MECHATRONICS 2023
17th Mechatronics Forum International Conference
Leuven, 11-12 September 2023
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About
The Mechatronics Forum International conferences are the oldest series of mechatronics conferences still established, bringing together mechatronics experts from all over the world. The conference has acted as a true forum for presenting, discussing and stimulating novel results, trends and paradigms in mechatronics research and design.
This is the 17th edition of this successful international conference, supported by the IET Robotics & Mechatronics TPN and the IMechE. This year’s conference theme is “Mechatronics meets robotics”.
Past editions
The Mechatronics Forum Conference was the first conference series worldwide specialising in the discipline of mechatronics, and has the longest standing programme of international events covering thirty years. Previous editions:
- 17th edition – 2023 – University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- 16th edition – 2018 – Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK
- 15th edition – 2016 – Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
14th edition – 2014 – Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
13th edition – 2012 – Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
12th edition – 2010 – ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- 11th edition – 2008 – University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- 10th edition – 2006 – Penn State University, Great Valley Campus, Malvern, USA
- 9th edition – 2004 – Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
- 8th edition – 2002 – University of Twente, Twente, The Netherlands
- 7th edition – 2000 – Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA
- 6th edition – 1998 – University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
- 5th edition – 1996 – University of Minho, Guimaraes, Portugal
- 4th edition – 1994 – Technical University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
- 3rd edition – 1992 – University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland
- 2nd edition – 1990 – IMechE conference at Robinson College, Cambridge, UK
- 1st edition – 1989 – Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
Conference programme
Topics
Papers are invited on all aspects of mechatronics research and applications, including but not limited to:
- Mechatronics design
- Robotics
- Actuator and sensor systems
- Control technologies
- Modelling, Identification and Simulation
- Optimisation
- Network and communication technologies
- Human aspects and human-machine collaboration
- Safety assurance – hardware and software
- AI and Data Science in mechatronics
- Uncertainty within mechatronics
- Mechatronics education
- EcoMechatronics and sustainability
- Mechatronics applications
- Cloud-enhanced Mechatronics
Programme booklet
You can download a pdf version of the final programme booklet with all required information here.
Programme - general overview
Programme - detailed overview
Monday 11 September 2023
Session chairs: Karel Kellens and David De Schepper
Paper session 1: simulation, identification and validation
10:10 Grégoire Galisson, Moncef Hammadi, Jean-Yves Choley and Mehdi Gherib Multiphysics simulation methodology for the design of complex systems |
10:30 Arash M. Zadeh Fard, Sven van Bree, Dennis Janssens, Matteo Kirchner, Koen Laurijssen, Niels Divens, Simon Vanpaemel and Frank Naets Multi-physical system identification to evaluate the transmission performance of a gearbox |
10:50 Bart Forrier, Thomas D’Hondt, Jan Debille and Karl Janssens |
11:10 David De Schepper, Mattias Simons, Wouter Schroeyers, Karel Kellens and Eric Demeester A Versatile Mobile Manipulator Platform for the Localisation of Radiological Point Sources |
Session chairs: Eric Demeester and Mutaz Ryalat
Paper session 2: industrial automation
11:45 Khanh Vo, Dipika Berry, Tomasz Lubecki and Holden Li Stand-alone piezoelectric actuator with friction-driven mechanism |
12:05 Mutaz Ryalat, Hisham Elmoaqet, Natheer Almtireen and Marwa Alfaouri |
12:25 Pieter Vanhauwermeiren, Marc Juwet and Eric Demeester Layout optimisation for Vertical lift modules: Minimising the walking distance |
12:45 Yang Zhang, Ali Roshanbin and Muhammad Raheel Afzal Graphical World Modeling with Skill Based Robot Programming for Reconfigurable Assembly Task |
Session chairs: Tegoeh Tjahjowidodo and Adlina Syamlan
Paper session 3: outdoor robotics
14:10 Tien-Thanh Nguyen, Jerome Duverger, Geert De Cubber, Bart Janssens and Herman Bruyninckx Development of Dual-function Adaptive Landing Gear and Gripper for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles |
14:30 Anton Melnikov, Roel Conings and Eric Demeester |
14:50 Tien-Thanh Nguyen, Louis Somers, Jasper Van den Bosch, Geert De Cubber, Bart Janssens and Herman Bruyninckx |
15:10 Rafaël Verbiest, Eric Demeester and Karel Kellens Robotic Pruning of Pear Trees: First Field Tests towards Fruit Cultivation of the Future |
Tuesday 12 September 2023
Session chairs: Peter Hehenberger and Eric Demeester
Paper session 4: medical mechatronics
09:55 Adlina Syamlan, Ayoob Davoodi, Ruixuan Li, Kathleen Denis, Emmanuel Vander Poorten and Tegoeh Tjahjowidodo Cutting Torque Modeling in Channel Creation for Patient-Specific Pedicle Screw Surgical Simulators |
