The sweep plane algorithm for global collision detection with workpiece geometry update for five-axis NC machining

A new algorithm based on the sweep plane approach for global collision detection for five-axis NC machining is presented. This algorithm takes into account not only collisions between the tool and workpiece, but also collisions between the other parts of the CNC machine, especially the change of the workpiece geometry is included in the detection process. The workpiece and machine bodies are firstly approximated by an octree of bounding spheres. Collision detection is conducted between these spheres. If there is any interference between these bounding spheres, their subspheres are further tested. The subdivision process is recursively performed until the resolution reaches the desired precision level. If there is no interference between the spheres, there is no need to subdivide any more. When the interference is detected between the spheres in the last octree level, the slices within these colliding spheres are further checked by using the sweep plane algorithm to determine whether the enclosed objects really collide with each other. In the sweep plane algorithm, most of the slices of the moving bodies stay parallel and their collisions are detected by checking the interference between these parallel slices using 2D polygon clipping. Whereas, if the slices are not parallel to the reference slicing direction (due to the rotary axes), the interference detection is conducted by examining overlaps of the projections of these slices on the three perpendicular planes XY,YZ, and ZX. The accuracy of the algorithm can be adjusted by changing the distance between the sweep planes. The algorithm can be applied to any five-axis CNC machines.     

A fatigue crack initiation model incorporating discrete dislocation plasticity and surface roughness

Although a thorough understanding of fatigue crack initiation is lacking, experiments have shown that the evolution of distinct dislocation distributions and surface roughness are key ingredients. In the present study we introduce a computational framework that ties together dislocation dynamics, the fields due to crystallographic surface steps and cohesive surfaces to model near-atomic separation leading to fracture. Cyclic tension–compression simulations are carried out where a single plastically deforming grain at a free surface is surrounded by elastic material. While initially, the cycle-by-cycle maximum cohesive opening increases slowly, the growth rate at some instant increases rapidly, leading to fatigue crack initiation at the free surface and subsequent growth into the crystal. This study also sheds light on random local microstructural events which lead to premature fatigue crack initiation.     

Analysis and validation of a simplified model of a wet flue gas cleaning system

Combustion of waste produces large variations in flue gas composition. These variations lead to dynamic effects in the emission control system. Variations in scrubber liquid pH is a typical effect, influencing the absorption of pollutants. A dynamic model for a wet system for SO₂ removal was built using an existing plant in Hobro, Denamrk as a model system. An experimental validation showed that the model has a good agreement with operating data. There was one important limitation to model performance. The absorption of HCl were not modelled and the experiments proved this to be an important process characteristic. A linear analysis of the model showed that the process is approximately a first order system. The process gain is however changing with changing chemical composition of the scrubber liquid, which makes a robust controller design hard to achieve. Some concluding remarks are made on plant and control system design.     

Memory power models for multilevel power estimation andoptimization

Storage cost is a major factor in the total power consumption of digital signal processing circuits. Power models for on-chip memories are consequently an important ingredient in power aware design flows for estimation and optimization. Unfortunately, exact memory-modeling techniques are not widely applied in practice. This is mainly due to the vendors' need for intellectual property protection (IPP), the ill fit into vendors' design cycles and the significant overhead in time and manpower involved. To bridge the gap, between vendors and designers, we suggest an automatic black box modeling approach. It is based on nonlinear regression that combines all desired properties: accuracy, flexibility, speed, low overhead, a good fit into the vendors' design cycle, IP protection, plus a mathematical form that is well suited for optimization     

Staggered heat sinks with aerodynamic cooling fins

The effect of aerodynamic shaping of the cooling fins in staggered heat sinks is numerically studied. It is shown that by rounding the cooling fins, the aerodynamic efficiency is increased without affecting the thermal efficiency. Three different geometries (in-line rectangular, staggered rectangular and rounded staggered shape) have been compared. These three different layouts were studied to obtain the best ratio between the removed heat and the energy spent to drive the coolant flow through the cooling fins. The main purpose of the paper is to determine the influence of the rounded shape on the average performance. As an example, it was found that a rounded staggered fin layout removes the same heat for an incident air velocity of 4 m/s as a classical in-line fin layout with a higher air speed of 6 m/s, with a reduction of fan power consumption by more than 60%.     

