See Also:
100 Top Resources for Electrical Engineers, 99 Superb Sites on Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering, Codrey Electronics, Control Automation Community and Resources, Electroniq.net Projects and Circuits, Explore Engineering, EXPO21XX.com, Wevolver, Industrial Equipment Resource, Other Product Information, Other Useful Mechatronics Sites
Actuators
- Actuonix (linear actuators, with 50% student discount)
- Advanced Fluid Power (hydraulic and pneumatic components)
- Assured Automation (valve actuators)
- Dalton Hydraulic (hydraulic cylinders and equipment)
- Deltrol (solenoids, relays, valves)
- Dover Motion (linear motion stages)
- Firgelli Automations (linear actuator products)
- Gemini Valve (actuated ball valves)
- H2W Technologies (linear motion products)
- IntelLiDrives (linear drives and positioning tables)
- Ledex (solenoids)
- Ohio Electric Motors (dc and industrial motors)
- Oriental Motor (ac, dc, stepper, servo, and torque motors; drivers; and controllers)
- Peninsular Cylinder Company (hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, custom cylinders, repair)
- Progressive Automations (linear actuators, motion control products)
- Power Jack Motion (motors, actuators, gearboxes)
- PBC Linear (linear actuators and linear motion components)
- Radius (electric and pneumatic valve actuators with positioners, limit switches, and optional pilot solenoids)
- Stelron (cam-actuated and other drive components)
- THK (linear actuator components)
- Ultramotion (linear actuators and controllers)
- Valtorc (flow control valves)
- Valworx (actuated valves and controls)
- See also:
- HydraulicValves.org (valve, pump, motor, cylinder manufactures and information)
- Motor/Motion Controllers
- Stepper motor tutorial
Books and References
Mechatronics Textbooks:
- Applied Mechatronics
by Samili and Mrad
Oxford University Press - Design with Microprocessors for Mechanical Engineers
by Stiffler
McGraw-Hill - Fundamentals of Mechatronics
by Jouneh
Cengage Learning - Introduction to Mechatronic Design
by Carryer, Ohline, and Kenny
Prentice Hall - Introduction to Mechatronics and Measurement Systems
by Alciatore and Histand
McGraw-Hill - Mechatronics
by Hegde
Jones and Bartlett - Mechatronics
by Necsulescu
Prentice Hall - Mechatronics – A Foundation Course
by de Silva
CRC Press - Mechatronics – Electromechanics and Controlmechanics
by Mill
Springer-Verlag - Mechatronics – Electronic Control Systems in Mechanical Engineering
by Bolton
Addison Wesley - Mechatronics – Electronics in products and processes
by Bradley, et al.
Chapman and Hall - Mechatronics – Mechanical System Interfacing
by Auslander and Kempf
Prentice Hall - Mechatronics System Design
by Shetty and Kolk
PWS Publishing - Mechatronics with Experiment
by Cetinkunt
WileyMechatronics References:
- The Art of Electronics
Horowitz and Hill
Cambridge University Press - Electromechanical Design Handbook
by Walsh
McGraw-Hill - Electro-mechanical Engineering – An Integrated Approach
by Fraser and Milne
IEEE - Handbook of Electromechanical Product Design
by Hurricks
Longman, John Wiley, Addison Wesley - Principles and Applications of Electrical Engineering
by Rizzoni
Irwin Publishing - Understanding Electro-mechanical Engineering – An Introduction to Mechatronics
by Kamm
IEEE
Basic Electronics:
- Basic Electronics
by McWhorter and Evans
Master Publishing (Richardson, TX) - Getting Started in Electronics
by Mims
Radio Shack Archer Catalog No. 276-5003A
Conferences and Proceedings
- International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM)
- International Conference on Mechatronics (MECH)
- International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP)
- International Conferences on Mechatronic Design and Modeling
- International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA)
- International Workshop on Education in Mechatronics (MDM)
- International Workshop on Research and Education in Mechatronics (REM)
- Mechatronics and Imbedded Systems and Applications (MESA)
- Mechatronics Forum International Conference
- Network on Research and Teaching in Mechatronics (REM)
- Synthesis Coalition Workshop on Mechatronics Education
Digital Signal Processors (DSPs)
- Texas Instruments TMS320
- See also:
Electronics (IC’s, discrete components, switches, sensors, controllers, etc.)
