Smart pressure distribution estimation in biological joints for mechanical bio-inspired design

Designing new mechanical links using bio-inspiration requires the knowledge of operating contact pressure in biological joints. However, the contact pressure magnitude and distribution are difficult to measure experimentally without disrupting the functioning of the articulation. In this paper, a new methodology to estimate the pressure distribution in biological joints is presented. A robust finite element model was developed based on in-vitro precise measurements of shapes, relative positions and loads in order to get accurate results. Furthermore, the envelope of the contact area was obtained through thermal imaging for comparison with the numerical results and qualitative validation of the FE model.     

Bioanalogous Mechanical Joints for Authorized Disassembly

This paper describes bioanalogous, or biomimetic, lock-and-key mechanical joints that enable disassembly that is easy but only by those authorized. The problem is motivated by the increasing need for economical disassembly of products by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) while protecting high-value components from theft and third-party recyclers. The joints must be easy to disengage with the ‘key’ but difficult to disengage without it. They also must be easy to manufacture, assemble and provide sufficient stiffness. An analogous biological phenomenon involving enzyme-substrate interaction was used to inspire the development of a heat-reversible snap-locator joint system.     

Benefits and limitations of parametric design implementation in helicopter gearbox design phase

This paper describes a parametric design methodology implemented to reduce gearbox design phase. A helicopter gearbox is a complex mechanical system, in which parts are heavily loaded in order to save weight but that have to run for thousands of hours without failure. Such a system is strongly optimized therefore the smallest change in specifications or in geometrical environments can drastically jeopardize the scheduling. In order to speed up the gearbox design process and to strengthen its robustness regarding specifications variability, a parametric design methodology has been developed thanks to a close collaboration between the laboratories and Eurocopter.     

Managing the variability of biomechanical characteristics before the preliminary design stage of a medical device

The very high level of requirements for certification procedures often limit research and development departments to innovate using increments and iterations during the design process for medical devices (MD). Instead of this semi-empirical approach, a structured procedure, a breakthrough innovation should be used when designing an articular MD (prosthesis, implant). The search for concepts can be based on functional analysis and producing behavioural models of the joint in its natural state and/or equipped with the prosthesis. This paper shows how anatomical variables can be managed and integrated using a modular design approach.     

AI for design: Virtual design assistant

Engineering faces many wicked problems: irreducibly interdisciplinary with multiple competing objectives, and of such large scale and complexity that will require processes to deeply rely on human insights and power of computation. The resurgence of machine learning offers the possibility for new forms of human/computer collaboration where each fuels hybrid intelligence in complementary ways. A concept of virtual design assistant (VDA) is developed as a platform to bring the hybrid intelligence in solving complex design challenges. A deep learning-based abstraction process is developed to provide VDA a function to extract structured functional requirements from fragmental design specifications and customer needs.     

Shape deposition manufacturing of biologically inspired hierarchical microstructures

The applications of dry adhesives range from part handling in manufacturing to aids for human and robotic climbing. Nature provides inspiration in the hierarchical structures used by geckos and spiders to attach using Van der Waals forces. Among the challenges faced in creating synthetic dry adhesives are the need to conform to surfaces at length scales from centimeters to tens of nanometers and the need to create arrays of compliant asymmetric structures at the micro-scale. Initial attempts from the literature are reviewed and a new approach based on a hybrid additive/subtractive prototyping technique called shape deposition manufacturing (SDM) is proposed.     

Automated cross-modal mapping in robotic eye/hand systems using plastic radial basis function networks

Advanced autonomous artificial systems will need incremental learning and adaptive abilities similar to those seen in humans. Knowledge from biology, psychology and neuroscience is now inspiring new approaches for systems that have sensory-motor capabilities and operate in complex environments. Eye/hand coordination is an important cross-modal cognitive function, and is also typical of many of the other coordinations that must be involved in the control and operation of embodied intelligent systems. This paper examines a biologically inspired approach for incrementally constructing compact mapping networks for eye/hand coordination. We present a simplified node-decoupled extended Kalman filter for radial basis function networks, and compare this with other learning algorithms. An experimental system consisting of a robot arm and a pan-and-tilt head with a colour camera is used to produce results and test the algorithms in this paper. We also present three approaches for adapting to structural changes during eye/hand coordination tasks, and the robustness of the algorithms under noise are investigated. The learning and adaptation approaches in this paper have similarities with current ideas about neural growth in the brains of humans and animals during tool-use, and infants during early cognitive development.     

Design method for machine tools with bionic inspired kinematics

Complete processing in one machine calls for a configuration targeting major process stability as well as a structure geared towards accuracy and dynamism. The compromise between potential dynamism and machine size can be improved by using redundant drives. The advantageous use requires the specialization on partitioning of the complete motion. With the presented algorithm the reactive sectioning of a multidimensional motion into two components with different dynamic characteristics succeeds. This provides a useful basis for the application of the principle of dynamic sectioning for a suitable design of drive redundant machine structures. This paper describes models, simulation tools and the method of the development process.     