10:15 Ivo Dekker, Karel Kellens and Eric Demeester |
10:35 Maikel Timmermans, Sanat Kumar, Lisa Stubbe, George Athanassoulis Makris, Wim Desmet and Kathleen Denis |
10:55 George Athanassoulis Makris, Gijs Tobback, Matthias Goossens, Georges Vles, Michiel Mulier, Wim Desmet and Denis Kathleen |
Session chairs: David Bradley and Tegoeh Tjahjowidodo
Paper session 5: systems engineering
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11:30 Edward Simpson and David Bradley |
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11:50 Alessandro Giustiniani, Myriam Verschuure, Davy Maes and Chris Ganseman Model-driven framework for safety of autonomous module work-drive systems |
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12:10 Daan Bortels, Mathias Bos, Frank Naets, Yon Vanommeslaeghe, Milan Cornelis and Paul De Meulenaere Combined qualitative and quantitative system analysis for improved mechatronic system co-design |
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12:30 Daniel Gilmour, Edward Simpson, David Blackwood, Andrew Spiers and David Bradley Achieving Sustainability through the Integration of the Physical and Information Domains |
EcoMechatronics workshop
Organisers
- Prof Peter Hehenberger, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wels, Austria
- Prof Emeritus David Bradley, Abertay University, UK
Online panel members
- Margherita Finamore, Bradford University, UK
- Prof Crina Oltean-Dumbrava, Bradford University, UK
- Dr Robert Rayner, University of Hertfordshire, UK
- Edward Simpson, Abertay University, UK
- Dr Roger White
- Prof Philip Moore, IMechE
- Dr John Palfreyman
- Introduction to EcoMechatronics: the background to the EcoMechatronics concept and the arguments underlying case for adopting such an approach to Mechatronics thinking.
- Introduction to on-line panel members: the discussion will be supported by a number of on-line panel members drawn largely, but not exclusively, from chapter authors in EcoMechatronics. Following their introduction to the audience by the chair, each on-line panel member will have the opportunity to make a brief (5/6 minute) personal introduction if they wish to do so.
- Introduction to discussion: once the on-line panel members have completed their introductions, the introduction will be rounded off before a series of questions is presented.
- Discussion: the purpose of the questions as presented to the audience are intended to initiate the discussion, the ultimate direction of which will be determined by the audience under the direction of the chair.
- Summary: the workshop will close with, hopefully, a summary of points raised.
Conference dinner
The conference dinner will take place at restaurant De Hoorn.
Invited speakers
Paper session 4: medical mechatronics
Professor I-Ming Chen
Robotics Research Center
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Perception and Learning in Intelligent Manufacturing and Warehouse Automation Systems
Abstract. Industry robot manipulators have been invented for nearly 50 years. In the past, such robot manipulators are used in mass manufacturing lines and programmed manually by engineers. However, as modern manufacturing moves into low volume high mix products in a very tight schedule, it becomes very challenge to program the robots to handle large variety of products and parts and also to make changes to the manufacturing lines in a very short time. With advancement in 3D machine vision, machine learning methods and fast computing power, there is an emerging trend to put 3D perception device, machine learning technique into industry robots to make them “smart’ enough to handle a variety of products in a changing environment. In this speech, we will discuss how 3D perception systems and machine learning techniques are used in manufacturing scenarios like intelligent masking/taping for component maintenance, intelligent spray painting. We will use our past experiences in Amazon Robotics Challenge and DHL Robotics Challenge as examples to look at the integration of 3D perception, machine learning and robot motion planning in current warehouse automation to handle the item-picking process.
Biography. Professor I-Ming Chen received B.S. degree from National Taiwan University in 1986, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA in 1989 and 1994 respectively. He is currently Full Professor in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Co-Director of CARTIN (Center for Advanced Robotics Technology and Innovation) in Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Technical Advisor to National Robotics Program Office in Singapore. He is Editor-in-chief of IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics (2020-2022) and is a member of the Robotics Task Force 2014 under the National Research Foundation which is responsible for Singapore’s strategic R&D plan in robotics. His research interests are in logistics and construction robots, wearable devices, human-robot interaction and industrial automation. Professor Chen is Fellow of Singapore Academy of Engineering, Fellow of IEEE and Fellow of ASME, General Chairman of 2017 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2017) in Singapore.
