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Ultrasonic welding is an emerging apparel manufacturing technique. However, the applications are widely explored in the field of technical textiles, with less exploration in the apparel endues. The purpose of this study is to explore the application of ultrasonic welding in apparel by analyzing the impacts of different parameters.

This study analyzed the influence of ultrasonic welding parameters, including pressure, welding speed and ultrasonic power on the seam performances (seam strength, seam bursting strength, seam thickness and seam stiffness). The parameters are optimized using Box–Behnken experimental design to achieve better seam performances.

The properties of ultrasonic seams are influenced by welding and fabric properties. Ultrasonically welded seams showed better performances in the case of comfort properties of seams, whereas the functional properties are lesser compared to conventional seams.

The findings of the research clearly outline the level of influence of different parameters on the performance of the ultrasonically welded seams in knitted fabrics, which can greatly help in applying ultrasonic welding manufacturing methods in apparel manufacturing.

The innovativeness of dressmakers is a concern to respondents to satisfy their clothing needs. The purpose of this study is to determine the criteria that respondents use to judge the quality of clothing and its influences on the innovative ability of dressmakers in the clothing manufacturing industries.

Three hundred and ninety-seven (397) respondents in the Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana filled out a questionnaire, and the results were used to compile data for the study. The sample size was calculated using Miller and Brewer formula. The data was analysed using structural equational modelling with the SmartPLS v.4 software.

The results showed that respondents are very interested in the calibre of clothing produced by their dressmakers. However, the study revealed that when evaluating the quality of a garment, respondents do not simply accept what has been sewn for them but also consider the performance, appearance, fit and shape of the garment. Findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between garment appearance quality (t = 2.605; p < 0.05), garment performance quality (t = 3.915; p < 0.05), garment shape quality (t = 6.248; p <0.05) and fashion innovations. Subsequently, the evaluation of garment fit quality by respondents revealed it does not bring about innovations (t = 1.310; p > 0.05).

The continuous evaluation of custom-made clothing from customers will go a long way towards highlighting the relative criteria they use to evaluate the innovation of dressmakers. This will help improve the creativity of the dressmakers since such feedback will help them understand and innovate their production skills to meet the preferences of customers.

The present study provides an in-depth understanding of how garment quality evaluation by customers influences the innovation of dressmakers in Takoradi, Ghana. The constructs were developed for the study to capture the appropriate data from customers for the study. This presents an evaluation criterion on four garment quality variables imperative for use or modification by other studies.

The induction of geological disasters is predominantly influenced by the dynamic evolution of the stress and plastic zones of the multilayer rock formations surrounding deep-rock roadways, and the behaviours and mechanisms of high in situ stress are key scientific issues related to deep-resource exploitation. The stress environment of deep resources is more complex owing to the influence of several geological factors, such as tectonic movements and landforms. Therefore, in practical engineering, the in situ stress field is in a complex anisotropic three-dimensional state, which may change the deformation and failure law of the surrounding rock. The purpose of this study is to investigate the tunnelling-induced stress and plastic evolution causing instability of multilayered surrounding rock by varying three-dimensional in situ stresses.

Based on data from the Yangquan Coal Mine, China, a finite difference model was established, and the elastic-plastic constitutive model and element deletion technology designed in the study were analysed. Gradual tunnelling along the roof and floor of the coal seam was used in the model, which predicted the impact tendency, and compared the results with the impact tendency report to verify the validity of the model. The evolutions of the stress field and plastic zone of the coal roadway in different stress fields were studied by modifying the maximum horizontal in situ stress, minimum horizontal in situ stress and lateral pressure coefficient.

