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Article
Publication date: 5 October 2020

Harish Kumar Banga, Parveen Kalra, Rajendra M. Belokar and Rajesh Kumar

The purpose of this study is improvement of human gait by customized design of ankle foot orthosis (AFO). An has been the most frequently used orthosis in children with cerebral…

832

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is improvement of human gait by customized design of ankle foot orthosis (AFO). An has been the most frequently used orthosis in children with cerebral palsy. AFOs are designed to boost existing features or to avoid depression or traumatize muscle contractures. The advantages of AFO’s utilized for advancement in human walk attributes for the improvement in foot deformities patients or youngsters with spastic loss of motion. In this research on the customized design of AFO's to improve gait, there are limitations during walking of foot drop patients. In children with foot drops, specific AFOs were explicitly altered to improve parity and strength which are beneficial to walking positions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes the customized design of AFOs using computerized and additive manufacturing for producing advances to alter the design and increase comfort for foot drop patients. Structuring the proposed design fabricated by using additive manufacturing and restricted material, the investigation was finalized at the Design Analysis Software (ANSYS). The system that performs best under investigation can additionally be printed using additive manufacturing.

Findings

The results show that the customized design of AFOs meets the patient’s requirements and could also be an alternative solution to the existing AFO design. The biomechanical consequences and mechanical properties of additive manufactured AFOs have been comparable to historically synthetic AFOs. While developing the novel AFO designs, the use of 3D printing has many benefits, including stiffness and weight optimization, to improve biomechanical function and comfort. To defeat the issues of foot drop patients, a customized AFO is used to improve the human gait cycle with new material and having better mechanical properties.

Originality/value

This research work focuses on the biomechanical impacts and mechanical properties of customized 3D-printed AFOs and compares them to traditionally made AFOs. Customized AFO design using 3D printing has numerous potential advantages, including new material with lightweight advancement, to improve biomechanical function and comfort. Normally, new applications mean an incremental collection of learning approximately the behavior of such gadgets and blending the new design, composite speculation and delivered substance production. The test results aim to overcome the new AFO structure issues and display the limited components and stress examination. The outcome of the research is the improved gait cycle of foot drop patients.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 26 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Harish Kumar Banga, Rajendra M. Belokar, Parveen Kalra and Rajesh Kumar

Ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs) are assistive devices prescribed for a number of physical and neurological disorders affecting the mobility of the lower limbs. Additive manufacturing…

1418

Abstract

Purpose

Ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs) are assistive devices prescribed for a number of physical and neurological disorders affecting the mobility of the lower limbs. Additive manufacturing has been explored as an alternative process; however, it has proved to be inefficient cost-wise. This work aims to explore the possibilities of generating modular AFO elements, namely, calf, shank and footplate, with the localized composite reinforcement that aids in the optimization of the device in terms of functionality, aesthetics, rigidity and cost.

Design/methodology/approach

The conventional lower leg–foot orthosis configuration depends on thermoforming a polymer sheet around a mortar cast with a trademark firmness relying upon the trim-line with the inalienable plan restrictions. In manufacturing of AFO the expert, i.e. orthotist's, guidance is used. Polypropylene and polyethylene material is used in fabrication of AFO to complete all-round reported points of interest over the ordinary outlines, yet their mechanical conduct under administration conditions cannot be effectively anticipated.

Findings

AFOs made of polypropylene and polyethylene material are available in the market, which are used by children of age 3-5 years. With the existing AFO design, patients are facing excessive heating and sweating problems during long-term usage. After feedback from patients and orthotists (who prescribed AFO to patients), an attempt has been made to solve the problem with a new and improved AFO design of AFO by using finite element modelling and stress analysis. Also, the results indicate that the new design is similar to the actual product design.

Originality/value

This work introduces the low-cost 3D printing with reinforcement approach as an alternative route for the designing and manufacturing of orthotic devices with complex shapes. It is expected that new applications add-up to increase the body of knowledge about the behaviour of such products which will mix both areas, composite theory and additive manufacturing. This study investigated the fields related to 3D scanning, 3D printing and computer-aided designing for the manufacturing of a customized AFO.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1967

Reid, Guest, Upjohn, Wilberforce and Pearson

July 26, 1967 Building and construction — Safety Regulations — Breach — Causation — Failure to provide suitable scaffold — Whether workman would have used scaffold if provided

Abstract

July 26, 1967 Building and construction — Safety Regulations — Breach — Causation — Failure to provide suitable scaffold — Whether workman would have used scaffold if provided — Whether failure to provide cause of fall — Construction (General Provisions) Regulations, 1961 (S.I. 1961, No. 1580), reg.7(2).

