Computer support for mechatronic control system design

This paper discusses the demands for proper tools for computer aided control system design of mechatronic systems and identifies a number of tasks in this design process. Real mechatronic design, involving input from specialists from varying disciplines, requires that the system can be represented in multiple views. Several tools are already available but there are still substantial shortcomings. The paper gives indications about the developments needed to come to better design tools in the future. A specific example is worked out in more detail, i.e., automated performance assessment of mechatronic motion systems during the conceptual design stage. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.