Projeto mecânico de equipamento para fabrico automatizado de vestuário

O fabrico de vestuário é uma atividade que se desenvolve em Portugal há várias décadas. Existem marcas de vestuário com reconhecimento a nível mundial que são de origem portuguesa. Para se conseguir qualidade é necessário inovar e automatizar determinados processos, de forma a aumentar produtividades e reduzir erros devido à mão de obra de tarefas intensivas. Na empresa Portuguesa Henrique Camões, com uma vasta experiência ligada a equipamentos de fabrico têxtil, nasceu a ideia de projetar um protótipo de um equipamento automatizado para o fabrico de colarinhos e punhos, com a finalidade de verificar a sua viabilidade a nível funcional. Este trabalho teve assim por base a necessidade de efetuar um projeto sobre um equipamento capaz de costurar e cortar colarinhos e punhos, a serem aplicados em peças de vestuário. Inicialmente foi efetuado um estudo prévio de levantamento de equipamentos já existentes para fins semelhantes. Foi então necessário idealizar um equipamento capaz de responder às expectativas e exigências por parte do cliente. Após os esboços iniciais, onde foram definidos os tipos de mecanismos e formas de funcionamento dos diferentes sistemas em função dos movimentos e ações pretendidas e a estrutura do equipamento, estes sistemas foram otimizados por forma a se obter como resultado final um equipamento funcional. Foi também projetado o esquema pneumático e Grafcet de funcionamento do equipamento. Como auxiliares do projeto, apresentam-se a lista de componentes e de processos de fabrico, bem como os desenhos de pormenor de todos os componentes integrantes da estrutura. O resultado final é um conjunto de ideias e soluções possíveis de aplicar num equipamento deste tipo. De facto, a solução proposta é uma possibilidade viável para um equipamento automatizado para costura e corte de colarinhos e punhos.Clothing manufacturing is an activity that takes place in Portugal for several decades. Several clothing brands with worldwide recognition are of Portuguese origin. To achieve quality, it is necessary to innovate and automate certain processes, in order to increase productivity and reduce errors due to labor intensive tasks. In the Portuguese company Henrique Camões, which has extensive experience in the design of textile manufacturing equipment, an idea was born to design a prototype of an automated equipment for the manufacture of collars and cuffs, in order to verify its functional viability. This study was thus based on the need to design a machine able to sew and cut collars and cuffs, to be applied on clothing. Initially, a previous survey study for similar purpose existing equipment was performed. Then, it was necessary to devise an equipment able to meet the expectations and requirements of the client. After the initial sketches, in which the types of mechanisms and the desired functions of the different systems were defined as a function of the intended movements and actions and the equipment structure, these systems have been optimized to obtain a functional unit as the final result. The pneumatic scheme and Grafcet of operation of the equipment were also designed. As auxiliary of the project, the list of components and manufacturing processes, as well as detailed plans of all integral components of the structure, were presented. The end result is a set of possible ideas and solutions to apply in equipments of this type. In fact, the proposed solution is a viable possibility for an automated equipment for sewing and cutting collars and cuffs