Quantitative Definition of Projects Impacted by Change Orders

Change, defined as any event that results in a modification of the original scope, execution time, or cost of work, is inevitable on most construction projects due to the uniqueness of each project and the limited resources of time and money available for planning. Change may occur on a project for a number of reasons, such as design errors, design changes, additions to the scope, or unknown conditions. For each change, contractors are entitled to an equitable adjustment to the base contract price and schedule for all productivity impacts associated with the change. Changes may or may not have an impact on labor productivity. Existing literature uses subjective evaluation to determine whether the project is impacted. Projects impacted by change cause the contractor to achieve a lower productivity level than planned. The focus of this paper is to quantify whether an electrical or mechanical project is impacted by a change order. Through statistical hypothesis testing, groups of factors that correlate with whether a project is impacted by change orders were identified and used to develop a quantitative definition of impact. Logistic regression techniques were used to develop models that predict the probability of a project being impacted. The results of this research show that percent change, type of trade, estimated and actual peak manpower, processing time of change, overtime, overmanning, and percent change related to design issues are the main factors contributing to the project impact.     

The effects of intervention with local electrostatic air cleaners on airborne dust and the health of office employees

The aim of this intervention study was to identify any health improvements in the upper and lower airways of office workers after the installation of local electrostatic air cleaners. Eighty persons with airways symptoms were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Half of the air cleaners had a non-functioning electrostatic unit. Both participants and field researchers were blinded to the group status. Subjective symptoms were recorded using a questionnaire, and indexes calculated for general, irritation and skin symptoms. Objective respiratory health indicators were recorded, with acoustic rhinometry and peak expiratory flow (PEF) meters. In the intervention group there was a decrease in mean dust concentration from 65 to 35 microg/m(3), and a reduction from 57 to 47 microg/m(3) in the control group (P < 0.05 for difference in decline). The reduction was observed for all particles sizes. The irritation and general symptom indices decreased in both groups, but there was no improvement in the intervention group, compared with the control group. Median PEF increased 3 ml/s in the intervention group, and decreased 4 ml/s in the control group. The adjusted odds ratio for an increase above the 70th percentile was 5.7 (95% CI 1.0-32). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Electrostatic air cleaners can reduce the dust concentration effectively in the office environment. Small, medium and large sized particles can be reduced by approximately 50%, relatively most effectively for the respirable particles. However, the air cleaners tested in this study produced an annoying fan noise. Cleaning efficiency and noise data should be given consideration before installation. This experimental field study suggests that office workers with airways symptoms may benefit from installation of local electrostatic air cleaners.     

Phase stability of concentrated dairy products

The interactions between the two most important colloids in milk, fat globules and casein micelles, were investigated. Mixtures of oil droplets (as a model for fat globules) and casein micelles were prepared, and their phase behavior was studied. It was found that the oil droplets and the casein micelles phase separate as a result of depletion interaction. The experimentally determined phase boundary is consistent with a prediction by theory that involves no adjustable parameters. Furthermore, it is shown that the kinetics of phase separation can be explained by the differences in viscosity of the samples. The results are of relevance to the behavior of concentrated dairy products such as whipping cream and evaporated milk.     

The development of the HiPE system: design and experience report

The concurrent functional programming language Erlang has been designed to ease the development of large-scale distributed soft real-time control applications. So far, it has been used quite successfully in industry, both within Ericsson Telecom, where it was designed and developed, and by other companies. This declarative language success-story has taken place despite the fact that Erlang implementations are slow compared with implementations of other functional languages. Wanting to improve the performance aspects of publicly available Erlang implementations, which are based on emulators, we embarked on a project called HiPE (High-Performance Erlang) whose aim has been to develop an efficient just-in-time native code compiler for Erlang (called the HiPE system). Since its start in 1996, the system has gone through various (re-)design phases, partly due to implementation choices that did not turn out to be as promising as they appeared on paper, but mainly due to changes in Ericssons Erlang system upon which the HiPE system is built. In this article, we describe how the HiPE system was developed, what it currently looks like, and its current performance. We critically examine design decisions that we took, and the main lessons learnt from implementing them. Finally, we also report on our experiences from trying to keep up with the concurrent development of Ericssons base Erlang system. As such, this article both documents the HiPE system and can serve as possible guidance to anyone wishing to attempt a similar feat.     

The networked home: an analysis of current developments and future trends

The paper examines the concept of the networked home as both a social institution and a technological construction. While the concept of networks is not new to family studies, the new technologies of information and communication are requiring us to look at the home as an intersection point of sociology and technology. Fundamental to our analysis is the concept of home as living space that unfolds into a collection of multiple centers – home as activity center, entertainment center, work center, information center, communication center, learning center and shopping center. In our analysis, the living space is subdivided structurally into social, physical and technological spaces in which the centers are embedded as organic elements. The integration of the centers with the living space model is fundamental to understanding the home as a networked home. Electronic Publication