Methodology for the additive manufacture of embedded conductive paths connecting microelectromechanical sensors using conductive and flexible filaments with extrusion devices

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuan Cao ◽  
Aitor Cazón-Martín ◽  
María Isabel Rodriguez-Ferradas ◽  
Paz Morer-Camo ◽  
Luis Matey-Muñoz ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore a methodology for connecting microelectromechanical system sensors – i.e. inertial measurement unit (IMU) – to an Arduino-based microcontroller, using graphene-based conductive filament and flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (FTPU) filament and low-cost dual material extrusion technology. Design/methodology/approach A series of electrical tests were carried out to determine the maximum resistance the conductive paths may take to connect printed circuit boards (PCB). To select the most suitable printing material, three types of conductive filaments were examined. Then an experiment was carried out to find the best printing parameters in terms of printing speed, printing temperature and layer height to minimise resistivity. The size of the conductive path was also analysed. A final prototype was designed and printed according to optimised printing settings and maximum allowable resistances for each line and considering different geometries and printing strategies to reduce cross-contamination among paths. Findings For the Black Magic 3D conductive filament, the printing speed and layer height played a significant role regarding resistivity, while the printing temperature was not very important. The infill pattern of the conductive paths had to be aligned with the expected current path, while using air gaps between two adjacent paths resulted in the best approach to reducing cross-contamination. Moreover, the cross-section size of the conductive path did not affect the volume resistivity. When combined with FTPU filament constraints, the prototype yielded suitable electrical performance and printing quality when printed at a temperature of 220°C, speed of 20 mm/s and layer height of 0.2 mm. Originality/value This paper explores a systematic methodology for the additive manufacturing of commercial conductive material using low-cost extrusion technology to connect complex electronics when data transmission is a key feature.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qun Lim ◽  
Yi Lim ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad ◽  
Dylan Wei Ming Tan ◽  
U-Xuan Tan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a proof-of-concept (POC) Forward Collision Warning (FWC) system for the motorcyclist, which determines a potential clash based on time-to-collision and trajectory of both the detected and ego vehicle (motorcycle). Design/methodology/approach This comes in three approaches. First, time-to-collision value is to be calculated based on low-cost camera video input. Second, the trajectory of the detected vehicle is predicted based on video data in the 2 D pixel coordinate. Third, the trajectory of the ego vehicle is predicted via the lean direction of the motorcycle from a low-cost inertial measurement unit sensor. Findings This encompasses a comprehensive Advanced FWC system which is an amalgamation of the three approaches mentioned above. First, to predict time-to-collision, nested Kalman filter and vehicle detection is used to convert image pixel matrix to relative distance, velocity and time-to-collision data. Next, for trajectory prediction of detected vehicles, a few algorithms were compared, and it was found that long short-term memory performs the best on the data set. The last finding is that to determine the leaning direction of the ego vehicle, it is better to use lean angle measurement compared to riding pattern classification. Originality/value The value of this paper is that it provides a POC FWC system that considers time-to-collision and trajectory of both detected and ego vehicle (motorcycle).


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Supphachai Nathaphan ◽  
Worrasid Trutassanawin

Purpose This work aims to investigate the interaction effects of printing process parameters of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) parts fabricated by fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology on both the dimensional accuracy and the compressive yield stress. Another purpose is to determine the optimum process parameters to achieve the maximum compressive yield stress and dimensional accuracy at the same time. Design/methodology/approach The standard cylindrical specimens which produced from ABS by using an FDM 3D printer were measured dimensions and tested compressive yield stresses. The effects of six process parameters on the dimensional accuracy and compressive yield stress were investigated by separating the printing orientations into horizontal and vertical orientations before controlling five factors: nozzle temperature, bed temperature, number of shells, layer height and printing speed. After that, the optimum process parameters were determined to accomplish the maximum compressive yield stress and dimensional accuracy simultaneously. Findings The maximum compressive properties were achieved when layer height, printing speed and number of shells were maintained at the lowest possible values. The bed temperature should be maintained 109°C and 120°C above the glass transition temperature for horizontal and vertical orientations, respectively. Practical implications The optimum process parameters should result in better FDM parts with the higher dimensional accuracy and compressive yield stress, as well as minimal post-processing and finishing techniques. Originality/value The important process parameters were prioritized as follows: printing orientation, layer height, printing speed, nozzle temperature and bed temperature. However, the number of shells was insignificant to the compressive property and dimensional accuracy. Nozzle temperature, bed temperature and number of shells were three significant process parameters effects on the dimensional accuracy, while layer height, printing speed and nozzle temperature were three important process parameters influencing compressive yield stress. The specimen fabricated in horizontal orientation supported higher compressive yield stress with wide processing ranges of nozzle and bed temperatures comparing to the vertical orientation with limited ranges.


