Agile development for a multi-disciplinary bicycle stability test bench

Agile software development methods are used extensively in the software industry. This paper describes an argument to explain why these methods can be used within a multi-disciplinary project and provides a concrete description on how to implement such a method, using a case-study to support the rationale. The SOFIE (Intelligent Assisted Bicycle) project was created to develop mechatronic appliances to make bicycles more stable, i.e. safer. A bicycle stability test bench is created within this project and is used as the case study for this research. The relative complexity of the test bench development and partner structure within the SOFIE project has many similarities with large-scale complex projects found in industry. Thus it provides a good environment to research the application of Agile software methods to a multi-disciplinary project

Methods to assess the stability of a bicycle rider system

The SOFIE (Intelligent Assisted Bicycles) project wishes to create performance and design guidelines for mechatronic appliances which improve the stability of electric bicycles, so-called intelligent stability assist devices (IAD). To achieve this goal, a stability hypothesis, an advanced rider/bicycle model and bicycle stability test bench, will be created. This paper describes the development of these components and its goal is to present the project design. The stability hypothesis is based on the concept that the Centre of Mass (CoM) of the bicycle/rider system stays within certain lateral margins from the heading of a bicycle. The rider/bicycle model is created in Adams for multi-body dynamic simulations. The bicycle stability test bench is designed to be interchangeable between bicycles. The model, the test bench and the stability hypothesis will be used to validate the effectiveness of the IAD’s and assist in their design

Cardiac outcome in classic infantile Pompe disease after 13\xe2\x80\xafyears of treatment with recombinant human acid alpha-glucosidase

Background: Cardiac failure is the main cause of death in untreated classic infantile Pompe disease, an inheritable metabolic myopathy characterized by progressive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Since the introduction of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), survival has increased significantly due to reduced cardiac hypertrophy and improved cardiac function. However, little is known about ERT\'s long-term effects on the heart. Methods: Fourteen patients were included in this prospective study. Cardiac dimensions, function, conduction and rhythm disturbances were evaluated at baseline and at regular intervals thereafter. Results: Treatment duration ranged from 1.1 to 13.9 years (median 4.8 years). At baseline, all patients had increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (median LVMI 226 g/m2, range 98 to 599 g/m2, Z-score median 7, range 2.4\xe2\x80\x9312.4). During the first four weeks, LVMI continued to increase in six patients. Normalization of LVMI was observed in 13 patients (median 30 weeks; range 3 to 660 weeks). After clinical deterioration, LVMI increased again slightly in one patient. At baseline, PR interval was shortened in all patients; it normalized in only three. A delta-wave pattern on ECG was seen in six patients and resulted in documented periods of supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) in three patients, two of whom required medication and/or ablation. One patient had severe bradycardia (35 beats/min). Conclusion: This study shows that ERT significantly reduced LVMI, and sustained this effect over a period of 13.9 years. The risk for rhythm disturbances remains. Regular cardiac evaluations should be continued, also after initially good response to ERT

Product Design & Engineering, van vuistbijl tot mobieltje

Dames en heren, het is mij een grote eer dat u met zo velen gekomen bent om te luisteren naar mijn openbare les in het kader van mijn benoeming tot lector product design & engineering. Ik begrijp best dat u gekomen bent, want product design & engineering is belangrijk. Zonder product design & engineering was u hier tenslotte niet eens geweest. De auto, trein of bus waarmee u hier gekomen bent, zijn mede tot stand gekomen dankzij product design & engineering. Dat u mij ook achter in de zaal kunt horen, heeft u te danken aan ditzelfde vakgebied. En dat u aan het eind van deze openbare les mogelijk pijn in uw rug heeft door een oncomfortabele zit is er ook een gevolg van. Kortom: product design & engineering is een belangrijk vakgebied waarmee we in ons dagelijks bestaan voortdurend geconfronteerd worden, aangenaam of niet. Mijn voordracht valt in drieën uiteen. Eerst sta ik stil bij de titel: Van vuistbijl tot mobieltje. Aan de hand van deze objecten illustreer ik de historische achtergronden van het vakgebied product design & engineering. Daarna ga ik dieper in op het begrip ontwerpen. Het derde deel van mijn openbare les gaat over de ambitieuze plannen van de kenniskring product design & engineering. Ik sluit mijn openbare les af met het mobieltje, maar hoe blijft nog even een verrassing

Technology Diffusion in Product Design: Towards an Integration of Technology Diffusion in the Design Process

Industrial Design Engineerin

Organic interfaces

This paper deals with the consequences for product designers resulting from the replacement of traditional interfaces by responsive materials. Part 1 presents a theoretical framework regarding a new paradigm for man-machine interfacing. Part 2 provides an analysis of the opportunities offered by new materials technology for interaction styles. Part 3 discusses the consequences regarding design practice. Conclusion is that the design of product semantics based upon change of colour, form, texture, etcetera, will become an essential aspect of product development.Design EngineeringIndustrial Design Engineerin

The ECW installation at the TEXTOR tokamak

Previous electron cyclotron wave experiments on TEXTOR were performed using a 110 GHz, 350 kW, 200 ms gyrotron. The installation is presently extended with a new gyrotron at 140 GHz, which produces more than 800 kW of RF power in a Gaussian beam for more than 3 s at 1% duty cycle. Auxiliary systems have been overhauled and upgraded. The installation can be conveniently switched between gyrotrons while the control system is kept extremely versatile allowing to switch between manual expert operation and fully automated operation from the TEXTOR control room. A scheme is being developed to allow control of the steerable launcher depending on real-time plasma parameters. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved