Search results

1 – 10 of 240
Article
Publication date: 23 February 2024

Guizhi Lyu, Peng Wang, Guohong Li, Feng Lu and Shenglong Dai

The purpose of this paper is to present a wall-climbing robot platform for heavy-load with negative pressure adsorption, which could be equipped with a six-degree of freedom (DOF…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a wall-climbing robot platform for heavy-load with negative pressure adsorption, which could be equipped with a six-degree of freedom (DOF) collaborative robot (Cobot) and detection device for inspecting the overwater part of concrete bridge towers/piers for large bridges.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the shortcomings of existing wall-climbing robots in detecting concrete structures, a wall-climbing mobile manipulator (WCMM), which could be compatible with various detection devices, is proposed for detecting the concrete towers/piers of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The factors affecting the load capacity are obtained by analyzing the antislip and antioverturning conditions of the wall-climbing robot platform on the wall surface. Design strategies for each part of the structure of the wall-climbing robot are provided based on the influencing factors. By deriving the equivalent adsorption force equation, analyzed the influencing factors of equivalent adsorption force and provided schemes that could enhance the load capacity of the wall-climbing robot.

Findings

The adsorption test verifies the maximum negative pressure that the fan module could provide to the adsorption chamber. The load capacity test verifies it is feasible to achieve the expected bearing requirements of the wall-climbing robot. The motion tests prove that the developed climbing robot vehicle could move freely on the surface of the concrete structure after being equipped with a six-DOF Cobot.

Practical implications

The development of the heavy-load wall-climbing robot enables the Cobot to be installed and equipped on the wall-climbing robot, forming the WCMM, making them compatible with carrying various devices and expanding the application of the wall-climbing robot.

Originality/value

A heavy-load wall-climbing robot using negative pressure adsorption has been developed. The wall-climbing robot platform could carry a six-DOF Cobot, making it compatible with various detection devices for the inspection of concrete structures of large bridges. The WCMM could be expanded to detect the concretes with similar structures. The research and development process of the heavy-load wall-climbing robot could inspire the design of other negative-pressure wall-climbing robots.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Chao Li, Jin Gao, Qingqing Xu, Chao Li, Xuemei Yang, Kui Xiao and Xiangna Han

The color painting of ancient buildings has high historical and artistic value but is prone to aging due to long-term outdoor exposure. The purpose of this study is to develop a…

Abstract

Purpose

The color painting of ancient buildings has high historical and artistic value but is prone to aging due to long-term outdoor exposure. The purpose of this study is to develop a new type of sealing coating to mitigate the impact of ultraviolet (UV) light on color painting.

Design/methodology/approach

The new coating was subjected to a 500-h UV-aging test. Compared with the existing acrylic resin Primal AC33, the UV aging behavior of the new coating, such as color difference and gloss, was studied with aging time. The Fourier infrared spectra of the coatings were analyzed after the UV-aging test.

Findings

Compared with AC33, the antiaging performance of SF8 was substantially improved. SF8 has a lower color difference value and better light retention and hydrophobicity. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the C-F bond and Si-O bonds in the resin of the optimized sealing coating protected the main chain C-C structure from degradation during the aging process; thus, the resin maintained good stability. The hindered amine light stabilizer TN292 added to the coating inhibited the antiaging process by trapping active free radicals.

Originality/value

To address the problem of UV aging of oil-decorated colored paintings, a new type of sealing coating with excellent antiaging properties was developed, laying the foundation for its demonstration application on the surface of ancient buildings.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 29 May 2023

Eva Schmidthaler, Corinna Hörmann, Marina Rottenhofer, Barbara Sabitzer and Zsolt Lavicza

This research paper aims to provide information about certified learning apps for biological education and gave an ordered list of all learning apps currently used by Austrian…

Abstract

Purpose

This research paper aims to provide information about certified learning apps for biological education and gave an ordered list of all learning apps currently used by Austrian biology teachers in the classroom, which should serve as an overview for all biology teachers. In addition, the (currently little known) certification process of learning apps (seal of quality for educational applications) is described.