Author(s):  
Erliang Yao ◽  
Hexin Zhang ◽  
Haitao Song ◽  
Guoliang Zhang

Purpose To realize stable and precise localization in the dynamic environments, the authors propose a fast and robust visual odometry (VO) approach with a low-cost Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in this study. Design/methodology/approach The proposed VO incorporates the direct method with the indirect method to track the features and to optimize the camera pose. It initializes the positions of tracked pixels with the IMU information. Besides, the tracked pixels are refined by minimizing the photometric errors. Due to the small convergence radius of the indirect method, the dynamic pixels are rejected. Subsequently, the camera pose is optimized by minimizing the reprojection errors. The frames with little dynamic information are selected to create keyframes. Finally, the local bundle adjustment is performed to refine the poses of the keyframes and the positions of 3-D points. Findings The proposed VO approach is evaluated experimentally in dynamic environments with various motion types, suggesting that the proposed approach achieves more accurate and stable location than the conventional approach. Moreover, the proposed VO approach works well in the environments with the motion blur. Originality/value The proposed approach fuses the indirect method and the direct method with the IMU information, which improves the localization in dynamic environments significantly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1367-1386
Author(s):  
Chao Chen ◽  
Llewellyn Tang ◽  
Craig Matthew Hancock ◽  
Penghe Zhang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce the development of an innovative mobile laser scanning (MLS) method for 3D indoor mapping. The generally accepted and used procedure for this type of mapping is usually performed using static terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) which is high-cost and time-consuming. Compared with conventional TLS, the developed method proposes a new idea with advantages of low-cost, high mobility and time saving on the implementation of a 3D indoor mapping. Design/methodology/approach This method integrates a low-cost 2D laser scanner with two indoor positioning techniques – ultra-wide band (UWB) and an inertial measurement unit (IMU), to implement a 3D MLS for reality captures from an experimental indoor environment through developed programming algorithms. In addition, a reference experiment by using conventional TLS was also conducted under the same conditions for scan result comparison to validate the feasibility of the developed method. Findings The findings include: preset UWB system integrated with a low-cost IMU can provide a reliable positioning method for indoor environment; scan results from a portable 2D laser scanner integrated with a motion trajectory from the IMU/UWB positioning approach is able to generate a 3D point cloud based in an indoor environment; and the limitations on hardware, accuracy, automation and the positioning approach are also summarized in this study. Research limitations/implications As the main advantage of the developed method is low-cost, it may limit the automation of the method due to the consideration of the cost control. Robotic carriers and higher-performance 2D laser scanners can be applied to realize panoramic and higher-quality scan results for improvements of the method. Practical implications Moreover, during the practical application, the UWB system can be disturbed by variances of the indoor environment, which can affect the positioning accuracy in practice. More advanced algorithms are also needed to optimize the automatic data processing for reducing errors caused by manual operations. Originality/value The development of this MLS method provides a novel idea that integrates data from heterogeneous systems or sensors to realize a practical aim of indoor mapping, and meanwhile promote the current laser scanning technology to a lower-cost, more flexible, more portable and less time-consuming trend.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 830-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigmund Arntsønn Tronvoll ◽  
Sebastian Popp ◽  
Christer Westum Elverum ◽  
Torgeir Welo

Purpose This paper aims to present the mathematical foundation of so-called advance algorithms, developed to compensate for defects during acceleration and deacceleration of the print head in filament-based melt extrusion additive processes. It then investigates the validity of the mathematical foundation, its performance on a low-cost system and the effect of changing layer height on the algorithm’s associated process parameter. Design/methodology/approach This study starts with a compilation and review of literature associated with advance algorithms, then elaborates on its mathematical foundation and methods of implementation. Then an experiment displaying the performance of the algorithm implemented in Marlin machine firmware, Linear Advance 1.0, is performed using three different layer heights. The results are then compared with simulations of the system using Simulink. Findings Findings suggests that advance algorithms following the presented approach is capable of eliminating defects because of acceleration and deacceleration of the print head. The results indicate a layer height dependency on the associated process parameter, requiring higher compensation values for lower layer heights. It also shows higher compensation values for acceleration than deacceleration. Results from the simulated mathematical model correspond well with the experimental results but predict some rapid variations in flow rate that is not reflected in the experimental results. Research limitations/implications As there are large variations in printer design and materials, deviation between different setups must be expected. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to describe and investigate advance algorithms in academic literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1683-1701
Author(s):  
Xin Wang ◽  
Jie Yan ◽  
Dongzhu Feng ◽  
Yonghua Fan ◽  
Dongsheng Yang

