Mechatronics represents the conjunction of mechanics and electronics and, accordingly, mechatronics technicians produce mechatronic parts, components and systems for mechanical engineering, plant engineering and apparatus engineering enterprises. They assemble mechanic, electric/electronic, pneumatic/hydraulic and information technology-based parts and maintain and repair them. They put mechatronic systems into operation, set up their functions, program and operate them.
Mechatronics technicians work in workshops and production halls, teaming up with their workmates, superiors and other skilled workers in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics and mechanical engineering. In the course of installation work they work at varying work locations at the premises of the company’s respective customers.
In the past, mechanics and electronics were separate disciplines and also different professional areas. Modern technologies, however, are characterized in particular by the combination of these two disciplines. Mechatronic systems are defined by the combination of mechanic, electric and electronic components. Also hardware and software components of EDP systems are combined and interlinked with mechatronic systems.
Mechatronics technicians assemble parts and components, set up lines and pipes, and lay and connect them. They measure electric and non-electric units, set controls and functions, and program computer-controlled machinery and plant components. What is particularly important for mechatronics technicians is special expertise in electric and electronic components which they eventually assemble to mechatronic modules.
Mechatronics technicians install electric, pneumatic and hydraulic controls according to the respective diagrams and conduct tests of these controls. In the process, their professional activities also extend into the field of EDP: Mechatronics technicians install and inspect mechatronic hardware and software components. They set up and arrange system components, install software, networks and bus systems, configure hardware components, program the mechatronic system components and set up their functions.
Mechatronics technicians read blueprints, assembly plans, circuit and wiring diagrams. They often create these plans and diagrams themselves, using special computer programs (e.g. CAD – Computer Aided Design). They carry out manual operations by means of hand tools and machines such as drilling, grinding and welding machines and they work on lathes and milling machines. Their work equipment also comprises computer-assisted CNC machines. For the programming of machinery, they employ control programs, such as PLC.
Mechatronics technicians work in workshops or production halls of commercial and industrial undertakings, inter alia in the metal, electronics, and plastics sector and in mechanical engineering. In the course of installation work they work at varying work locations at the premises of their customers. They work in teams with their workmates, superiors and other skilled workers in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics and mechanical engineering; in this context, please refer to e.g. mechanical engineering technology (trade requiring apprenticeship – expiring training program) , machine mechanics (trade requiring apprenticeship – expiring training program), electrical engineering (trade requiring apprenticeship in modular form), production technology (trade requiring apprenticeship) [Achtung: Hier wird im Original plötztlich von “-technik” auf “-technikerIn” gewechselt!] , production management and processing technology [auch hier im Original “ProduktionsleiterIn” bzw. “VerfahrenstechnikerIn”!]