Towards Digital Twin Implementation for Assessing Production Line Performance and Balancing

The optimization of production processes has always been one of the cornerstones for manufacturing companies, aimed to increase their productivity, minimizing the related costs. In the Industry 4.0 era, some innovative technologies, perceived as far away until a few years ago, have become reachable by everyone. The massive introduction of these technologies directly in the factories allows interconnecting the resources (machines and humans) and the entire production chain to be kept under control, thanks to the collection and the analyses of real production data, supporting the decision making process. This article aims to propose a methodological framework that, thanks to the use of Industrial Internet of Things—IoT devices, in particular the wearable sensors, and simulation tools, supports the analyses of production line performance parameters, by considering both experimental and numerical data, allowing a continuous monitoring of the line balancing and performance at varying of the production demand. A case study, regarding a manual task of a real manufacturing production line, is presented to demonstrate the applicability and the effectiveness of the proposed procedure

Development of a smart splint to monitor different parameters during the treatment process

[ES]Para determinadas lesiones musculoesqueléticas por rotura compleja, el único tratamiento disponible es el uso de férulas de inmovilización. Este tipo de tratamiento suele provocar molestias y ciertos contratiempos en los pacientes. Además, suelen generarse otras complicaciones a nivel vascular, muscular o articular. Actualmente, existe una alternativa realmente posible que solucionaría estos problemas e incluso permitiría una recuperación más rápida y mejor. Esto es posible gracias a la aplicación de la ingeniería en técnicas de fabricación aditiva y al uso de materiales biocompatibles disponibles en el mercado. Este estudio propone el uso de estos materiales y técnicas, incluyendo la integración de sensores en el interior de las férulas.Los principales parámetros considerados a estudiar son la presión, la humedad y la temperatura. Estos aspectos se combinan y analizan para determinar cualquier tipo de evolución inesperada del tratamiento. De esta forma, será posible monitorizar algunas señales que se estudiarían para detectar problemas asociados a la propia fase inicial del tratamiento. El objetivo de este estudio es generar una férula inteligente mediante el uso de biomateriales y técnicas de ingeniería basadas en la fabricación avanzada y el sistema de sensores, con fines clínicos. Los resultados muestran que el prototipo de la férula inteligente permite obtener datos cuando se coloca sobre el brazo de un paciente. Durante el tratamiento se leen dos temperaturas: en contacto con la piel y entre la piel y la férula. Las variaciones de humedad debidas al sudor dentro de la férula también se leen mediante un sensor de humedad. Un sensor de presión detecta ligeros cambios de presión en el interior de la férula. Además, se ha incluido un sensor de infrarrojos como detector de presencia.[EN]For certain musculoskeletal complex rupture injuries, the only treatment available is the use of immobilization splints. This type of treatment usually causes discomfort and certain setbacks in patients. In addition, other complications are usually generated at the vascular, muscular, or articular level. Currently, there is a really possible alternative that would solve these problems and even allows a faster and better recovery. This is possible thanks to the application of engineering on additive manufacturing techniques and the use of biocompatible materials available in the market. This study proposes the use of these materials and techniques, including sensor integration inside the splints. The main parameters considered to be studied are pressure, humidity, and temperature. These aspects are combined and analyzed to determine any kind of unexpected evolution of the treatment. This way, it will be possible to monitor some signals that would be studied to detect problems that are associated to the very initial stage of the treatment. The goal of this study is to generate a smart splint by using biomaterials and engineering techniques based on the advanced manufacturing and sensor system, for clinical purposes. The results show that the prototype of the smart splint allows to get data when it is placed over the arm of a patient. Two temperatures are read during the treatment: in contact with the skin and between skin and splint. The humidity variations due to sweat inside the splint are also read by a humidity sensor. A pressure sensor detects slight changes of pressure inside the splint. In addition, an infrared sensor has been included as a presence detector

Mechanical Model and FEM Simulations for Efforts on Biceps and Triceps Muscles under Vertical Load: Mathematical Formulation of Results

