Showing papers on "Mechatronics published in 2009"

The Engineering Design of Systems

Abstract: A four-sided box-like structure constructed of a single blank of corrugated fiber board or other suitable lightweight sheet material which is cut and scored to provide top and bottom panels which are individually foldable inwardly from the side wall panels to form double-layered flat top and bottom closures for the structure, the several closure panels each having their side edges tapered for non-interfering folding thereof into their closed positions. The closure panels foldable inwardly from each of two opposed side walls of the structure are split apart in such manner that upon their being infolded they form a slot extending crosswise between said opposed side walls for receiving end flaps provided at the free ends of the other pair of the closure panels, the said slot having its opposite ends spaced inwardly from the side walls between which it extends with its ends respectively connected to said side walls by short slits which act to prevent tearing or otherwise disrupting the integrity of the side walls upon inward and outward folding of the split panels along their respective fold lines.

Specification technique for the description of self-optimizing mechatronic systems

Abstract: The conceivable development of information and communication technology will enable mechatronic systems with inherent partial intelligence. We refer to this by using the term “self-optimization”. Self-optimizing systems react autonomously and flexibly on changing environmental conditions. They are able to learn and optimize their behavior during operation. To develop self-optimizing systems, is a challenge. The principle solution represents a significant milestone because it is the result of the conceptual design as well as the basis for the concretization of the system itself which involves experts from several domains, such as mechanics, electrical engineering/electronics, control engineering and software engineering. This contribution presents a new specification technique for the conceptual design of mechatronic and self-optimizing systems. It also uses the railway technology as a complex example, to demonstrate how to use this specification technique and in which way it profits for the development of future mechanical engineering systems.

Intelligent Control Systems with LabVIEW

Abstract: Intelligent control is a rapidly developing, complex, and challenging field of increasing practical importance and still greater potential. Its applications have a solid core in robotics and mechatronics but branch out into areas as diverse as process control, automotive industry, medical equipment, renewable energy and air conditioning. Intelligent Control with LabVIEW is a fresh and pragmatic approach to the understanding of a subject often clouded by too much mathematical theory. It exploits the full suite of tools provided by LabVIEW, showing the student how to design, develop, analyze, and visualize intelligent control algorithms quickly and simply. Block diagrams are used to follow the progress of an algorithm through the design process and allow seamless integration with hardware systems for rapid deployment in laboratory experiments. This text delivers a thorough grounding in the main tools of intelligent control: fuzzy logic systems, emulating human reasoning processes; artificial neural networks, mimicking our ability to learn; neuro-fuzzy systems for implementing controller adaptation; evolutionary methods, using the ideas of genetic evolution for optimization; and predictive methods, giving information about a systems future behavior. Intelligent Control with LabVIEW facilitates the learning and teaching of its subject by: extensive use of worked examples; end-of-chapter problems with separate solutions; and provision of intelligent control tools for LabVIEW. The complete solutions and LabVIEW programs are included on the enclosed DVD. Graduate and senior undergraduate students learning about intelligent control will find great help in this textbooks easy-to-read style and graphical programming approach. The book will be of material assistance to instructors interested in using LabVIEW-based teaching when designing a course in intelligent control. Researchers in intelligent systems who employ LabVIEW as a laboratory tool will also benefit from its dedicated support for intelligent control.

Design of a linear-motion dual-stage actuation system for precision control

Abstract: Actuators with high linear-motion speed, high positioning resolution and a long motion stroke are needed in many precision machining systems. In some current systems, voice coil motors (VCMs) are implemented for servo control. While the voice coil motors may provide the long motion stroke needed in many applications, the main obstacle that hinders the improvement of the machining accuracy and efficiency is their limited bandwidth. To fundamentally solve this issue, we propose to develop a dual-stage actuation system that consists of a voice coil motor that covers the coarse motion, and a piezoelectric stack actuator that induces the fine motion, thus enhancing the positioning accuracy. The focus of this present research is the mechatronics design and synthesis of the new actuation system. In particular, a flexure hinge based mechanism is developed to provide a motion guide and preload to the piezoelectric stack actuator that is serially connected to the voice coil motor. This mechanism is built upon parallel plane flexure hinges. A series of numerical and experimental studies are carried out to facilitate the system design and the model identification. The effectiveness of the proposed system is demonstrated through open-loop studies and preliminary closed-loop control practice. While the primary goal of this particular design is aimed at enhancing optical lens machining, the concept and approach outlined are generic and can be extended to a variety of applications.