- * All Electronics (low cost surplus items available)
- Allied Electronics (large and diverse selection of components and industrial supply)
- ** Arrow Electronics (extremely large inventory, large collection of datasheets, good support)
- Circuit Specialists (general supplies and equipment)
- ** Digi-Key
- * Electronic Goldmine
- ** Jameco Electronics
- * Mouser Electronics
- * Newark Electronics
- NXP
- RS Electronics
*: popular online retailers for hobbyists
See the following for data sheets:
- Datasheets360
- Datasheet Archive
- IC Chip Word
- PartStat (electronic products search engine)
See the following for low-cost and fast prototype printed circuit board (PCBs) manufacturing and assembly:
To find inexpensive parts and supplies for DIY projects, see the vendors here:
Other useful info:
- Resistor Guide (useful information about resistors)
- Technobyte Digital Electronics Course
Industrial Mechanical and Electrical Components (motors, gear boxes, accessories, hardware, electrical equipment, etc.)
- 80/20 Inc. (modular aluminum framing components)
- Assured Automation (valves, actuators, flow meters)
- Automation Direct (PLCs and industrial automation equipment and supplies)
- Automation Technologies Online (ATO) (industrial automation products)
- Automation Webstore (industrial automation products)
- Automation-X (PLCs/RTUs, flow measurement and control)
- C&M (cables and cable assemblies for all applications)
- CableOrganizer.com (cable management products)
- CBI Surplus (surplus automation parts and industrial equipment)
- Cleatech LLC (Lab equipment supplies)
- Clearwater Technologies (sensors, drives, motors, PLCs, automation parts and equipment)
- Del City (professional electrical supplies)
- DoSupply (global supplier of industrial electronics)
- Exapro (used industrial machinery)
- F&F Industrial Equipment (industrial components and supply)
- GAJ Industrial Supply (industrial components and supply)
- Galco (industrial electronics supply)
- G.L. Huyett (mechanical components)
- ** Grainger (mechanical and industrial components and supplies)
- J&A Industries (carts, racks, workbenches)
- igus (plastic bearings, flexible cables, cable carriers and guides)
- Kp-Lok (instrument valves for petrochemical industries)
- MBKit (extruded aluminum structural components)
- *** McMaster-Carr (mechanical and industrial components and supplies)
- MOFLON (slip rings and rotary unions)
- MRO Supply (automation components and parts)
- ** MSC Industrial Supply (industrial components and supply)
- NTGD Valve (industrial valves)
- O&Kmarts (compressors, servos, etc.)
- PDF Electric and Supply (industrial automation products and repair)
- Production Automation Corporation (industrial components and supply)
- SDP/SI (mechanical components)
- TelExpress (coax cables, patch panels, telecom equipment)
- TXM Manufacturing (coaxial, ethernet and fiber cables)
- Waytek (wiring and electrical supplies)
*: popular, with large inventory
Instrumentation, Data Acquisition, and Interfacing:
- CAS Dataloggers (data acquisition and instrumentation)
- Data Translation (data acquisition software and hardware)
- Global Lab Supply (Lab and test equipment, scales, controls, Measurement)
- MaxStream (wireless communication components)
- PCE Instruments (Lab and test equipment, scales, controls, measurement)
- Keithley Instruments (data acquisition software and hardware)
- LabX (used instrumentation auctioned online)
- MadgeTech (data logging, sensing, and acquisition)
- National Instruments (data acquisition software and hardware)
- Zeltom (educational and industrial control systems)
- See also:
- Capovani Brothers Inc. (used equipment)
- Kwipped (B2B equipment rental quotes)
- LabView Graphical Programming online course
- Used-line (test and measurement equipment dealers)
Microcontrollers
- Arduino (see the minicontrollers section)
- Atmel
- Hitachi H8 Flash, SuperH Flash
- Intel MCS96, MCS51
- Microchip PIC
