Modeling of acetosolv pulping of oil palm fronds using response surface methodology and wavelet neural networks

Mathematical models based on response surface methodology (RSM) and wavelet neural networks (WNNs) in conjunction with a central composite design were developed in order to study the influence of pulping variables viz. acetic acid, temperature, time, and hydrochloric acid (catalyst) on the resulting pulp and paper properties (screened yield, kappa number, tensile and tear indices) during the acetosolv pulping of oil palm fronds. The performance analysis demonstrated the superiority of WNNs over RSM, in that the former reproduced the experimental results with percentage errors and mean squared errors between 3 and 8% and 0.0054–0.4514 respectively, which were much lower than those obtained by the RSM models with corresponding values of 12–40% and 0.0809–9.3044, further corroborating the goodness of fit of the WNNs models for simulating the acetosolv pulping of oil palm fronds. Based on this assessment, it validates the exceptional predictive ability of the WNNs in comparison to the RSM polynomial model

Neonatal health monitoring system with IOT application

The body temperature and heart rate are important parameters to monitor the neonatal situation. Neonatal need to be monitored closely in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to allow quick actions by physicians when any problems occur. The lack of systems that able to alert and indicates any warning condition of neonatal in NICU is one of the problems faced by most of the hospital. To reduce the complexity of the system at the NICU for monitoring the Neonatal condition from time to time, the health monitoring system using the Android app has been introduced. This system was introduced to improve the existing system to give alert and warning sign so that early precautions can be done. The project involves the LM35 temperature sensor and pulse sensor which is controlled by the Arduino Uno microcontroller with the help of instructions C / C ++, and Bluetooth networking system. This allows the user to monitor the baby's condition through applications that use Bluetooth networking system. Users must have the application that can be downloaded on Google Play. Furthermore, this system is not only applicable for the physicians but also for others to monitor the condition of Neonatal even though they are outside of the NICU. The neonatal condition can be checked by the LCD display

Advanced Applications of Rapid Prototyping Technology in Modern Engineering

Rapid prototyping (RP) technology has been widely known and appreciated due to its flexible and customized manufacturing capabilities. The widely studied RP techniques include stereolithography apparatus (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), three-dimensional printing (3DP), fused deposition modeling (FDM), 3D plotting, solid ground curing (SGC), multiphase jet solidification (MJS), laminated object manufacturing (LOM). Different techniques are associated with different materials and/or processing principles and thus are devoted to specific applications. RP technology has no longer been only for prototype building rather has been extended for real industrial manufacturing solutions. Today, the RP technology has contributed to almost all engineering areas that include mechanical, materials, industrial, aerospace, electrical and most recently biomedical engineering. This book aims to present the advanced development of RP technologies in various engineering areas as the solutions to the real world engineering problems

A Review of Automotive Spare-Part Reconstruction Based on Additive Manufacturing

In the Industry 4.0 scenario, additive manufacturing (AM) technologies play a fundamental role in the automotive field, even in more traditional sectors such as the restoration of vintage cars. Car manufacturers and restorers benefit from a digital production workflow to reproduce spare parts that are no longer available on the market, starting with original components, even if they are damaged. This review focuses on this market niche that, due to its growing importance in terms of applications and related industries, can be a significant demonstrator of future trends in the automotive supply chain. Through selected case studies and industrial applications, this study analyses the implications of AM from multiple perspectives. Firstly, various types of AM processes are used, although some are predominant due to their cost-effectiveness and, therefore, their better accessibility and wide diffusion. In some applications, AM is used as an intermediate process to develop production equipment (so-called rapid tooling), with further implications in the digitalisation of conventional primary technologies and the entire production process. Secondly, the additive process allows for on-demand, one-off, or small-batch production. Finally, the ever-growing variety of spare parts introduces new problems and challenges, generating constant opportunities to improve the finish and performance of parts, as well as the types of processes and materials, sometimes directly involving AM solution providers

