Engineering Commons^™

Efficient Axis And Circle Detection Through Hough Transformation, Karissa E. Hobert

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Computer vision and human vision are quite different. While a person can look at an object and easily recognize it, a computer is does not understand the the objects it is seeing. Finding axes and circles in an image is an intermediate step in designing a machine with the ability to recognize shapes and objects. Through the utilization of contour and smoothed local symmetry information, the main axes of an image are determined and may be used to facilitate shape and object analysis. A Hough transform algorithm detects the most popular lines from a set of candidate axis points. This …

Effect Of Agricultural Fiber Reinforcement On The Mechanical Properties Of A Recycled Polyethylene Plastic Composite Material, Michael E. Courbat

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study determined the effect of certain agricultural fiber reinforcements on the tensile and impact mechanical properties of a recycled polyethylene plastic composite material. The purpose of the study was to provide information on certain mechanical properties of a recycled polyethylene plastic material as part of a coordinated materials application process.

A prototype product run of the plastic composite material was done and test specimens were selected from this material. Notch impact, tensile, and flexure tests were conducted on test specimens. Test procedures complied with accepted standards from The American Society For Testing and Materials (ASTM). Tests were conducted on …

Identification Of Success Factors In The Implementation Of Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, Dean Harold Jensen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The review of recent literature showed a clear trend within the manufacturing sector toward the integration of design and production activities through increased application of the computer. The competitive advantages of computer integration were reported, as well as increased risk due to the amount of time and capital expended in system implementation. The identification of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) success factors may reduce this risk.

Prior efforts to identify success factors for other areas of endeavor showed that success factors tended to vary with the four project phases, but were stable over time within a particular phase. More recently, empirical …

An Analysis Of The Use Of Programmable Controllers To Control An In Situ Leach Mine Wellfield, Jimmy W. Stokey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In situ mining is a relatively new method that has the potential of recovering a variety of minerals. This process is quickly becoming an alternative to conventional mining techniques that are environmentally unsound. Two problems associated with in situ mining are, the amount of waste water generated by the process (bleed) and the uncontrolled migration of lixiviant outside the production zone (an excursion).

The purpose of this study was to determine if in situ mining processes could be monitored and controlled with a Sequential Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Using programmable logic controllers, a cost-effective SCADA system was designed …

Perceived Importance Of Iso 9000 Factors As Indicators Of Quality In Industrial Technology Related Programs At Four-Year State Regional Universities, Floyd L. Olson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Industry has often used a quality standard known as ISO 9000. No evidence has been located demonstrating the applicability of an industrial quality model to a singular academic department. The problem of this study was to determine if the guidelines for ISO 9004-2 could have been considered appropriate for Industrial Technology related programs and how they could have been used to indicate quality within such programs.

The purpose of this study was to seek knowledge relating the importance of ISO 9004-2 guidelines to audit and/or improve the quality management of Industrial Technology related departments at 4-year state regional universities. This …

Investigation Of The Relationship Between Fuel Injection Nozzle Roto Flow And Hydra Flow And The Engine Torque Of A Diesel Engine, Guang Jin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of reducing diesel engine torque variation by optimizing fuel injection nozzle tip configuration. In order to reduce engine torque variation, test runs were conducted to determine whether fuel injection nozzles affected diesel engine torque. There was a further effort to determine whether a correlation existed between the fuel injection nozzle roto flow and hydra flow, and the engine torque at specified engine speeds.

Engines installed in cotton pickers and tractors were used for this study. Engines, five from the cotton picker and five from the tractor group were chosen randomly …

A Comparative Study Of The Perceived Educational Needs Of Iowa Merged Area Vii Manufacturers And Iowa Technical Educators, David D. Bradney

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research was a descriptive pilot study that compared the perceptions of Iowa Merged Area VII manufacturers and Iowa technical educators regarding technical curricula, occupational skill certification, and drafting practices as these relate to Associate Degree programs in Mechanical Drafting and Design Technology. The problem was to determine what should be taught in two year technical curricula in Mechanical Drafting and Design Technology. The purpose of the study was to compare the perceived educational needs of Iowa Merged Area VII manufacturers and Iowa technical educators regarding the content of Mechanical Drafting and Design Technology curricula. The populations used for this …