Showing papers on "Mechatronics published in 1991"
Book•
01 Apr 1991
TL;DR: In this paper, the concepts which underpin the mechatronic approach to engineering design are identified and several case-studies are presented which specifically illustrate the theory and practice of mechatronics in successful real-life applications.
Abstract: This book identifies the concepts which underpin the mechatronic approach to engineering design and brings together its principal components - sensors and transducers, embedded microprocessors, actuators and drives to explore their interrelationships. Several case-studies are presented which specifically illustrate the theory and practice of mechatronics in successful real-life applications.
56 citations
13 Oct 1991
TL;DR: The focus of S2 engineering is the assurance of appropriate integration and transition activities that overlay the conventional systems engineering approach to the individual systems that constitute the system of systems.
Abstract: There are large-scale system development situations for which a system of systems engineering discipline needs to be formulated and applied. The authors provide such a formulation, called S2 engineering, and address how computer tools may be and are being applied to this discipline. A metasystems engineering framework has been constructed under the three major categories of integration engineering, integration management and transition engineering. The focus of S2 engineering is the assurance of appropriate integration and transition activities that overlay the conventional systems engineering approach to the individual systems that constitute the system of systems. Broad categories of commercial and specialized support tools are discussed that are able to support S2 engineering. >
54 citations
TL;DR: A survey conducted to determine the impact of the personal computer on current electrical and computer engineering programs indicates that a large number of personal computers are available for students to use, but that their application in engineering programs is considerably less than might be expected.
Abstract: The results are presented of a survey conducted to determine the impact of the personal computer on current electrical and computer engineering programs. A total of 82 schools responded to the questionnaire. The data obtained from the responses indicate that a large number of personal computers are available for students to use, but that their application in engineering programs is considerably less than might be expected. Some suggestions are made for ways in which this situation might be improved. >
20 citations
TL;DR: A development framework for the integration of existing software (components developed at the institute as well as selected external programs) is suggested using modern software techniques such as the Ada®-Task concept and the object-oriented approach.
16 citations
01 May 1991
TL;DR: It is shown that a group of designers in performing a design task use a variety of engineering and management oriented models and that an environment that supports the design process will have to accommodate the different modeling paradigms within a single integrated framework.
Abstract: This paper presents an outline of an architecture for shared computational environments for engineering design based on studies on the nature of engineering design conducted from cognitive and social points of view. The basic thesis of this paper is that a group of designers in performing a design task use a variety of engineering and management oriented models and that an environment that supports the design process will have to accommodate the different modeling paradigms within a single integrated framework. Further, the environment should facilitate the negotiation process that is characteristic of a multi-person design process.
11 citations
TL;DR: The term mechatronics systems originated more than ten years ago with the Japanese as a composite word to depict the union of mechanical, computer, and electronic engineering in the design, manufacture, and performance of sophisticated products as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Mechatronics is introduced and its elements are defined. The topics discussed include descriptions of mechatronic environments, mechatronic systems, and mechatronics products subsystems component technologies; mechatronics systems elements; challenges for US industry; challenges for US academic institutions; and educational initiatives. The term mechatronics systems originated more than ten years ago with the Japanese as a composite word to depict the union of mechanical, computer, and electronic engineering in the design, manufacture, and performance of sophisticated products. Developments in the US and Japan are compared. >
10 citations
01 Oct 1991
TL;DR: The fundamental concepts and process of systems engineering as they apply in the context of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are described in this article, and the doctrine of successive refinement is presented, and the associated spiral model of the systems engineering process is described.
Abstract: The fundamental concepts and process of systems engineering as they apply in the context of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are described. In particular: Systems and systems engineering are defined, and the objectives of systems engineering are discussed. The doctrine of successive refinement is presented, and the associated spiral model of the systems engineering process is described. The various phases of the project cycle for major systems acquired by NASA are examined.
This paper is based on material being prepared for the first draft of the NASA Systems Engineering Handbook. Consequently, the authors are seeking constructive criticism.
10 citations
01 Jan 1991
9 citations
TL;DR: Three robotic projects of the ETH will be presented where this man/machine interaction is, or will be, realized under various intentions and constraints: a table tennis playing robot, a mobile, sensor-supported manipulator, and a cooperating robot.
07 Apr 1991
TL;DR: The author discusses several techniques that have been used successfully to enliven an electrical engineering class for nonmajors.
Abstract: The author discusses several techniques that have been used successfully to enliven an electrical engineering class for nonmajors. The strategies used are grouped into two general categories: class material and assignments, and laboratory/demonstration activities. >
TL;DR: In this article, the relationship between mechatronics and agricultural engineering is discussed, and particular characteristics of engineering in an agricultural environment are considered with regard to potential mechatronic approaches.
TL;DR: In this article, an information-based structure for the design process centred around the use of series of linked "modules" is proposed, which can be implemented in either a 'top down' or 'bottom up' mode.
TL;DR: In this article, the analysis of a prosthesis of the lower limb of a human lower limb is presented. But the analysis is restricted to a single prosthesis and does not cover the entire lower limb.
Abstract: Biomechanics and mechatronics are important fields that are emerging rapidly. This paper combines elements of both these fields in explaining the analysis of a prosthesis of the lower limb.
