With the advent of Industry 4.0, a growing number of sensors within modern production lines generate high volumes of data. This data can be used to optimize the manufacturing industry in terms of ...complex network topology metrics commonly used in the analysis of social and communication networks. In this work, several such metrics are presented along with their appropriate interpretation in the field of manufacturing. Furthermore, the assumptions under which such metrics are defined are assessed in order to determine their suitability. Finally, their potential application to identify performance limiting resources, allocate maintenance resources and guarantee quality assurance are discussed.
One key for successful and fluent human-robot-collaboration in disassembly processes is equipping the robot system with higher autonomy and intelligence. In this paper, we present an informed ...software agent that controls the robot behavior to form an intelligent robot assistant for disassembly purposes. While the disassembly process first depends on the product structure, we inform the agent using a generic approach through product models. The product model is then transformed to a directed graph and used to build, share and define a coarse disassembly plan. To refine the workflow, we formulate "the problem of loosening a connection and the distribution of the work" as a search problem. The created detailed plan consists of a sequence of actions that are used to call, parametrize and execute robot programs for the fulfillment of the assistance. The aim of this research is to equip robot systems with knowledge and skills to allow them to be autonomous in the performance of their assistance to finally improve the ergonomics of disassembly workstations.
The welding of Al and Cu is considered as difficult due to the formation of intermetallic compounds, which cause a brittle joint with increased electrical resistance. This paper investigates etching ...techniques that were used to contrast the intermetallic compounds for optical microscope analysis. A 0.5 mm AA-1050 sheet was welded to a 0.5 mm SF-Cu sheet in overlap configuration. The cross sections were etched by using 17 different reagents, including common Al-grade 2xxx etchants, Al-bronze etchants, and specific IMC etchants. A complete microstructural characterization, including the formation of intermetallic compounds, is presented. The experimental result showed that a clear distinction of metallurgic structures is possible, thus enabling a more detailed analysis of Al-Cu welds. It was found that etchants #09, #14, and #16 revealed best the four different intermetallic compounds θ-Al
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Cu, η-AlCu, ζ-Al
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Cu
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, and γ-Al
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Cu
9
.
Molecular communication (MC) is an emerging communication paradigm that allows bio-nanomachines (NMs) to communicate using biochemical molecules as information carriers. It can be used in many ...promising biomedical applications such as the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) for targeted drug delivery and healthcare applications. In particular, the blood-tissue barrier (BTB) inside the body forms the main communication pathway for molecular information exchange between the NMs as well as between the intrabody nanonetwork and the bio-cyber interface in the IoBNT network. However, overcoming this barrier by the molecules is one of the main challenges for MC in the body. Therefore, spatiotemporal modeling of MC across the BTB is of particular interest. In this article, we develop a mathematical model and stochastic particle-based simulator for MC over high spatiotemporal resolution between mobile NMs in the blood capillary and the surrounding tissue. The transmitting bio-NM is modeled as a moving sphere with a continuous emission pattern over a specific duration. In this work, the blood capillary characteristics, including the BTB and blood flow, are modeled and their effect is examined on the molecular received signal. In addition, we examined the impact of the emission duration, the elimination rate, and the separation distance on the molecular received signal. The numerical results are verified using the developed particle-based simulator. This work can help in the optimum design and development of the IoBNT systems based on MC for biomedical applications, such as smart drug delivery and health monitoring systems.
In recent years, the evolution of computer-aided design technology has established a new design method to improve digital model creations. The new design method is called Parametric Modeling. In this ...paper, 3D metallic models are printed using a novel Parametric Modeling approach. The goal of this approach is to use parametric design features to simulate and print 3D metallic objects using Laser Wire Additive Manufacturing (LWAM) process. The proposed approach includes a pattern creation and robot targets assignment while considering several process requirements of LWAM and the robot system. This technique will allow the development of an adaptive robot toolpath for a good deposition process. Finally, a wall, a cylinder, and a complex shape were simulated and deposited to validate the proposed approach. The results show that the approach is feasible, adaptive, and can enhance 3D metallic print in the LWAM process.
In the present study, the laser welding of wire to flat geometry for miniature electromechanical hybrid components has been investigated. Considering the geometry of parts to be welded and also ...requirement of mechanical properties, spatial modulation of the laser beam was needed to be implemented to achieve a sound joint. Tensile-shear test and optical microscopy were employed to represent the mechanical properties and melt pool geometry of the joints. All welds were done by power modulation of the laser beam to better control the energy input at several feed rates and three different beam trajectories. Results showed that the shear load of the joint could be controlled by feed rate and the trajectory of the laser beam. Considering the material combination of the study that were nickel and CuSn
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bronze, which represented solubility in solid state, a joint stronger than base wire metal was achieved by defining a proper spatial modulation and feed rate of the laser beam.
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows overlaying of virtual elements on top of the physical environment. This enhances the perception and conveys additional information to the user. With ...the emergence of industry 4.0 concepts in manufacturing landscape, AR found its way to improve existing Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) on the shop-floor. The industrial setting has a wide variety of application opportunities from AR, ranging from training and digital work instructions to quality inspection and remote maintenance. Even though its implementation in the industry is rising in popularity, it is still mainly restricted to large companies due the limited availability of resources in Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SME). However, SMEs can benefit from AR solutions in its production processes. Therefore, this research aims to develop and present the results of comparison of two simple and cost-effective AR software frameworks for Hand Held Device (HHD) and a Head Mounted Device (HMD), which can be applied for developing AR applications for manufacturing. Two AR applications are developed using these software frameworks which are presented in the case study section. Android device is chosen as a HHD and HoloLens is the HMD used in the case study. The development structure can be reproduced by a wider range of enterprises with diverse needs and resource availability.
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