The 31st Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

The proceedings of the 31st Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium are reported. Topics covered include: robotics, deployment mechanisms, bearings, actuators, scanners, boom and antenna release, and test equipment. A major focus is the reporting of problems and solutions associated with the development and flight certification of new mechanisms

Space Mechanisms Lessons Learned Study. Volume 2: Literature Review

Hundreds of satellites have been launched to date. Some have operated extremely well and others have not. In order to learn from past operating experiences, a study was conducted to determine the conditions under which space mechanisms (mechanically moving components) have previously worked or failed. The study consisted of an extensive literature review that included both government contractor reports and technical journals, communication and visits (when necessary) to the various NASA and DOD centers and their designated contractors (this included contact with project managers of current and prior NASA satellite programs as well as their industry counterparts), requests for unpublished information to NASA and industry, and a mail survey designed to acquire specific mechanism experience. The information obtained has been organized into two volumes. Volume 1 provides a summary of the lesson learned, the results of a needs analysis, responses to the mail survey, a listing of experts, a description of some available facilities, and a compilation of references. Volume 2 contains a compilation of the literature review synopsis

ITR/PE+SY digital clay for shape input and display

Issued as final reportNational Science Foundatio

Conceptual design of a friction stir welding machine for joining rails

The main objective of the project was to conceptually design a friction stir welding machine for joining rails. The applicability of friction stir welding types and its application in rail joining was investigated. A number of machine concepts for joining rail using friction stir welding techniques were developed and a final workable concept was laid out. In addition, the existing methods and machines for joining rails were considered, including arc welding, exothermic welding, flash butt welding and manual joining (rails joined by means of splice plate). After comparing different methods of joining rails, an optimized method was selected. The capabilities of the new conceptual machine, such as its ability to accommodate various rail profiles, were demonstrated through designs and various calculations. The development cost analysis was performed and a comparison was made with the other three methods of joining rails. Consequently, it was concluded that friction stir welding concept could be applied in rail joining and the costs associated with it could be lowere

Transformable and transportable architecture: analysis of buildings components and strategies for project design

The present Master Thesis is a research about different aspects of transformable transportable buildings, like components as mechanisms for movement, building design strategies and construction detailing, aimed a better understanding of the design and technical necessities of this particular type of architecture. The first application for transformable and transportable buildings were developed during post-war period in an urge for solving housing problems and the transformation of the industries, highly influenced by the development of spatial structures. And until few years ago, the design of this type of buildings was only focused on temporary structures or few applications to real building solutions being pure concepts of futuristic image but with the lack of technical development. Recently, a new type of transportable and transformable architecture is being produced as solutions for every-day-live use, and accepted in the community they are inserted. In this type of projects the investigation is going to be focused, analyzing from building components and connections to technical design.La presente Tesis de Máster es una investigación que trata sobre diferentes aspectos de edificios transformables y transportables, tales como componentes como mecanismos para generar movimiento, estrategias de diseño y detalles constructivos, enfocada en mejorar la comprensión de las necesidad técnico-constructivas de este tipo particular de arquitectura. Las primeras aplicaciones de edificios transformables y transportables fueron desarrolladas durante el período de posguerra como resultado de la necesidad de solucionar problemas habitacionales y la transformación de las industrias, altamente influenciados por los avances de las estructuras espaciales. Y hasta pocos años, el diseño de este tipo de edificios era sólo enfocado en estructuras temporales o pocas aplicaciones a soluciones reales, siendo la mayoría puros conceptos con una imagen futurística pero con deficiencias en su desarrollo técnico. Recientemente, un nuevo tipo de arquitectura transportable y transformable está siendo producida, como soluciones para el uso diario y aceptado por las comunidades donde son insertados. En este tipo de proyectos se concentrará la investigación, analizando desde los componentes y conexiones de los edificios hacia los aspectos técnicos del diseño

33rd Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

The proceedings of the 33rd Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium are reported. JPL hosted the conference, which was held at the Pasadena Conference and Exhibition Center, Pasadena, California, on May 19-21, 1999. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space cosponsored the symposium. Technology areas covered include bearings and tribology; pointing, solar array and deployment mechanisms; orbiter/space station; and other mechanisms for spacecraft

Kinematics and Robot Design II (KaRD2019) and III (KaRD2020)

This volume collects papers published in two Special Issues “Kinematics and Robot Design II, KaRD2019” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/robotics/special_issues/KRD2019) and “Kinematics and Robot Design III, KaRD2020” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/robotics/special_issues/KaRD2020), which are the second and third issues of the KaRD Special Issue series hosted by the open access journal robotics.The KaRD series is an open environment where researchers present their works and discuss all topics focused on the many aspects that involve kinematics in the design of robotic/automatic systems. It aims at being an established reference for researchers in the field as other serial international conferences/publications are. Even though the KaRD series publishes one Special Issue per year, all the received papers are peer-reviewed as soon as they are submitted and, if accepted, they are immediately published in MDPI Robotics. Kinematics is so intimately related to the design of robotic/automatic systems that the admitted topics of the KaRD series practically cover all the subjects normally present in well-established international conferences on “mechanisms and robotics”.KaRD2019 together with KaRD2020 received 22 papers and, after the peer-review process, accepted only 17 papers. The accepted papers cover problems related to theoretical/computational kinematics, to biomedical engineering and to other design/applicative aspects

The 21st Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

During the symposium technical topics addressed included deployable structures, electromagnetic devices, tribology, actuators, latching devices, positioning mechanisms, robotic manipulators, and automated mechanisms synthesis. A summary of the 20th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium panel discussions is included as an appendix. However, panel discussions on robotics for space and large space structures which were held are not presented herein