Purpose This paper aims to describe a novel hybrid inertial measurement unit (IMU) for motion capturing via a new configuration of strategically distributed inertial sensors, and a calibration approach for the accelerometer and gyroscope sensors mounted in a flight vehicle motion tracker built on the inertial navigation system. Design/methodology/approach The hybrid-IMU is designed with five accelerometers and one auxiliary gyroscope instead of the accelerometer and gyroscope triads in the conventional IMU. Findings Simulation studies for tracking with both attitude angles and translational movement of a flight vehicle are conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Originality/value The cross-quadratic terms of angular velocity are selected to process the direct measurements of angular velocities of body frame and to avoid the integration of angular acceleration vector compared with gyro-free configuration based on only accelerometers. The inertial sensors are selected from the commercial microelectromechanical system devices to realize its low-cost applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2093
Author(s):  
Noé Perrotin ◽  
Nicolas Gardan ◽  
Arnaud Lesprillier ◽  
Clément Le Goff ◽  
Jean-Marc Seigneur ◽  
...  

The recent popularity of trail running and the use of portable sensors capable of measuring many performance results have led to the growth of new fields in sports science experimentation. Trail running is a challenging sport; it usually involves running uphill, which is physically demanding and therefore requires adaptation to the running style. The main objectives of this study were initially to use three “low-cost” sensors. These low-cost sensors can be acquired by most sports practitioners or trainers. In the second step, measurements were taken in ecological conditions orderly to expose the runners to a real trail course. Furthermore, to combine the collected data to analyze the most efficient running techniques according to the typology of the terrain were taken, as well on the whole trail circuit of less than 10km. The three sensors used were (i) a Stryd sensor (Stryd Inc. Boulder CO, USA) based on an inertial measurement unit (IMU), 6 axes (3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer) fixed on the top of the runner’s shoe, (ii) a Global Positioning System (GPS) watch and (iii) a heart belt. Twenty-eight trail runners (25 men, 3 women: average age 36 ± 8 years; height: 175.4 ± 7.2 cm; weight: 68.7 ± 8.7 kg) of different levels completed in a single race over a 8.5 km course with 490 m of positive elevation gain. This was performed with different types of terrain uphill (UH), downhill (DH), and road sections (R) at their competitive race pace. On these sections of the course, cadence (SF), step length (SL), ground contact time (GCT), flight time (FT), vertical oscillation (VO), leg stiffness (Kleg), and power (P) were measured with the Stryd. Heart rate, speed, ascent, and descent speed were measured by the heart rate belt and the GPS watch. This study showed that on a ≤10 km trail course the criteria for obtaining a better time on the loop, determined in the test, was consistency in the effort. In a high percentage of climbs (>30%), two running techniques stand out: (i) maintaining a high SF and a short SL and (ii) decreasing the SF but increasing the SL. In addition, it has been shown that in steep (>28%) and technical descents, the average SF of the runners was higher. This happened when their SL was shorter in lower steep and technically challenging descents.


Robotica ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Majid Yekkehfallah ◽  
Ming Yang ◽  
Zhiao Cai ◽  
Liang Li ◽  
Chuanxiang Wang

SUMMARY Localization based on visual natural landmarks is one of the state-of-the-art localization methods for automated vehicles that is, however, limited in fast motion and low-texture environments, which can lead to failure. This paper proposes an approach to solve these limitations with an extended Kalman filter (EKF) based on a state estimation algorithm that fuses information from a low-cost MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit and a Time-of-Flight camera. We demonstrate our results in an indoor environment. We show that the proposed approach does not require any global reflective landmark for localization and is fast, accurate, and easy to use with mobile robots.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huisheng Liu ◽  
Zengcai Wang ◽  
Susu Fang ◽  
Chao Li

A constrained low-cost SINS/OD filter aided with magnetometer is proposed in this paper. The filter is designed to provide a land vehicle navigation solution by fusing the measurements of the microelectromechanical systems based inertial measurement unit (MEMS IMU), the magnetometer (MAG), and the velocity measurement from odometer (OD). First, accelerometer and magnetometer integrated algorithm is studied to stabilize the attitude angle. Next, a SINS/OD/MAG integrated navigation system is designed and simulated, using an adaptive Kalman filter (AKF). It is shown that the accuracy of the integrated navigation system will be implemented to some extent. The field-test shows that the azimuth misalignment angle will diminish to less than 1°. Finally, an outliers detection algorithm is studied to estimate the velocity measurement bias of the odometer. The experimental results show the enhancement in restraining observation outliers that improves the precision of the integrated navigation system.


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