Mechatronics is an exciting interdisciplinary field that integrates mechanical engineering, electronics, controls, and computer science. Professionals in this area, known as mechatronics engineers, play pivotal roles across various industries—from space exploration to semiconductor manufacturing and product design. With a focus on crafting intelligent systems, it’s fascinating to learn that one of the most effective tools for teaching mechatronics can be as simple as a pen and paper.
“Students must sketch and perform critical calculations on paper to unlock their creativity,” states MIT’s Professor of Mechanical Engineering, David Trumper. He has been leading the course 2.737 (Mechatronics) since the early 1990s, emphasizing that this course combines aspects of electrical and mechanical engineering, with design at its core.
“Engaging solely in electronics without an understanding of mechanical integration limits innovative thought. To generate creative solutions, it’s essential to address issues spanning various disciplines,” Trumper explains. He observes that MIT students often excel in theoretical knowledge, but hands-on experience is crucial for developing practical skills. Working directly with materials equips them to envision how systems might function when designing new projects.
Audrey Cui, a graduate student in electrical engineering and computer science, concurs with Trumper’s approach, noting the importance of “back-of-the-napkin calculations.” This straightforward method significantly enhances critical thinking skills, essential for future designers.
“Computers can sometimes hinder creativity, as they might confine you to pre-existing menu options,” Trumper points out. “Utilizing simple tools—like paper and colored pens—fosters creative design beyond the confines of a screen. The ability to doodle ideas down is invaluable.”
Trumper’s focus areas include precision mechatronics, especially in systems that operate under demanding resolutions. Notable projects involve magnetic levitation, linear motors in semiconductor precision manufacturing, and spacecraft attitude control, as well as applications in bioengineering.
Class 2.737 is lab-centric, allowing students to translate sketches and concepts into tangible experiences. This hands-on approach is enriched by Trumper’s research insights, with engaging activities ranging from motor control to electronic scale evaluation, and even constructing an atomic force microscope in prior years.
“Experiencing tactile interaction with systems enhances understanding,” Trumper asserts. “As a designer, you need to visualize new configurations—for instance, imagining how a motor would function is essential for iterative design processes.”
He recalls his late colleague, Woodie Flowers, who emphasized the concept of “running the movie” in your mind. Trumper elaborates, “Once you visualize a design, identifying challenges—such as thermal issues or stress points—becomes easier. Using paper alongside your imagination leads to innovative design possibilities.”
Flowers, who was the Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering until his passing in 2019, is remembered for his innovative teaching methods that shaped MIT’s hands-on engineering curriculum.
Course 2.737 typically attracts students eager to design and create. “I welcome aspiring hardware enthusiasts,” Trumper humorously remarks. “My key goal is for students to acquire practical tools beneficial in their future engineering journeys.”
According to Cui, “Understanding how various components integrate into a single functional system is incredibly empowering for me as I develop my engineering skills.” Similarly, fellow student Zach Francis feels the course solidifies foundational knowledge while reconnecting him with the awe of engineering. “It brings back that childlike wonder—what once seemed like magic is now something I can create,” he expresses. “It truly feels like being a wizard!”
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
