Integrated manufacturing: The future of fabricating mechatronic devices

This chapter explores current and future technologies for physically creating mechatronic devices, and in particular robotic systems. Robots consist of electronics, actuators and sensors within a self-contained mechanical structure and have the ability to exert controlled external forces to enable them to physically interact with the world around them. There is no doubt that robots have the potential to revolutionise many sectors [Willetts in Eight great technologies. Government Report, 2013 1], but there are many barriers to widespread use including public perceptions and difficulties in physically and computationally integrating robots into real-world environments. The cost of both designing and manufacturing robots is also very high. Improving manufacturing techniques for robots and providing better integration between the mechanical and electrical systems could help robots become physically robust, small, sealed, mobile and appropriate for the many challenging environments where their use could have a big impact.