytics is then done to detect faults and schedule maintenance. We have leveraged on many IT technologies, where you can monitor real-time manufacturing processes, set the alarm, and then be able to monitor them remotely,” Veera added.

A success story is the collaboration with ABB Malaysia Sdn Bhd where Monash mechatronics engineering students have done their internships followed by their final year project.

“At ABB, our students are closely supervised by trained experts to take learning beyond the classroom and to relate textbook theories in industrial applications; this experience has been invaluable for them,” Tan said.

Monash mechatronics engineering graduates can work in a wide range of different fields. From mechanical and electrical engineering, to process plants, petrochemical industries, as well as in the field of IT, the choices are many. Some students have also been hired by data analytic consultants.

“In a multi-disciplinary engineering team, mechatronics engineers are more versatile compared to traditional engineering students because they have a wider outlook and can engage with specialists from every discipline.

“They are able to consider the effects of a decision on all domains. They pick up the best of solutions available to come out with the best systems,” Veera said.

For more information on the programmes at Monash University Malaysia’s School of Engineering, visit www.eng.monash.edu.my