Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 465-466

Abstract: Value stream mapping (VSM) significantly monitored by integrating radio frequency identification (RFID), wireless sensor network (WSN), ZigBee wireless technologies and Labview Graphical user interface (GUI). These technologies are used for identifying, sensing, positioning, multi-hop communication and real time locating system (RTLS). Combined effect of above technologies will optimize labor and operations cost, minimize human error; improve environmental performance and information accuracy. ZigBee protocol IEEE 802.15.4 standard has been used as wireless network in variety of commercial and industrial applications. The range of tracking of RFID reader enhanced with ZigBee coordinator through ZigBee router, which overcomes the range of radio areas that do not reach signals from the RFID reader. The proposed system provides richer information of objects location, identification and their environmental status like temperature and moisture.

Abstract: This paper presents the design and fabrication of a Window Climbing Robot (WCR), which is a small-scale or miniature robot that is capable of climbing the windows or glass in a vertical motion. While operating in the vertical motion or climbing, the WCR has the capabilities in performing tasks such as cleaning, inspection, surveillance and maintenance. The WCR can perform these duties without the need of actual human intervention. The robot is able to operate autonomously with the aid of sensors. The robot can be placed onto the surfaces such as glass using the pneumatic-system with suction-power provided by eight suction-cups. The double-belting gear driving mechanism moving the robot is shown and explained. The pneumatic-based suction system is illustrated and the fabricated prototype of the robot is also shown in this paper.

Abstract: Conventional Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines are operated by controllers. Each controller has software model inside known as interpreter. The function of interpreter is to translate input data model code into CNC understandable internal data structure. These conventional CNC controllers are found to be closed in nature and are dependent on vendor specifications. In order to overcome these problems open architecture control systems are introduced. This paper presents an interpreter for open architecture CNC control system. The developed interpreter takes current available Computer Aided Design (CAD)/ Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems generated International Standard Organization (ISO) 6983 file in text (.txt) format as input and extracts the position, feed rate, spindle etc data from code. Then finally it writes interpreted code in user defined .txt and EXtensible Markup Language (.xml) formats.

Abstract: Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) is a device which is inserted into a pipeline and travels throughout the entire length of pipeline and has been used since over 100 years in the petroleum industries to maintain the condition of pipelines mainly for smoothness of production and transportation of hydrocarbon products. Setbacks of conventional PIG; (1) can only move in the direction of the fluid flow, and therefore, (2) they need to be inserted at a specific point in the pipeline during application. This exercise is costly or even dangerous in some circumstances as it requires intervention of human. In order to overcome such difficulties in pigging, several development works of pipeline contra-flow crawler have been developed and aimed at solving the problem of entering and leaving the pipeline from a single exit. The essential bidirectional capability makes it very valuable to many industries, especially the petroleum industries. The objective of this paper is to review the recent developments of contra-flow crawler which has become a continual interest of PIG developers. The review carried out would serve as an industrial application in a form of a quick reference of recent developments in contra-flow crawler in pipeline, and for related industries.

Abstract: Wall Shear Stress (WSS) in the artery is one of the indicators for brain artery disease progression. WSS is proportional to the viscosity and shear rate of the flowing fluid. In this study, WSS of cerebral artery with aneurysm was predicted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The effect of non-Newtonian properties of blood will be studied by comparing Power law model with Newtonian model. Based on the results, maximum value of WSS is 150 Pa for Newtonian model and for Power Law model is 24 Pa. Newtonian model was found overpredicted the WSS resulted from Power Law.

Abstract: This research is aimed towards developing an algorithm for detecting road roundabout environments and estimating the collision free-path. Laser range finder (LRF) and camera are combined together to detect the mini-roundabout environments that are developed and built in a laboratory setting. The signal processing of the LRF is accomplished in MATLAB environment using the proposed algorithm to determine the road curbs and find the current position of the mobile robot within the environments. The video processing is performed also in MATLAB to identify the roundabout center when it is detected. The experiments are performed using the developed experimental setup and the data are processed in real-time. The results demonstrate the capability of the algorithm to effectively recognize the roundabout environments.

Abstract: The paper focuses on the practical implementation of a novel control method to an automotive suspension system using active force control (AFC) with iterative learning algorithm (ILA) and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control strategy. The overall control system to be known as AFC-IL scheme essentially comprises three feedback control loops to cater for a number of specific tasks, namely, the innermost loop for the force tracking of the pneumatic actuator using PI controller, intermediate loops applying AFC with ILA strategy for the compensation of the disturbances and the outermost loop using PID controller for the computation of the desired force. A number of experiments were carried out on a physical test rig with hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) feature that fully incorporates the theoretical elements. The performance of the proposed control method was evaluated and benchmarked to examine the effectiveness of the system in suppressing the vibration effect of the suspension system. It was found that the experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the active suspension system with proposed AFC-IL scheme compared to the PID and passive counterparts.

Abstract: Data acquisition system (DAQ) plays an important role in research activities. Commercially available DAQ can be expensive and most are PC based and can be overly equipped for the task at hand. This paper proposes a low cost and mobile DAQ system with a dsPIC30 microcontroller form Microchip and program using Lubin Kerhuel Blockset for MATLAB/Simulink. An experimental rig consisting of a Maxon motor equipped with an Escon motor driver connected to a dsPIC30F3014 microcontroller was developed to demonstrate the potential of the proposed system. AFC was used as the control system and result from the experimental setup was presented in MATLAB/Simulink. Results clearly imply the viability of the proposed setup.

Abstract: CuO nanoparticles at ca. 20-50 nm were successfully coated on monodispersed silica spheres prepared by modified sol-gel method. A renewable palm oil based decyl-alcohol (C10) was employed as nonsurfactant surface modifier prior to coating with CuO. Various amounts of ammonia (NH₃) (0-1 ml) was as catalyst during the modification process to study the effect in homogeneous deposition of CuO on silica surfaces. The homogeneous depositions of CuO on silica were achieved with the addition of 0.9 ml of NH₃. The optical absorption peak and energy band gap (E_g) values were at ca. 1.8-2.18 eV suitable for semiconductor and optical sensor materials.

Abstract: This study investigates the effects of different grafting time on the polysulfone grafted methyl methacrylate (PSf-g-MMA) membrane performance. PSf-g-MMA was successfully prepared via UV radiation method. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) and benzophenon (BP) were used as a monomer and initiator respectively. Membrane performances were measured based on permeation and rejection of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Degree of grafting was found to increase as grafting time increases and the optimum time was found at 100 minutes. The results revealed that the pure water flux and rejection were significantly improved with the addition of grafting time. The present of MMA also were found to improve fouling properties of the membrane.