Rapid Prototyping Of Microfluidic Packages

In the area of MEMS there exists a tremendous need for communication between the micro-device and the macro world. A standard protocol or at least multiple standards would be of great use. Electrical connections have been standardized for many uses and configurations by the integrated circuit industry. Standardization in the IC industry has created a marketplace for digital devices unprecedented. In addition to the number of off the shelf products available, there exists the possibility for consumers to mix and match many devices from many different manufacturers. This research proposes some similar solutions as those for integrated circuits for fluid connections and mechanical configurations that could be used on many different devices. In conjunction with offering the capability to facilitate communication between the micro and macro worlds, the packaging solutions should be easy to fabricate. Many devices are by nature non-standard, unique, designs that make a general solution difficult. At the same time, the micro-devices themselves will inevitably need to evolve some standardization. In BioMEMS devices the packaging issue is concerned with delivering a sample to the device, conducting the sample to the sensor or sensors, and removing the sample. Conducting the sample to the sensor or sensors is usually done with microchannels created by standard MEMS fabrication techniques. Many current designs then utilize conventional machining techniques to create the inlet and outlet for the sample. This work proposes a rapid prototyping method for creating the microchannel and inlet / outlet in simplified steps. The packages developed from this process proved to be an effective solution for many applications

FABRICATION OF MAGNETIC TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL MICROSTRUCTURES FOR MICROFLUIDICS AND MICROROBOTICS APPLICATIONS

Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology has had an increasing impact on industry and our society. A wide range of MEMS devices are used in every aspects of our life, from microaccelerators and microgyroscopes to microscale drug-delivery systems. The increasing complexity of microsystems demands diverse microfabrication methods and actuation strategies to realize. Currently, it is challenging for existing microfabrication methods—particularly 3D microfabrication methods—to integrate multiple materials into the same component. This is a particular challenge for some applications, such as microrobotics and microfluidics, where integration of magnetically-responsive materials would be beneficial, because it enables contact-free actuation. In addition, most existing microfabrication methods can only fabricate flat, layered geometries; the few that can fabricate real 3D microstructures are not cost efficient and cannot realize mass production. This dissertation explores two solutions to these microfabrication problems: first, a method for integrating magnetically responsive regions into microstructures using photolithography, and second, a method for creating three-dimensional freestanding microstructures using a modified micromolding technique. The first method is a facile method of producing inexpensive freestanding photopatternable polymer micromagnets composed NdFeB microparticles dispersed in SU-8 photoresist. The microfabrication process is capable of fabricating polymer micromagnets with 3 µm feature resolution and greater than 10:1 aspect ratio. This method was used to demonstrate the creation of freestanding microrobots with an encapsulated magnetic core. A magnetic control system was developed and the magnetic microrobots were moved along a desired path at an average speed of 1.7 mm/s in a fluid environment under the presence of external magnetic field. A microfabrication process using aligned mask micromolding and soft lithography was also developed for creating freestanding microstructures with true 3D geometry. Characterization of this method and resolution limits were demonstrated. The combination of these two microfabrication methods has great potential for integrating several material types into one microstructure for a variety of applications

Dewaxing of ABS rapid prototype pattern for ceramic invesment casting of proximal humerus

Orthopedic implants can be defined as medical devices used to replace or provide fixation of bone or to replace articulating surfaces of a joint. Many proximal humerus bone cases require almost immediate/short lead time surgery. Thus rapid respond from the manufacture is very crucial. The manufacture of surgical implant often requires the use of machining process. Current trend shows that preform either from casting or forging is preferred to reduce machining cost and time. It is expected that by employing rapid manufacture using rapid prototyping and investment casting process could expedite the manufacturer to surgery time. The objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of dewaxing time on collapsibility characteristic of solid and hollow constructed rapid prototyped proximal humerus ABS pattern.FDM2000 machine was used to build the ABS patterns. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) P400 was used for pattern material in this study. Output responses investigated were collapsibility, expansion defects. ABS hollow and solid pattern are prepared and are subjected to dewaxing in different time and temperature. The ABS hollow and solid pattern were compared based on the dewaxing process results, ceramic shell defects. The best pattern material according to the optimum time and temperature was chosen based on the results and compared with the reference process. This study is expected to assist the investment caster to estimate the decomposition temperature and allowance required in preparing a mould from ABS pattern as well as in the initial CAD drawings to produce a final casting with minimal dimensional in accuracy. It is hoped that the outcome of this study will assist the casting industries especially in biomedical in using the advanced product support tools using CAD and RP technology for higher productivity and quality products