113.1.3 - Systems Approach

MECHATRONICS

The term "Mechatronics" was coined by Yaskawa Engineer Tetsuro Mori in 1971
Today, most people accept the definition of Mechatronics to be an interdisciplinary field of study primarily focused on the intersection of several universal disciplines:
1. Mechanical Systems/Engineering
2. Computer Systems/Engineering
3. Electrical Systems/Engineering
4. Control Systems/Engineering
However, these are not the only four disciplines that define any/every Mechatronics Engineer, and good Mechatronics Engineers acquire skills & knowledge beyond just these four disciplines

Why Mechatronics?

Today, most systems (machines, devices, etc.) ARE Mechatronics Systems, as they incorporate multiple or all of the above-mentioned systems into their design & function
- Examples of Mechatronics Systems include: Computers & Cell Phones, Cars/Trucks, Aircraft & Spacecraft, Household Appliances (Toaster, Dishwasher, Microwave, Refrigerator, etc.), and more!
If you are working on a modern (mechatronics) system and you are just a Mechanical/Computer/Electrical/Control Engineer, you will likely need to consult & work with the other 3 specialized Engineers in order to fully design/understand/troubleshoot/fix the system
- The benefit to learning Mechatronics is that you have enough knowledge between all these disciplines & how they are interrelated, allowing you to be a "one-stop-shop" Engineer that can handle problems on your own

Siemens is an German-based multi-national conglomerate of companies with products & services revolving around Industry 4.0 hardware & software, with 3-Pillar Sustainability as their driving mindset
- In 2013, Siemens was at #51 on the Fortune Global 500 List (Top 500 Companies in the world), ahead of Boeing (#95), Amazon (#149), etc.
Originally founded on October 1st 1847 by Werner von Siemens, the company has recently passed its 175th anniversary
Siemens products & services can be found almost anywhere you go & in every industry, including:
- Hardware (Mechatronics Systems, Modules, & Components):
- Software:
  - Computer Aided Design (CAD) products like NX & Solid Edge have been used to design rockets for SpaceX, as well as many other examples of high-end engineering
  - Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal is used to setup, program, integrate, and control all of the smart hardware
If you want to learn more about Siemens as a whole, check out their 2022 Company Presentation

SMSCP = Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program
- Internationally-recognized industry certificates offered by Siemens to their own employees as well as students of educational institutions worldwide
SMSCP has 3 levels:
Our IMO, MET, MEC, & BAS-META programs here at CPTC integrate SMSCP's 3 certification levels, in the following way:
- Our Intelligent Machine Operator (IMO) Certificate prepares students for SMSCP Level 1 Certification after completion of the 1-quarter certificate
- Our Mechatronics (MEC) & Manufacturing Engineering Technologies (MET) programs prepares students for SMSCP Level 2 Certification after completion of either AA degree
- Our Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechatronics Engineering Technology & Automation (BAS-META) prepares students for SMSCP Level 3 Certification after completion of the BAS degree

Describe what Mechatronics means to you, and why it is important.
Describe who/what is Siemens and what they do.
Have you ever knowingly interacted with a Siemens product? If so, please describe your interaction(s).
Describe SMSCP and how it relates to your career progression.