bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Ontology-Based Online Community to Maintain Engineering Knowledge in a Training Domain
Authors: Kim OkJoon , Jayaram Uma , Zhu Lijuan
Published: June 2012

The research presented in this paper seeks to develop an ontology-based online community for knowledge exchange between expert engineers and new engineers. We call this community CREEK (Community for Retention of Engineering dEsign Knowledge). This paper seeks to develop methods and tools related to knowledge acquisition, knowledge modeling, knowledge management, and knowledge presentation that can support activities in this community in engineering design and training domains. An important consideration is to design and deploy the online community and the underlying ontology model such that they will not exist in isolation but will be connected to a product data ontology and a training ontology. In our previous work engineering knowledge related to product data in engineering design and assembly has been modeled. In this work procedural knowledge and knowledge in the training domains related to these procedures are also modeled and populated using ontologies. We have designed an architecture that will allow the ontology of the on-line community to tap into the engineering knowledge from these two supporting domains. In addition, there is a connection the other way too. The online community also allows new knowledge to be captured from experts and be (semi-)automatically transferred to product design and training domains.
Control of High Speed Milling Chatter in Simultaneous Time-Frequency Domain
Authors: Liu Meng-Kun , Suh C. Steve
Published: June 2012

The dynamics governing high speed milling has been extensively explored for decades, both numerically and experimentally. The process loses its dynamic stability and becomes chaotic through either Neimark-Sacker or period doubling bifurcation. While its associated response is still bounded in the time domain, however, it could become unstably broadband in the frequency domain, thus causing the uneven cutting surface on the workpiece and tool damage. A discrete-wavelet-based feedforward adaptive controller is developed to stabilize system response in the time and frequency domains simultaneously. An adaptive controller along with an adaptive filter effective for on-line system identification is implemented in the wavelet domain. By controlling both time and frequency responses, the presented controller design is demonstrated to effectively suppress milling chatter and restore the system back to dynamic stability.
Formalizing User Activity–Product Function Association Based Design Rules for Universal Products
Authors: Sangelkar Shraddha , McAdams Daniel A.
Published: June 2012

Universal products intend to equally serve people with and without a disability. This paper focuses on creating guidelines that are applicable during the early stages of designing universal products. Actionfunction diagrams are used to formally compare existing universal products to their typical counterparts to study the similarities and differences. A data mining technique, particularly association rule learning, generates rules from the universal and typical product comparison data. Generation of function-based association rules for universal design has been performed on a smaller scale using this method; this research seeks to extend and formalize the same method by studying a larger set of universal products. Trends in the generation of rules are analyzed indicating that a finite set of rules should be applicable to an arbitrarily large set of products. Further, the rules are analyzed in detail to evaluate their potential for transferability and reuse from one product to another. Of particular interest is the transferability of the rules across apparently disparate product domains such as garden tools and residential furniture. The conceptual and physical similarity of the rules is discussed in the context of creating universal product families based on a platform of accessible elements.
Customer Driven Optimal Design for Convergence Products
Authors: Wang Z. , Kannan P. K. , Azarm S.
Published: June 2012

Convergence products are multifunctional designs which are changing the way consumers use existing functionalities. Manufacturers’ ventures in developing convergence products abound in the marketplace. Smartphones, tablet computers, internet TV, are just a few examples. The complexity of designing a convergence product can differ significantly from that of single function products which most research in “Design for Market Systems” aims at. In this paper, a new customer-driven approach for designing convergence products is proposed to address the following issues: (i) a design representation scheme that considers information from design solutions used in existing products. The representation facilitates the coupling of and combining multiple functionalities; (ii) a hierarchical Bayes model that evaluates consumers’ heterogeneous choices while revealing how usage of multiple functionalities impacts consumers’ preferences; and (iii) design metrics which help evaluate profitability of design alternatives and account for future market penetration given evolving consumer preferences. An example problem for designing a tablet computer is used to demonstrate the proposed approach. The data for the example is collected by conducting a choice-based conjoint survey which yielded 92 responses. The proposed approach is demonstrated with three scenarios differentiated by the consideration of consumer heterogeneity and future market penetration, while comparing how the resulting optimal design solutions for the convergence product differ.
More Flexibility and Versatility in Automated Handling Processes With an Alterable Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Riedel Martin , Mannheim Tom , Corves Burkhard
Published: June 2012

