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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2022

Kang Min, Fenglei Ni, Guojun Zhang, Xin Shu and Hong Liu

The purpose of this paper is to propose a smooth double-spline interpolation method for six-degree-of-freedom rotational robot manipulators, achieving the global C2 continuity of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a smooth double-spline interpolation method for six-degree-of-freedom rotational robot manipulators, achieving the global C2 continuity of the robot trajectory.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a smooth double-spline interpolation method, achieving the global C2 continuity of the robot trajectory. The tool center positions and quaternion orientations are first fitted by a cubic B-spline curve and a quartic-polynomial-based quaternion spline curve, respectively. Then, a parameter synchronization model is proposed to realize the synchronous and smooth movement of the robot along the double spline curves. Finally, an extra u-s function is used to record the relationship between the B-spline parameter and its arc length parameter, which may reduce the feed rate fluctuation in interpolation. The seven segments jerk-limited feed rate profile is used to generate motion commands for algorithm validation.

Findings

The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective and can generate the global C2-continuity robot trajectory.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this paper are as follows: guarantee the C2 continuity of the position path and quaternion orientation path simultaneously; provide a parameter synchronization model to realize the synchronous and smooth movement of the robot along the double spline curves; and add an extra u-s function to realize arc length parameterization of the B-spline path, which may reduce the feed rate fluctuation in interpolation.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 42 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2017

Zhijia Xu, Qinghui Wang and Jingrong Li

The purpose of this paper is to develop a general mathematic approach to model the microstructures of porous structures produced by additive manufacturing (AM), which will result…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a general mathematic approach to model the microstructures of porous structures produced by additive manufacturing (AM), which will result in fractal surface topography and higher roughness that have greater influence on the performance of porous structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The overall shapes of pores were modeled by triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS), and the micro-roughness details attached to the overall pore shapes were represented by Weierstrass–Mandelbrot (W-M) fractal representation, which was integrated with TPMS along its normal vectors. An index roughly reflecting the irregularity of fractal TPMS was proposed, based on which the influence of the fractal parameters on the fractal TPMS was qualitatively analyzed. Two complex samples of real porous structures were given to demonstrate the feasibility of the model.

Findings

The fractal surface topography should not be neglected at a micro-scale level. In addition, a decrease in the fractal dimension Ds may exponentially make the topography rougher; an increase in the height-scaling parameter G may linearly increase the roughness; and the number of the superposed ridges has no distinct influence on the topography. Furthermore, the synthesis method is general for all implicit surfaces.

Practical implications

The method provides an alternative way to shift the posteriori design paradigm of porous media to priori design mode through numeric simulation. Therefore, the optimization of AM process parameters, as well as the porous structure, can be potentially realized according to specific functional requirement.

Originality/value

The synthesis of TPMS and W-M fractal geometry was accomplished efficiently and was general for all implicit freeform surfaces, and the influence of the fractal parameters on the fractal TPMS was analyzed more systematically.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Bahattin Koc

A new surface error calculation method for layered manufacturing processes is proposed in this paper. The developed method is used to generate the layers by adaptively varying the…

1063

Abstract

A new surface error calculation method for layered manufacturing processes is proposed in this paper. The developed method is used to generate the layers by adaptively varying the thickness of the layers based on the surface approximation errors. Traditionally, the surface errors are calculated using local approximation techniques. In this paper, the surface approximation errors are calculated more accurately by marching through the surface points and determining the distances between layers and the surface points. Using the calculated distances, the adaptive layers are generated for both traditional two‐dimensional layer and ruled‐layer approximation methods. It has been shown that layered manufacturing (rapid prototyping) processes can achieve better accuracy and efficiency using the proposed surface error calculation and the adaptive ruled layer approximation methods. Computer implementation and illustrative examples are also presented in this paper.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 10 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 April 2022

Kunyong Chen, Yong Zhao, Yuming Liu, Haidong Yu and Shunzhou Huang

This paper aims to propose an optimization method to automatically adjust the spatial route of multibend pipes to meet the assembly demands in constrained space.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an optimization method to automatically adjust the spatial route of multibend pipes to meet the assembly demands in constrained space.

Design/methodology/approach

The compact geometric parameters that uniquely determine the pipe route are analyzed. Besides, the relationship between these parameters and the end pose is revealed based on the exponential product formula. Mathematical representations for the engineering constraints, including the end pose restriction, collision interference, manufacture ability and geometric limitations, are further established. On this basis, the adjustment of the spatial route is formulated as a multiconstraint optimization problem. A modified particle swarm optimization method based on the combination of gradient projection and swarm intelligence is designed to find the near-optimal pipe that meets the required assembly demands.