Design/methodology/approach

Online questionnaire for all biology teachers throughout Austria, on the one hand to find out the apps, and on the other hand to research how Austrian teachers find suitable apps. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics.

Findings

A total of84 different learning apps are currently used by biology teachers in Austria. There are two certified lernapps in Austria, both are used. The most common app in biology lessons is “Anton”. The teachers find the information about apps throughout their own research or through colleagues. There are regional and school-specific differences in regards of usage and knowledge about seal of quality. It needs its own teacher training (TT) via suitable learning apps, because problems (data protection, advertising) are sometimes not taken into account during use.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this paper are that some of the teachers indicated the apps from other subjects (mathematics) to use this learning app, although this is not possible for biology lessons. Data protection was stated to the best of the authors’ knowledge by the authors, if the authors were not sure it says “unsure”. The participants are mainly women, but this corresponds to the gender ratio, which is typical of the Austrian teaching profession.

Practical implications

The overview of the apps, compiled by this Austria-wide research, can be taken over into the biology lessons of all teachers. In addition, on the basis of this study, a TT at the University of Education 2023 in Linz was created. In addition, the (currently little known) certification process of learning apps is described.

Social implications

The TT and the overview of the learning apps used serve as guidelines for teachers as to which apps they can use in biology lessons without hesitation. Above all, the aspect of the follow-up of digital media/apps will be emphasized. Data backup, inappropriate advertising must be processed in class or completely omitted. Biology teachers need the right training (TT) and appropriate materials and tools (apps) to reduce problems (cybercrimes).

Originality/value

Currently, there is no prepared list of suitable (certified and uncertified) learning apps for biology lessons. There are isolated recommendations and individual apps, but the selection criteria and backgrounds of the authors are not clear. This list shows which apps (how often) are used by which teachers. In addition, the (currently little known) certification process of learning apps is described.

Details

Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2397-7604

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2022

Zhimin Pan, Yu Yan, Yizhou Huang, Wei Jiang, Gao Cheng Ye and Hong Jun Li

The purpose of this paper is to achieve optimal climbing control of the gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) robot, as the authors know that the GIS inspection robot is a kind of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to achieve optimal climbing control of the gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) robot, as the authors know that the GIS inspection robot is a kind of artificial intelligent mobile equipment which auxiliary or even substitute human labor drive on the inner wall of the gas-insulated metal enclosed switchgear. The GIS equipment fault inspection and maintenance can be realized through the robot manipulator on the mobile platform and the camera carried on the fuselage, and it is a kind of intelligent equipment for operation. To realize the inspection and operation of the GIS equipment pipeline without blind spots, the robot is required to be able to travel on any wall inside the pipeline, especially the top of the pipeline and both right and left sides of the pipeline, which requires the flexible climbing of the GIS inspection robot. The robot device has a certain adsorption function to ensure that the robot is fully attached to the wall surface. At the same time, the robot manipulator can be used for collision-free obstacle avoidance operation planning in the narrow operation space inside the GIS equipment.

Design/methodology/approach

The above two technologies are the key that the robot completes the GIS equipment inspections. Based on this, this paper focuses on modeling and analysis of the chassis adsorption characteristics for the GIS inspection robot. At the same time, the Denavit Hartenberg (D-H) coordinate model of the robot arm system has been established, and the kinematics forward and inverse solutions of the robot manipulator system have been derived.

Findings

The reachable working space point cloud diagram of the robot manipulator in MATLAB has been obtained based on the kinematics analysis, and the operation trajectory planning of the robot manipulator using the robot toolbox has been obtained. The simulation results show that the robot manipulator system can realize the movement without collision and obstacle avoidance. The space can cover the entire GIS pipeline so as to achieve no blind area operation.

