“Effective integration of ICTs into the educational system is a complex, multifaceted process that involves not just technology. Indeed, given initial capital, getting technology is the easiest part. Curriculum and teaching, institutional readiness, teacher competencies are just as essential components.” [Kipuyo Lebaati Tanzania’s ICT Coordinator].
The Computer Engineering Department of Eastwood Professional College of Science and Technoloy always conduct a training under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority [TESDA] and one of the trainings they offered together with Bataan Peninsula State University is the MECHATRONICS SERVICING NC II. It was introduced by the Mechatronics Technologies Corporation – The Industrial Automation and Mechatronics Training And Assessment Center [UP Diliman, Quezon City].
MTC, which is the first TESDA accredited Mechatronics and Instrumentation Training and Assessment Center in the Philippines since 2005, will be implementing the recently promulgated competency based training program which requires a good combination of 35% lecture and 65% hands-on practicum.
The word ‘mechatronics’ was first introduced by the senior engineer, Tetsuro Mori, of a Japanese Company Yaskawa Electric Corporation, in 1969, as a combination of mecha of mechanisms and tronics of electronics. The company was granted trademark rights on the word in 1971 with the registration number ‘46-32714’.
Mechatronics is defined as a synergistic combination of mechanics, electronics, computing, control engineering and information technology which aims to provide solutions to a more high-level approach of designs, prototyping and implementation hybrid systems. This technology is mostly applied in the industries of Automotive, Manufacturing, HVAC (Heating, Ventilating/Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), Construction, Aviation, Medical Equipments, and other industry standards.
In Mechatronics Servicing NCII, trainees/students enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes on core competencies such as: Installation, Configuration and Testing of Mechatronics Devices in accordance with the industry standards. It also includes common competencies such as Use Hand Tools, Perform Mensuration and Calculation, Prepare and Interpret Technical Drawing, Apply Quality Standards, Perform Computer Operations, and Terminate and Connect Electrical Wiring and Electronic Circuits.
Basic electrical theory, control systems and proper wiring are introduced to become familiar on the basic process of the system. Different input/output devices are learned such as the logic controls, sensors, electro-pneumatics and motor controls. For the logic of the system, conventional devices (relays, timers and counters) can be used or thru Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) which nowadays substitutes the conventional one. PLC is defined by NEMA as a digital electronic apparatus with a programmable memory for storing instructions to implement specific functions (control logic, sequencing, timing, arithmetic data manipulation and counting) to control machines and processes.
Several advantages of learning Mechatronics Technology are: It has wide areas of applications which include Mechanical Engineering, Elecrtical/Electronics Engineering, Automation, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Biomedical Systems and other known areas; Become versatile and the acquisition of multiple skills and varied knowledge; Build a career in developed countries with disciplines such as robotics, nanotechnology and biomechatronics that are given huge attention.
Sources:
Introduction to Mechatronics and Mechatronics in Real Life (PDF File)
Wikipedia.org
Mechatronics Servicing NCII Training Manual (Mechatronics Technologies Corporation)
By: CHELSEE MARIANO ENRIQUEZ
