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Article
Publication date: 8 February 2013

Zongwu Xie, Cao Li and Hong Liu

The aim of this paper is to prove that the manipulator is able to contact the environment compliantly, and reduce the instantaneous collision impact.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to prove that the manipulator is able to contact the environment compliantly, and reduce the instantaneous collision impact.

Design/methodology/approach

Cartesian impedance control law is introduced to interrelate the external force with the Cartesian position.

Findings

When the estimated external force sensor feedback is the input of the on‐line trajectory regeneration, a novel online motion plan could be performed in a task‐consistent manner keeping the interaction force within the acceptable tolerance. The proposed approach also proves that the manipulator is able to contact the environment compliantly, and reduce the instantaneous collision impact. The virtual decomposition control, simplifying the Cartesian impedance control application of the manipulator and guaranteeing the asymptotical stability of the entire system, is implemented to actualize the approach. Furthermore, adaptive dynamics joint controller is extended to all the joints for complementing the biggish friction.

Originality/value

With the proposed adaptive Cartesian impedance control and the online path planner, the robot will be manipulation‐friendly in an unstructured environment.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Unmanned Systems, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-6427

Keywords

Content available
290

Abstract

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2018

Stephie Edwige, Yoann Eulalie, Philippe Gilotte and Iraj Mortazavi

The purpose of this paper is to present numerical investigations of the flow dynamic characteristics of a 47° Ahmed Body to identify wake flow control strategy leading to drag…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present numerical investigations of the flow dynamic characteristics of a 47° Ahmed Body to identify wake flow control strategy leading to drag coefficient reduction, which could be tested later on sport utility vehicles.

Design/methodology/approach

This study begins with a mean flow topology description owing to dynamic and spectral analysis of the aerodynamic tensor. Then, the sparse promoting dynamic modal decomposition method is discussed and compared to other modal approaches. This method is then applied on the wall and wake pressure to determine frequencies of the highest energy pressure modes and their transfers to other frequency modes. This analysis is then used to design appropriated feedback flow control strategies.

Findings

This dynamic modal decomposition highlights a reduced number of modes at low frequency which drive the flow dynamics. The authors especially notice that the pressure mode at a Strouhal number of 0.22, based on the width between feet, induces aerodynamic losses close to the rear end. Strategy of the proposed control loop enables to dampen the energy of this mode, but it has been transferred to lower frequency mode outside of the selected region of interest.

Originality/value

This analysis and methodology of feedback control shows potential drag reduction with appropriated modal energy transfer management.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Diogo Tenório Cintra, Ramiro Brito Willmersdorf, Paulo Roberto Maciel Lyra and William Wagner Matos Lira

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology of hybrid parallelization applied to the discrete element method that combines message-passing interface and OpenMP to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology of hybrid parallelization applied to the discrete element method that combines message-passing interface and OpenMP to improve computational performance. The scheme is based on mapping procedures based on Hilbert space-filling curves (HSFC).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology uses domain decomposition strategies to distribute the computation of large-scale models in a cluster. It also partitions the workload of each subdomain among threads. This additional procedure aims to reach higher computational performance by adjusting the usage of message-passing artefacts and threads. The main objective is to reduce the communication among processes. The work division by threads employs HSFC in order to improve data locality and to avoid related overheads. Numerical simulations presented in this work permit to evaluate the proposed method in terms of parallel performance for models that contain up to 3.2 million particles.

Findings

Distinct partitioning algorithms were used in order to evaluate the local decomposition scheme, including the recursive coordinate bisection method and a topological scheme based on METIS. The results show that the hybrid implementations reach better computational performance than those based on message passing only, including a good control of load balancing among threads. Case studies present good scalability and parallel efficiencies.

Originality/value

The proposed approach defines a configurable execution environment for numerical models and introduces a combined scheme that improves data locality and iterative workload balancing.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 33 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1999

P.J. Coelho and J. Gonçalves

The finite volume method for radiative heat transfer calculations has been parallelized using two strategies, the angular domain decomposition and the spatial domain decomposition

Abstract

The finite volume method for radiative heat transfer calculations has been parallelized using two strategies, the angular domain decomposition and the spatial domain decomposition. In the first case each processor performs the calculations for the whole domain and for a subset of control angles, while in the second case each processor deals with all the control angles but only treats a spatial subdomain. The method is applied to three‐dimensional rectangular enclosures containing a grey emitting‐absorbing medium. The results obtained show that the number of iterations required to achieve convergence is independent of the number of processors in the angular decomposition strategy, but increases with the number of processors in the domain decomposition method. As a consequence, higher parallel efficiencies are obtained in the first case. The influence of the angular discretization, grid size and absorption coefficient of the medium on the parallel performance is also investigated.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2002