- see Microchip PIC Microntroller Resources for more information
- Motorola 68HC11
- Rijswijk Introductory guide
- Development tools: (RTS, BiPOM)
- Karl Lunt’s Page (more info)
- Philips 80c51, XA
- Renesas (microcontrollers, power MOSFETs, analog IC devices)
- TI TMS370
- Zorin Microcontroller Products
- See also:
- minicontrollers (microcontroller-based modules like the Arduino)
- microcontroller.com (links to and descriptions of various microcontroller manufacturers)
- TigerTek servo motor resources (how to select and size a servo motor)
Motors and Motion Controllers
- A-1 Servo Motor Repair
- Aerotech (motion controllers, stages, drives, and positioning systems)
- AllMotion (stepper and servo drives and controllers)
- Allen-Bradley (PLCs and motion controllers)
- Applied Motion (stepper and servo motors)
- Allegro Microsystems (motor drivers)
- Assun Motors (miniature motors and precision motion control)
- Compumotor (motors, drivers, and controllers)
- Dover Motion (motion control hardware and systems)
- ElectroCraft (stepper motors and controllers)
- Eusens Control (Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and Yaskawa servomotors)
- Galil (motors, drivers, and controllers)
- Geckodrive (stepper and servo controllers)
- Groschopp (motors, gearmotors, speed reducers)
- Delta Computer Systems (motion controllers)
- GoHz (variable-frequency drives for AC motors)
- Ingenia Servo Drives (servo drives and motor controllers)
- Lin Engineering (stepper motors, drivers and controllers)
- Maxon (small to medium size dc motors and gear drives)
- MET Motors (custom desinged and manufactured DC motors)
- MRO Electric (factory automation distributor)
- PMD Motion Control (motion control, ICs, cards, software)
- Portescap (miniature motor and precision motion control)
- RepairZone (servo motor and industrial electronics repair)
- STMiroelectronics (motor drivers)
- Technosoft (DSP and intelligent motion control drives)
- Yaskawa (motion controllers and motor drives)
- See also:
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- Allen-Bradley
- AXZ Control (PLCs, drives, HMIs)
- Automation Direct (PLCs and industrial automation equipment and supplies)
- BIN95.com Industrial Training (PLC training and resources)
- Digital Automation Training (PLC training courses)
- Panasonic (see also: Panasonic PLC Supplier)
- PLC Training Org (PLC learning path and training resources)
- Siemens
- Udemy’s “World of PLCs” (illustrated basics)
Robotics (hobby and small projects, and drones)
- ** Acroname Easier Robotics (wide range of components supporting small robotics projects)
- ** Adafruit Industries (DIY electronics and kits)
- Atbatt (batteries)
- * Banebots (wheels, hubs, gear drives, motors for hobbyists)
- Dr. Robot (autonomous robot platforms and components)
- Electronics Lab (small and fun projects for electronics enthusiasts)
- Firgelli Robots (robot parts)
- * Hobby King (wide range of products supporting hobbyists)
- Kronos Robotics (wide range of components supporting small robotics projects)
- Machine Vision Online
- NewEgg (discount electronic products and supplies)
- Parallax (Basic Stamp controllers and robotics accessories)
- Pololu (motors and motor controllers)
- RoboRealm (robotic vision software)
- Robot Marketplace (wide range of components supporting small robotics projects)
- Robot Shop (wide range of components supporting small robotics projects)
- Robotics Online
- RobotWorx (robotic systems integrator for industrial automation applications)
- ** SparkFun Electronics (sensors, ICs, development boards, LCDs, and prototyping supplies for student projects)
- SuperDroid Robots (wide range of components supporting small robotics projects)
- Trend Robotics (new and used industrial robot parts)
- Waypoint Robotics (custom industrial autonomous robots)
- XenonProject (lots of RC stuff)
*: popular
Drone-specific sites:
- AMain Performance Hobbies (RC drones, copters, cars)
- Bird Watching HQ (purchasing guide for beginners)