摩擦学设计在机床设计中的应用概况

本文主要叙述了摩擦学设计在机床设计中的目标与内容及其应用概况，同时对今后的工作提出一些建议。     

A synthetic DNA based approach to design of adaptive systems

Development of large engineered systems involves large amount of investments. Yet the value of these systems decreases significantly as requirements and environments change. For mission critical systems the capability of adapting to unpredictable situations is the key for success. While the importance of system adaptability has been recognized, little research has been done for “design for adaptability”. We take a “naturalistic design” approach to developing adaptive “lifelike” systems by exploiting natural “design” processes and mimicking its DNA based way of capturing, representing and applying “design” information pertaining to needed functions and changing operational situations. The concepts and examples of this approach are discussed.     

用三维仿真设计技术实现28MN水压试管机设计优化

通过在28MN水压试管机机架本体方案设计中三维仿真设计的实践,简述了应用三维仿真设计技术实现设计优化的基本思路和体会。     

Maintaining design intent for aircraft manufacture

Design and manufacture of aircraft requires deep multi-disciplinary understanding of system behaviour. The intention of the designer can get lost due to the many changes occurring to the product and the inability of the methods and tools used to capture it. Systems engineering and optimisation tools underpin industrial approaches to design, but are not without issue. The challenge is to find a route from concept to manufacture which enables designers to maintain their original intent. The novelty in this work is that the parameterisation used to build the CAD model reflects the manufacturing capability, ensuring design intent is maintained from concept to manufacture.     

Improving system performance through an integrated design approach

Product designers typically use existing concept solutions in their day-to-day business and development generally takes place via incremental improvements leaving little room for innovation. This study aims to improve system performance by an integrated design approach. The approach encompasses three phases: technology assimilation, technology insertion and technology integration, following a sequence of modular, top-down and bottom-up design strategies. The goal is to find opportunities to integrate structure and functionality early in the conceptual stage to increase production efficiency and reduce cost. This paper describes the integrated design approach; also, practical results are presented where the developed approach was successfully applied.     

一种完全基于圆弧与直线的液力变矩器三维流线设计法

为降低流线曲率所造成的能量损失、提高液力变矩器的效率,提出了一种全新的设计方法——完全基于圆弧与直线的液力变矩器三维流线设计法.推导了三维流线方程和数值计算公式,开发了相关程序,验证了该设计方法的可行性.研究结果表明完全基于圆弧与直线的液力变矩器三维流线设计法具有下列优点:第一,三维流线的曲率半径达到最大且保持不变,这就大大降低了流线曲率所造成的能量损失;第二,由于内环侧的流线曲率半径较小,出口段设计成一段直线,有利于降低出流偏离角,可以降低出流偏离造成的能量损失.因此,在其它条件不变的情况下采用该方法设计的液力变矩器效率可以达到最大值.此外,按照该方法设计的叶片弯扭程度比较小,且叶片仅有二维曲率,便于制造.     

Early design verification of complex assembly variability using a Hybrid – Model Based and Physical Testing – Methodology

Design verification in the digital domain, using model-based principles, is a key research objective to address the industrial requirement for reduced physical testing and prototyping. For complex assemblies, the verification of design and the associated production methods is currently fragmented, prolonged and sub-optimal, as it uses digital and physical verification stages that are deployed in a sequential manner using multiple systems. This paper describes a novel, hybrid design verification methodology that integrates model-based variability analysis with measurement data of assemblies, in order to reduce simulation uncertainty and allow early design verification from the perspective of satisfying key assembly criteria.     

一种激光切割机横梁的优化设计方法

将某型号激光切割机的横梁进行简化,建立横梁结构参数化几何模型,并根据参数化模型建立有限元模型,根据模态分析结果从多个结构参数中选取设计变量,使用有限元分析软件对设计变量进行优化,得到结构参数最优解,此方法可代替传统方法对模型进行反复修改和计算,可提高设计效率。     

RFBS: A model for knowledge representation of conceptual design

Conceptual design has been broken down into sub-processes and elementary tasks in methodologies. These methodologies proposed suggest their systematic application. This paper assumes the possible execution of these tasks automatically. Nevertheless, it is necessary for computers to integrate the knowledge required during the conceptual design process. Knowledge models have been proposed, for instance Gero's Function-Behaviour-Structure (FBS) model for design. This paper presents the integration of methodologies with a model of knowledge for conceptual design in accordance with model-driven engineering. Our proposition extends the FBS model and presents its practical implementation through ontology and language such as SysML.     

微观遗传算法在预锻模优化设计中的应用

锻造过程实现净形和近净形制造最关键的一点是对无预锻模进行优化设计。本文用微观遗传算法对Ｈ型截面锻件进行了预锻模优化设计,以实现此锻件的无飞边锻造。设计结果表明优化效果显著。而且用遗传算法进行预锻模优化设计,可充分利用现有的ＣＡＤ／ＣＡＭ软件,既保持软件的独立性,又能实现两者的双向集成。