TL;DR: A number of important issues such as numerical stability of control algorithms, different knowledge engineering tools and techniques and their application to different control engineering expert systems has been addressed in this paper.
Abstract: With the increasing complexities of modern day plants and systems as well as the explosion of the control engineering packages and techniques, the use of expert systems is gaining popularity. A number of expert systems has been built and applied to solve control engineering problems. This paper attempts to present a perspective view of this new area. A number of important issues such as numerical stability of control algorithms, different knowledge engineering tools and techniques and their application to different control engineering expert systems has been addressed in this paper. The salient features of a number of representative systems have also been discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, a symbolic program is developed which can derive the literal equations of motion for linkage systems and commonly used actuator systems and a linear dynamic model of the linkage system is also developed for the design of linear state or output feedback controllers.
01 Jan 1991
01 Jan 1991
TL;DR: An engineering design model for innovative design is presented, which represents a deep knowledge of an expert system for configuring technical systems (i.e. variation of working principles) and a flexible functional structure is used to manage models of shape properly.
Abstract: The paper presents an engineering design model for innovative design (i.e. variation of working principles), which represents a deep knowledge of an expert system for configuring technical systems (i.e. from simple to complex assemblies). A knowledge base contains functional descriptions of building blocks (i.e. components of different level of complexity). An expert system can also synthesize functional structures which are used then as shallow knowledge to configure technical systems with equivalent models of shape. Also a flexible functional structure is used to manage models of shape properly.
09 Apr 1991
TL;DR: A new mechatronics concept is presented in which structural end-point oscillations are damped by means of a decentrally controlled vibration absorber to reduce structural oscillations in a light-weight robot carcass.
Abstract: A substantial increase in the robot velocity can only be achieved by introducing light-weight composite materials for the mechanics and gearless motor drives in order to substantially reduce the joint inertia, However, a light-weight robot carcass results in structural oscillations which have to be removed by the additional introduction of advanced model-based control structures and concepts. A new mechatronics concept is presented in which structural end-point oscillations are damped by means of a decentrally controlled vibration absorber. Representative simulation results applied to a high-precision SCARA robot confirm the efficiency of the concept. >
15 Apr 1991
TL;DR: This thesis considers the construction of a system to support the total design cycle for control systems, which encompasses modelling of the plant to be controlled, specification of the final objectives or performance, design of the required controllers and their implementation in hardware and software.
Abstract: This thesis considers the construction of a system to support the total design cycle for control systems. This encompasses modelling of the plant to be controlled, specification of the final objectives or performance, design of the required controllers and their implementation in hardware and software.
The main contributions of this thesis are : its development of a model for CAD support for controller design, evaluation of the software engineering aspects of CAD development, the development of an architecture to support a control system design through its full design cycle and the implementation of this architecture in a prototype package.
The research undertakes a review of general design theory to develop a model for the computeraided controller design process. Current state-of-the-art packages are evaluated against this model, highlighting their shortcomings. Current research to overcome these shortcomings is then reviewed.
The software engineering aspects to the design of a CAD package are developed. The characteristics of CAD software are defined. An evaluation of Fortran, Pascal, C, C++, Ada , Lisp and Prologue as suitable languages to implement a CAD package is made. Based on this, Ada was selected as the most suitable, mainly because of its encapsulation of many of the modern software engineering concepts.
The architecture for a computer-aided control engineering (CACE) package is designed using an object-oriented design method. This architecture defines the requirements for a complete CACE package including control-oriented data structures and schematic capture of plant models. The details of a prototype package using Ada are given to provide detailed knowledge in the problems of implementing this architecture. Examples using this prototype package are given to demonstrate the potential of a complete implementation of the architecture.
TL;DR: If both the researcher and the practitioner is aware of their roles and exercise mutual fair-play: if the researcher discloses the limits of application of his findings and if the practitioner knows that the choice of the sufficiently precise but not oversophisticated tool is his own responsibility, the computer-aided conflict between the two can be removed or prevented.
Abstract: If both the researcher and the practitioner is aware of their roles and exercise mutual fair-play: if the researcher discloses the limits of application of his findings and if the practitioner is aware that the choice of the sufficiently precise but not oversophisticated tool is his own responsibility, then the computer-aided conflict between the two can be removed or prevented.
14 Oct 1991
TL;DR: The author discusses the proposed curriculum and the four avionics systems engineering courses that will be offered and the system engineering techniques presented presented in the first course to avionics.
Abstract: The Rockwell International-Collins Avionics Divisions are developing an avionics systems engineering graduate program with Iowa State University. The author discusses the proposed curriculum and the four avionics systems engineering courses that will be offered. The four courses are: Systems Engineering and Analysis, Avionics Systems Engineering, System Project Management, and Software Systems Engineering. The Systems Engineering and Analysis course introduces system engineering concepts and principles. The second course applies the system engineering techniques presented in the first course to avionics. Current avionics functions are presented and then used to discuss avionics systems. The third course discusses avionics systems engineering from the project management viewpoint. The Software Systems Engineering course examines the systems aspect of software. >
TL;DR: The ARO-5 d.o.f. articulated robot arm developed at the Institute of Mechanics and Biomechanics in Sofia as mentioned in this paper is an example of such a robot.