Evaluation of hydraulic excavator Human–Machine Interface concepts using NASA TLX

This study evaluated newly proposed Human–Machine Interface (HMI) design concepts for improving the ergonomics of hydraulic excavators. The design concepts were based on an augmented interaction technique which involved the use of heads-up display (HUD) and coordinated control as HMI elements. Two alternative HMI designs were elaborated in order to separately evaluate the ergonomic impacts of the head-up display and the coordinated control by comparing them to the standard HMI design. The effectiveness of these three HMI designs in terms of the reduction of the operators' mental and physical workload were assessed by conducting experiments utilizing human subjects, ages 23–35 years. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Task Load Index (NASA TLX) method was used for collecting subjective workload scores based on a weighted average of ratings of six factors: Mental Demand, Physical Demand, Temporal Demand, Own Performance, Effort, and Frustration Level. The results showed that the type of HMI design affects different aspects of the operator's workload. Indeed, it showed how the proposed augmented interaction is an effective solution for reducing the ergonomic gaps in terms of mental workload, and to a lesser extent the physical workload, subjected by the standard HMI design.     

An empirically based analysis of the requirements for successful implementation of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT)

As global competition intensifies, concerns over declining productivity and quality of manufactured goods in US markets has cultivated profound interest in the development, and/or acquisition and implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) systems. The complex nature of the factors affecting AMT Systems implementation performance has made it impossible for companies that have implemented such projects to report on a consistent pattern of factors accountable for successful implementation efforts. The main objective of this paper is to report on the findings of a survey of a number of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) projects implemented in several companies across the United States. The results of study is expected to provide valuable information about patterns of factors attributable to success across a spectrum of projects, to companies that are designing implementation strategies for the future and contribute to the general theory of AMT implementation.     

Both intravenous and inhaled lidocaine attenuate reflex bronchoconstriction but at different plasma concentrations

Intravenous lidocaine can attenuate bronchial hyperreactivity. However, lidocaine inhalation might yield the same or better results at higher airway and lower lidocaine plasma concentrations. Therefore, we tested in awake volunteers with bronchial hyperreactivity the effect of lidocaine on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction administered either intravenously or as an aerosol. After approval of the local ethics committee, 15 volunteers were enrolled in this placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized study. Volunteers were selected by showing a decrease in FEV1 greater than 20% of baseline (PC20) in response to histamine inhalation. On three different days the challenge was repeated after pretreatment with either intravenous lidocaine, inhaled lidocaine, or placebo. Blood samples for determination of lidocaine plasma concentration were drawn. Comparisons were made using the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Baseline PC20 was 6.4 +/- 1.1 mg. ml-1. Both inhalation of lidocaine and intravenous administration significantly increased PC20 to 14.8 +/- 3.5 mg. ml-1 and 14.2 +/- 2. 5 mg. ml-1, respectively (p = 0.0007). Peak plasma lidocaine concentrations at the end of challenges were 0.7 +/- 0.1 microg. ml-1 (inhaled) and 2.2 +/- 0.1 microg. ml-1 (i.v.). However, 7 of 15 subjects showed an initial decrease of FEV1 greater than 5% following lidocaine inhalation. While both intravenous as well as inhaled lidocaine attenuate reflex bronchoconstriction significantly, lidocaine plasma concentrations are significantly lower after inhalation. However, the high incidence of initial bronchoconstriction to lidocaine inhalation may limit its use in patients with asthma and thus offers therapeutic advantages for intravenous lidocaine.     

A simulator-based approach to cellular manufacturing system design

Cellular Manufacturing (CM) is a product-oriented organizational strategy that is recognized as one of the critical elements in the rejuvenation of outdated and unproductive manufacturing plants. Successful planning, design, and implementation of Cellular Manufacturing Systems (CMS) require the development of sound, replicable system design approaches. In this paper, a simulator-based approach for the design of manufacturing cells and systems is described. The approach utilizes holistic systems design concepts and addresses Hitomi's three fundamental aspects of manufacturing systems: transformational, procedural, and structural. A distinction is made between system logic and system structure and the concepts of logical design and physical design are utilized. The approach described can assist the designer by providing a systematic holistic methodology to the CMS design process.     