Receptores de aniões baseados em azacalix[4]arenos e isoftalamidas

Doutoramento em QuímicaNesta tese, desenvolvida no âmbito do Programa Doutoral em Química da Universidade de Aveiro, foram desenvolvidos novos receptores sintéticos construídos a partir da plataforma macrocíclica tetraazacalix[2]areno[2]triazina ou do fragmento de isoftalamida. Ambas as unidades estruturais foram decora-das com grupos de reconhecimento molecular baseados em grupos amida e/ou ureia com o objectivo de actuarem como receptores selectivos de aniões com importância biológica ou farmacológica, incluindo acetato, oxalato, malo-nato, succinato, glutarato, diglicolato, L- e D-NHBoc-alanina, (S)- e (R)-fenilpro-panoato, (S,S)- e (R,R)-tartarato, fumarato, maleato, Cl-, HCO3-, H2PO4-, HSO4- e SO42-. No Capítulo 1 é efectuada uma revisão bibliográfica dos desenvolvimentos recentes na síntese, caracterização estrutural e aplicações de receptores fun-cionais relacionados com os desenvolvidos no âmbito desta tese, com especial incidência para aqueles que foram estudados como receptores de aniões. Neste domínio, enquanto que receptores derivados da isoftalamida têm sido bastante estudados ao longo das últimas décadas, o desenvolvimento de receptores de aniões inspirados em heteracalix[2]areno[2]triazinas ainda se encontra a dar os primeiros passos. No Capítulo 2 é apresentada a síntese de quatro novos macrociclos derivados de tetraazacalix[2]areno[2]triazina incorporando um ou dois braços de L-alanina (A1, A2) ou de L-leucina (L1, L2) nos anéis benzénicos, e derivados com grupos amida como unidades de reconhecimento. Adicionalmente, são também apresentados dois novos azacalix[2]areno[2]triazinas contendo um (U1) ou dois (U2) braços com grupos ureia substituídos com um grupo (S)-metilbenzílico. Foram ainda preparados os macrociclos A2Me4 e U2Me4 por metilação dos átomos de azoto em ponte de A2 e U2, os quais foram posterior-mente utilizados em estudos de associação. Os compostos sintetizados foram caracterizados através de técnicas espectroscópicas, complementadas por difracção de raios X de cristal único no caso de U2Me4. O Capítulo 3 contempla os estudos de reconhecimento molecular entre os macrociclos A2Me4 e U2Me4 e os aniões derivados de ácidos mono- e dicarbo-xílicos alifáticos, ácidos carboxílicos isoméricos (enantiómeros e isómeros geométricos), aminoácidos e polioxaniões acima referidos, excepto HCO3-. Os estudos de associação foram realizados através de técnicas de titulação por RMN 1H com determinação das respectivas constantes de afinidade. Todas as associações estudadas apresentaram uma estequiometria receptor-substrato 1:1 com excepção das associações formadas entre A2Me4 e U2Me4 com H2PO4- (1:2). Os complexos A2Me4∙SO42- e U2Me4∙(H2PO4-)2 são os mais estáveis com constantes de associação de 7,4 × 104 M-1 e superior a 105 M-2, respectivamente. O reconhecimento dos dicarboxilatos ocorreu através dos dois braços do macrociclo, com os aniões com grupos carboxilato separados por cadeias alifáticas mais compridas (glutarato e diglicolato) apresentando um melhor ajuste aos braços de A2Me4 e U2Me4. Não foi observado reconheci-mento enantiosselectivo de aniões. Em contraste, as constantes de afinidade para as associações com os aniões dos isómeros cis (maleato) e trans (fumarato) do ácido but-2-enodióico, de 89 e 4920 M-1 para A2Me4 e 481 e 4007 M-1 para U2Me4, respectivamente, sugerem selectividade de ambos os receptores para o fumarato. No Capítulo 4 é descrita a síntese de nove receptores acíclicos incorporando a unidade de isoftalamida (Iso-1 a Iso-9) e braços laterais com grupos de reconhecimento de aniões. Enquanto que o receptor Iso-1 possui como unida-des de reconhecimento apenas grupos amida, os receptores Iso-2, Iso-3, Iso-5, Iso-6, Iso-7 e Iso-9 possuem grupos amida e ureia, e os derivados Iso-4 e Iso-8 grupos amida e sulfonilureia. Em cada um destes compostos, os grupos de reconhecimento estão separados por uma cadeia etilénica cuja flexibilidade confere um melhor ajuste com os aniões. Os derivados de isoftalamida preparados foram caracterizados através de técnicas espectroscópicas. No Capítulo 5 são apresentados os estudos de associação realizados por técnicas de titulação por RMN 1H entre Iso-1, Iso-2, Iso-4, Iso-6 e Iso-8 com os aniões H2PO4-, HCO3-, Cl- e oxalato. Os receptores Iso-1, Iso-2 e Iso-6 apresentaram maior afinidade para o dianião, com valores de Kass de 6100, 7800 e 9800 M-1 respectivamente, e menor para Cl- (17 < Kass < 19 M-1). Foram sempre formadas associações mais estáveis com H2PO4- (294 < Kass < 427 M-1) comparativamente a HCO3-, sendo que a associação mais forte com este últi-mo foi determinada com Iso-2 (Kass = 95 M-1). As moléculas de Iso-4 e Iso-8 sofreram desprotonação