“Mechatronics Engineering is the conception, design, integration and operation of dynamic, controlled, electro-mechanical systems" (Mechatronics Education Forum of Southern Africa)

The engineering curriculum sees a transition across significantly different forms of knowledge and practices: from the natural and mathematical sciences to engineering sciences (such as mechanical, electrical, control etc.) to the sciences of design and the practices of application in different contexts.

What was done on the PhD project?

First of all, thank you to all those who participated on this project. The focus of the research was mechatronics technician and technologist problem-solving in the following industries/sectors:

• R&D/Prototype development
• Machine Building
• Manufacturing
• Systems Integration

The focus of 'problem-solving' in these sectors was on any problem that occurred in a 'controlled electro-mechanical system'. The focus was NOT design orientated; rather on the faultfinding or troubleshooting processes in an existing system.

Participants were involved in three stages:

1. They completed an online questionnaire about any technical problem recently encountered at work.

2. Select participants were interviewed at the place of work and in relation to the problem that was solved. (This was later termed a 're-enactment' interview)

3. The interview participants' supervisors were consulted for verification of the problem-solving process and the practitioners' general problem-solving abilities in the particular company/industrial contexts.

All the research is confidential. The aim was to identify different patterns of problem-solving processes in the different contexts. The focus was not on specific individuals.

Please see the Research Approach page for more information and the Research Outputs page for the results of the project.