Mihaela Ulieru, Robert W. Brennan and Scott S. Walker

Merges the latest results obtained by the holonic manufacturing systems (HMS) consortium with the latest developed standards for platform interoperability released by the…

1529

Abstract

Merges the latest results obtained by the holonic manufacturing systems (HMS) consortium with the latest developed standards for platform interoperability released by the Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA) to propose a novel e‐business model: the holonic e‐enterprise (HE). The HE extends both the HMS and FIPA models. On one side it extends the holonic manufacturing paradigm with one top level, the inter‐enterprise one. On the other side it extends the multi‐agent system (MAS) paradigm to the hardware (physical machine) level.

Details

Integrated Manufacturing Systems, vol. 13 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-6061

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

N. Mahalik, C. Xie, J. Pu and P.R. Moore

This paper presents work on design and development of a software platform in terms of virtual distributed control system (DCS) for the design of machine control systems. A…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper presents work on design and development of a software platform in terms of virtual distributed control system (DCS) for the design of machine control systems. A component‐based framework has been adopted within the design avenue, due to the fact that machines or mechatronic systems are built from components: objects as in software engineering. Since machine control systems are distributed conformant, the main focus is given on DCS‐based approach. DCS inherits local intelligence to be incorporated at the field level (sensor and actuator level), unlike its centralised counterpart. The developed platform has been validated through a case study. The virtual platform can be useful for many kinds of event driven target platforms such as assembly lines, conveyor‐based material handling systems, production cells, and so on.

Design/methodology/approach

Components‐based approach virtual design and validation method computer assisted design.

Findings

Specification requirements for virtual design of mechatronic systems.

Originality/value

Prototype tool/approach with a case study example.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2011

Jun Zhou, Xilun Ding and Yu Yue Qing

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel automatic planning and coordinated control method of redundant dual‐arm space robot for inner space‐station operation based on…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel automatic planning and coordinated control method of redundant dual‐arm space robot for inner space‐station operation based on multiple sensors information by stages.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to improve the coordinated control capability of dual‐arm robot system, a four‐layer hierarchical control structure is designed based on the theory of centralization and decentralization. At the high‐level planning of dual‐arm system, a task decomposition strategy based on task knowledge and a task allocation strategy in terms of the robotic capability are proposed, respectively. Moreover, a control method by stages based on the information of multiple sensors is introduced to object recognition, task planning, path planning and trajectory planning. Finally, a 3D simulation and experiment of screwing nut and bolt are implemented on a dual‐arm robot system, and the feasibility and applicability of this control strategy are verified.

Findings

The automatic planning can be accomplished by means of sensors information by stages, and by this method, the autonomy and intelligence of dual‐arm space robot system can be further improved.

Practical implications

A new automatic planning strategy integrated with multiple sensors information by stages is proposed, and can be implemented on a dual‐arm robot system for inner space‐station operations. This method specializes in heterogeneous dual‐arm robot system.

Originality/value

A task decomposition strategy based on task knowledge and a task allocation strategy in terms of the robotic capability are proposed, respectively. Moreover, a control method by stages based on the information of multiple sensors is introduced to object recognition, task planning, path planning and trajectory planning of dual‐arm robot system.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 38 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2013

Zhou Dong, Kang Le and Lv Chuan

Maintainability is a critical design characteristic that shows how well a product can be maintained; maintenance time is a comprehensive parameter of product maintainability…

Abstract

Purpose

Maintainability is a critical design characteristic that shows how well a product can be maintained; maintenance time is a comprehensive parameter of product maintainability design. This paper aims to provide an integrated methodology for complex product maintainability verification and maintenance time prediction using virtual prototypes and humans in a virtual dynamic simulation of the maintenance process.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated platform for maintainability verification and maintenance time prediction is designed. Decomposition of maintenance tasks, corrective measurement time method, and an impact matrix of maintenance therbligs and time are presented.

Findings

The proposed methodology can efficiently conduct complex product maintainability verification and maintenance time prediction.

Practical implications

Early and effective verification and prediction of the maintainability and maintenance time program can significantly improve the maintainability and availability of a complex product.

Originality/value

A universally applicable method for product maintainability verification and maintenance time prediction is presented.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2003

Georgios I. Zekos

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some…

88492

Abstract

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.

Details

Managerial Law, vol. 45 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0558

Keywords

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