Modern Teaching and Training in Metallurgical Engineering

This contribution deals with advanced educational technologies needed to equip customers from higher education institutions, research and industry with efficient tools supporting their work and operating new skills‐training methods. The challenges are reducing the training costs, improving quality and increasing the number of graduates in engineering departments. The concept of a Virtual Lab based on the combination of various teaching methods and tools is presented. Principles of mathematisation in metallurgical education and training are discussed. An example of online course designed in the form of Virtual Lab is demonstrated.     

A theory of topological constraints in polymer networks

Summary This paper presents an investigation of the dependence of harmonic-like topological constraints in entangled and moderately crosslinked polymer networks on segment and crosslink density and on the deformation of the sample. The approach is an extension of a theory developed for the highly crosslinked case and for polymer melts. The results are used to discuss the influence of topological constraints on the mechanical properties of different types of rubberelastic networks.     

Toughness Optimization of SBR Elastomers – Use of Fracture Mechanics Methods for Characterization

Elastomer materials are used in a wide application range and subjected to different loading from which failure of the material results. Because this failure is caused by initiation and propagation of cracks, the application of fracture mechanics methods for the assessment of the material is obvious. A short summary of the methods of technical fracture mechanics including possibilities of determination of crack resistance curves is given. Vulcanizates on the basis of SBR 1500 with various sulfur and carbon black contents were investigated. For describing the crack initiation and crack propagation behavior, several fracture mechanics examination methods were applied. Tear‐analyzer results were used to assess the crack propagation behavior under fatigue‐like loading conditions. Furthermore, for the characterization of the crack resistance of the materials under impact‐like loading conditions, instrumented tensile‐impact tests were performed. To obtain information about the initiation and propagation of a stable crack, quasi‐static fracture mechanics tests were applied. The results of the several tests are discussed in dependence on sulfur and carbon black contents. We found a non‐monotonous behavior of the toughness as a function of carbon black loading. An explanation is given in connection with a percolation‐like transition in filler morphology on larger length scales.

Schematic crack propagation curve for characterizing the fatigue behavior of the vulcanizates recorded in a TFA test.     

Fluidized Bed Air Drying: Experimental Study and Model Development

The presented study describes the processes and mechanisms of batch fluidized bed drying. The influencing factors of hot air drying are theoretically and experimentally examined, in order to present the relations between temperature and humidity profiles and all other drying parameters. A physical model is presented to facilitate the calculation of the drying processes under defined conditions. Three succeeding drying stages are therefore modeled. Mass and energy balances including all components taking part in the process are formulated. The model clarities the drying process under the assumption of pure heat transfer mechanisms. It does not contain adaptive parameters and takes into account an inactive bypass fraction of the fluidization and drying medium. The evaluation of the model was successful for two fluidized bed plants with nominal widths of 100 mm and 400 mm. The experiments showed sufficient accuracy and transferability of the model to equipment of application‐oriented dimensions.     

Characterization of Pheromone Blend for Grapevine Moth, Lobesia botrana by Using Flight Track Recording

The behavioral responses of Lobesia botrana males to calling females, pheromone gland extracts, and synthetic sex pheromones were recorded in a wind tunnel. Gland extracts and synthetic pheromones were released from a pheromone evaporator. The numbers of males reaching the source and their flight tracks in response to calling females and pheromone gland extracts were compared to those of synthetic blends. Upwind flights to natural sex pheromone were straighter and faster than to a three-component blend of (E)-7,(Z)-9-dodecadienyl acetate (E7,Z9–12:Ac), (E)-7,(Z)-9-dodecadien-1-ol (E7,Z9–12:OH), and (Z)-9-docecenyl acetate (Z9–12:Ac) (100:20:5). The optimum ratio of E7,Z9–12:OH and Z9–12:Ac to E7,Z9–12:Ac was found to be 5% and 1%, respectively. An additional seven compounds identified in the sex pheromone gland were investigated for their biological activity. Two unsaturated acetates, i.e., (E)-9-dodecenyl acetate (E9–12:Ac) and 11-dodecenyl acetate (11–12:Ac), increased the number of males reaching the source as well as straightness, linear velocity, and decreased the track angle of upwind flight. Optimum response was obtained by releasing 10 pg/min E7,Z9–12:Ac in a mixture with 0.5 pg/min E7,Z9–12:OH, 0.1 pg/min Z9–12:Ac, 0.1 pg/min E9– 12:Ac and 1 pg/min 11-12–Ac. The saturated acetates previously identified in the female glands were biologically inactive.     

Remote-Controlled Ambidextrous Robot Hand Concept

In the development of robotic limbs, the side of members is of importance to define the shape of artificial limbs and the range of movements. It is mainly significant tbr biomedical applications concerning patients suffering arms or legs injuries, fn this paper, the concept of an ambidextrous design lbr robot hands is introduced. The fingers can curl in one xvay or another, to imitate either a right hand or a left hand. The advantages and inconveniences of different models have been investigated to optimise the range and the maximum force applied by fingers. Besides, a remote control interthce is integrated to the system, allowing both to send comrnands through internet and to display a video streaming of the ambidextrous hand as feedback. Therefore, a robotic prosthesis could be used for the first time in telerehabilitation. The main application areas targeted are physiotherapy alter strokes or management of phantom pains/br amputees by/earning to control the ambidextrous hand. A client application is also accessible on Facehook social network, making the robotic limb easily reachable for the patients. Additionally the ambidextrous hand can be used tbr robotics research as well as artistic performances.     

SEMPA – Ein Ansatz des Semantischen Prozessmanagements zur Planung von Prozessmodellen

Currently process modeling is mostly done manually. Therefore, the initial design of process models as well as changes to process models which are frequently necessary to react to new market developments or new regulations are time-consuming tasks. In this paper we introduce SEMPA, an approach for the partly automatic planning of process models. Using ontologies to semantically describe actions – as envisioned in Semantic Business Process Management –, a process model for a specified problem setting can be created automatically. In comparison to existing planning algorithms our approach creates process models including control structures and is able to cope with complex and numerical input and output parameters of actions. The prototypical implementation as well as an example taken from the financial services domain illustrate the practical benefit of our approach.