Center for Research in Mechatronics (CEREM)

摘要

The objective of the Center for Research in Mechatronics of the Universite catholique de Louvain is to develop an integrated methodology for the design of mechatronic systems. Such systems are of an interdisciplinary nature. They consist of a mechanical structure set in motion by appropriate actuators. The deviation from the programmed motion, detected by sensors, is eliminated by an appropriate motion controller. Examples of such systems are cars and trains (active suspension, automatic guidance system), airplanes (flight control systems), industrial and medical robots, service robots (semi-autonomous wheelchair), agricultural machine (intelligent spraying machine, fruit picking robot), etc... These novel systems are currently developed to solve the new societal paradigm which requests higher product quality with reduced maintenance, reduction of time delivery, greater modularity and greater customization. They rely more and more on emerging technologies (e.g. electrical actuation, use of integrated sensors) or on new concepts (e.g. parallel robot) but they are all characterized by the quest for optimal performances, autonomy, reliability. The required performances depend on the application , they may mean fast and vibration-free operation (as for airplane actuators), ability to perform in confined spaces (miniaturization as for as robotic endoscope), etc,.... Due to the complexity of such new systems and the required performances, it is no longer possible to optimize each aspect separately, one at a time. These systems should be considered as multidisciplinary systems where all aspect need to be optimized simultaneously. Of course such optimal optimization may depend on the application, and consequently the CEREM seeks to provide an integrated design framework to support the development of a new generation of mechatronic systems.