A Unifying Model for Mechatronic Systems Specification

2015 ◽  
Vol 789-790 ◽  
pp. 803-811
Author(s):  
Sabah Al-Fedaghi ◽  
Ahmed Abdullah

Over the years, mechatronic systems have witnessed an increase in complexity. To address this issue, a model-based approach has been utilized to produce coherent system specification. In model-based engineering, a system is depicted graphically and textually at various levels of granularity and complexity. For this purpose, Systems Modeling Language (SysML) is designed to support development stages in systems, including specification, analysis, design, and validation, and to generate specifications in a single language for use by heterogeneous development teams. Nevertheless, an underlying tool is lacking that would express the totality of a system’s processes and concepts, including mechanical, electrical, and informational aspects. SysML introduces a variety of diagrams and tools that are heterogeneous in notation and terms, e.g., use cases, blocks, activities, components, parameters, sequence, and so forth. This paper proposes a diagrammatic methodology to specify a unified conceptual map for mechatronic systems that can play the role of blueprint for a whole system at different stages of development. The paper focuses on using the proposed methodology as a specification tool, offering a new model that captures the dynamic behaviors of the system. The claim is that this proposed model for specification provides a nontechnical map of the system without a multiplicity of representations as in SysML. To demonstrate the viability of the model, it is applied to a case study of an airport baggage handling system.

Author(s):  
Matthew O. T. Cole ◽  
Lawrence Hawkins

For rotors supported by active magnetic bearings (AMBs), clearance bearings are commonly used to provide backup support under loss of AMB functionality. Test data from real machines shows that rotor vibration during touchdown on backup bearings may involve steady forward whirling at a sub-synchronous frequency. This excitation is believed to be due to friction forces transmitted between the rotor and a bearing end-face under axial load. This paper proposes a new analytical approach to model and predict such friction-driven forward whirl behaviors. A set of constraint equations are derived that relate a circular whirl motion of arbitrary orbital speed to the frequency response functions of the rotor-housing structure. This model is coupled with an evaluation of Coulomb friction associated with slip between the rotor and the supporting end-face of a thrust bearing. The resulting equations can be used to compute a set of possible whirl motions via a root-finding procedure. A case study is undertaken for a 140 kW energy storage flywheel. Model-based predictions are compared with measured data from spin-down tests and show a good level of agreement. The study confirms the role of friction-related forces in driving forward-whirl response behaviors. It also highlights the key role of housing and machine support characteristics in response behavior. This influence is shown to be complex and not open to simple physical interpretation. Therefore, the proposed analytical method is seen as a useful tool to investigate this influence while avoiding the need for time consuming numerical simulations.


Author(s):  
Lauri Koskela ◽  
Ehud Kroll

AbstractThe original ideas on design abduction, inspired by treatments in philosophy of science, had a narrow conception on how novelty emerges in design, when looked at in terms of logic. The authors have previously presented a re-proposed notion of abduction in design, taking the differences between science and design into account. Now, in this article, the invention of the airplane by the Wright brothers is analyzed as a retrospective case study. Key parts of the re-proposed notion of design abduction are demonstrated, and two new types of design abduction are identified, namely strategic abduction and dynamic abduction. Perhaps even more importantly, a new hypothesis on the cognitive basis of design abduction is reached. While the importance of model-based abduction (and reasoning) is confirmed, the case also pinpoints the central role of verbalization and discussion in supporting design reasoning in general and especially abduction. All in all, it seems that an improved understanding of design abduction and its cognitive basis would be instrumental in promoting more effective and efficient designing.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-123
Author(s):  
Choo Jun Tan ◽  
Ting Yee Lim ◽  
Chin Wei Bong ◽  
Teik Kooi Liew

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a soft computing model based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), namely, modified micro genetic algorithm (MmGA) coupled with a decision tree (DT)-based classifier, in classifying and optimising the students’ online interaction activities as classifier of student achievement. Subsequently, the results are transformed into useful information that may help educator in designing better learning instructions geared towards higher student achievement. Design/methodology/approach A soft computing model based on MOEA is proposed. It is tested on benchmark data pertaining to student activities and achievement obtained from the University of California at Irvine machine learning repository. Additional, a real-world case study in a distance learning institution, namely, Wawasan Open University in Malaysia has been conducted. The case study involves a total of 46 courses collected over 24 consecutive weeks with students across the entire regions in Malaysia and worldwide. Findings The proposed model obtains high classification accuracy rates at reduced number of features used. These results are transformed into useful information for the educational institution in our case study in an effort to improve student achievement. Whether benchmark or real-world case study, the proposed model successfully reduced the number features used by at least 48 per cent while achieving higher classification accuracy. Originality/value A soft computing model based on MOEA, namely, MmGA coupled with a DT-based classifier, in handling educational data is proposed.


Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahlaga Johannes Molepo ◽  
Archie Leonard Dick

This article presents a proposed model for framing the policies of Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) libraries. The authors draw on a focused literature review across various disciplines as well as empirical evidence collected from a purposive sample of 40 participants in a case study. The qualitative evaluation method is used to evaluate a set of models. A self-developed set of criteria is used as a tool to test the models towards a selection of elements and features that are then used to table the proposed model for TUT’s libraries. The evaluated models were categorised to produce models for academic library activities, models for higher education as well as models that depict changes in society’s knowledge system. The adapted model proposes a multiple reality constructionist approach to improve a shared understanding of what constitutes knowledge in democratic South Africa. It was found that there are inconsistencies and a lack of clarity on the role of TUT’s libraries in transformation initiatives of the university. The main argument is that the future role of TUT’s libraries should include taking part in other processes of the knowledge system such as knowledge production, application and use. The main value of the article is to provide a comprehensive strategic outlook that guides the transformation of TUT’s libraries. This will assist to frame TUT’s libraries policies in light of changes taking place in higher education.


Author(s):  
Luiz Antonio Joia

This article presents a framework to integrate effectively different information technologies in order to coordinate a relational business ecosystem, an innovative business model. The information technologies needed to create this new business environment are presented, as well as an integrated model based on a technology-service-process-production taxonomy. A case study addressing a major engineering company in Brazil, now playing the role of an integrator within a relational business ecosystem is presented in order to validate the proposed model. Some conclusions in this realm are presented addressing the main obstacles and hurdles to accomplish a relational business ecosystem as well as the solutions to overcome them, so as to make the findings and concerns applicable to other countries.


Author(s):  
Luiz Antonio Joia

This article presents a framework to link effectively different information technologies in order to coordinate a metabusiness, an innovative organizational model. The information technologies needed to create this new organizational environment are presented, as well as a systemic model based on a technology-service-process-production taxonomy. A case study addressing a major engineering company in Brazil, now playing the role of an integrator within a metabusiness, is analyzed, in order to validate the proposed model. Some conclusions in this realm are presented addressing the main obstacles and hurdles to accomplish a metabusiness, as well as the solutions to overcome them.


2011 ◽  
Vol 143-144 ◽  
pp. 901-906
Author(s):  
W.Z. Liao ◽  
Y. Wang

As an increasing number of manufacturers realize the importance of adopting new maintenance technologies to enable systems to achieve near-zero downtime, machinery prognostics which enables this paradigm shift from traditional fail-and-fix maintenance to a predict-and-prevent paradigm has arose interests from researchers. Machine's condition and degradation estimated by machinery prognostics approach can be used to support predictive maintenance policy. This paper develops a novel data-driven machine prognostics approach to assess machine's health condition and predict machine degradation. With this prognostics information, a predictive maintenance model is constructed to decide machine's maintenance threshold and predictive maintenance cycles number. Through a case study, this predictive maintenance model is verified, and the computational results show that this proposed model is efficient and practical.


2009 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 90-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Giannone ◽  
Lucrezia Reichlin ◽  
Saverio Simonelli

This paper assesses the role of qualitative surveys for the early estimation of GDP in the Euro Area in a model-based automated procedure which exploits the timeliness of their release. The analysis is conducted using both an historical evaluation and a real-time case study on the current conjuncture.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Wood

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the importance of social marketing at the midstream (meso) level as a key component of a proposed model for co-creating public services. The model demonstrates how supportive relationships and conversations within and between service organisations, front-line service staff, social networks and clients are essential for the effective co-creation of health and welfare services and social marketing interventions. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper that uses network and services theory and a case study to show how the midstream social marketing approach and service co-creation can be applied in practice and how these concepts relate to upstream and downstream social marketing. Findings The case study demonstrates the powerful role of social networks, staff–client relationships and conversations in the co-creation of effective services and the improvement in communications, trust and understanding between service providers and the community. Practical implications The paper shows how service providers and social marketers can achieve co-created, customer-oriented services/interventions through the development of congruent, empathetic narratives, relationships and conversations. The case study demonstrates how this can be achieved in practice through staff training, the identification of “community communicators” and value-based targeting and communications. Originality/value The integration of conversations, relationships, values, services and midstream social marketing into a model for co-creation offers a valuable tool for social marketing and health/welfare service professionals.


Author(s):  
Luiz A. Joia

This chapter presents a framework to integrate effectively different information technologies in order to raise the intelligence and manage the knowledge of a metabusiness, an innovative business model. The concept of intelligence in a metabusiness is analyzed and the information technologies needed to create this new business environment are presented, as well as an integrated model based on a technology-service-process-production taxonomy. A case study addressing a major engineering company in Brazil, now playing the role of an integrator within a metabusiness, is presented in order to validate the proposed model. The main obstacles and hurdles to accomplish an intelligent metabusiness are presented as well as the solutions to overcome them. Future trends and some conclusions in this realm are presented, mainly the ones regarding how to leverage the Human and Innovation Capital in a metabusiness.


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