16,660 research outputs found
A Parallel Distributed Strategy for Arraying a Scattered Robot Swarm
We consider the problem of organizing a scattered group of robots in
two-dimensional space, with geometric maximum distance between robots. The
communication graph of the swarm is connected, but there is no central
authority for organizing it. We want to arrange them into a sorted and
equally-spaced array between the robots with lowest and highest label, while
maintaining a connected communication network.
In this paper, we describe a distributed method to accomplish these goals,
without using central control, while also keeping time, travel distance and
communication cost at a minimum. We proceed in a number of stages (leader
election, initial path construction, subtree contraction, geometric
straightening, and distributed sorting), none of which requires a central
authority, but still accomplishes best possible parallelization. The overall
arraying is performed in time, individual messages, and
travel distance. Implementation of the sorting and navigation use communication
messages of fixed size, and are a practical solution for large populations of
low-cost robots
A review of data visualization: opportunities in manufacturing sequence management.
Data visualization now benefits from developments in technologies that offer innovative ways of presenting complex data. Potentially these have widespread application in communicating the complex information domains typical of manufacturing sequence management environments for global enterprises. In this paper the authors review the visualization functionalities, techniques and applications reported in literature, map these to manufacturing sequence information presentation requirements and identify the opportunities available and likely development paths. Current leading-edge practice in dynamic updating and communication with suppliers is not being exploited in manufacturing sequence management; it could provide significant benefits to manufacturing business. In the context of global manufacturing operations and broad-based user communities with differing needs served by common data sets, tool functionality is generally ahead of user application
Geometrical Product Specification and Verification as toolbox to meet up-to-date technical requirements
The ISO standards for the Geometrical Product Specification and Verification (GPS) define an internationally uniform description
language, that allows expressing unambiguously and completely all requirements for the geometry of a product with the corresponding
requirements for the inspection process in technical drawings, taking into account current possibilities of measurement and testing
technology. The practice shows that the university curricula of the mechanical engineering faculties often include only limited classes on
the GPS, mostly as part of curriculum of subjects like Metrology or Fundamentals of Machine Design. This does not allow students to
gain enough knowledge on the subject. Currently there is no coherent EU-wide provision for vocational training (VET) in this area.
Consortium, members of which are the authors of this paper, is preparing a proposal of an EU project aiming to develop appropriate
course
Recent Advances in Design of Low Cost Film Concentrator and Low Pressure Free Piston Stirling Engines for Solar Power
The free piston Stirling-linear alternator was shown to be scalable to power levels of tens of kilowatts in a form which is simple, efficient, long lived and relatively inexpensive. It avoids entirely the vexing problem of high pressure shaft, and its control requirements are not severe nor do they represent a significant threat to durability. Linear alternators have demonstrated high efficiency and moderate weight, and are capable of delivering 3 phase power from single machines without great increases of cost or complexity. There remains no apparent impediments to the commercial exploitation of the free piston engine for solar electric power generation
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