dos grupos sulfonilureia na presença de todos os aniões excepto de Cl-. No Capítulo 6 apresentam-se as conclusões gerais e no Capítulo 7 descrevem-se os procedimentos experimentais e também os dados espectroscópicos dos produtos obtidos.In this thesis, developed within the PhD Program in Chemistry of the University of Aveiro, new synthetic receptors containing the macrocyclic platform tetraazacalix[2]arene[2]triazine or the isophthalamide scaffold were synthesized. Both structural units contain amide and urea as binding units for pharmacologically or biologically relevant anions, such as acetate, oxalate, malonate, succinate, glutarate, diglycolate, L- and D-alanine, (S)- and (R)-phenylpropanoate, (S,S)- and (R,R)-tartarate, fumarate, maleate, Cl-, HCO3-, H2PO4-, HSO4- and SO42-. Chapter 1 is dedicated to the state of art in the synthesis, structural characterization and applications of functional receptors related with the synthetic molecules developed within the scope of this thesis, with special attention to the ones that have been studied as anion receptors. While isophthalamides have been quite exploited in the anion recognition chemistry throughout the last 20 years, receptors inspired in the azacalix[2]arene[2]triazine moiety are still giving their first steps. In Chapter 2 is presented the synthesis of four new azacalix[2]arene[2]triazines bearing one or two L-alanine (A1, A2) or L-leucine (L1, L2) arms based in amide groups as recognition units, which are attached to the macrocyclic benzyl rings. Two other azacalix[2]arene[2]triazines containing one (U1) or two (U2) arms bearing urea groups, previously prepared by coupling (S)-methylbenzyl isocyanate and ethanolamine, are also presented. The bridging NH groups of azacalixarenes A2 and U2 were subsequently methylated, yielding A2Me4 and U2Me4. Only the anion affinity of these two molecules was investigated. The synthesized compounds were characterized through spectroscopic techniques, complemented by single crystal X ray diffraction in the case of U2Me4. The 3rd Chapter comprises the molecular recognition studies between both macrocycles A2Me4 and U2Me4 and the anions derived from mono- and dicarboxylic aliphatic acids, isomeric carboxylic acids (enantiomers and geometrical isomers), amino acids and also polioxanions, except for HCO3-. These studies were carried out through 1H NMR titration techniques with determination of their binding constants. All associations presented a 1:1 receptor-substrate stoichiometry except for the ones between A2Me4 and U2Me4 with H2PO4- (1:2). It was determined that the most stable complexes were A2Me4∙SO42- and U2Me4∙(H2PO4-)2, with stability constants of 7,4 × 104 M-1 and higher than 105 M-2, respectively. The recognition of the aliphatic dicarboxylates occurred through both arms of the macrocycle, with the carboxylate groups separated by the longest aliphatic chains (glutarate and diglycolate) yielding the best fine-tuned associations. No enantiosselective recognition was observed with the studied chiral anions. In contrast, the affinity constants for the associations with both the cis (maleate) and trans (fumarate) anionic isomers of but-2-enedioic acid, of 89 and 4920 M-1 for A2Me4 and 481 and 4007 M-1 for U2Me4, respectively, suggest that both receptors show selectivity towards fumarate. In Chapter 4 is described the synthesis of nine new acyclic isophthalamide receptors (Iso-1 – Iso-9) bearing lateral arms with anion recognition groups. While Iso-1 has recognition units based only on amide groups, Iso-2, Iso-3, Iso-5, Iso-6, Iso-7 and Iso-9 have both amide and urea units, and Iso-4 and Iso-8 have amide and sulfonylurea as binding units. All of these compounds contain a flexible ethylene spacer between the recognition groups of each arm, thus furnishing fine-tuned adjustments with the anions. The synthesized isophthalamide derivatives were characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Chapter 5 covers the 1H NMR association studies carried out between Iso-1, Iso-2, Iso-4, Iso-6 and Iso-8 with Cl-, H2PO4-, HCO3- and oxalate anions. Iso-1, Iso-2 and Iso-6 formed the strongest associations with oxalate, with association constants (Kass) of 6100, 7800 and 9800 M-1, respectively, and the weakest with Cl- (17 < Kass < 19 M-1). H2PO4- always formed stronger associations (294 < Kass < 427 M-1) than HCO3-, with the latter assembling preferably with Iso-2 (Kass = 95 M-1). The sulfonylurea groups of Iso-4 and Iso-8 were deprotonated in the presence of all anions, apart from Cl-. In Chapter 6, the main conclusions from this PhD research program are presented, and, at last, Chapter 7 describes all experimental procedures as well as the spectroscopic data of the synthesized compounds