Findings

The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively find the feasible pipe route that satisfies the engineering constraints and the end pose requirement is highly guaranteed.

Originality/value

The proposed method can automate the geometric adjustment of multi-bend pipes to meet the actual assembly demands, which significantly reduces manual efforts and guarantees high accuracy. The results demonstrate the possibility of further applications in the pipe assembly or design process, especially in ships, aerospace products or pressure vessels.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 42 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2005

Peng Li, Calvin Lee and Brian Corner

To explore three‐dimensional scanning technology in capturing the shape of inflated parachutes for accurate estimation of surface area and volume.

2786

Abstract

Purpose

To explore three‐dimensional scanning technology in capturing the shape of inflated parachutes for accurate estimation of surface area and volume.

Design/methodology/approach

The volume and surface area of an inflated round parachute are important parameters for the design and analysis of its performance. However, it is difficult to acquire the three‐dimensional (3D) surface shape of a parachute due to its flexible fabric and dynamic movement. This paper presents how we collect 3D data with a laser scanner and calculate volume and surface area of parachutes from their scans. The necessary data clean and approximation steps with non‐uniform B‐spline function are introduced and implemented. Numerical integration methods are employed to estimate surface area and volume. The approximation of the parachute based on an ellipsoid is compared with the numerical integration approach in their volumes and surface areas.

Findings

It is found that 3D scanning technology, with help of mathematic program developed, provides a feasible mean to estimate the surface area and volume of inflated parachutes. The numerical integration method derived in this paper is reliable and robust for the computation.

Originality/value

It is the first time that the 3D shape of an inflated parachute has been scanned with a laser scanner. The mathematical methods developed for processing of scan data are useful for others who use 3D scanning technology. The computational approach and results of surface area and volume of inflated parachutes are valuable to parachute performance modeling and design community.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 22 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 June 2019

Hanan Lu, Qiushi Li, Tianyu Pan and Ramesh Agarwal

For an axial-flow compressor rotor, the upstream inflow conditions will vary as the aircraft faces harsh flight conditions (such as taking off, landing or maneuvering) or the…

Abstract

Purpose

For an axial-flow compressor rotor, the upstream inflow conditions will vary as the aircraft faces harsh flight conditions (such as taking off, landing or maneuvering) or the whole compressor operates at off-design conditions. With the increase of upstream boundary layer thickness, the rotor blade tip will be loaded and the increased blade load will deteriorate the shock/boundary layer interaction and tip leakage flows, resulting in high aerodynamic losses in the tip region. The purpose of this paper is to achieve a better flow control for tip secondary flows and provide a probable design strategy for high-load compressors to tolerate complex upstream inflow conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an analysis and application of shroud wall optimization to a typical transonic axial-flow compressor rotor by considering the inlet boundary layer (IBL). The design variables are selected to shape the shroud wall profile at the tip region with the purpose of controlling the tip leakage loss and the shock/boundary layer interaction loss. The objectives are to improve the compressor efficiency at the inlet-boundary-layer condition while keeping its aerodynamic performance at the uniform condition.

Findings

After the optimization of shroud wall contour, aerodynamic benefits are achieved mainly on two aspects. On the one hand, the shroud wall optimization has reduced the intensity of the tip leakage flow and the interaction between the leakage and main flows, thereby decreasing the leakage loss. On the other hand, the optimized shroud design changes the shock structure and redistributes the shock intensity in the spanwise direction, especially weakening the shock near the tip. In this situation, the shock/boundary layer interaction and the associated flow separations and wakes are also eliminated. On the whole, at the inlet-boundary-layer condition, the compressor with optimized shroud design has achieved a 0.8 per cent improvement of peak efficiency over that with baseline shroud design without sacrificing the total pressure ratio. Moreover, the re-designed compressor also maintains the aerodynamic performance at the uniform condition. The results indicate that the shroud wall profile has significant influences on the rotor tip losses and could be properly designed to enhance the compressor aerodynamic performance against the negative impacts of the IBL.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in developing a shroud wall contour optimization design strategy to control the tip leakage loss and the shock/boundary layer interaction loss in a transonic compressor rotor. The obtained results could be beneficial for transonic compressors to tolerate the complex upstream inflow conditions.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 29 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2017

Leifur Leifsson and Slawomir Koziel

The purpose of this paper is to reduce the overall computational time of aerodynamic shape optimization that involves accurate high-fidelity simulation models.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reduce the overall computational time of aerodynamic shape optimization that involves accurate high-fidelity simulation models.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach is based on the surrogate-based optimization paradigm. In particular, multi-fidelity surrogate models are used in the optimization process in place of the computationally expensive high-fidelity model. The multi-fidelity surrogate is constructed using physics-based low-fidelity models and a proper correction. This work introduces a novel correction methodology – referred to as the adaptive response prediction (ARP). The ARP technique corrects the low-fidelity model response, represented by the airfoil pressure distribution, through suitable horizontal and vertical adjustments.