搅拌摩擦焊接的热力耦合分析模型

随着数值模拟技术在搅拌摩擦焊接研究中的应用日益广泛,对模型本身的准确程度要求越来越高,因而针对数值分析模型的研究显得更有意义.通过分析搅拌摩擦焊接热力耦合计算方面的相关资料,结合实际开展的搅拌摩擦焊接试验以及试验过程中对部分物理量的测量和分析,建立更加完善的搅拌摩擦焊接数值模拟模型.对生热过程、材料模型、夹具约束以及搅拌头机械载荷作用都进行细致分析和探讨,在新模型中采用被焊材料的剪切极限作为生热驱动力,考虑被焊材料的力学性能随温度和温度历史发生变化,建立夹具和试板之间的接触关系,并在力学分析模型中将搅拌头机械载荷简化考虑.利用新建立的数值分析模型对铝合金薄板搅拌摩擦焊接过程进行模拟,得到和试验结果吻合较好的温度场、残余应力和变形结果.     

Predicting residual distortion of aluminum alloy stiffened sheet after friction stir welding by numerical simulation

Friction stir welding (FSW) has been widely applied in aluminum alloy manufacturing with its advantages of low residual stress and small deformation. But some FSW cases indicated that the residual distortion was still significant if a large size sheet be welded. In order to reduce the residual distortion of large aluminum alloy sheet after FSW, a general method adopted in this paper was that some stiffeners were designed on the sheet before it be welded. The process of FS-welded structure (sheet with stiffeners) was numerically simulated by finite element analysis (FEA) method. Based on the numerical simulation, the residual distortion of the structure was predicted and the effect of stiffeners was investigated. First, a three-dimensional FEA model was developed to analyze the welding process on a sheet, and the simulation results were verified by FSW experiments. Then, the verified model was applied on structure to compute residual distortion. The prediction displayed that the distortion pattern of structure was convex in longitudinal direction and concave in transversal direction after FSW. In simulation results, the distortion shape of structure was similar to that of sheet, but the distortion value of structure was much smaller. The comparison of simulation results showed that the residual plastic strain generated by FSW on the sheet and the structure was nearly the same, so the part of distortion which was reduced by stiffeners was the distortion induced by buckling.     

整体壁板成形评述

介绍了整体壁板的概念和分类,总结了传统和现代的整体壁板成形工艺方法,如滚弯成形,增量压弯成形,蠕变时效成形,喷丸成形和激光弯曲成形,比较了它们之间的优、缺点及适应范围,简述了各成形工艺目前的应用状态及发展前景.提出针对不同外形形状和筋条高度的整体壁板的成形,可以采用不同的成形方法,必要时还可将几种成形方法进行复合.     

Lot size optimisation under pooled and unpooled scenarios in batch production system

The lot-sizing problem in batch manufacturing systems with capacity constraints is studied using queueing relationships and optimisation techniques. In this research, the effect of lot sizes when there are parallel machines and multiple part types is considered. Furthermore, the issue of whether or not to use pooled queues, based on part types, to feed the machines is examined. Different scenarios are evaluated using GI/G/n queueing approximations to predict performance and optimise lot sizes. Optimisation is based on minimising the mean flowtimes, which include queue and lot service times. The results show that if part types are very different, there are situations in which pooling is not advantageous.     

搅拌摩擦焊中工艺参数对扭矩的影响

通过在6056—T6的铝合金薄板上设计不同旋转频率、不同下压量的搅拌摩擦点焊试验,测量焊接过程中的搅拌头扭矩、下压作用力和试板温度曲线来研究焊接工艺参数对扭矩的影响.结果表明,在旋转频率相同而下压量不同的试验中,搅拌头扭矩随下压作用力增大而增大,而引起扭矩增大的最主要原因是下压作用力使搅拌区材料的力学性能发生了改变;在下压量相同而旋转频率不同的焊接试验中,搅拌头扭矩随旋转频率升高而减小,但扭矩和旋转频率的乘积(即焊接热输入功率)却随旋转频率升高而增大,分析认为旋转频率通过温度和材料的应变速率两个途径对搅拌头扭矩产生了影响,而温度的影响作用更显著.