Glicosilação de compostos fenólicos com catálise heterogénea promovida por zeólitos ácidos

Tese de mestrado em Química (Química, Saúde e Nutrição), apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2008Nesta tese de mestrado foi investigada a reacção de glicosilação de compostos fenólicos promovida pelo zeólito HY (Si/Al=2,6). Foi determinada a alteração da sua estrutura cristalina na reacção usando as condições finais, tendo sido também registada a modificação da porosidade de uma das amostras. As propriedades ácidas do zeólito antes da reacção foram igualmente estudadas. Numa primeira fase foi desenvolvida a técnica experimental usando o tricloroacetimidato de 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetil-α-D-glucopiranosilo (40) como dador de glicosilo e verificou-se que os O-glicósidos formavam-se em maior rendimento com tempos de reacção curtos, em condições anidras e usando um excesso de composto fenólico fundido em vez de solvente. A ausência de agua proporcionou a formação de derivados C-glicosílicos em baixo rendimento em detrimento dos 2-OH-O-glicosidos. Usando o tricloroacetimidato de 2,3,4-tri-O-acetil-α-D-xilopiranosilo (46) como dador de glicosilo, a acetilação da mistura reaccional após a reacção de glicosilação permitiu aumentar a eficiência da separação dos produtos formados. Este procedimento foi aplicado na glicosilação de catecol (48), resorcinol (49), p-nitrofenol (50), p-metoxifenol (51), ometoxifenol (52) e o-dimetoxifenol (53). Os O-glicósidos foram obtidos em rendimentos compreendidos entre 89,7% (p-metoxifenol) e 36,4% (p-nitrofenol), ao passo que a formação dos derivados C-glicosílicos registou um rendimento máximo de 18,5% na reacção com o resorcinol. Geralmente ocorreu maior selectividade para o anomero ß. Estimou-se, através de ensaios de adsorção de piridina seguida por espectroscopia de infravermelhos, que o zeólito HY utilizado possui uma densidade de centros de Lewis ligeiramente superior a de centros de Bronsted, demonstrando ambos uma forca acida semelhante. Após a reacção de glicosilação, o zeólito manteve entre 91,6% e 98,7% de cristalinidade, determinada por DRX. A confrontação das isotérmicas de adsorção de azoto do zeólito inicial e do utilizado na reacção de xilosilação do resorcinol demonstrou que a microporosidade diminui significativamente, possivelmente devido à deposição de reagentes/produtos da reacção.In this MsC Thesis, the glycosylation of various phenols promoted by zeolyte HY was investigated. The acid properties of the zeolyte were studied, and changes inflicted by the reaction (in its final procedure) to its crystalline structure and porosity were recorded. In a first phase, the development of the experimental procedure was made using 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (40) as a glycosyl donor. It was seen that O-glycosides were obtained in better yield with shorter reaction times, in strict anhydrous conditions and using an excess of fused phenol compound instead of an organic solvent. The absence of water allowed even the formation of C-glycosyl derivatives in small amounts instead of 2-OH-O-glycosides. When 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-xylopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (46) was used as a glycosyl donor, acetylation of the reaction mixture after glycosylation became necessary to obtain a better separation of the products in column chromatography. This procedure was applied to the glycosylation of cathecol (48), resorcinol (49), p-nitrophenol (50), pmethoxyphenol (51), o-methoxyphenol (52), o-dimethoxyphenol (53). The O-glycosides were obtained in yields ranging from 89.7% (p-methoxiphenol) to 36.4% (p-nitrophenol), and Cglycosyl derivatives were obtained in a maximum yield of 18.5% when resorcinol was used as a glycosyl acceptor. Generally, a better selectivity for ß-anomers was achieved. The zeolite HY used in these reactions bears a slightly higher density of Lewis acid centers comparing to the Bronsted ones, enclosing both similar strength as determined by pyridine adsorption experiments followed by infrared spectroscopy. The XRD patterns showed that the zeolite structure retained 91.6% to 98.7% of crystallinity after glycosylation. The nitrogen adsorption isotherms revealed that the zeolite used in the xylosylation of resorcinol present an important decrease of the microporous volume, most likely due to reagents/reaction products depositing

