Effect of Mechatronic Systems on Precision Engineering: Mediating Role of Control Algorithms

Abstract

The combined use of mechanical, electrical, electronic and computational subsystems, known as mechatronic systems, have emerged as essential facilitators of precision engineering in contemporary manufacturing and robotics applications. This paper has examined how mechatronic systems influence the results of precision engineering using control algorithms as a mediator variable. A quantitative type of research design was adopted. A structured questionnaire with technical evaluation criteria was used to gather data on 200 mechatronics engineers, automation specialists, and manufacturing professionals in the manufacturing and robotics sectors in Pakistan using purposive sampling as a selection criterion based on relevant professional expertise. Respondent descriptions were summarized by descriptive statistics. Cronbach alpha, Composite Reliability (CR) and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) were used to measure reliability and validity. Inter-variable relationships were analysed using correlation analysis. The analysis of the direct effects and the mediating effect by control algorithms was tested by the Structural Equation Modeling with SmartPLS 4.0. There was a strong positive direct impact of mechatronic systems on precision engineering (beta = 0.34, p < .001) and a strong positive impact on control algorithms (beta = 0.56, p < .001). Control algorithms were a significant predictor of precision engineering ( beta = 0.48, p < .001). Mechanistic mediation analysis established the significant indirect impact of mechatronic systems on precision engineering using control algorithms (indirect beta = 0.269, 95% CI [0.188, 0.354]) meaning that it is partially mediated. The complete model was a 64.7-percent predictor of precision engineering (R-squared = 0.647). These results confirm that the main process by which the capabilities of the mechatronic systems can be converted into the precision engineering results is the sophistication of control algorithms.