The results shown that the in situ stress influenced the stress distribution and plastic zone of the surrounding rock. With an increase in the minimum horizontal in situ stress, the vertical in situ stress release area of the roof surrounding rock slowly decreased; the area of vertical in situ stress concentration area of the deep surrounding rock on roadway sides decreased, increased and decreased by turn; the area of roof now-shear failure area first increased and then decreased. With an increase in the lateral pressure coefficient, the area of the horizontal in situ stress release area of the surrounding rock increased; the area of vertical in situ stress release area of the roof and floor surrounding rock first decreased and then increased; the area of deep stress concentration area of roadway sides decreased; and the plastic area of the surrounding rock and the area of now-shear failure first decreased and then increased.

The results obtained in this study are based on actual cases and reveal the evolution law of the disturbing stress and plastic zone of multilayer surrounding rock caused by three-dimensional in situ stress during the excavation of deep rock roadways, which can provide a practical reference for the extraction of deep resources.

An increasing aging population and an increasing number of people suffering from musculoskeletal disorders have increased the demand for wearable robots. Comfortable, wearable robots that can be worn like clothing are currently being investigated. However, the embedded components may be displaced owing to the flexibility of the fabrics, which can lower the sensing accuracy and limit natural body movements. This study aims to develop clothing-type wearable platforms to minimize the displacement of embedded components such as sensors and actuators while maintaining comfort.

Four designs were developed using materials with different seam lines, that can serve as anchoring details, and flatlock stitches considering body movements and musculoskeletal structures. The wear evaluation experiment was filmed using a speed camera and analyzed using the TimeViewer software and SPSS 26.0. Based on these results, four clothing-type wearable platform designs were developed.

The variation in the location of a point in the armhole among the designs was marginal. Participants were satisfied with the functionality, practicality, wearability, efficiency and ease of use of the developed designs. A final clothing-type wearable platform was developed by applying a design with the least change in location, a suitable design for each area and wear comfort.

The results of this study contribute to the development of wearable robots by establishing clothing design data to minimize changes in sensor and actuator movements.

This paper aims to present an engineering computational method for fatigue life evaluation of welded structures on large-scale equipment under random vibration load.

Based on a case study of the traction transformers, virtual fatigue test (VFT) was proposed via numerical simulation approach. Static analysis was conducted to identify the risky zone and then dynamic response of the risky welds under random vibration load was calculated based on frequency-domain structural stress method (FDSSM) theory, life distribution and associated survivability at various locations of the structure were obtained. Structural modification was finally performed according to the evaluation results. Moreover, experimental test was carried out and compared with the virtual test result.

By applying the virtual test, fatigue life of the complex welded structures on large-scale equipment can be accurately and efficiently obtained considering dynamic effect under random vibration load. Meanwhile, risky welds can be directly determined and targeted modification scheme can be accordingly concluded. Validity of the VFT result was proved by comparing with the experimental test.

The proposed method can help obtain equivalent structural stress and fatigue life distribution of the welded structure at any position with various survivability and make quantitative evaluation on the life-extending effect of the structural modification. This method shows significant cost and efficiency advantages over experimental test during design stage of the large-scale structures in numerous manufacturing industries.

The purpose of this study was to find the key face mask features using Kano model in combination with a hierarchical cluster analysis based on customer satisfaction (CS) and preference.

This study used 171 responses collected from a self-administrated online survey with convenience sampling where respondents were asked about 16 different features of face masks.

The study revealed that, among 6 Kano categories, 15 features were categorized as “one dimensional” and only the high price fell under the “reverse” category but all features were not equally weighted by customers. The result also showed viral protection and comfortability were the most desired features by customers regardless of its price and the “color matching” feature can act both as “one dimension” and as “attractive” feature.

This study will help face mask producers to drive their resources towards those features which customers value more by showing how to prioritize features even if they fall under the same category.

This study used customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction index along with an unsupervised machine learning tool to improve features classification based on Kano model. The findings of this study can be used to formulate future research studies.

This study proposes a garment modularization model based on an interactive genetic algorithm. The suggested model consists of extraction and identification of parts and the determination and implementation of connections. Rules and corresponding mathematical equations have been formulated for the part's extractions from the discarded products and connections for the redesigned products.