This paper deals with the question of how flexibility and versatility in automated handling and assembly systems can be increased and of how they can be become more efficient and economic in operation. A solution can be given by a novel robot system called PARAGRIP (Parallel Gripping), featuring a reconfigurable architecture with a modular and alterable layout. This new handling system is able to manipulate objects in the six-dimensional Cartesian space by several robotic arms, which form a closed loop kinematic structure including the handling object as a mobile platform. As the mounting and grasp points of the arms as well as many other parameters can easily be changed, the manipulator can be reconfigured economic to match the user’s preferences and needs. Regrasping the object dynamically with additional arms makes kinematic adjustment possible, even during motion. In this paper the question is raised which different types of reconfiguration are essential and how they can be combined optimally. Several practical examples underline the enhanced performance of the alterable handling system.
Adaptive and Singularity-Free Inverse Dynamics Models for Control of Parallel Manipulators With Actuation Redundancy
Authors: Mu¨ller Andreas , Hufnagel Timo
Published: June 2012

Redundant actuation of parallel kinematics machines (PKM) is a way to eliminate input-singularities and so to enlarge the usable workspace. From a kinematic point of view the number m of actuator coordinates exceeds the DOF δ of a redundantly actuated PKM (RA-PKM). The dynamics model, being the basis for model-based control, is usually expressed in terms of δ independent actuator coordinates. This implies that the model exhibits the same singularities as the non-redundant PKM, even though the RA-PKM is not singular. Consequently the admissible range of motion of the RA-PKM model is limited to that of the non-redundant PKM. In this paper an alternative formulation of the dynamics model in terms of the full set of m actuator coordinates is presented. It leads to a redundant system of m motion equations that is valid in the entire range of motion. This formulation gives rise to an inverse dynamics formulation tailored for real-time implementation. In contrast to the standard formulation in independent coordinates, the proposed inverse dynamics formulation does not involve control forces in the null space of the control matrix, i.e. it does not allow for the generation of internal prestresses, however. This is not problematic as the latter is usually not exploited. The proposed method is compared to the recently proposed adaptive coordinate switching method. Experimental results are reported if the inverse dynamics solution is introduced in model-based computed torque control scheme of a planar 2DOF RA-PKM.
Stick-Slip and Whirl Motions of Drill Strings: Numerical and Experimental Studies
Authors: Vlajic Nicholas , Liao Chien-Min , Karki Hamad , Balachandran Balakumar
Published: June 2012

The dynamics of drill strings, which are long structures used in drilling operations, are explored numerically and experimentally within this article. A reduced-order distributed parameter model that allows for coupled bending and torsional motions is presented along with forces that take into account interactions between the drill string and the wellbore. Further, a scaled experimental apparatus is presented along with results. Both experimental results and model predictions show backward whirling. Stick-slip interactions are investigated numerically, and the simulation results are seen to be in good agreement with experimental observations. These results could prove useful when designing control schemes for mitigating undesirable torsional and bending motions.
Controller Implementation of a Powered Transtibial Prosthetic Device
Authors: Sun Jinming , Voglewede Philip A.
Published: June 2012

A new type of powered transtibial prosthesis was designed and fabricated. This device has reasonable size, weight and strength for daily use. In order to test the device on human subjects, a control algorithm and a control system are required. A two level control algorithm, which includes a higher level finite state controller and lower level PID controllers, is proposed and the configuration of this system is presented in this paper. An absolute encoder, a current sensor and two sets of force-sensing resistors are used to provide the feedback; a dSPACE system and MATLAB Simulink are used to realize the higher level control, and a DC motor controller is used to realize the lower level PID controller.
A Review on Handling Aspects in Bicycle and Motorcycle Control
Authors: Kooijman J. D. G. , Schwab A. L.
Published: June 2012

This paper gives an overview on handling aspects in bicycle and motorcycle control, from both theoretical and experimental points of view. Parallels are drawn with the literature on aircraft handling. The paper concludes with the open ends and promising directions for future work in the field of handling and control of single track vehicles.
The Effects of Geometric Asymmetry on the Dynamic Response of Silicon Nanowires
Authors: Nelis Molly R. , Rhoads Jeffrey F. , Mohammadi Saeed
Published: June 2012

This work investigates the impact of asymmetric cross-sectional geometry on the near-resonant response of electrostatically-actuated silicon nanowires. The work demonstrates that dimensional variances of less than 2% qualitatively alter the near-resonant response of these nanosystems, rendering a non-Lorentzian frequency response structure. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that this effect is independent of material properties and device boundary conditions and can be easily modeled using a two-degree-of-freedom system. Proper understanding of this phenomenon is believed to be essential in the characterization of the dynamic response of resonant nanotube and nanowire systems and thus the predictive design and development of such devices. Practical applications of the devices of interest include electrostatic force gradients and mass sensing, both of which can advantageously leverage the unique frequency response structure attendant to these systems.
Stabilization of Aeroelastic Instabilities of Panels Using Bifurcation Control With Piezoelectric Actuation
Authors: Onawola Oluseyi O. , Sinha S. C.
Published: June 2012