Previsão da procura na indústria do vestuário

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia e Gestão IndustrialTradicionalmente, produtos de moda, designadamente na indústria do vestuário, incorrem em grandes perdas devido a quebras de stock e a stocks obsoletos, devido a dois fatores muito caraterísticos deste mercado, longos tempos de processamento dos produtos, combinado com a concentração das vendas em períodos muito curtos. Assim sendo, as previsões de vendas tem tido um papel cada vez maior na cadeia de abastecimento, e cada vez mais relevantes para a manutenção da competitividade num mercado cada vez mais globalizado e concorrencial. Nesse sentido, surge o projeto de investigação apresentado nesta dissertação, que consiste no desenvolvimento de um modelo de previsão da procura para a empresa Cruz&Areal, detentora da marca BusUrban Wear. O atual processo de previsão da procura (indutivo, sem qualquer base matemática), tem conduzido a elevados custos provenientes de excesso ou quebras de stocks. Neste sentido, o projeto de desenvolvimento de um modelo de previsão tem como objetivo atingir um valor de erro reduzido (erro percentual absoluto médio próximo de 10%), que permita a racionalização dos recursos envolvidos e a maximização da faturação proveniente da redução de stocks conjugada com a minimização das quebras. Na fase inicial do projeto, foi efetuada a revisão da literatura que incidiu na análise dos conceitos, técnicas e abordagens no processo de previsão. Esta revisão bibliográfica foi importante para uma melhor compreensão das dificuldades e desafios associados aos métodos de previsão de novos produtos e a analisar possíveis abordagens para ultrapassar estas dificuldades. A fase seguinte consistiu na aplicação das abordagens referidas na literatura no sentido de verificar a adaptabilidade das mesmas à tipologia do problema, sendo necessário recorrer a uma série de métodos para a obtenção de resultados enquadrados com o objetivo. A última fase consistiu num estudo originado pelo tratamento dos dados, que indicava uma grande oportunidade de optimizar o mostruário (grupo de peças de coleção propostas aos clientes), podendo levar a poupanças muito significativas e a um eficiente aproveitamento dos recursos.Traditionally, fashion products, particularly in the garment industry have incurred high losses due to stock outs and inventory obsolete caused by two factors very characteristic of this market, long lead times, combined with the concentration of sales in very short periods. Therefore, sales forecasts have had a growing role in the supply chain, and more and more relevant to maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly globalized and competitive market. In this regard, arises the research project presented in this dissertation, which is to develop a model for forecasting demand to the company Cruz&Areal, owner of the brand Bus Urban Wear. The current process of forecasting demand (inductive, without any mathematical foundation), has led to high costs from excess stocks or breaks. In this sense, the project of developing a forecasting model aims to achieve a low error value (mean absolute percentage error around 10%), allowing the rationalization of resources involved and the maximization of billing from the lower inventories combined with minimization of stock outs. In the initial phase of the project was made a literature review that focused on the analysis of concepts, techniques and approaches in the forecasting process. This literature review was important for a better understanding of the difficulties and challenges associated with forecasting methods of new products and analyze possible approaches to overcome these difficulties. The next step was the application of these approaches referred in the literature in order to verify the adaptability of them to the typology of the problem, being necessary use a number of methods for obtaining results framed with the objective. The final stage consisted of a study caused by the processing of data, which indicated a great opportunity to optimize the showcase (group of collection pieces offered to customers), that can lead to very significant savings and an efficient use of resources