Dr. Wim Symens
ASML
Veldhoven, The Netherlands
Mechatronics in lithography
Abstract. Lithographic scanners are highly complex machines used to manufacture integrated circuits (ICs). These devices use an optical system to form an image of a pattern on a quartz plate, called the reticle, onto a photosensitive layer on a substrate, called the wafer. The circular wafer can contain many ICs, typically 100 or more, and needs to be repositioned from exposure to exposure. Moreover, different patterns need to be put exactly on top of one another, even when the wafer has left and re-entered the machine to accommodate for intermediate process steps. To be able to pack more functionality into each IC and to increase the productivity of the machine, the required accuracy and speed for the repositioning is increasing as well.
In this presentation, the lithographic process will be explained and the mechatronic challenges of ASML’s scanners will be detailed. It will furthermore be shown which evolutions were necessary to keep up with the ever increasing demands for shrink and increasing throughput.
Biography. Wim Symens (1976) graduated in 1999 in Mechanical Engineering from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and obtained a PhD in applied sciences from the same university in 2004. His dissertation dealt with the control of mechatronic systems with variable dynamics and local non-linear friction. After his PhD, he worked for 10 years at the Flemish research centre Flanders Make in people management, as well as project and program management positions. Wim joined ASML in 2015 in the Research department where he focused on Mechatronics and EUV scanner related challenges. In 2020 he moved to Technology and since 2022 he is leading the EUV Mechatronics for Optics and System Dynamics department in ASML’s Development & Engineering organization.
Professor Peter Hehenberger
University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
Wels, Austria
EcoMechatronics: Mechatronic Systems as Enablers for Circular Economy: Selected Scenarios
Abstract. The European Commission proposed the first package of measures to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, as announced in the Circular Economy Action Plan. The Action Plan is in line with the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target under the Green Deal.
The concept of sustainability in the application and operation of engineering systems is of increasing significance in relation to the requirements for the mitigation of climate change along with achieving global targets for the reduction of emissions of all types of greenhouse gasses. As a major contributor to the design and operation of many current systems, mechatronics has a great deal to contribute to achieving many of the climate oriented goals that have been identified.
EcoMechatronics contributes to improved productivity, better environmental performance, the introduction of more energy-efficient machinery, reduced energy costs and reduced environmental impact along with more effective management of waste and recycling with less material usage and waste, enhanced environmental sustainability and safety with high user comfort. Examples from research projects with focus on Material flow analysis in plastics recycling and Energy-flexible factories will be further presented.
Biography. Dr Peter Hehenberger is Professor for Integrated Product Development, Head of the “Smart Mechatronics Engineering” Research Group and Academic Director of the “Institute for Agile Transformation” at the School of Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wels/Austria. He completed his Diploma and Doctorate in Mechatronics from Johannes Kepler University JKU Linz /Austria in 2000 and 2004, respectively. In 2016 he received the post-doctoral lecturing qualification (venia docendi) for the subject area “Engineering Design”.
Core research interests cover “Sustainability in Development and Production of Mechatronic Systems” and “Engineering Processes” along with topics on “Digital Transformation”. He has published over 140 peer-reviewed papers in international journals and conference proceedings and been guest editor for three journal special issues. In addition, he has authored or co-authored six books related to his research field. He serves as an Editorial Board Member for the “IFAC Journal Mechatronics”, “Computer-Aided Design and Applications” and “International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management” (IJPLM). Dr Hehenberger is active in the research community where he is refers to his research area of “Mechatronic Design” as group member of IFIP WG5.1 “Global Product development for the whole life-cycle” and IFAC TC 4.2 “Mechatronic Systems”. In 2015 he was invited as Visiting Professor at the Universite de Technologie de Compiegne, Departement Genie des Systemes Mecaniques, France.
Dr. Theodor Andrei Bartic
Flanders Make
Leuven, Belgium
Artificial Intelligence for Mechatronics
Abstract. This talk will address AI and the approach needed to yield this powerful technology in the physical world. AI is potent but not perfect. In the consumer electronics world errors are irritating, sometimes maddening, but nobody gets physically hurt. In the world of cyber-physical systems there is no margin for error. A faulty perception can lead to wrong movement, which in turn can have dire consequences. Yet, the appeal to make cyber-physical systems more intelligent is very high and several steps can be taken by adding guardrails, semantics and avoiding glitches.
Biography. Andrei Bartic is currently leading the Motion Products cluster in Flanders Make. Andrei has over 25 years of experience in industry-driven research (imec, FMTC, Flanders Make). He has a physics degree from the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania and a PhD degree in physics from KU Leuven.