Aeroelastic instabilities of a panel may result in buckling (divergence) or flutter (Hopf bifurcation), when it is acted upon by induced aerodynamic and externally applied loads under supersonic/hypersonic environment in this paper. These instabilities are stabilized using nonlinear bifurcation control with piezoelectric actuation. The center manifold theory is used to extract subsystems which completely capture the bifurcation behavior of the original system near critical parameter values represented by sets of parametrised first-order differential equations with feedback control. The principle of normal form is used to simplify the nonlinear terms of the lower dimensional systems. The proposed controllers, which employ purely nonlinear state feedback, are used to modify the nonlinear characteristics of the post bifurcation limit sets by setting the amplitudes and rates of growth to the desired values. Numerical results show that the resulting closed-loop systems are effectively stabilized at the neighborhood of critical values.
Vibration Analysis of Thin Plates Subject to Piezoelectric Actuation: A New Perspective in Modeling and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Mehta Parikshit , Jalili Nader
Published: June 2012

This paper undertakes model development and numerical simulations of vibration problem of piezoelectrically actuated thin plates with a holistic perspective. Constitutive laws governing piezoelectric actuator are integrated with the potential and kinetic energies of combined plate-actuator system. The equations of motions are derived using variational approach and verified with results obtained by Newton’s equilibrium approach. It is verified that the field coupled components associated with piezoelectric actuator appear as distributed moments over the area of the actuator. The equations of motion are solved using modal analysis deploying Raleigh Ritz method utilizing Boundary Characteristic Orthogonal Polynomials (BCOP). The shape functions generated using this method is used in Assumed Mode Method (AMM) to numerically simulate forced vibration analysis. Since Raleigh Ritz analysis with BCOP can be deployed with the plates of all the geometries, minor modifications in selecting the shape functions enables one to use the same method to calculate natural frequencies of annular plate as well.
Distributed Collision-Avoiding Deployment Control of Multiple Nonholonomic Mobile Robots
Authors: Lu Xionghui , Zhou Yu , Zhong Xu
Published: June 2012

This paper presents a distributed second-order control algorithm for deploying a group of nonholonomic mobile robots into an unknown environment to establish and maintain desired sensor coverage. The general control framework is formulated based on Hamilton’s principle. The control input is defined in the form of a potential/force field. A multi-robot collision avoidance scheme is also presented. The effectiveness of the proposed deployment control scheme is verified through both simulations and experiments. Main performance factors, including equilibrium deployment configuration, convergence of inter-robot coverage distance and collision avoidance, are presented and analyzed.
System Optimization Design Under Time Variant Reliability Constraints
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Ling , Huang Hong-Zhong , Wang Zhong-Lai , Ge Pei-Nan
Published: June 2012

Due to the degradation, input loading and uncertainty in the design parameters usually involve random variables and random processes, reliability analysis for engineering design problems are usually time dependent. Many problems related to degradation have been treated as monotonic or statistically independent, therefore, the probability of failure only at the end of the lifetime of the structure are considered. To the issues of parameters with stochastic process, the outcrossing rate methods have been extensively developed to calculate the upper bound of time-dependent reliability. In these methods, the issue of proper choice of time interval is crucial and difficult. In this paper, a new method for time dependent reliability optimization based on the total probability theory and universal generating function is proposed. In the proposed method, firstly, Parameters with stochastic processes are discretized into some discrete random variables. Secondly, the discrete parameters are reformed into a new random process by the operation of the universal generating functions. Finally, based on the total probability theory, the probability of failure for each limit state function is analyzed using sequential optimization and time invariant reliability assessment method. Only the time invariant reliability method is needed in the proposed method, by conditioning the continuous random variables on the discrete random parameters. Numerical example is presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Effects of Geometric and Material Properties on Electrical Power Harvested From a Bimorph Piezoelectric Cantilever Beam
Authors: Chandrasekharan Nataraj , Ju Jaehyung , Thompson Lonny
Published: June 2012

In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model is developed to design a vibrating bimorph piezoelectric cantilever beam for energy harvesting. A parametric study of electric power generated as a function of the dielectric constant, transverse piezoelectric strain constant, length and thickness of the piezoelectric material, is conducted for a time-harmonic surface pressure load. The reference piezoelectric material used in the design is Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT-5H). Complete transversely isotropic elastic and piezoelectric properties are assigned to the bimorph layers with brass chosen as the substrate material in the three-dimensional finite element model. The numerical analysis shows that a uniform decrease in thickness and length coverage of the piezoelectric layers results in a nonlinear reduction in power amplitude, which suggests optimal values. Using design of experiments (DOE), a study was conducted to determine the sensitivity of power with respect to the geometric and material variables.
Defining Technology-Adoption Indifference Curves for Residential Solar Electricity Generation Using Stated Preference Experiments
Authors: Frischknecht Bart D. , Whitefoot Kate
Published: June 2012