Deep Learning Framework for Controlling Work Sequence in Collaborative Human–Robot Assembly Processes

project UIDB/EMS/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI)The human–robot collaboration (HRC) solutions presented so far have the disadvantage that the interaction between humans and robots is based on the human’s state or on specific gestures purposely performed by the human, thus increasing the time required to perform a task and slowing down the pace of human labor, making such solutions uninteresting. In this study, a different concept of the HRC system is introduced, consisting of an HRC framework for managing assembly processes that are executed simultaneously or individually by humans and robots. This HRC framework based on deep learning models uses only one type of data, RGB camera data, to make predictions about the collaborative workspace and human action, and consequently manage the assembly process. To validate the HRC framework, an industrial HRC demonstrator was built to assemble a mechanical component. Four different HRC frameworks were created based on the convolutional neural network (CNN) model structures: Faster R-CNN ResNet-50 and ResNet-101, YOLOv2 and YOLOv3. The HRC framework with YOLOv3 structure showed the best performance, showing a mean average performance of 72.26% and allowed the HRC industrial demonstrator to successfully complete all assembly tasks within a desired time window. The HRC framework has proven effective for industrial assembly applicationspublishersversionpublishe

Tapada do Dr. António, Serra da Estrela - uma proposta de requalificação

Pretende-se com este trabalho de projecto, da especialidade de Arquitectura Paisagista, requalificar a Tapada do Dr. António, uma propriedade com cerca de 130 hectares, situada no Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela. Através de uma cuidada análise ecológica e cultural desta paisagem, procurou-se decifrar nela as intenções dos saberes ancestrais que a construíram, utilizando e compatibilizando aquelas com as necessidades, fragilidades e potencialidades da paisagem no presente. O projecto é acompanhado por uma análise sensorial, concretizada através de fotografias, esquemas, esboços e perspectivas que procuram demonstrar as ambiências e espacialidades do local. Para a execução deste projecto convergiram as bases teóricas académicas e a experiência em meio profissional. Da confrontação destas duas realidades emergiu uma nova atitude perante a paisagem e um novo modo de pensar a sua intervenção. O projecto foi acompanhado pelo atelier de Arquitectura Paisagista ABAP, onde o autor estagiou, e que coordenará a sua execução; ABSTRACT: With this project of landscape architecture, it is intended to requalify Dr. António’s Estate, a property with about 320 acres, located in Serra da Estrela’s Natural Park. Through a careful ecological and cultural analysis of this landscape, we intented to decipher in it the intentions of the ancient wisdom with which it was constructed, using and compatibilizing those intentions with the needs, fragileness’s and potential of the landscape in the present. The project is accompanied by a sensorial analysis, materialized through photographs and drawings that try to represent the ambiences of the place. This project results of the convergence of the theoretical academy bases with professional experience. From the confrontation of these two emerged a new attitude towards landscape and a new way of thinking its intervention. The project was accompanied by the landscape architecture studio ABAP, where the author made his internship, and the studio will coordinate its implementation

Non-Destructive Testing Inspection for Metal Components Produced Using Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing

Funding Information: JPO acknowledges funding by national funds from FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the projects LA/P/0037/2020. This activity has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)—Project Smart WAAM: Microstructural Engineering and Integrated Non-Destructive Testing. This body of the European Union receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.The wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process enables the creation and repair of complex structures based on the successive deposition of fed metal in the form of a wire that is fused with an electric arc and then solidifies. The high number of depositions required to create or repair parts increases the likelihood of defect formation. If these are reliably detected during manufacturing, timely correction is possible. However, high temperatures and surface irregularity make inspection difficult. Furthermore, depending on the size, morphology, and location of the defect, the part can be rejected. Recent studies have shown that non-destructive testing (NDT) based on different physical phenomena for the timely, reliable, and customized detection of defects can significantly reduce the rejection rate and allow in-line repair, which consequently reduces waste and rework. This paper presents the latest developments in NDT for WAAM and its limitations and potential.publishersversionpublishe