He has been involved in the definition and follow-up of over 50 industrial research projects. The Motion Products cluster manages a broad portfolio of technologies. It encompasses AI and optimization techniques applied to optimal and learning control, signal processing and AI applied to condition monitoring, digital twins for cyber physical systems, localization and navigation solutions for autonomous vehicles, and quality monitoring solutions through AI and visual inspection.
Important dates
Extended abstract submission (2 pages)
Extended to 31 May 2023
Notification of abstract acceptance
20 June 2023
Full paper (6-8 pages)
Due to several requests, the submission deadline has been changed to 4 August 2023.
Notification of full paper acceptance
20 August 2023
Camera-ready final paper (6-8 pages)
31 August 2023
Presenter and early-bird registration deadline
31 August 2023
Regular registration deadline
Always open, also on site.
Mechatronics forum international conference
11-12 September 2023
Author instructions
Instructions for oral presentations
- Templates for the oral presentations will not be provided, nevertheless please follow general customs and recommendations concerning the used font size and screen space organization assuring good readability of your slides and clearness of your presentation as a whole.
- Each talk is planned for 20 minutes comprising 15 minutes of presentation followed by 5 minutes of discussion and speaker switch. We kindly ask all the speakers to keep the time of their presentations.
- You may bring your own laptop to present from, or use the one provided in the room (Windows with PowerPoint and Acrobat Reader). In case you want to use the provided PC or have any videos in your presentation – please test your presentation with the on-site PC in sufficient advance prior to your presentation.
- Please be present in the session room at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time of your session and follow the instructions by the session chair and technician.
- Available equipment in the auditorium will be: PC, projector, sound system, and microphones.
Proceedings
Papers will first be published online in open access format. Each paper will receive an individual DOI. In a second phase, the papers will be Thomson ISI indexed.
A selection of the best papers will be published as a Springer book. The Springer book of the Mechatronics 2018 edition can be found following this link.
Template for extended abstract
- We expect a 2-page extended abstract; full papers should be 6 to 8 pages.
- A template for abstracts can be downloaded here: docx and Latex.
Submission of final full papers
- Please note that the instruction set for your final full paper has slightly changed! You can find the updated full paper instructions here. The corresponding updated docx template can also be downloaded, as well as the updated Latex template.
- Submit your final full paper through the EasyChair submission link. You may either upload it as a new submission, or as an update of your previous submission.
- Do not forget to read the Copyright Agreement (pdf). When supplying your contribution to KU Leuven you agree with these conditions!
Workshops
To propose a demonstration or to exhibit a product/prototype please email.
EasyChair call for papers
Call for papers EasyChair via this link here.
Registration
| authors and early bird | standard | |
|---|---|---|
|
regular (physical on site) |
€ 500 |
€ 650 |
|
regular (online experience) |
€ 400 |
€ 500 |
|
student, retired researcher |
€ 350 |
€ 400 |
The deadline for early bird registration is August 31, 2023.
In-person registration can be done here: registration link to Mechatronics 2023.
In-person registration includes the registration kit, Mechatronics proceedings, coffee breaks, and social events.
Committees
Organizing committee
- Prof. Eric Demeester (conference chair, KU Leuven)
- Prof. Karel Kellens (conference chair, KU Leuven)
- Prof. Tegoeh Tjahjowidodo (conference chair, KU Leuven)
- Prof. Emmanuel Vander Poorten (conference chair, KU Leuven)
- Prof. Hendrik Van Brussel (honorary chair, Professor Emeritus at KU Leuven)
- Prof. David Bradley (honorary chair, Professor Emeritus at Abertay University)
- Prof. Philip Moore (honorary chair, Professor Emeritus at University of Skövde)
Scientific committee
- Bradley David (UK)
- Carbone Giuseppe (Italy)
- Dehghani-Sanij Abbas (UK)
- Demeester Eric (Belgium)
- Gasparetto Alessandro (Italy)
- Grimheden Martin Edin (Sweden)
- Hehenberger Peter (Austria)
- Jakoby Bernhard (Austria)
- Jiang Ming (Japan)
- Kellens Karel (Belgium)
- Malvezzi Monica (Italy)
- Moore Philip (UK)
- Nho Do Thanh (Australia)
- Pratama Mahardhika (Australia)
- Russell David (USA)
- Scheidl Rudolf (Austria)
- Takamaru Saito (Japan)
- Tjahjowidodo Tegoeh (Belgium)
- Van Brussel Hendrik (Belgium)
- Vander Poorten Emmanuel (Belgium)
- Wang Lihui (Sweden)
- Welch Chris (France)