Success in achieving environmental goals is intrinsically dependent on policy decisions, firm decisions, and consumer decisions. Understanding how consumer product adoption jointly depends on policy incentives and firm design decisions is necessary for both firms and governments to make optimal decisions. This paper demonstrates a methodology for assessing the linkage between policy incentives and firm decisions on the level of consumer adoption of a particular technology. A policy optimization is formulated and technology-adoption indifference curves are constructed to allow firms to identify the most profitable direction for product development given the policy environment, and similarly to allow government organizations to set policies that maximize technology adoption given firm decisions. As an example we use the residential solar electricity industry in New South Wales, Australia. Consumer choice is modeled using a mixed logit choice model estimated with hierarchical Bayes techniques from stated preference experiment data.
Design of a Motor-Driven Mechanism to Conduct Experiments to Determine the Passive Joint Properties of the Human Index Finger
Authors: Kuo Pei-Hsin , Hayes Jerod , Deshpande Ashish D.
Published: June 2012

Our long term goal is to develop a new generation of robotic-prosthetic hands that will incorporate key anatomical features of the human hand, especially, the passive dynamics defined by the joint stifftness and damping properties. This paper presents a design of a mechanism that can measure the passive moment of the human hand joint. We designed a motor-driven system, integrating a noninvasive and infrared motion capture system, that can control and record the angle, angular velocity and passive forces of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in the index finger. A total of 19 subjects participated in the experiments. We conducted two experiments to estimate the total passive moments of the MCP joint from the human subjects. The results showed that the novel design of the mechanism collected the precise passive moments and kinematic data, thus allowing us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the passive properties of the human hand joints.
The Initialization Response of Multi-Term Linear Fractional-Order Systems With Constant History Functions
Authors: Hartley Tom T. , Lorenzo Carl F.
Published: June 2012

In this paper, the distinction between an operator’s historical initial condition function, the consequential initialization function of the operator, and the resulting initialization response of an entire system, is discussed. The single term and two-term differential equation results with constant history functions from earlier studies are reviewed. A three-term linear fractional-order differential equation with constant history function is studied next. This system is solved by using the proper Laplace transforms for the fractional-order derivatives. The paper then presents the initialization responses for multi-term linear fractional-order systems with commensurate orders that have had arbitrarily-long constant displacements in negative time. Results for short-times and for long-times are provided. These results are obtained by using the proper Laplace transform for the fractional-order derivatives. Using the results of this paper, the initialization response of any linear, commensurate-order, fractional-order system, with arbitrarily-long constant displacements in negative time can be determined.
Evaluations of the Racing Kart Dynamic Behavior With Flexible Multibody Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Shiiba Taichi , Bin Ashari Muhamad Fadzli , Yano Michiya , Takada Yuichiro
Published: June 2012

This paper deals with a dynamic analysis of a racing kart considering an elastic deformation of the kart frame. As the first step of this research, the FEM kart frame model was validated by means of static and dynamic tests. In the static test, the strain on the kart frame caused by a steering operation was measured by strain gauges, and compared to the simulation result. The dynamic response of the frame was evaluated by hammering test, and the result was compared to the modal analysis result. Next, a flexible multibody vehicle model was developed with this FEM frame model. In this process, model reduction based on the modal analysis is applied to reduce the degree of freedom of the flexible body. Some running tests with actual racing kart were carried out to evaluate the handling characteristic, and the comparison between simulation and experiment are discussed.
Improvement on Evaluating Axial Elastic Force in Bernoulli-Euler Beam Based on the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation by Accurate Mean Axial Strain Measure
Authors: Wago Tsubasa , Kobayashi Nobuyuki , Sugawara Yoshiki
Published: June 2012

This paper presents an improved formulation of axial elastic force in three-dimensional Bernoulli-Euler beam element based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation. An accurate measure of mean axial strain for evaluating the axial elastic forces characterizes the presented formulation. The presented formulation evaluates the mean axial strain accurately by calculating the length of deformed beam element along its neutral axis. A comparison of the conventional formulations of the axial elastic force and the presented formulation is performed in some numerical examples which contain large bending deformation of flexible beam. As a result, it is verified that the presented formulation can express large deformation accurately with smaller number of elements than the conventional formulation which calculates the mean axial strain with straight-line distance between both element nodes. Moreover, it is also verified that the presented formulation can avoid excessive increase in computing time to simulate the dynamic behavior of flexible beam.
Solving for Quantum Controls
Authors: Kime Katherine A.
Published: June 2012