Details

Managerial Law, vol. 3 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0558

Article
Publication date: 8 December 2020

Chethan D. Srikant and Patrick Donovan

Companies may spend capital and effort to ensure the survival within their niche but have limited capacity to expand into other niches or broaden their target segment. This paper…

346

Abstract

Purpose

Companies may spend capital and effort to ensure the survival within their niche but have limited capacity to expand into other niches or broaden their target segment. This paper aims to provide insights into how they can overcome this niche entrapment – companies becoming trapped in the very niche they have cultivated, the weight and inertia of their investment shackling them to its continued existence.

Design/methodology/approach

Cedar Fair’s acquisitions and its organizational structure are carefully examined to illustrate the need for considering niche entrapment as a concept. To understand the complexities that firms face in their attempts to overcome the niche entrapment, this paper analyzes Cedar Fair using the concepts of categories and inherited identities.

Findings

The following important lessons are elaborated for helping business organizations overcome niche entrapment: embrace the organizational complexity; use gateway and complementary identities; consider brand disassociation; and achieve ambidexterity through a portfolio of offering.

Originality/value

This paper deviates from the traditional treatment of niches as a focus strategy that firms can select to build competitive advantages but instead provides insights into how those very niches can become constraints. It also conceptually evaluates the attempts to overcome these constraints from an organizational perspective instead of an industry perspective. Apart from using categories in a novel way, it also introduces a new concept of inherited identities, which are the organizational identities that firms inherit as they acquire and assimilate other firms.

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1973

Mauser blow moulding equipment is now being installed at Bowater's Drum Division at Disley near Stockport. Careful study of industry's needs coupled with discussion with many drum…

Abstract

Mauser blow moulding equipment is now being installed at Bowater's Drum Division at Disley near Stockport. Careful study of industry's needs coupled with discussion with many drum users has established the sizes and styles of Bowater Mauser drums which will be produced. There will be three specific ranges — two with full open tops, one with closed ends, precision‐moulded from high molecular weight, high density polyethylene.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Article
Publication date: 13 May 2020

Jianfeng Li, Wenpei Fan, Mingjie Dong and Xi Rong

The purpose of this paper is to implement a passive compliance training strategy for our newly designed 2-UPS/RRR parallel ankle rehabilitation robot (PARR) to enhance its…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to implement a passive compliance training strategy for our newly designed 2-UPS/RRR parallel ankle rehabilitation robot (PARR) to enhance its rehabilitation training safety.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a kinematic analysis of the PARR is introduced, and the mechanism ensures that the rotation centre of the ankle joint complex (AJC) coincides with robot’s rotation centre. Then, a passive compliance training strategy based on admittance control is described in detail and is implemented on our PARR.

Findings

Experiments involving healthy subjects were conducted, and the performance of trajectory tracking was quantitatively evaluated, with the results showing excellent compliance and trajectory tracking accuracy, which can ensure that a secondary injury to the AJC during passive rehabilitation training is avoided. The influence of different admittance parameters was also simulated and analysed, which can contribute to the development of adaptive parameter adjustment research.

Originality/value

The paper can be used to improve the effectiveness of ankle rehabilitation, to alleviate manual therapy problems in terms of labour intensiveness, precision and subjectivity and to ensure safety and comfort during rehabilitation sessions.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 47 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1931

SINCE the Report of the investigations into the causes and circumstances of the accident to R.101 do not bring out any noticeably new facts, and in general can be said to bear out…