- Drone.Parts Store (drone parts)
- DroneNerds (DJI drones and parts)
- Drone Riot (drone blog, guides)
- DronesInsite (info resource)
- Heliguy (DJI drone supplier)
- Mbuynow (RC hobbyiest engines, motors, supplies)
- My Dear Drone (flying drone resources)
- My Drone Authority (drone buying guide)
For more info and DIY projects, see:
- Maker Pro (user-submitted electronics and microcontroller projects)
- Nuts and Volts Magazine (for electronics hobbyists)
- Servo Magazine (for “personal” robotics)
Semiconductor (IC) Manufacturers:
- Advanced Linear Devices
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
- Analog Devices
- Chimicron Semiconductor
- Cypress Semiconductor
- Hewlett Packard
- Intel
- Kynix Semiconductor
- Linear Technology
- Maxim/Dallas Semiconductor
- Mitsubishi
- Motorola
- NEC
- NXP Semiconductor
- ROHM (ICs, sensors, MEMS, electronic components)
- Texas Instruments
- Ultra Electronics (contract electronics manufacturing service)
- Zilog
Sensors
- Ameritrol (flow, liquid level, and temperature switches)
- Assured Automation (flow meters)
- Banner Engineering (photoelectric and proximity sensors)
- Custom Control Sensors (pressure, temperature and flow sensors and switches)
- Endevco (accelerometers)
- flintec (load cells and force sensors)
- Kavlico (pressure and position)
- HBM (strain gages)
- Interface (force measurement)
- Load Cell Central (load cells, scales)
- Maxim temperature sensors
- Massload (load cells, scales)
- National Semiconductor temperature sensors
- Omega Engineering (distributes all types of sensors)
- RDPE (transducers and instrumentation)
- S. Himmelstein (torques transducers)
- Singer Instruments (LVDTs, inclinometers, solenoids)
- StrainSert (load cells)
- Tacuna Systems (load cells, strain gages)
- Thomas Products (level sensors, flow sensors, pump controls)
- Transducer Techniques (load cells and force/torque sensors)
- Vishay Measurements Group (strain gages)
- Vision Systems Design (machine vision systems and image processing applications for factoryautomation)
- See also:
- Electronics (switches, photoelectric sensors, potentiometers)
- Force measurement guides and resources (from Tacuna)
- LVDT principles of operation
- Robotics
Single Board Computers and Minicontrollers
- Arduino (open source development board)
- see also: project resources
- BiPOM Electronics (microcontroller boards and development tools)
- Coridium ARM controllers
- Handy Board
- Mechatronic Brick
- Micro/Sys
- MIT Handyboard applications and robotics links
- Mobisense (embedded control and computer vision)
- Mosaic Industries
- Parallax BASIC Stamps
- Raspberry Pi (small computer development kit)
- Themis
- VersaLogic
- WinSystems
- See also:
Small Parts (bearings, couplings, gears, springs, shafts, belts, pulleys, seals, etc.)
Other Product Information
- Automation Direct (online superstore for automation products)
- GLOBALSPEC.com (searchable database of various product vendors)
- Electronics Virtual Trade Show
- Industrial Directory (industrial equipment and supply vendors)
- Industrial Supply Directory (industrial equipment and supply vendors)
- IndustryNet (online product catalogs)
- Instrumentation and Control Systems (trade magazine)
- Marshall Wolf Automation (wide range of automation products and manufacturers)
- McRAE’s Blue Book (finding suppliers of various industrial products and product information)
- Thomas Net with its Need to Know Guides (finding suppliers of various industrial products and product information) and Product Search (to find parts, components, and products matching specified attributes)
- Zycon (industrial products and services resource)
Other Useful Mechatronics Sites
- Definitions of “Mechatronics”
- Design News Mechatronics Zone
- EEPower magazine
- IEEE Spectrum
- Mechatronic Me (articles, forum)
- Mechatronics and Measurement System Video Demonstrations
for additions, corrections, or recommendations, contact:
David.Alciatore@colostate.edu