We study the use of a time-dependent potential barrier to control quantum wave packets, in a discretization of the Schroedinger equation. We consider computational issues in solving for a control which steers an initial single peak wave packet to a terminal double peak wave packet.
An Analytical Stiffness Analysis Between Actuator Structure and Principal Bearings Used for Robot Actuators
Authors: Lee Hoon , Tesar Delbert
Published: June 2012

It is critical for principal bearing stiffness for actuators to be evaluated for robot applications. The bearing stiffness calculation can be obtained from Hertzian contact theory. From a design standpoint, given the bearing stiffness, the target stiffness of the actuator shell structure and output plate may be an order higher than that of the principal bearing. This paper evaluates and compares the relationship between the stiffness of the shell structure and principal bearing as well as between the stiffness of the output-plate and principal bearing. The principal bearing for the actuator could be the crossed roller bearing (CRB), four-point bearing (FPB), or a tapered roller bearing (TRB) because they best accommodate the combined radial, axial, and moment loads. Also, the bearing weight and assembled weight (shell structure + principal bearing + output-plate) required to obtain appropriate stiffness can be evaluated based on the stiffness of these adjacent structures which hold the principal bearing. Finally, the shortest possible force path passing through the principal bearing from the shell to the output plate makes it possible to maximize actuator stiffness and reduces other negative effects.
3D Digitization of Sub Surface Features Using 3D GPR
Authors: Mahesh V. S. , Senthilkumaran K. , Jha P. C.
Published: June 2012

Ground Penetrating Radars (GPR) finds its applications in civil engineering, archeology, earth sciences, military and environmental studies. This paper proposes a framework for using GPR as a digitizing technique that can make 3D digitization/measurement of the buried objects. Currently, the 3D radar volume data is acquired by dense subset of parallel 2D radar profiles. However, it results in a very large amount data and related processing time, and needs to be avoided due to the significant computer resources and processing time required to process the data. In order to achieve simplified and faster processing as well as to reduce memory requirements, it is often useful to convert the original image data to a more compact representation. The conversion removes as much of the redundant information as possible. Then the data is processed by removing noise initially and then eliminating undesired presence of ground surface echo. Further, propagation losses are compensated followed by segmentation and skeletonizing. However the accuracy of the 3D measurement depends upon number of parameters such as antenna design, scan paths, scan spacing and frequency which needs to be evaluated in detail. The framework presented in this paper would help to measure the buried objects accurately using 3D GPR.
A Fully Decoupled Remote Center-of-Motion Parallel Manipulator for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Authors: Kuo Chin-Hsing , Dai Jian S.
Published: June 2012

In robotically-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS), the provision of a decoupled remote center-of-motion (RCM) kinematics is a critical design challenge for surgical robots. However, although there have been numerous RCM robots developed, a fully decoupled four-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) RCM mechanism is still highly anticipated. In this paper, a 4-DOF parallel manipulator with a fully decoupled RCM is presented. First, the kinematic structure of the manipulator is described. Then, the fully decoupled motion, i.e., each of the four DOFs of the end-effector can be independently controlled by one corresponding actuated joint, is verified. Further, the inverse kinematics solutions are derived and the reachable workspace of tool tip is analyzed. As a result, the proposed manipulator is a feasible candidate for providing a fully decoupled surgical tool motion for minimally invasive surgery.
Optimal Design of Screw and Flow Field Analysis for Twin-Screw Pump
Authors: Tang Qian , Zhang Yuanxun , Pei Linqing , Tang Jiong
Published: June 2012

A new solving transcendental equation method combining graphics and analyzing approach—Matlab Anonymous Function Method (MAFM) was developed to solve the screw contact line equation. The influence of contact line on screw sealing property was revealed and the effect of involute meshing angle on the screw contact line properties of type A twin-screw pump was investigated. The tooth profiles, spiral surface equations and contact line equations of type A twin-screw pump were obtained based on the optimal involute meshing angle. The three dimensional model and flow field digital model with modified involute meshing angle for screw rotors was developed to analyze the pressure field, velocity field and other screw pump’s characteristics by applying finite volume method, and the volumetric efficiency of flow channel for twin-screw pump study has been gained. The study provides the theoretical basis for the further screw pump development and property evaluation.
Theory and Implementation of Distributed-Order Element Networks
Authors: Li Yan , Chen YangQuan
Published: June 2012

In this paper, the distributed-order capacitor is discussed in both theoretical and physical ways. The distributed-order element networks are constructed by using the distributed-order capacitors and other electric elements. The impulse responses and the asymptotic properties of two typical distributed-order element networks are derived by using the complex path integral, in which all the results are verified by the NILT method. Based on the derived analytical impulse responses, we present a technique to perform the discretization of the above distributed-order element networks. A number of illustrated figures are presented to validate the concepts.
Global Analysis of Nonlinear Time-Delayed Dynamical Systems
Authors: Sun Jian-Qiao , Song Bo , Yang Jie
Published: June 2012