[ES]Aunque las contracciones isométricas en los músculos humanos se han analizado varias veces, no existen modelos de elementos finitos que nos permitan utilizar la misma articulación modelada (el codo en nuestro caso) en diferentes condiciones. La mayoría de las articulaciones del codo utilizan elementos 3D para el mallado. Representar los músculos de la articulación es bastante útil cuando el estudio se centra en el propio músculo, para conocer la distribución de tensiones en el músculo y comprobar en detalle las lesiones musculares (inserción tendón-músculo, por ejemplo). Sin embargo, esta técnica no es útil para estudiar el comportamiento del músculo en diferentes posiciones de la articulación. Este estudio, basado en el modelo mecánico de la articulación del codo, propone una metodología para modelar los músculos a estudiar en diferentes posiciones modelándolos con elementos 1D. Además, la metodología permite calcular las tensiones del bíceps y tríceps bajo carga para diferentes ángulos de apertura de la articulación del codo. Los resultados de la simulación se han modelado matemáticamente para obtener formulaciones generales de estas tensiones en función de la carga y del ángulo de apertura.[EN]Although isometric contractions in human muscles have been analyzed several times, there are no FEA models that allow us to use the same modeled joint (the elbow under our case) in different conditions. Most elbow joints use 3D elements for meshing. Representing the muscles in the joint is quite useful when the study is focused on the muscle itself, knowing stress distribution on muscle, and checking damage in muscle in a detailed manner (tendon–muscle insertion, for example). However, this technique is not useful for studying muscle behavior at different positions of the joint. This study, based on the mechanical model of the elbow joint, proposes a methodology for modelling muscles that will be studied in different positions by meshing them with 1D elements. Furthermore, the methodology allows us to calculate biceps and triceps efforts under load for different angles of elbow joint aperture. The simulation results have been mathematically modelled to obtain general formulations for these efforts, depending on the load and the aperture angle

Behavior under Load of A Human Shoulder: Finite Element Simulation and Analysis

[EN]Most musculoskeletal injuries occur during the work routines in different areas, due to repetitive and sustained movements, they are often located in the shoulder. For workers in the building sector, the repetitive movements and displacements occur under load and unnatural postures of the shoulder joint. For this reason, this study aims to model in 3D the biological components which form the shoulder joint for the later finite element analysis. Three cases with different loads have been considered for this study. Due to a linear and isotropic joint approach it has been possible to evaluate the tensions in the main components of the shoulders: muscles, tendons and ligaments

Dynamics of the Fermentation Process and Chemical Profiling of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Wines Obtained by Different Cultivar×Yeast Combinations

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the historical tree crops in the Mediterranean region and is nowadays commercialized for its beneficial properties in the form of fruits, juice, jams and, in some East countries, as fermented juice (pomegranate wine). However, pomegranate wines are not established as a common beverage in Western countries. In this work, we produced pomegranate wines using two cultivars and two yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain Clos and S. cerevisiae ex-bayanus strain EC1118) with contrasting characteristics. A comprehensive chemical profile of the wines was obtained. Notable differences were observed in the function of the cultivars and the yeasts. Different cultivar×yeast combinations provided wines with clearly different chemical profiles and specific features in the patterns of organic acids, phenolics, and volatile compounds. This highlights the opportunity to obtain tailored pomegranate wines with desired chemical profiles and, consequently, sensory properties, through management optimization of pomegranate winemaking. In this view, pomegranate wines have the potential to become an established beverage in Western countries

Approximate Analytical Model for the Squeeze-Film Lubrication of the Human Ankle Joint with Synovial Fluid Filtrated by Articular Cartilage

The aim of this article is to propose an analytical approximate squeeze-film lubrication model of the human ankle joint for a quick assessment of the synovial pressure field and the load carrying due to the squeeze motion. The model starts from the theory of boosted lubrication for the human articular joints lubrication (Walker et al., Rheum Dis 27:512–520, 1968; Maroudas, Lubrication and wear in joints. Sector, London, 1969) and takes into account the fluid transport across the articular cartilage using Darcy’s equation to depict the synovial fluid motion through a porous cartilage matrix. The human ankle joint is assumed to be cylindrical enabling motion in the sagittal plane only. The proposed model is based on a modified Reynolds equation; its integration allows to obtain a quick assessment on the synovial pressure field showing a good agreement with those obtained numerically (Hlavacek, J Biomech 33:1415–1422, 2000). The analytical integration allows the closed form description of the synovial fluid film force and the calculation of the unsteady gap thickness