Abstract

SINCE the Report of the investigations into the causes and circumstances of the accident to R.101 do not bring out any noticeably new facts, and in general can be said to bear out the statements made and conclusions arrived at m the article on the accident published in AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING, Vol. II, November, 1930, pp. 278–280, it does not appear necessary to publish here any extended summary of it, particularly as this has been amply done elsewhere. It may, however, be well to give the authenticated figures of the weight and lift of the airship, as given in the Report, as they differ somewhat from the estimates published in the article already referred to. As originally designed, the hull was 732 feet long, with a maximum diameter of 132 feet, the total gasbag capacity being 4,998,500 cubic feet, giving a gross lift of 148 6 tons. The fixed weights amounted to 113·6 tons, leaving a useful lift of 35 tons, instead of the 60 tons for which the specification had called. To remedy this deficiency the servo control and certain fittings were removed, giving a gain of 2·3 tons, and the gasbag wiring was let out, giving a further gain of 3·4 tons; the total gain from these modifications being 5·7 tons. In addition to these alterations, an extra bay (8a) containing a gasbag with a opacity of 510,300 cubic feet was inserted, which resulted in a further net gain of 8·6 tons. After these modifications the length of the hull was 777 feet, the maximum diameter remaining the same as before, and the total gasbag capacity had been increased to 5,508,800 cubic feet, giving a gross lift of 167·2 tons. The fixed weights now amounted to 117·9 tons, leaving a useful lift of 49·3 tons.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 3 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2019

Jun Zhong and Ruqi Ma

Jumping robots with coordinated multiple legs have been a hot research subject during the past years because of their excellent abilities in fast moving and obstacle-climbing…

Abstract

Purpose

Jumping robots with coordinated multiple legs have been a hot research subject during the past years because of their excellent abilities in fast moving and obstacle-climbing. However, dynamics of jumping process of these coordinated legged robots are complex because of collisions between coordinated legs and the ground. This paper aims to analyze features of jumping process and to present the kinematic and dynamic models of a novel sole-type quadruped jumping robot with variable coordinated joints.

Design/methodology/approach

A complete jumping period of is divided into several subphases according to contact status of different coordinated legs to the ground. Continuous dynamics and discrete dynamics are established in different subphases. Simulations are performed in MATLAB software and ADAMS environment.

Findings

Comparison between two-set simulated results acquired from ADAMS and MATLAB demonstrates the validity of kinematic and dynamic equations.

Originality/value

The established dynamics establish the foundation of further research in motion planning and controller design of coordinated multiple legs.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 April 2015

Huiju Park, Helen Trejo, Madeline Miles, Allison Bauer, Seonyoung Kim and Jeffrey Stull

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the incremental impact of firefighter’s personal protective equipment (PPE) on lower body range of motion (ROM) while walking to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the incremental impact of firefighter’s personal protective equipment (PPE) on lower body range of motion (ROM) while walking to suggest areas of design improvement for enhanced mobility and safety.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight male and four female firefighters participated in the study. Lower body ROM was assessed while they walked in four different configurations of PPE, including turnout ensemble, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and boots. The impact of each added PPE item, and gender differences were statistically analyzed.

Findings

Wearing firefighter turnout ensemble and SCBA reduced ROM in the lower body in the sagittal and transverse planes. A significant reduction in ROM for anterior-posterior movement at the ankle and the ball of the foot was found while wearing rubber boots with turnout ensemble and SCBA. This puts firefighters at higher risk of experiencing foot injuries and physical strains. A significant increase in medial-lateral movement of the foot while wearing rubber boots may increase risk of ankle sprains. A greater reduction in ROM at the ankle and the ball of the foot for female firefighters may imply greater risk for women compared to men, while wearing boots.

Practical implications

Reducing the inflexibility and bulkiness of boots is critical to improve firefighter’s lower body mobility and safety.

Originality/value

This study implemented 3-D motion capture technology to analyze how wearing firefighting gear impacted lower body motion. It provides quantitative evidence to recommend ergonomic boot re-design.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1967

L.J. Willmer, L.J. Harman and L.J. Salmon

November 10, 1966 Building — Safety regulations — “Working place” — Flat roof — Workman constructing flat concrete roof — No guard‐rails — Man's fall from roof — Whether roof…

Abstract

November 10, 1966 Building — Safety regulations — “Working place” — Flat roof — Workman constructing flat concrete roof — No guard‐rails — Man's fall from roof — Whether roof “working place” — Building (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1948 (S.I. 1948, No. 1145), reg.24(1).

Details

Managerial Law, vol. 1 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0558

1 – 10 of over 8000