numerical modelling and validation

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s)This study investigates the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection of 3D-printed fibre-reinforced polymers, comparing the conventional Active Transient Thermography (ATT) technique with a novel variant known as Double Active Transient Thermography (DATT). Finite element models for the simulation of both inspection techniques are validated by evaluating two statistical measures to correlate the numerical results with the experimental responses. The thermal contrast obtained with DATT was approximately twice the one obtained with ATT, for all tested samples. Numerical models allowed an insight evaluation of the heat dissipation along the thickness of the specimens, specifically around the fibres and the defects. These validated numerical models evidenced a relevant tool to predict the results of thermal contrast and to optimize the inspection parameters.publishersversionpublishe

Using early life stages of marine animals to screen the toxicity of priority hazardous and noxious substances

This study provides toxicity values for early life stages (ELS) of two phylogenetically distinct marine animal taxa, the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus), a deuterostome invertebrate, and the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), a vertebrate (teleost), when challenged by six hazardous and noxious substances (HNS): aniline, butyl acrylate, m-cresol, cyclohexylbenzene, hexane and trichloroethylene. The aim of the study was to provide preliminary information on toxic effects of representative and relevant priority HNS to assess the risk posed by spills to marine habitats and therefore improve preparedness and the response at the operational level. Selection criteria to include each compound in the study were (1) inclusion in the HASREP (2005) list; (2) presence on the priority list established by Neuparth et al. (2011); (3) paucity of toxicological data (TOXnet and ECOTOX) for marine organisms; (4) behaviour in the water according to the categories defined by the European Behaviour classification system (GESAMP 2002), by selecting compounds with different behaviours in water; and (5) physicochemical and toxicological properties, where available, in order to anticipate the most toxic compounds. Aniline and m-cresol were the most toxic compounds with no observed apical effect concentration (NOAEC) values for sea urchin ranging between 0.01 and 0.1 mg/L, followed by butyl acrylate and cyclohexylbenzene with NOAECs ranging between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L and trichloroethylene with NOAEC values that were in the range between 1 and 10 mg/L, reflecting their behaviour in water, mostly vapour pressure, but also solubility and log Kow. Hexane was toxic only for turbot embryos, due to its neurotoxic effects, and not for sea urchin larvae, at concentrations in the range between 1 and 10 mg/L. The concentrations tested were of the same order of magnitude for both species, and it was observed that sea urchin embryos (length of the longest arm) are more sensitive than turbot eggs larvae (hatching and cumulative mortality rates) to the HNS tested (except hexane). For this specific compound, concentrations up to 70 mg/L were tested in sea urchin larvae and no effects were observed on the length of the larvae. Both tests were found to be complementary depending on behaviour in water and toxicity target of the compounds analysed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multisensor inspection of laser-brazed joints in the automotive industry

Funding Information: Acknowledgments: Authors acknowledge the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Programa Operacional Regional de Lisboa (Lisb@2020 e Portugal2020), for its financial support via the project PROBING (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-040042, Ref. 40042) and the Portuguese company INTROSYS—Integration for Robotic Systems (www.introsys.eu accessed 3 November 2021) for technical collaboration. Authors also acknowledge FCT—MCTES for its financial support via the project UIDB/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI).Automobile laser brazing remains a complex process whose results are affected by several process variables that may result in nonacceptable welds. A multisensory customized inspection system is proposed, with two distinct non-destructive techniques: the potential drop method and eddy current testing. New probes were designed, simulated, produced, and experimentally validated in automobile’s laser-brazed weld beads with artificially introduced defects. The numerical simulations allowed the development of a new four-point probe configuration in a non-conventional orthogonal shape demonstrating a superior performance in both simulation and experimental validation. The dedicated inspection system allowed the detection of porosities, cracks, and lack of bonding defects, demonstrating the redundancy and complementarity these two techniques provide.publishersversionpublishe