Recent Advances in Intelligent Control Systems

Abstract: Intelligent control control based on fuzzy logic and neural networks has changed the face of industrial control engineering whether in terms of autonomous spacecraft operation, exploratory robots or increasing the profitability of mineral-processing or steel-rolling plants. Recent Advances in Intelligent Control Systems gathers contributions from workers around the world and presents them in four categories according to the style of control employed: fuzzy control; neural control; fuzzy neural control; and intelligent control. The contributions illustrate the interdisciplinary antecedents of intelligent control and contrast its results with those of more traditional control methods. A variety of design examples, drawn primarily from robotics and mechatronics but also representing process and production engineering, large civil structures, network flows, and others, provide instances of the successful application of computational intelligence for control. Presenting state-of-the-art research, this collection will be of significant benefit to researchers in automatic control, automation, computer science (especially artificial intelligence) and mechatronics while graduate students and practicing control engineers working with intelligent systems will find it a good source of study material.

Engineering method for adaptive manufacturing systems design

Abstract: Adaptive manufacturing systems achieve intelligence and adaptation capabilities through the close interaction between mechanics, electronics, control and software engineering. Mechatronic design of intelligent manufacturing behaviours is of paramount importance for the final performances of complex systems and requires deep integration between mechanical and control engineering. Virtual Commissioning environments offer engineers new opportunities for the design of complex intelligent behaviours and for the enhancement of the performance of adaptive manufacturing systems. This paper discloses a systematic design method focused on interdisciplinary behavioural simulations: Virtual Commissioning tools are used to virtually explore new solution spaces for an effective mechatronic optimization. The results, achieved by applying the method in reengineering a module of an automotive sensor manufacturing line, are finally presented.

Design Rules for Actuators in Active Mechanical Systems

Abstract: In active mechanical systems (mechanisms or structures) the possibility of a coupling between active and passive elements at an early stage of the design process is becoming more and more significant. In order to integrate actuators in preliminary design procedures, or in a multidisciplinary optimization approach, reliable models of the actuator performance (actuator force and stroke, loading curves, strength limit, volume and mass specific work and power, frequency range, efficiency) as a function of the design parameters and variables (actuator principle, size of the actuator element) are necessary. Design Rules for Actuators in Active Mechanical Systems deals with the formulation of model-based design rules to be used in the conception of optimized mechatronic and adaptronic systems. The book addresses the comparison of different actuator classes for given applications and offers answers to the following questions: What is the relationship between actuator geometry and primary output quantities? How scalable are actuators based on the same principle? How are energetic output quantities (work and power) related to mechanical load and geometry? How should actuators be designed and sized to obtain the best performance for the chosen actuator kind, and for a given application? Design Rules for Actuators in Active Mechanical Systems will be of use to industry professionals, such as actuator and machine designers, as well as to researchers and students of mechanical engineering, mechatronics, and electrical engineering.

A Framework for Integrated Design of Mechatronic Systems

Abstract: Mechatronic systems encompass a wide range of disciplines and hence are collaborative in nature Currently, the collaborative development of mechatronic systems is inefficient and error-prone because contemporary design environments do not allow sufficient flow of design and manufacturing information across electrical and mechanical domains Mechatronic systems need to be designed in an integrated fashion allowing designers from both electrical and mechanical engineering domains to receive automated feedback regarding design modifications throughout the design process Integrated design of mechatronic systems can be facilitated through the integration of mechanical and electrical computer-aided design (CAD) systems One approach to achieve such integration is through the propagation of constraints Cross-disciplinary constraints between mechanical and electrical design domains can be classified, represented, modelled, and bi-directionally propagated in order to provide automated feedback to designers of both engineering domains In this chapter, the authors focus on constraint classification and constraint modelling and provide an example by means of a robot arm The constraint modelling approach serves as a preliminary concept for the implementation of constraint propagation between mechanical and electrical CAD systems

Designing mechatronic systems, a model-based perspective, an attempt to achieve SysML-Matlab/Simulink model integration

