Cebu to host "mechatronics" confab

(The Freeman) Updated October 09, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time, the Philippines will host the International Conference on Mechatronics Technology (ICMT), which will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on October 20 to 23.

Already in its 13th year, the annual event is attended by professionals around the world discussing on the efficient and effective integration of mechanical systems, electronics and technology.

This year’s theme is “Synergy and Breakthrough in Mechatronics Technology” which generally aims to promote greater awareness for Science and Technology and disseminate the importance of mechatronics technology for the advancement and global competitiveness of industries.

Specifically, the objective of the event is to provide grants for the participation of at least 50 local S&T participants to provide them training opportunity, knowledge-enriching and capability building advantages on the latest scientific and technological breakthrough and development in mechatronics.

It also aims to establish possible linkages and explore collaborative activities and projects in mechatronics technology including human resource development.

There will be technical sessions, workshops and tutorials as well as lectures on different topics and updates on the field.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, Advanced Mechatronics Devices, Education and Strategy on Mechatronics Technology, The Role of Mechatronics and Robotics for Engineering Education, Enabling Innovation through Mechatronics Lifestyle Management, Micro/Nano manipulation Methodologies and System and their future applications and the Mobile Mechatronics Systems Development for Industrial Application, among many others.

Mechatronics is the interdisciplinary area relating to mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, and computer science. This technology is responsible for producing many new products and for providing powerful ways of improving the efficiency of products that people use in their daily lives.

In this time, mechatronic system is found commonly in homes, schools, offices, shops and industrial applications from appliances such as fridges, microwave ovens, washing machines, cookers, stereos, televisions, telephones, digital cameras, video players to many other similar modern devices.

In offices, it is seen in laser printers, scanners, fax machines and other computer peripherals. Banking systems benefitted from it through cash registers and automatic teller machines while in aviation, mechatronics has helped in producing cockpit controls and instrumentation, flight control actuators, landing gear system, other aircraft subsystems. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)