Findings

Numerical investigations show the feasibility of solving real-world problems involving optimization of transonic airfoil shapes and accurate computational fluid dynamics simulation models of such surfaces. The results show that the proposed approach outperforms traditional surrogate-based approaches.

Originality/value

The proposed aerodynamic design optimization algorithm is novel and holistic. In particular, the ARP correction technique is original. The algorithm is useful for fast design of aerodynamic surfaces using high-fidelity simulation data in moderately sized search spaces, which is challenging using conventional methods because of excessive computational costs.

Article
Publication date: 5 August 2014

M. Grujicic, J.S. Snipes, R. Galgalikar, S. Ramaswami, R. Yavari, C.-F. Yen, B.A. Cheeseman and J.S. Montgomery

The purpose of this paper is to develop multi-physics computational model for the conventional gas metal arc welding (GMAW) joining process has been improved with respect to its…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop multi-physics computational model for the conventional gas metal arc welding (GMAW) joining process has been improved with respect to its predictive capabilities regarding the spatial distribution of the mechanical properties (strength, in particular) within the weld.

Design/methodology/approach

The improved GMAW process model is next applied to the case of butt-welding of MIL A46100 (a prototypical high-hardness armor-grade martensitic steel) workpieces using filler-metal electrodes made of the same material. A critical assessment is conducted of the basic foundation of the model, including its five modules, each dedicated to handling a specific aspect of the GMAW process, i.e.: first, electro-dynamics of the welding-gun; second, radiation/convection controlled heat transfer from the electric arc to the workpiece and mass transfer from the filler-metal consumable electrode to the weld; third, prediction of the temporal evolution and the spatial distribution of thermal and mechanical fields within the weld region during the GMAW joining process; fourth, the resulting temporal evolution and spatial distribution of the material microstructure throughout the weld region; and fifth, spatial distribution of the as-welded material mechanical properties.

Findings

The predictions of the improved GMAW process model pertaining to the spatial distribution of the material microstructure and properties within the MIL A46100 butt-weld are found to be consistent with general expectations and prior observations.

Originality/value

To explain microstructure/property relationships within different portions of the weld, advanced physical-metallurgy concepts and principles are identified, and their governing equations parameterized and applied within a post-processing data-reduction procedure.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

Kailash Jha

In this work, minimum energy based interpolation has been done for an optimal well path and effects of energy and fitting coefficients have been studied. An optimal well path also…

Abstract

In this work, minimum energy based interpolation has been done for an optimal well path and effects of energy and fitting coefficients have been studied. An optimal well path also maintains the given radius of curvature and satisfies drilling requirements. Interactive incremental design concept has been used in this work which, controls length and other geometric properties of well path. In the first part of the research, whole well segment has been taken for optimization. Geometric constraints are put to satisfy the drilling requirements. In the second part of the research only the curved portion of well segment has been taken for optimization. Geometric perspective of the well has been considered in this formulation.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 21 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2015

Zhijia Dong, Gaoming Jiang, Zhiming Wu and Honglian Cong

The purpose of this paper is to develop a parametric design method for 3D human bodies to be used in computer-aided style design and the 3D presentations of warp-knitted seamless…

1710

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a parametric design method for 3D human bodies to be used in computer-aided style design and the 3D presentations of warp-knitted seamless garment.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to obtain 3D human bodies of different sizes, all of which have been based on anthropometric measurement, a human body model template was constructed by importing vertices and facets information in an OBJ model file which had been exported from POSER. A parametric model was then established by extracting feature information from the template model using a method combining 3D geometry analysis and human semantic analysis; this information included the template model’s feature points and measurements. By applying a mesh deformation method, based on the radius basis function interpolation, to the template model, different size human bodies were then generated according to user-specific anthropometric measurements.

Findings

The test results validated the method presented in this paper as a useful and effective approach to generate diffident size human models from a template model by modifying anthropometric measurements, which establishes a foundation for the style design and 3D presentations of warp-knitted seamless garments.

Originality/value

This paper provides parametric design methods for generating bodies of varying size according to different anthropometric measurements in the 3D domain, which is the basis of style design and 3D presentation for warp-knitted seamless garments.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

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