Engineering Commons^™

Automated Fixture Design For A Rapid Machining Process, Wutthigrai Boonsuk, Matthew C. Frank

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Rapid prototyping techniques for CNC machining have been developed in an effort to produce functional prototypes in appropriate materials. One of the major challenges for rapid machining is to develop an automatic fixturing system for securing the part during the machining process. The method proposed in this paper is the use of sacrificial fixturing, similar to the support structures in existing rapid processes like Stereolithography. During the machining process, sacrificial supports emerge incrementally and, at the end of the process, are the only entities connecting the part to the stock material. This paper presents methodologies for the design of sacrificial …

Automated Fixture Design For A Rapid Machining Process, Wutthigrai Boonsuk, Matthew Frank

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Rapid prototyping techniques for CNC machining have been developed in an effort to produce functional prototypes in appropriate materials. One of the major challenges for rapid machining is to develop an automatic fixturing system for securing the part during the machining process. The method proposed in this paper is the use of sacrificial fixturing, similar to the support structures in existing rapid processes like Stereolithography. During the machining process, sacrificial supports emerge incrementally and, at the end of the process, are the only entities connecting the part to the stock material. This paper presents methodologies for the design of sacrificial …

Increased Performance Of Battery Packs By Active Equalization, Jonathan W. Kimball, Brian T. Kuhn, Philip T. Krein

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Battery packs for most applications are series strings of electrochemical cells. Due to manufacturing variations, temperature differences, and aging, the individual cells perform differently. When a complete pack is charged and discharged as a single two-terminal circuit element, some cells are chronically overcharged, undercharged, or overdischarged, all of which act to reduce cell life. The performance and life of the complete pack is limited by the weakest cell. Many methods have been proposed and explored to mitigate this problem. In the present work, a switched-capacitor converter is shown to be a simple and effective method to maintain equal cell or …

A Scientific Foundation Of Collaborative Engineering, S. C.-Y. Lu, W. Elmaraghy, G. Schuh, R. Wilhelm

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Collaborative engineering is the practical application of collaboration sciences to the engineering domain. In today’s highly connected technology-driven economy, the production industry must rely on the best practices of collaborative engineering to stay competitive when designing, manufacturing, and operating complex machines, processes, and systems on a global scale. Despite its importance, collaborative engineering is currently more of a practiced art than a scientific discipline. A better understanding of how engineers should collaborate with all stakeholders to accomplish complex tasks that fulfill our increasing social responsibilities is a grand challenge. However, because we currently lack well-defined sciences of human collaboration, we …

Fault Diagnosis In Multi-Station Assembly Systems Using An Agent-Based Simulation Model, Nagesh Shukla, Manoj Tiwari, Darek Ceglarek

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Today’s automotive industries require quick ramp-up in order to shorten the time to market and fulfill greater demand for product variety. Since, dimensional tolerance problems are one of the main causes for delay during ramp-up in multi-station assembly systems; hence, rapid diagnosis of faults contributing to dimensional errors is of significant concern. This paper presents an agent-based simulation model (ABSM) which integrates model-based and data-based diagnostics for fault diagnosis and correction in multi-station assembly processes. The fault causing variation sources, their effects on dimensional accuracy, diagnosis from sensors data and corrective actions in multi-station assembly systems are simulated using proposed …

On Innovative Methods Of Induction Motor Interturn And Broken-Bar Fault Diagnostics, Behrooz Mirafzal, Nabeel Demerdash

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

A fault indicator, the so-called swing angle, for broken-bar and interturn faults is investigated in this paper. This fault indicator is based on the rotating magnetic-field pendulous-oscillation concept in faulty squirrel-cage induction motors. Using the "swing-angle indicator," it will be demonstrated here that an interturn fault can be detected even in the presence of machine manufacturing imperfections. Meanwhile, a broken-bar fault can be detected under both direct-line and PWM excitations, even under the more difficult condition of partial-load levels. These two conditions of partial load and motor manufacturing imperfections, which are considered as difficult situations for fault detection, are investigated …

The Problems Of Implementation Of Total Quality Management In Thai Manufacturing Smes, Panu Buranajarukorn, Peter R. Gibson, Guenter Arndt

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Thai manufacturing SMEs have played a major role in developing Thai economy, social and employment. In this situation, they have been confronted by forceful overseas competitors, especially in lowcost producers such as China, India, Vietnam, etc. They need to upgrade organisational performance in order to increasing their international competitiveness. However, most of Thai manufacturing SMEs have been inadequate modern technology when compared to large enterprises. Therefore, management technique i.e. TQM has been introduced to implement in Thai manufacturing SMEs for establishing a good quality management system, developing human resources and increasing business performance. The questionnaire was used as a tool …

