Does vocabulary limit packaging machinery development?

The term mechatronics is not to be found in the dictionary: at least not in current versions of Microsoft Word's dictionary, Meriam Webster's Dictionary, the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary or Dictionary.com. I could have continued to search, but you get my point.

We are told that English speaking peoples are at a disadvantage in expressing emotions due to the fact that we translate many different words of other languages into the one word love in English. Do we really think about or act on things for which we have no vocabulary to describe? Is our lack of recognition of the word mechatronics holding back development of world-class machinery, holding back advancements in education, and holding back careers? I think it is.

This is not to say that there is no recognition of the term. A Google search brings up almost 3 million hits. Both Wikipedia and ASK.com present credible discussion of mechatronics. As I recall, 5 years ago internet hits on the term were in the 10's of thousands. Three years ago, when I pitched to my state's assistant secretary of labor that mechatronics was a career area to be invested in, she pointed out to me that most internet hits on the term were from sites outside of the USA. I already knew that, but was impressed that she had figured it out too.

Careers and the educational requirements to support new careers are evolving. During the early years of electrical distribution, the job of installing conduit fell to pipe fitters. Eventually the electrical trades took this on and conduit installation became the job of electricians. (Does anyone know when the term electrician first came into use?) Today there is no term for the multi-skilled trades person who can construct or maintain a mechatronic packaging or other machine. I have surveyed my colleagues in Great Britain, Germany and Italy and they too have no such word in their languages. Is this why it is so difficult to find education and training programs for mechatronic trades and technicians?

I believe that you do what you have words to describe. I once directed what may have been industry's first automation and integration department. As time went on, I found other companies picking up this name for their controls or computer engineering staffs. It was an o-k description for on a business card because it generally conveyed what we did. But it also conveyed that automation and integration were two separate activities. Although they certainly can be two activities, we believed that they are best accomplished when done as a single activity. As a result, we spoke of ourselves as the autogration department.

Autogration is a term like mechatronics that you will not find in the dictionary, and they also have something else in common. If you add integration to an existing automation system, you get a horse that looks like a camel, just as you do when you add servoes, computers and software to an existing mechanical packaging machine design.

My definition of mechatronics is the synergistic application of electrical, mechanical, controls and computer engineering to develop useful machines. When mechatronics becomes a dictionary word, society will better understand what this means and we will all be more likely to act accordingly. When we will develop appropriate terms to describe the various mechatronics occupations, I can't say. But when we do, our ability to design, build, operate and support world-class packaging machines will be enhanced. Suggestions?

P.S. -- stop by Bosch Rexroth's booth # S-5032 from 9am to noon on Tuesday, October 16, and meet me, and pick up a free OnTheEdge T-shirt!

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