Time-delayed dynamical systems are defined in an infinite dimensional state-space. When the system has multiple stable steady-state responses, the global analysis of the system such as finding the domains of attraction and boundary basin has to be done in the infinite dimensional state-space. This paper examines this issue and shows that there are rich opportunities for global analysis research of nonlinear time-delayed dynamical systems.
Design and Optimization of a Novel MRI Compatible Wire-Driven Robot for Prostate Cryoablation
Authors: Abdelaziz S. , Esteveny L. , Renaud P. , Bayle B. , de Mathelin M.
Published: June 2012

Giving assistance to radiologists during percutaneous procedures under MRI is currently a great challenge for roboticists: the limited space inside the scanner and the presence of an intense magnetic field introduce strong design constraints. In this paper, we present a novel robotic assistance for prostate cryotherapy under MRI guidance. An MR-compatible wire-driven mechanism with embedded sensors is proposed to optimize the device compactness. To this end, a design methodology of wire-driven manipulators is first introduced and applied in our context. This design methodology is achieved in two steps, using an algorithm that optimizes the available wrench set and a numerical approach based on interval analysis for results validation. In order to develop a fine control of the device, an original instrumented structure is proposed that allows the evaluation of the tensions in the cables. The synthesis approach of the instrumented structure is presented before introducing the prototype of the device.
Capturing Design Process Information in Complex Product Development
Authors: Woestenenk Krijn , Bonnema G. Maarten , Alvarez Cabrera Andre´s A. , Tomiyama Tetsuo
Published: June 2012

From interviewing developers and analyzing examples from industry, the authors have concluded that communication issues during the design process are a key factor of the complexity of product development. These communication issues stem from a lack of insight in the workflow between designers and their resources, and the lack of insight in the relation of this workflow to the system architecture. To the best knowledge of the authors, currently there are no suitable models and tools that allow capturing and understanding such information in an integrated way. This work contributes by providing requirements for tools and models, and proposes a modeling language that fulfils such requirements. With this language we introduce a method for capturing design process information: The language can combine multiple stakeholder-based views on their system aspects of interest with architectural concerns, and can specify which resources in terms of models and parametric information are needed from other stakeholders to develop these aspects. The language was also developed as a stepping stone for automation of design processes.
Sustainability Metrics for Waste Management
Authors: Yang Q. Z. , Yang Fengyu
Published: June 2012

This paper explores techniques in sustainability metrics modeling and metrics-driven scenarios analysis to evaluate and improve process performance in sustainable waste management. The sustainability is measured along the triple bottom line. Model-based metrics for quantifying environmental impacts, societal implications, and economic profitability of material recovery processes are developed as functions of processing technology choices, key operating parameters, and material market conditions. Process scenarios are analyzed based on the metric models developed to provide a series of reference points for process performance improvement. The results have provided recyclers with a solid understanding of the factors affecting sustainability in waste management, and facilitated them to make and justify sustainability decisions in sustainable recovery of materials from industrial wastes.
Development of Cutting Force Measurement System for Gear Hobbing
Authors: Alazar Abebayehu Seifu , Werner Mathias , Nicolescu Cornel Mihai
Published: June 2012

Increasing demands for high quality and high performance gear manufacturing are reflected in a need for a model based investigation of gear hobbing process. This paper presents the development of a system for online measurement of actual cutting force components during gear hobbing. Although there are a large number of well developed cutting force measuring systems for different machining operations available in the market, it is difficult to find a system tailored to the requirements of a gear hobbing process. Hence, a fixture containing piezoelectric dynamometer and telemetry device is developed. The fixture is designed taking the real machining circumstances into consideration. The telemetry system enables wireless measurement of cutting force while machining. Multiphysics finite element analysis and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) are used as tools for modeling, simulation, and calibration of the developed system. Final stage of this work includes conducting hobbing experiments to validate both the model and the force measurement system.
An Ontology of Classification Criteria for Functional Taxonomies
Authors: Kitamura Yoshinobu , Segawa Sho , Sasajima Munehiko , Mizoguchi Riichiro
Published: June 2012