Abstract: Higher demands on efficiency, cost and functionality have contributed a great deal towards the advent of Mechatronic systems where mechanics, electronics and computer software integrate together to provide the required functionality. This integration has its effects in the design process as well, and a good design requires careful integration of methods and tools to satisfy the overlapping objectives. The set of requirements a designer needs to satisfy for a good design are in all three domains, hence various design and modelling tools are used by engineers to satisfy these multi-domain requirements. With the advent of systems modelling languages for specifying the complete system in one system model, there is an increased urge to link the system modelling tools to the domain specific tools such as Matlab/Simulink. In this paper we present an attempt to achieve an integrated design environment by building mapping between SysML and Matlab/Simulink models. The complexities that can be solved using SysML and the ones which necessitate a communication between SysML and other tools are discussed. Models of an industrial pattern generator are presented to explain the practical influence of this integration approach. The resulting integrated model is more comprehensive for the designer when investigating various design alternatives. This is important for companies considering they have to consistently embed innovation and sustainability in their products.

Evaluation of feature detection algorithms for structure from motion

Abstract: 3rd Robotics and Mechatronics Symposium (ROBMECH 2009). Pretoria, South Africa, 8-10 November 2009

Dynamic Learning Organisations Supporting Knowledge Creation for Competitive and Integrated Product Design

Abstract: This paper shows that learning strategies and a structured approach to turn organisations into learning organisms have a major influence on the success of engineering programs in general, and on integrated design activities in particular. It points out the important relationship between dynamic learning organisations and the successful integrated development of complex mechatronic products using the topical and typical example of safety engineering in automotive development. It points out the key properties of learning organisations and reports about a way in which they have been successfully applied to the showcase example in close collaboration with a car manufacturing company.

Development of the two-wheeled inverted pendulum type mobile robot WV-2R for educational purposes

Abstract: The rapidly increase of personal robotic platforms and their applications in Japan represents a great challenge for universities to introduce undergraduate students the basic knowledge required to develop intelligent automated mechanisms. For this purpose; in this paper, we are presenting our approach to introduce first year undergraduate students of the Department of Modern Mechanical Engineering the basics of robotics systems. In order to foster the creativity of undergraduate students of engineering fields, we focused in developing an education tool designed to introduce at different educational levels the principle of developing mechatronic systems. In particular, the development of an inverted pendulum mobile robot Waseda Wheeled Vehicle No. 2 (WV-2R) has been proposed. Different kinds of experiments were proposed to confirm the possibility of implementing controllers as well as changing physical properties of the system to observe differences on the response of the system. From the experimental results, we could confirm the effectiveness of the proposed systems to control the angle of pendulum respect to the body base as well as by changing the radius of the wheel.

Integrated ADAMS+MATLAB environment for design of an autonomous single wheel robot

Abstract: Integration of ADAMS with MATLAB for designing and developing mechatronics system is presented in this paper. The integrated platform provides an avenue for realizing design loop for developing a mechatronics system without the need for building prototypes. The virtual prototype developed in ADAMS can be used to investigate dynamic behavior in a 3-dimensional environment. Though ADAMS has the capability of implementing a closed loop control of the virtual prototype, its capability is quite restricted. On the other hand, MATLAB is well known for designing control systems. Integrating ADAMS with MATLAB allows us to get the benefit of both. This virtual environment can be used to expedite control-centric design cycle for developing a mechatronic system. The integrated platform was used to verify different features of a gyroscopically stabilized single wheel robot. Mechanical drawings of the robot are first created using a CAD software, e.g., Solidworks and imported into the ADAMS, where the material type, density are defined. Dynamics of the robot in autonomous mode are simulated using the integrated platform in which the controller is designed and implemented using MATLAB. Simulation results can then be used to modify mechanical design. Although the virtual platform is tested for one specific system, it can be easily used for design of other mechatronic systems.

Modeling and Simulation of Physical Systems in a Mechatronic Context

Abstract: This thesis gives different views on the modeling and simulation of physical systems, especially together with embedded systems, forming mechatronic systems. The main considered application domain ...

Applications of soft computing techniques in materials engineering: A review

Abstract: Within the last two decades, a substantial amount of research efforts has been directed at the application of Soft Computing (SC) techniques in engineering. This paper provides a systematic review of the literature emanating from these efforts with particular focus on materials engineering. The primary aim is to provide background information, motivation for applications and an exposition to the methodologies employed in the development of soft computing technologies in engineering. Our review shows that all the works on the application of SC to materials engineering have reported excellent, good, positive or at least encouraging results. In our opinion, the lack of negative results might be due to the simplification of materials engineering problems to manageable and predictable situations. We draw particular attention to the strengths and weaknesses of soft computing techniques in the context of materials engineering applications. Our appraisal of the literature suggests that the interface between materials engineering and intelligent systems engineering techniques, such as soft computing, is still blur. The need to formalise the computational and intelligent systems engineering methodology used in materials engineering, therefore, arises. We also provide a brief exposition to our on-going efforts in this direction. Although our study focuses on materials engineering in particular, we think that our findings applies to other areas of engineering as well. Key words: Composite materials, fuzzy logic, soft computing, intelligent systems engineering,formal methods.