Originality/value

Finally, the GIS inspection robot physical prototype system has been developed through system integration design, and the inspection, maintenance operation experiment has been carried out in the actual GIS equipment. The entire robot system can complete the GIS equipment inspection operation soundly and improve the operation efficiency. The research in this paper has important theoretical significance and practical application value for the optimization design and practical research of the GIS inspection robot system.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2024

Heji Zhang, Dezhao Lu, Wei Pan, Xing Rong and Yongtao Zhang

The purpose of this study is to design a closed hydrostatic guideway has the ability to resist large-side load, pitch moments and yaw moments, has good stiffness and damping…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to design a closed hydrostatic guideway has the ability to resist large-side load, pitch moments and yaw moments, has good stiffness and damping characteristics, and provides certain beneficial guidance for the design of large-span closed hydrostatic guideway on the basis of providing a large vertical load bearing capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The Reynolds’ equation and flow continuity equation are solved simultaneously by the finite difference method, and the perturbation method and the finite disturbance method is used for calculating the dynamic characteristics. The static and dynamic characteristics, including recess pressure, flow of lubricating oil, carrying capacity, pitch moment, yaw moment, dynamic stiffness and damping, are comprehensively analyzed.

Findings

The designed closed hydrostatic guideway has the ability to resist large lateral load, pitch moment and yaw moment and has good stiffness and damping characteristics, on the basis of being able to provide large vertical carrying capacity, which can meet the application requirements of heavy two-plate injection molding machine (TPIMM).

Originality/value

This paper researches static and dynamic characteristics of a large-span six-slider closed hydrostatic guideway used in heavy TPIMM, emphatically considering pitch moment and yaw moment. Some useful guidance is given for the design of large-span closed hydrostatic guideway.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2023

Funda Baş Bütüner, Aysem Berrin Cakmakli, Ahmet Can Karakadilar and Esra Deniz

This article explores the impacts of the changing land-use on urban heat island (UHI) in an urban transformation zone in Ankara (Türkiye). Identifying a characteristic rural…

Abstract

Purpose

This article explores the impacts of the changing land-use on urban heat island (UHI) in an urban transformation zone in Ankara (Türkiye). Identifying a characteristic rural landscape until the 1950s, the study area experienced a drastic land-use change by razing the fertile landscape of the city and replacing it with a sealed surface. Development of the squatter houses after the 1960s and, subsequently, the implementation of a new housing morphology have introduced new sceneries, scales and surface conditions that make the study area a noteworthy case to analyze.

Design/methodology/approach

Regarding the drastic spatio-temporal change of the study area, this research assesses the impacts of the changing land-use on UHI based on three periods. Using 1957, 1991 and 2021 aerial imaginaries and maps, it analyzes the temperature alteration caused by the changing land-use. To do so, different surface types, green patterns and built-up areas have been modeled using Ankara climatic data and transferred to ENVI-Met to calculate the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) values.

Findings

The calculation has been developed over a transect covering an area of 40 m × 170 m, which includes diversity in terms of architecture, landscape and open space elements. To encourage future design strategies, the research findings deliberate into three extents that discuss the lacking climate knowledge in the ongoing urban transformation projects: impervious surface ratio and regional albedo variation, changing aspect ratio and temperature variation at the pedestrian level.

Originality/value

Urban transformation projects, being countrywide operations in Türkiye, need to cover climate-informed design strategies. Herein, the article underlines the critical position of design decisions in forming a climate-informed urban environment. Dwelling on a typical model of housing transformation in Türkiye, the research could trigger climate-informed urban development strategies in the country.

Details

Open House International, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2024

Kun You, Zubir Azhar and Qingyu Wang

This paper aims to explore how a shared service centre (SSC) is mobilised in a power-dominant context of a Chinese state-owned enterprise (SOE). Specifically, it examines the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how a shared service centre (SSC) is mobilised in a power-dominant context of a Chinese state-owned enterprise (SOE). Specifically, it examines the mobilisation of SSC within this multi-divisional SOE, the role and dynamics of actors involved and the influence of changes in the integrated information system (IIS) during the mobilisation process.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a qualitative case study methodology. The authors draw on actor-network theory to examine the network and translation processes constructed in mobilising SSC in the chosen SOE. The data sources of this study were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations and documentary reviews.

Findings

The mobilisation of SSC is not a linear process but rather a “spiral” interplay through continuous interactions and compromises between human and non-human actors. Power gave the core actor as an orchestrator legitimacy and formality to reduce resistance and obstruction in translation for the mobilisation of SSC. The changes in IIS appear to facilitate the interaction between the heterogeneous actors.

