Simulation of ultrasonic-vibration drawing using the finite element method (FEM)

In ultrasonic-vibration drawing, wires are drawn while ultrasonic vibration is applied to a drawing die. Prior studies provide experimental proof that ultrasonic-vibration drawing reduces drawing resistance, improves lubrication and prevents wire breakage. In the future, ultrasonic-vibration drawing is expected to contribute to the drawing of difficult-to-draw materials and operations, such as shaped wires, ultrafine wires, and the wire drawing operation in semidry or dry condition. However, a detailed analysis and understanding of the mechanism of improvement is not possible on the basis of conventional experimental observations because the ultrasonic-vibration processing phenomenon occurs at high speed. Therefore, we attempted to understand the processing mechanism of ultrasonic-vibration drawing using the finite element method (FEM). ABAQUS was used for the FEM. Drawing force and stress–strain distributions in drawn wires were analyzed. From these studies, we quantitatively clarified the mechanism of improved drawing characteristics, such as decreased drawing force.     

Micro cam system driven by electrostatic comb-drive actuators based on SOI-MEMS technology

Microsystem Technologies - This paper reports a design and fabrication process of a micro cam system (MCS) with a flat-faced translating follower. The cam rim with cover diameter of 2.4 mm...     

A printed circuit board capacitive sensor for air bubble inside fluidic flow detection

This paper presents a three-electrode capacitive fluidic sensor for detecting an air bubble inside a fluidic channel such as blood vessels, oil or medical liquid channels. The capacitor is designed and fabricated based on a printed circuit board (PCB). The electrodes are fabricated by using copper via structure through top to bottom surface of the PCB. A plastic pipe is layout through the capacitive sensor and perpendicular to the PCB surface. Capacitance of sensor changes when an air bubble inside fluidic flow cross the sensor. The capacitance change can be monitored by using a differential capacitive amplifier, a lock-in amplifier, filter and an NI acquisition card. Signal is processed and calculated on a computer. Air bubble inside the liquid flow are detected by monitor the unbalance signal between the three electrode potential voltages. Output voltage depends on the volume of the air bubble due to dielectric change between capacitor’s electrodes. Output voltage is up to 53 mV when an 2.28 mm³ air bubble crosses the sensing channel. Air bubble velocity can be estimated based on the output pulse signal. This proposed fluidic sensor can be used for void fraction detection in medical devices and systems; fluidic characterization; and water–gas, oil–water and oil–water–gas multiphase flows in petroleum technology. That structure also can apply to the micro-size for detecting in microfluidic to monitor and control changes in microfluidic channels.     

Screen‐based color vision test for digital quantification of deutan color defects using a color‐calibrated monitor

Display technologies are used in various industries. However, few studies on color vision testing using self‐luminous displays are reported. In this study, a screen‐based color vision test, termed the digital color vision test (DCVT), is developed on a color‐calibrated monitor. A control bar is adjusted by the observer to build just noticeable chromatic difference ellipses in CIE u′v′ chromaticity diagram, which indicate the capabilities of subjects' color visions. Ten color‐normal observers and 13 deutan observers participated in the psychophysical experiments. The observers also performed the other two typical diagnostic tests (D‐15 and anomaloscope). Results from the experiment using the adjustment psychophysical method for digital quantification of deutan color vision defects are presented. It is found that the diagnosis accuracy of the DCVT is approximately equivalent to those of D‐15 and anomaloscope tests.     

A User‐Centric Evaluation Procedure for the Design of Child‐Resistant Medicine Bottles

Recently, people have begun to realize the importance of child‐resistant (CR) medicine packaging. However, most manufacturers and designers have not been able to effectively provide prevention strategies or design criteria to protect consumers. This research proposes a systematic approach to analyze CR packaging design problems and experiments to evaluate the identified design parameters and to generate the most suitable CR medicine packaging design. The design of a CR packaging bottle is used as an example to help explain the development procedure. During the development procedure, user trials, questionnaires, and children's anthropometric data on bottle opening and hand operations are analyzed. Five design parameters, specifically the cap diameter, cap height, bottle height, bottle diameter, and torsion, are identified and used to perform a Taguchi orthogonal array experimental analysis. A computer‐aided design system is also built to help generate the most suitable design alternatives. The results should assist designers in determining the most important CR design parameters and their most suitable combinations for bottle and related CR medicine packaging design.     