Systems Engineering for Organic Computing: The Challenge of Shared Design and Control between OC Systems and their Human Engineers

Abstract: The term “emergence” is usually used to mean something surprising (and often unpleasant) in the behavior of a complex system, without further qualification. Designers of OC systems want to manage emergence in complex engineered systems so that it can contribute to, or even perhaps enable, accomplishing the system’s performance goals. That is, OC designers aim to construct systems that are more flexible and adaptable in complex environments, to gain some of the advantages in robustness and adaptability that biological systems seem to gain from these phenomena. In this chapter we suggest some principles that we believe underlie the enormous flexibility and opportunistic adaptability of biological systems. We show how these principles might map to systems engineering concepts when they do, and what to do instead when they don’t. We then describe five specific challenges for the engineering of OC systems, and how we think they might be addressed. We also discuss the key role played by language and representation in this view of designing and deploying an OC system. Finally, we describe our progress and prospects in addressing these challenges, and thus in implementing systems to demonstrate the capabilities that we have identified as essential for successful OC systems.

Conceptual Design of Modularized Advanced Mechatronic Systems

Abstract: Future mechatronic systems will have inherent partial intelligence. We call these systems "self-optimizing" systems. Their functionality leads to increased complexity of their development. A method to handle complexity is product structuring. This contribution presents a holistic approach for the domain-spanning conceptual design of mechatronic and self-optimizing systems, especially taking into account product structuring. The aim is the identification of a development-oriented product structure that includes modules, which can be developed in parallel. The approach comprises of a domain-spanning specification technique for the description of the principle solution of mechatronic and self-optimizing systems, a detailed procedure model for their conceptual design and a methodology for structuring such systems. Based on the analysis of the development task, an adequate product structure type is chosen and design rules for its realization are assigned. For the application of the design rules well-known methods like DSM, MIM and their derivatives "Reconfiguration Structure Matrix" and "Aggregation-DSM" are used. The approach is demonstrated by the example of an autonomous railway vehicle.

Robot miner for low grade narrow tabular ore bodies: the potential and the challenge

Abstract: 3rd Robotics and Mechatronics Symposium (ROBMECH 2009), Pretoria, South Africa, 8-10 November 2009

Micromechatronics: Modeling, Analysis, and Design with MATLAB, Second Edition

Abstract: Focusing on recent developments in engineering science, enabling hardware, advanced technologies, and software, Micromechatronics: Modeling, Analysis, and Design with MATLAB, Second Edition provides clear, comprehensive coverage of mechatronic and electromechanical systems. It applies cornerstone fundamentals to the design of electromechanical syst

An Undergraduate Mechatronics Project Class at Philadelphia University, Jordan: Methodology and Experience

Abstract: Mechatronics is a branch of engineering whose final product should involve mechanical movements controlled by smart electronics. The design and implementation of functional prototypes are an essential learning experience for the students in this field. In this paper, the guidelines for a successful mechatronics project class are presented, evaluated, and discussed. Furthermore, the paper introduces a general mechatronic system design methodology that should equip students to carry out a successful mechatronics project in their undergraduate training. Three student projects at Philadelphia University, Jordan, are examined in detail, with descriptions of their goals, design, and implementation.

PLM for Mechatronics integration

Abstract: Mechatronics is a synergistic integration of mechanical, electronic, and control engineering, with computer science. The mechatronics development, which is offering new features and business opportunities at an increasing pace, is driven by technology, increasing competition and legislation. Mechatronics engineering develops new types of components, with tight relations and dependencies between mechanics, electronics, and software domains. New technology implies new types of errors, faults, and error modes, as well as completely new and unforeseen types of emergent behavior. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing a SOA-based collaboration hub that is based on a PLM strategy and model-based systems engineering methods. Keyword: Architecture, DSM, embedded system, MBSE, SysML, AP233