On the Accuracy of a Stewart Platform: Modelling and Experimental Validation

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Cloud e-learning for mechatronics: CLEM

his paper describes results of the CLEM project, Cloud E-learning for Mechatronics. CLEM is an example of a domain-specific cloud that is especially tuned to the needs of VET (Vocational, Education and Training) teachers. An interesting development has been the creation of remote laboratories in the cloud. Learners can access such laboratories to support their practical learning of mechatronics without the need to set up laboratories at their own institutions. The cloud infrastructure enables multiple laboratories to come together virtually to create an ecosystem for educators and learners. From such a system, educators can pick and mix materials to create suitable courses for their students and the learners can experience different types of devices and laboratories through the cloud. The paper provides an overview of this new cloud-based e-learning approach and presents the results. The paper explains how the use of cloud computing has enabled the development of a new method, showing how a holistic e-learning experience can be obtained through use of static, dynamic and interactive material together with facilities for collaboration and innovation

Comparative Study Using CAD Optimization Tools for the Workspace of a 6DOF Parallel Kinematics Machine

This paper deals with an up-to-date topic among robotic industrial applications that require a high degree of speed, rigidity, and orientation. Currently, when technology and software applications reach a high level of performance, in various robotic industrial applications that start from certain concepts, the implementation of efficient structures has proven to be challenging. New structures such as the parallel kinematic machine (PKM) category has proven its efficiency through its structure in terms of high inertia rigidity and high speeds during processes. This paper deals with the subject of PKM-type structures in terms of the optimal design workspace of such a structure. The calculation of the workspace is considered the premise from which it starts in terms of its implementation in a robotic production line. The entire process of calculating the workspace for a given PKM structure is carried out through modern CAD applications that have specific modules in place in this direction. CATIA V5 offers the possibility through the product engineering optimizer module, simulation and calculation of different scenarios aimed at identifying the volume of the workspace for a PKM structure. In the article, we demonstrate the relations between the robot workspace and the design parameters, a method that can also be applied for other parallel structures. The method is useful for robot designers in the optimization of parallel robots with regard to the workspace by using CAD tools. Previous research in the field refers of the usage of CAD tools only for visual representation and not for optimizing the workspace, while this study and test results show that CAD tools are suitable for analyzing and optimizing the robot workspace of the 6DOF parallel robot, due to its easiness in application and fast implementation time

An Overview of the Practical Use of the CCTV System in a Simple Assembly in a Flexible Manufacturing System

In this article, experiments are realized in the flexible manufacturing system ICIM 3000 (FESTO, Germany), and its assembly system, located at the Institute of production technologies, Faculty of Material Sciences and Technologies, Slovak University of Technology. The assembly system is the final product assembled, and this process consists of five components. Unwanted inaccuracies in the assembly process of the elements, such as the insertion of thermometers and hygrometers into the base plate, usually arise. Based on these inaccuracies, we realize some experiments by the camera system SBOC-Q-R3-WB. This deals with the method of image processing. The camera system parameters are set-up. At the end of this contribution, a base of evaluated results is suggested and some minor design changes are realized in the assembly station. The goal of these changes is the higher reliability of the assembly process

Dealing with Low Quality Images in Railway Obstacle Detection System

Object recognition and classification as well as obstacle distance calculation are of the utmost importance in today’s autonomous driving systems. One such system designed to detect obstacle and track intrusion in railways is considered in this paper. The heart of this system is the decision support system (DSS), which is in charge of making complex decisions, important for a safe and efficient autonomous train drive based on the information obtained from various sensors. DSS determines the object class and its distance from a running train by analyzing sensor images using machine learning algorithms. For the quality training of these machine learning models, it is necessary to provide training sets with images of adequate quality, which is often not the case in real-world railway applications. Furthermore, the images of insufficient quality should not be processed at all in order to save computational time. One of the most common types of distortion which occurs in real-world conditions (train movement and vibrations, movement of other objects, bad weather conditions, and day and night image differences) is blur. This paper presents an improved edge-detection method for the automatic detection and rejection of images of inadequate quality regarding the blur level. The proposed method, with its improvements convenient for railway application, is compared with several other state-of-the-art methods for blur detection, and its superior overall performance is demonstrated

Research on improving the accuracy of FDM 3D printing process by using a new designed calibrating part

The article presents theoretical and experimental research methods that were used at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (TUCN) to improve the accuracy of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing process. Finite element analysis method was successfully used for estimating the shrinkages of an original calibrating part that has been originally conceived for this purpose, this part being finally made using an original software application and FDM 3D printing equipment at TUC-N

Analysis of Available Solutions for the Improvement of Body Posture in Chairs

Due to the nature of current lifestyles, many people find themselves sitting for prolonged periods of time. Combined with an improper body posture, this leads to a rise in health issues. The most common ones consist of headaches and pain in the back and neck area. Other issues that may occur are changes to the spine and digestive problems, as well as anxiety and depression, which could result in declined productivity. The purpose of this study is to determine which of the available solutions is the most effective in improving the body posture while in a seated position by considering multiple aspects, such as the discrete characteristics of the solutions analyzed and the characteristics related to the manufacturability of products including the analyzed detection solution. This study considers specific criteria related to the manufacturing and behavior of systems to detect body posture in a seated position, such as invasiveness, accuracy, portability, reliability, manufacturability, privacy, and scalability. The main analysis methods involved in this study are AHP to determine the individual weights of the previously mentioned criteria, and PUGH to determine the optimal solution, taking into consideration the resulting weight of each criterion. Using the AHP method and comparing the criteria, we were able to set a priority order for the criteria. The next step consisted of constructing a PUGH matrix. This matrix is used to find out which of the available solutions is optimal based on the imposed criteria, while taking into consideration the weights resulting from the AHP method