In order to facilitate sharing of functional models, some functional taxonomies each of which provides a set of verbs for representing generic functions (called functional terms here) have been developed. Their examples include some sets of generally valid functions in the book written by Pahl and Beitz, Functional Basis (FB) developed by Hirtz et al. and FOCUS/Tx developed by the authors of this paper. The issue addressed in this paper is the implicitness of the criteria of classification of functional terms in those taxonomies and thus unclearness of their definitions. This paper proposes an ontology of logical criteria for classification of functional terms (called FOCUS/View). Using the classes defined in FOCUS/View, the classification criteria of a functional taxonomy can be explicitly represented. These classes have been conceptualized based on deep investigation on FB and FOCUS/Tx. The benefits of the proposed FOCUS/View ontology include: (1) users of a taxonomy can easily understand differences of similar terms and select an appropriate term out of them, (2) a developer of a taxonomy can check its logical classification structure and then improve its logical clearness, and (3) we can compare different taxonomies and establish more reliable mappings between their terms for interoperability of functional models. In this paper, as a demonstration of the benefit (1), the classification criteria of FB, FOCUS/Tx, Krumhauer’s and Roth’s generally valid functions are explicitly presented using FOCUS/View. As a demonstration of the benefit (2), some logically problematic classification structures of FB and the Krumhauer’s functions are discussed and modified for the logical clearness. For the benefit (3), this paper demonstrates the mappings between FB and FOCUS/Tx and a semantic interoperable document search system based on these mappings.
Automated Generation of Virtual Roadways Based on Geographic Information Systems
Authors: Kreft Sven , Gausemeier Ju¨rgen , Grafe Michael , Hassan Bassem
Published: June 2012

Nowadays, interactive driving simulations are well established to support the design of modern vehicle systems, like driver assistance systems (DAS). They enable to validate properties and functions of DAS in the early development phases. Driving simulations consist of several simulation models that work together at runtime. These partial models represent dedicated aspects of the vehicle, individual vehicle systems as well as the environment. In this context, environment models describe the environment the vehicle is driving through, comprising roads, buildings and vegetation. While models of single vehicle systems are currently systematically built with a high level of detail, building virtual environments is still a mostly manual and time consuming process. Particularly, building environment models that represent specific real world roads is laborious — geographically referenced data has to be gathered and integrated. Geographic information systems (GIS) and their underlying data — geo-data — have great potential to accelerate the generation of environment models. In order to achieve this potential, a systematic integration of geo-data is necessary. During this process, the specific requirements of interactive driving simulations have to be considered. This paper describes a method for the automated generation of virtual roadways based on geographic information systems. The method has been prototypically applied for a concrete road course and the results are briefly presented in this paper.
A Coordinate-Free Approach to Tracing the Coupler Curves of Pin-Jointed Linkages
Authors: Rojas Nicola´s , Thomas Federico
Published: June 2012

In general, high-order coupler curves of plane mechanisms cannot be properly traced by standard predictor-corrector algorithms due to drifting problems and the presence of singularities. Instead of focusing on finding better algorithms for tracing curves, a simple coordinate-free method that first traces these curves in a distance space and then maps them onto the mechanism workspace is proposed. Tracing a coupler curve in the proposed distance space is much simpler because (a) the equation of this curve in this space can be straightforwardly obtained from a sequence of bilaterations; and (b) the curve in this space naturally decomposes into branches in which the signs of the oriented areas of the triangles involved in the aforementioned bilaterations remain constant. A surjective mapping permits to map the thus traced curves onto the workspace of the mechanism. The advantages of this two-step method are exemplified by tracing the coupler curves of a double butterfly linkage, curves that can reach order 48.
Design of Arm Wrestling Robot System for Intuitive Operation
Authors: Yamada Takashi , Watanabe Tomio
Published: June 2012

In this study, we design an arm wrestling robot system called PneumaticRobot for intuitive operation and develop a prototype system. PneumaticRobot has a simple mechanical design involving linear-rotational movement, which is realized using a pneumatic cylinder, gear, rotary encoder, and force sensor. Next, we incorporate a force display response model based on the impact absorption mechanism of a human hand, proposed earlier by us, into the system. The effectiveness of arm wrestling using the proposed system is evaluated from the perspective of user-friendliness and enjoyment. Further, some arm wrestling robot systems are introduced as applications of PneumaticRobot. The mechanical design of PneumaticRobot is expected to become the technological basis for arm wrestling robots whose force sense can be controlled using pneumatic cylinders and gears.
Continuous Null Space Method for Constrained Mechanical Systems
Authors: Kamiya Keisuke , Sawada Makoto , Furusawa Yuji
Published: June 2012

The governing equations for multibody systems are, in general, formulated in the form of differential algebraic equations (DAEs) involving the Lagrange multipliers. It is desirable for efficient and accurate analysis to eliminate the Lagrange multipliers and dependent variables. As a method to solve the DAEs by eliminating the Lagrange multipliers, there is a method called the null space method. In this report, first, it is shown that using the null space matrix one can eliminate the Lagrange multipliers and reduce the number of velocities to that of the independent ones. Then, a new method to obtain the continuous null space matrix is presented. Finally, the presented method is applied to four-bar linkages.
A New Framework for Collaborative Set-Based Design: Application to the Design Problem of a Hollow Cylindrical Cantilever Beam
Authors: Canbaz Baris , Yannou Bernard , Yvars Pierre-Alain
Published: June 2012