Electronic Commerce Negotiation In A Supply Chain Via Constraint Evaluation, R. Wilhelm, B. Chu, R. Sun

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Negotiation is of critical importance in e-commerce applications where the supply chain is dynamic and reconfiguring. In this research supply chain negotiation problems are addressed as constraint-satisfaction problems. In general each negotiation is handled in the largest scope possible to avoid the suboptimality that can result from many local solutions. This global approach, however, must be balanced with time constraints that apply in e-commerce supply chain execution. In this paper, we describe a new approach for e-commerce supply chain negotiation via constraint evaluation. As well, results from prototype software, distributed across the internet, are discussed. Beyond the general formulation, we …

Internationalization Of Higher Education And Research In Manufacturing In Asian Region, Devi P. Saini

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

During the past few decades, a number of Asian economies have expe rienced spectacular growths of twentieth century. The rapid expansion of the manufacturing sector based on mainly low and medium technology has contributed significantly in these economic growths. In order to maintain their competitiveness and enhance their exports, these nations are realising the need of a multi-pronged approach involving development of new high value products, unmanned manufacturing employing sophisticated machinery and better manufacturing management. Unable to meet the vast demand of scientists and engineers expected during implementation of this strategy, many countries of this region are looking for assistance …

Uml Extensions For Real-Time Control Systems, Qimin Gao, Lyndon Brown, Luiz Fernando Capretz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

The use of object oriented techniques and methodologies for the design of real-time control systems appears to be necessary in order to deal with the increasing complexity of such systems. Recently many object-oriented methods have been used for the modeling and design of real-time control systems. We believe that an approach that integrates the advancements in both object modeling and design methods, and real-time scheduling theory is the key to successful use of object oriented technology for real-time software. Surprisingly several past approaches to integrate the two either restrict the object models, or do not allow sophisticated schedulability analysis techniques. …

Running With The Pack: Jit & Automation For Small Manufacturers, Thomas E. Phillips, John R. Ledgerwood

Publications

While both just in time (JIT) concepts and automation programs have been widely implemented and highly successful in large manufacturing companies, many smaller manufacturing companies have wondered whether it would be economically feasible to utilize these same techniques and derive these same benefits. When JIT is adopted by small manufacturers, it provides them with advantages over traditional manufacturing systems, such as lower cost, quality improvements, higher productivity, and less working capital tied up in inventory. Small US manufacturers must understand the basic principles and philosophy of JIT and update their production equipment if they are to be competitive in today's …

The Management Of Change: A Case Study, Stephen A. Raper, Richard Neal Callahan

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A literature review was conducted to identify some of the requirements for competitiveness and change that are being promoted by leaders in the manufacturing field. A survey was developed based on the literature review and was subsequently administered, via the case study method, at a midwestern US agricultural chemicals firm to determine the company's degree of compliance with the literature''s recommendations. To a large degree, the company complied with the requirements.

Neural Networks In Manufacturing: Possible Impacts On Cutting Stock Problems, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The potential of neural networks is examined, and the effect of parallel processing on the solution of the stock-cutting problem is assessed. The conceptual model proposed integrates a feature-recognition network and a simulated annealing approach. The model uses a neocognitron neural network paradigm to generate data for assessing the degree of match between two irregular patterns. The information generated through the feature recognition network is passed to an energy function, and the optimal configuration of patterns is computed using a simulated annealing algorithm. Basics of the approach are demonstrated with an example.

Possible Applications Of Neural Networks In Manufacturing, S. Lammers, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Summary form only given. An examination is made of the potential of neural networks and the impact of parallel processing in the design and operations of manufacturing systems. After an initial discussion on possible areas of application, an approach that integrates artificial intelligence, operations research, and neural networks for the solution of a scheduling problem is examined

Modern Methods Of Book Composition, Theodore Low De Vinne

Electronic Texts in American Studies

A TREATISE ON TYPE-SETTING BY HAND AND BY MACHINE AND ON THE PROPER ARRANGEMENT AND IMPOSITION OF PAGES

I EQUIPMENT. Types ... Stands .•. Cases ••. Case-racks.

II EQUIPMENT. Galleys and galley-racks ... Compositors' implements Brass rules and cases for labor-saving rule and leads … Dashes and braces ... Leads ... Furniture of wood and ofmeiaI .•. Furniture-racks ••. Quotations and electrotype guards.

III COMPOSITION. Time-work and piece-work •.. Customary routine on book-work ... Justi1lcation ... Spacing and leading Distribution ... Composition by hand and machine

IV COMPOSITION OF BOOKS. Title-page ... Preface matter ... Chapter headings and synopsis ... …