Practical implications

This case study contributes towards understanding the mobilisation of SSC in a power-dominant context by highlighting the impact of changes in IIS and the details of the mobilisation of SSC in terms of the role played by both the individual actors and the technology.

Originality/value

This study provides a broader understanding of the interactions of the heterogeneous actors for mobilising SSC in a power-dominant context. More importantly, the study inspires future research into examining how SSC practices unfold and how the changes in IIS influence the mobilisation of SSC.

Details

Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1832-5912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 May 2023

Mohamed Aboelmaged, Shaker Bani-Melhem, Mohd Ahmad Al-Hawari and Imran Ali

Literature on product innovation (PI) has witnessed tremendous growth over the past 60 years. Yet, there has been a dearth of a comprehensive review of the extant PI research…

Abstract

Purpose

Literature on product innovation (PI) has witnessed tremendous growth over the past 60 years. Yet, there has been a dearth of a comprehensive review of the extant PI research maintaining the breadth and depth of the topic. To seal this gap, this paper aims to explore the intellectual foundations and emergent trends in 2,588 research papers on PI from 1962 to 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a bibliometric analysis approach via visualization maps of prolific contributions, co-citation, co-occurrence and thematic networks.

Findings

Emerging streams, frontiers and hotspots in PI research are revealed and a knowledge graph is developed. The review provides a broad spectrum of opportunities that enrich imminent research to better inform business decisions.

Practical implications

The review addresses 20 research questions associated with barely examined areas in PI research that require further analysis in imminent research.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first review that comprehensively synthesizes the intersected knowledge base of PI research using bibliometric analysis of a vast number of documents within a long time span.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 May 2023

Yoritoshi Hara and Hitoshi Iwashita

This study aims to examine how companies persuaded their employees to be present at offices during the COVID-19 pandemic and how remote and non-remote work practices affected…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine how companies persuaded their employees to be present at offices during the COVID-19 pandemic and how remote and non-remote work practices affected employee performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Firm strategies are assumed to follow the principles of legitimacy and efficiency. However, these principles are often contradictory and incompatible. This study explored how companies legitimized non-remote work during the pandemic in Japan, and how in-person work practices affected individual employee productivity. The authors conducted a survey in the country, and the collected data was quantitatively analyzed.

Findings

On the basis of our empirical study on institutional work providing rationales for maintaining existing business practices, the authors found that Japanese companies often used institutional logics that included the inevitability of employees’ obedience to company policy, the lack of employees’ digital resources at home and the necessity of face-to-face customer dealing to legitimize their non-adoption of telework, even amid the emergency. The findings also indicate that the adoption of in-person work was negatively related to individual employee performance.

Originality/value

The current study aims to make a theoretical contribution to the literature on institutional maintenance and institutional work, which, till now, has only focused on institutional change rather than institutional maintenance. Second, few studies have empirically investigated the contradiction between legitimacy and efficiency, although the literature on organizational legitimacy assumes that individuals and organizations are not always rational.

Details

Journal of Asia Business Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1558-7894

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2023

Mehri Dehghani, Katarzyna Piwowar-Sulej, Ebrahim Salari, Daniele Leone and Fatemeh Habibollah

The aim of this research is to examine the roles of trust and electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) in crowdfunding (CF) participation for equity CF by taking into account the…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this research is to examine the roles of trust and electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) in crowdfunding (CF) participation for equity CF by taking into account the following antecedents of trust and e-WOM: intrinsic motivation (IM), extrinsic motivation (EM), deterrents, venture quality (VQ), third-party seal (TPS), value congruence (VC) and perceived accreditation (PA).

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a survey among 408 active and potential funders in Iran was conducted. The statistical analysis used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results of this research revealed a significant influence of trust and e-WOM on participation in CF for equity CF. Extrinsic motivation had the greatest impact on trust and VC had the greatest impact on e-WOM.

Originality/value

This research extends the equity CF research area to CF success and considers the effects of some parameters on CF participation. This research provides many theoretical and practical implications.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

1 – 10 of 240