Sustainability entices scholars and practitioners while referring to reducing waste to control environmental degradation. One of the ways to safeguard natural resources is to increase the reuse of old or discarded products. The current study focuses on the redesign process to improve the reuse of products.

The intelligent system proposed based on the modularization techniques is expected to simplify and quantify the redesign process. The model can further help in the minimization of wastage and environmental degradation.

Presently, manual decisions are taken by the designers based on their memory, experience and intuition to extract and join the parts.

This study aims to research properties of Cu/SAC0307 mixed solder balls/Cu joints with different Zn-particles content at low-temperature under ultrasonic assisted.

A new method that 1µm Zn particles and Sn-0.3Ag-0.7 (SAC0307) with a particle size of 25–38 µm were mixed to fill the joint and successfully achieved micro-joining of Cu/Cu under ultrasonic-assisted at low temperature.

The results showed that with a continuous increase in the Zn-particle content, the interfacial intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of the upper and lower interfaces of joints gradually changed from scallop-shaped Cu₆Sn₅ to wavy-shaped Cu₅Zn₈. Moreover, the IMC thickness of the upper/lower interface of joints first decreased and then increased with increasing Zn-particle content. The shear strengths of joints increased with Zn-particle content, the shear strength of joints went to a maximum of 29.76 MPa when the Zn-particle content was 40%, an increase of 62.6% compared to joints without Zn particles. However, as the Zn-particle content continued to increase, the shear strengths of the joints decreased. Additionally, when the Zn content increased to 50%, because the oxidation degree of Zn particles increased, the joints were mainly broken among Zn particles.

A new method that 1µm Zn particles and Sn-0.3Ag-0.7 (SAC0307) with a particle size of 25–38 µm were mixed to fill the Cu/Cu joint at 180°C.

This study aims to enable robotic friction stir welding (FSW) in practice. The use of robots has hitherto been limited, because of the large contact forces necessary for FSW. These forces are detrimental for the position accuracy of the robot. In this context, it is not sufficient to rely on the robot’s internal sensors for positioning. This paper describes and evaluates a new method for overcoming this issue.

A closed-loop robot control system for seam-tracking control and force control, running and recording data in real-time operation, was developed. The complete system was experimentally verified. External position measurements were obtained from a laser seam tracker and deviations from the seam were compensated for, using feedback of the measurements to a position controller.

The proposed system was shown to be working well in overcoming position error. The system is flexible and reconfigurable for batch and short production runs. The welds were free of defects and had beneficial mechanical properties.

In the experiments, the laser seam tracker was used both for control feedback and for performance evaluation. For evaluation, it would be better to use yet another external sensor for position measurements, providing ground truth.

These results imply that robotic FSW is practically realizable, with the accuracy requirements fulfilled.

The method proposed in this research yields very accurate seam tracking as compared to previous research. This accuracy, in turn, is crucial for the quality of the resulting material.

Post-COVID-19, public K–12 schools are still facing the consequences of the years of interrupted learning. Schools serving minoritized students are particularly at risk for facing challenges with academics, behavior and student social emotional health. The university counseling programs are in positions to build capacity in urban schools while also supporting counselors-in-training through service-learning opportunities.

The following conceptual manuscript demonstrates how counselor education counseling programs and public schools can harness the capacity-building benefits of university–school partnerships. While prevalent in fields like special education, counselor educators have yet to heed the hall to participate in mutually beneficial partnership programs.

Using the multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and the components of the university–school partnerships, counselor educators and school stakeholders can work together to support student mental health, school staff well-being and counselor-in-training competence.

The benefits and opportunities within the university–school partnerships are well documented. However, few researchers have described a model to support partnerships between the university counseling programs and urban elementary schools. We provide a best practice model using the principles of university–school partnerships and a school’s existing MTSS framework.