Ecomechatronics is an engineering approach to developing and applying mechatronical technology in order to reduce the ecological impact and total cost of ownership of machines. It builds on the integrative approach of mechatronics, but with the aim of only improving the functionality of a machine. Mechatronics is the multidisciplinary field of science and engineering that merges mechanics, electronics, control theory, and computer science to improve and optimize product design and manufacturing. In ecomechatronics, additionally, functionality should be used with efficiency and limited impact on resources. Machine improvements are targeted in 3 key areas: energy efficiency, performance and user comfort (noise & vibration).

Among policy makers and manufacturing industries is a growing awareness of the scarcity of resources and the need for sustainable development. This results in new regulations with respect to the design of machines (eg European Ecodesign Directive 2009/125 / EC) and a paradigm shift in the global machinery market: minimal resources “. Manufacturing industries requires high performance machines that use resources (energy, consumables) economically in a human-centered production. These machines are designed to increase the efficiency of the machine and to increase the efficiency of the machine. A reduction of energy consumption lowers energy costs and environmental impact. Typically more than 80% of the total-life-cycle impact of a machine is attributed to its energy consumption during the use phase. Therefore, improving a machine’s energy efficiency is the most effective way of reducing its environmental impact. Quantified performance how well a machine executes its function and is typically related to productivity, precision and availability. User comfort is related to the exposure of operators and the environment to noise & vibrations due to machine operation. Since energy efficiency, performance and noise are combined in a machine, they are integrated into the design phase. Example of the interrelation between the 3 key areas: With increasing machine speed, the machine increases productivity and increases the productivity of the machine. Ecomechatronical design deals with the trade-off between these key areas.

Ecomechatronics impacts the way mechatronical systems and machines are being designed and implemented. CAE software vendors, CAE software vendors, machine builders and industrial machine owners. The fact that about 80% of the environmental impact of a machine is determined by its design. A model-based, multidisciplinary design approach is required in order to address the energy efficiency, performance and user comfort of a machine in an integrated way. The key enabling technologies can be categorized in machine components, machine design methods and tools, and machine control. A few examples are listed below for category. Machine components