Mechatronics Technology

Mechatronics Technology:

voice: 956.364.4736
fax: 956.364.5178
toll-free: 800.852.8784

Department Chair:

Diego Villarreal
voice: 956.364.4736
fax: 956.364.5178
Email: Mechatronics Technology

Mailing Address:

Mechatronics Technology
TSTC Harlingen
1902 North Loop 499
Harlingen, TX 78550

Location:

Mechatronics Technology is located in the Mechatronics & Telecommunications Building

Office Hours:

M - F: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat., Sun.: Closed

Mechatronics Technology

What is Mechatronics?

Mechatronics is a NEW and exciting interdisciplinary field dealing with the integration of mechanical and electronic components coordinated by a control system.

Mechatronics is centered on the disciplines of mechanics, electronics, controls and computers which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile commercial and industrial products. The combination of words "mechatronics" was first coined by Mr. Tetsuro Mori, a senior engineer of the Japanese company Yaskawa, in 1969.

Industrial applications are becoming increasingly multidisciplinary requiring engineers and technicians to develop skills in a variety of disciplines including mechanics, electronics, computer science, and automation.

Many existing jobs categories currently or will soon require Mechatronics skills and problem solving abilities. Mechatronics courses combine various disciplines to teach students a holistic approach to developing solutions for engineering applications.

There is a high demand for bilingual engineers and technicians with Mechatronics knowledge and experience in companies in the Rio Grande Valley and surrounding regions including Laredo, Houston, and San Antonio, and in industrial “Maquiladoras” on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border.

On February 26, of 2006 a meeting took place with the intent to create a blended-Hybrid program taking the necessary and stronger courses from each of the Automation, Electronics, and Instrumentation curricula to provide industry with a more capable and more diversily qualified technician. With the encouragement of Mr. Pat Hobbs, Vice President for Student Learning at Texas, Al Guillen, Division Director for the Industrial Manufacturing Technologies and Industry representatives a proposed Mechatronics Curriculum was proposed and approved and is chaired by Mr. Diego Villarreal.

Mechatronics does not map to any particular trade or job category; rather, it refers to a host of integrated skills that can be applied in a variety of job contexts. Skills found under the Mechatronics Technology umbrella includes “practical” knowledge in the integration of electrical systems, fluid power, electronics, computer controls, PLCs, instrumentation, robotics and information technology.

There are no Texas labor market data specific to Mechatronics; however TSTC has identified 25 professions that do or will soon require Mechatronic skills sets.

Many existing jobs categories currently or will soon require Mechatronics skills and problem solving ability among workers who currently design, implement, manufacture, service, and repair a wide array of equipment. Mechatronics technicians are involved in robotics, automated manufacturing and packaging, automobiles, airplanes, gas pumps, vending machines, gaming machines, ATM machines, heating and cooling systems, renewable energy systems.

One semester paid Internships for students in Austin at Sematech Advanced technology Development Facility. Working as an Intern in a variety of Mechatronics related positions.