Reexamining the Factors for Trust in Cultivating Online Customer Repurchase Intentions: The Moderating Effect of Perceived Waiting

With the advancement of Internet technology, online shopping has emerged as a popular way of making purchases. However, because online shopping does not allow immediate enjoyment of purchases as bricks-and-mortar shops do, cultivating customers' trust in online businesses is especially important in attracting return customers. Previous studies have put forward the factors that build multidimensional trust but not systematically examined them. This article reexamines factors of building customer trust and makes a systematic study of the relationship between customers' perceived waiting and repurchase intention. This study examines online stores' professional ability, integrity, and benevolence were selected as the three constructing factors of trust. A total of 351 valid customer questionnaires were collected and analyzed using structural equation modeling. It was found that the most influential factor in customer trust was the security of the online business' information system, followed by the privacy protection, whereas the third-party guarantees and recommendation exhibited the third strongest correlation. Furthermore, the perceived waiting was a significant factor affecting customers' decision to return, notwithstanding their trust in an online business.     

Ergonomic Analysis of Head‐Mounted Night Vision Goggle Systems in Simulated Ground Operations

This study compared the mounting time and strain on the head‐neck while using an old model (forehead and cheek supported) and a new model (head harness supported) of head‐mounted night vision goggle systems in the postures of standing, sitting, and lying prone. The results showed that effectively reducing the mounting time was attributed to the ease and less time required for length adjustments of the head harness in the new model. The novel device received higher positive subjective ratings for convenience and comfort while wearing than did the old model. Although the weight of the new model was decreased to 0.794 kg and the length was reduced to 0.155 m, the loads on the head‐neck complex remained high. These findings suggest that a rifle should be fitted with the night vision goggle or handheld model to decrease neck‐shoulder workload if the prone position is the most frequent and important posture for soldiers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

基于有限元法的E-K模型参数敏感性分析

模型参数的确定是数值分析过程中的重要环节,合理把握参数的选取原则,可大大提高结构分析的可靠度以及参数反分析的计算效率.本文借助有限单元法考察了E-K模型参数变化对一个均质堤坝的位移和应力值的影响程度.通过分析明确了E-K模型中各参数对计算结果的敏感程度,同时提出了模型参数的选取原则.     

Iteration algorithm for computer-aided speckle interferometry

An iteration algorithm for the analysis of speckle interference patterns is presented. First, four digitized phase-shifted patterns are locally averaged. The phase information is then extracted by the usual phase shift algorithm. The wrapped phase is in turn used to reconstruct four new phase-shifted patterns. These three steps form a cycle. Repetition of the three steps has a great effect on suppressing speckle noise. Theoretical study shows that the iterated phase converges to a perfect result under ideal conditions. In general, the iteration causes little error but improves the phase information a great deal. The signal-to-noise ratio rises when additional iterations are performed.     

Interactions between Al-1 wt% Si thin film and W-Ti barrier layer

The interaction of Al-1 wt% Si with a W-Ti barrier layer in the Al/Ti₃W₇/SiO₂/Si system was studied over the temperature range of 400–500 °C for reaction times up to 300 h. The interaction was found to be diffusion-controlled, and to occur in a layer-by-layer fashion. The first reaction product is always Al₁₂W, which forms at the Al/Ti₃W₇ interface. With excess W in the system, Al will eventually be completely converted to Al₁₂W, and further interactions result in the formation of an Al₄W layer at the Al₁₂W/Ti₃W₇ interface. The amount of Al₄W increases at the expense of Al₁₂W. Ti plays a minor role in the interaction and forms a small amount of Al₃Ti precipitates in the Al₁₂W matrix. Decomposition of the Ti₃W₇ pseudoalloy into W and Ti phases is not significant, and is not detected by X-ray diffraction even after annealing at 500 °C for 300 h. The kinetics of the Al₁₂W formation follows a parabolic reaction law with an activation energy of 2.53 eV. The sheet resistance of the film is insensitive to compound formation as long as a continuous Al film exists in the system. The sheet resistance increases dramatically when Al is consumed to the extent that it is no longer a continuous film. The sheet resistance of the Al₁₂W layer is estimated to be 570 m ^–1.