In the New Product Development processes, there are usually interacting multiple actors with multiple design objectives. Design objectives of the actors can be contradictorily related and design modifications related to some objectives may generate negative impacts on the other actors. Therefore conflicts may occur. We present a multi-actor design platform that is capable of preventing potential conflicts with ensuring the satisfaction and progress of the actors at a certain level. An indicator of wellbeing is developed in order to indentify the satisfaction and progress states of the actors. We use Set-based design approach and Constraint Satisfaction Problem solving techniques to deal with the multi-actor, multi-objective design problem. We apply our collaborative design approach to a multi-actor multiobjective engineering design problem of a hollow cylindrical cantilever beam with a load applied at the unsupported end.
Design Process Planning by Multi-Objective Optimization of Technical Performance and Product Integrity
Authors: Nomaguchi Yutaka , Matsuyasu Ryousuke , Horinouchi Takahiro , Fujita Kikuo
Published: June 2012

The importance of flexible and optimal planning of engineering design process for ensuring business success is increasingly recognized in today’s competitive environment. Because a product consists of a lot of subsystems each of which has technical functionalities, an engineering design process consists of two different activities, i.e., an activity to enhance the technical performance level of each subsystem, and an activity to enhance the integrity among the subsystems. When considering the limitation of resources that a manufacturer possesses, there is a trade-off between the achievement probabilities of those activities, although they correlate with each other. This paper proposes a new optimization method of design process planning that aims at a Pareto-optimal achievement of individual technical performances and total product integrity in order to support decision makings of a project manager. A planning of design process is a very complicated optimization problem including a number of various design variables and various evaluation indices. Some of those are discrete factors, while the others are continuous. In order to solve such a complicated problem with a reasonable computation cost, this research separates the optimization problem into two sub problems, i.e., (i) defining of process architecture and organization structure, that is, definition of activities, their sequences, and task groups and (ii) scheduling of resource allocation into activities. A growth curve model with a fuzzy number, which we have been developing, is used to formulate objective functions that evaluate the achievement probability of technical performance and its total integrity. The same model is adopted for objective functions of both sub problems so as to keep consistency between their optimization results. Neighborhood Cultivation GA (NCGA) is adopted in order to effectively solve the multi-objective optimization problem. This paper demonstrates its application to a student design project in order to show the ability of the method. A proposed optimization method facilitates a project manager to explore various process plans, to assess their risks, and decide a temporary plan.
An Insight Into the Snubbing Mechanism for the Reduction of Turbine Blade Vibration by Analyzing Chaotic Behaviour
Authors: Pennacchi Paolo , Chatterton Steven , Bachschmid Nicolo` , Pesatori Emanuel
Published: June 2012

Blade failure due to the overcoming of fatigue limit in turbo machinery for power generation could be fostered by excessive vibration level of the blade itself. Thus, blade vibration reduction is an important task, in order to avoid this risk, and can be achieved in different ways. One of these is a contact related phenomenon, which consists in physically limiting the vibration amplitude on the blade tip leaving a small gap between the shrouds of adjacent blades. When the relative displacement between adjacent blades exceeds the gap, in a certain vibration mode of the bladed disk, a contact occurs between the shrouds, the relative motion is restricted and energy is dissipated by friction and impact during the contact. This is the so called snubbing mechanism. In this paper, the relationship between vibration reduction due to the snubbing mechanism and chaotic behaviour onset is investigated numerically, by using a simplified, multi-degrees of freedom, model that has been already tested and experimentally validated for bladed disks. The level of vibration reduction is evaluated in some different cases and typical chaos measurement indexes are used.
FR4 Electromagnetic Scanner Based Fourier Transform Spectrometer
Authors: Baran Utku , Hedili Kivanc , Olcer Selim , Urey Hakan
Published: June 2012

Fourier transform spectrometers require an interferometric optical setup, where a precisely controlled motion of a mirror on a moving stage and a reference mirror are required. FR4, a common printed circuit board substrate, and the standard PCB technology is used to develop a simple gimbaled scanner structure with high precision to implement into a low-cost and viable Fourier Transform Spectrometer. On top of the corner cube reflector based tilt-insensitive setup, magnetic actuation optimization using twin opposing magnets solution is found to be helpful to enhance interference data. Large Lorentz force is generated for out-of-plane deflection while the torsional motion of the scanner is restricted. ±162.8um out-of-plane translation at 149 Hz resonance is realized with torsion effect deteriorated result which corresponds to <1nm spectral resolution at visible wavelengths.