Research on Influence of Loading Speed of Structural Two-component Epoxy Adhesives on Adhesive Bond Strength☆

Abstract Adhesive bonds belong among a prospective technology of materials connecting, they are applied in many industrial branches when single applications use many advantages of these constructional bonds among which also good shear strength can be ranked. Just the shear strength of the adhesive bond belongs among factors determining an applicability of single adhesives. Standards describing the experimental determination of the adhesive bond shear strength specify the time which is needed for reaching the bond failure. For an extension of adhesives specification for given application the definition of the shear strength can be spread also of other speeds. The paper deals just with the determination of the time influence which is necessary for breaking a steel test adherent on the resultant shear strength of structural adhesives. An electron microscopy was used for an evaluation of fracture surfaces. The aim of the performed experiment is to describe the influence of changeable rate of deformation of the adhesive bond on the shear strength. From the result of the constructional carbon steel S235J0 testing the increase of the breaking strength and yield strength at increasing loading speed is obvious. At increasing loading speed the fall of the elongation of the adhesive bonded material occurred. From the results it is obvious that the loading speed of the adhesive bonds has a positive influence on the strength results of tested adhesive bonds. It came to the increase of the adhesive bond strength up of 21-57% at the speed 500 mm·min-1

Heart failure pharmacological management. gaps and current perspectives

Proper therapeutic management of patients with heart failure (HF) is a major challenge for cardiologists. Current guidelines indicate to start therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ACEi/ARNI), beta blockers (BB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization due to HF. However, certain aspects still need to be defined. Current guidelines propose therapeutic algorithms based on left ventricular ejection fraction values and clinical presentations. However, these last do not always reflect the precise hemodynamic status of patients and pathophysiological mechanisms involved, particularly in the acute setting. Even in the field of chronic management there are still some critical points to discuss. The guidelines do not specify which of the four pillar drugs to start first, nor at what dosage. Some authors suggest starting with SGLT2i and BB, others with ACEi or ARNI, while one of the most recent approach proposes to start with all four drugs together at low doses. The aim of this review is to revise current gaps and perspectives regarding pharmacological therapy management in HF patients, in both the acute and chronic phase

Baker’s asthma with oculorhinitis: case report

Summary Introduction. Baker’s asthma is one of the most common causes of occupational asthma worldwide. Beside bread production, all occupations in contact with flour (confectioning, pastry making, milling, farming, cereal handling) can be affected. Objective. To illustrate, through the presentation of a clinical case, an updated interdisciplinary diagnostic approach for the evaluation of suspected occupational asthma, with the aim: to identify the possible causal link between the occupational exposure and the disease, and to formulate a correct judgment for job fitness. Materials and methods. Interdisciplinary (occupational medicine and allergology) specialist evaluation, blood and urine analysis, patch tests, total and specific IgE dosage, eosinophilic cationic protein assay, spirometry, non-specific metacholine bronchostimulation, specific inhalation challenge, with monitoring of airway resistance by FOT (forced oscillation technique), and of nasal and bronchial FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide). Results. Fifty-four year-old man, baker since 1993. In recent months, dyspnoea and dry cough, accompanied by ocular and nasal flogosis, as well as itchy skin rash, mainly during work shifts. High total and specific IgE values. Increased eosinophilic cationic protein. Negative metacholine test. Specific inhalation challenge with buckwheat stopped after 15 minutes due to the onset of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cough with shortness of breath and wheezing. Post-exposure FEV1 decrease (> 12%) and +76% FOT increase. Progressive and persistent nasal FeNO increase with normalization after 24 hours. These findings indicated bronchial and oculonasal allergic response to buckwheat and other cereals. Conclusion. The diagnostic protocol allowed demonstrating the causal link between occupational exposure and the disease, which was reported to the competent authorities. The patient was advised to refrain from further exposure. The evolution of processing techniques and the new substances used in bread production, require continuous updating of diagnostic and health surveillance protocols