On the way of mechatronics

Hearing of mechatronics, even those who are not specialists, used to think of two things: mechanics and electronics. English expression of mechatronics was created by engineers more than one quarter of a century ago, and their aim was indeed to express some alloy of mechanics (machine engineering) and electronics. However, mechanics is more than interlocking of these two professions; under it we understand - beside computing (informatics) and electronics - also results of control technique, artificial intelligence and their common effect that are realised in the equipment that surrounds us. In the article we show how we arrived here, through origins of evolution of individual sciences up to mechatronics that establishes integration that creates a new value.

I. Development of mechanic tools

First really useful mechanic tools were clocks – structures that automatically indicated time. Mechanic clocks were invented in the Middle Ages. Moving energy was supplied by gravitational force that effects on weights. Escapement structures were used so that the weights rotate wheels at regular steps. These clocks did not run accurately but at that time these were the most modern ones.