scholarly journals Bio-inspired approach for innovative design of knee protectors for recreational sports

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 849-854
Author(s):  
Ana Zdravkova ◽  
Ile Mircheski ◽  
Sofija Sidorenko

In this paper the process of an innovative design of a knee protector is presented. The main goal of the research was to find a creative design solution for more efficient protective equipment for light recreational sports. The research is based on an interdisciplinary approach where the possibilities of ergonomics and bionics methods were applied. In order to recognize and provide proper design requirements a valuable market research in the field of knee protector products was performed. An ergonomic research was implemented with intention to define the detailed requirements for more comfort, better functioning and better protection from injuries. The design process was completed following the problem-driven bio-inspiration approach. The armadillo's shell structure, consisted of tiles connected with collagen fibers, was an inspiration for an innovative design approach. The result is a virtual 3D model of an innovative design of a knee protector, with intention to be further developed and tested as a 3D printed prototype, until achieving the phase of final product.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 8967
Author(s):  
Victor Gil Muñoz ◽  
Luisa M. Muneta ◽  
Ruth Carrasco-Gallego ◽  
Juan de Juanes Marquez ◽  
David Hidalgo-Carvajal

The circular economy model offers great opportunities to companies, as it not only allows them to capture additional value from their products and materials, but also reduce the fluctuations of price-related risks and material supply. These risks are present in all kind of businesses not based on the circular economy. The circular economy also enables economic growth without the need for more resources. This is because each unit has a higher value as a result of recycling and reuse of products and materials after use. Following this circular economics framework, the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) has adopted strategies aimed at improving the circularity of products. In particular, this article provides the result of obtaining recycled PLA filament from waste originating from university 3D FFF (fused filament fabrication) printers and waste generated by “Coronamakers” in the production of visors and parts for PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) during the lockdown period of COVID-19 in Spain. This filament is used in the production of 3D printed parts that university students use in their classes, so the circular loop is closed. The obtained score of Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) of this material has been calculated, indicating its high level of circularity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Marko Jug

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In the case of tumor resection in the upper cervical spine, a multilevel laminectomy with instrumented fixation is required to prevent kyphotic deformity and myelopathy. Nevertheless, instrumentation of the cervical spine in children under the age of 8 years is challenging due to anatomical considerations and unavailability of specific instrumentation. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> We present a case of 3D-printed model-assisted cervical spine instrumentation in a 4-year-old child with post-laminectomy kyphotic decompensation of the cervical spine and spinal cord injury 1 year after medulloblastoma metastasis resection in the upper cervical spine. Due to unavailability of specific instrumentation, 3D virtual planning was used to assess and plan posterior cervical fixation. Fixation with 3.5 mm lateral mass and isthmic screws was suggested and the feasibility of fixation was confirmed “in vitro” in a 3D-printed model preoperatively to reduce the possibility of intraoperative implant-spine mismatch. Intraoperative conditions completely resembled the preoperative plan and 3.5 mm polyaxial screws were successfully used as planned. Postoperatively the child made a complete neurological recovery and 2 years after the instrumented fusion is still disease free with no signs of spinal decompensation. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Our case shows that posterior cervical fixation with the conventional screw-rod technique in a 4-year-old child is feasible, but we suggest that suitability and positioning of the chosen implants are preoperatively assessed in a printed 3D model. In addition, a printed 3D model offers the possibility to better visualize and sense spinal anatomy “in vivo,” thereby helping screw placement and reducing the chance for intraoperative complications, especially in the absence of intraoperative spinal navigation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Tartagni

Get up to speed with the fundamentals of electronic sensor design with this comprehensive guide, and discover powerful techniques to reduce the overall design timeline for your specific applications. Includes a step-by-step introduction to a generalized information-centric approach for designing electronic sensors, demonstrating universally applicable practical approaches to speed up the design process. Features detailed coverage of all the tools necessary for effective characterization and organization of the design process, improving overall process efficiency. Provides a coherent and rigorous theoretical framework for understanding the fundamentals of sensor design, to encourage an intuitive understanding of sensor design requirements. Emphasising an integrated interdisciplinary approach throughout, this is an essential tool for professional engineers and graduate students keen to improve their understanding of cutting-edge electronic sensor design.


Author(s):  
Vincent Chanron ◽  
Kemper Lewis ◽  
Yayoi Murase ◽  
Kazuhiro Izui ◽  
Shinji Nishiwaki ◽  
...  

Most complex systems, including engineering systems such as cars, airplanes, and satellites, are the results of the interactions of many distinct entities working on different parts of the design. Decentralized systems constitute a special class of design under distributed environments. They are characterized as large and complex systems divided into several smaller entities that have autonomy in local optimization and decision-making. A primary issue in decentralized design processes is to ensure that the designers that are involved in the process converge to a single design solution that is optimal and meets the design requirements, while being acceptable to all the participants. This is made difficult by the strong interdependencies between the designers, which are usually characteristic of such systems. This paper proposes a critical review of standard techniques to modeling and solving decentralized design problems, and shows mathematically the challenges created by having multiobjective subsystems. A method based on set-based design is then proposed to alleviate some of these challenging issues. An illustration of its applicability is given in the form of the design of a space satellite.


Author(s):  
Morteza Vatani ◽  
Faez Alkadi ◽  
Jae-Won Choi

A novel additive manufacturing algorithm was developed to increase the consistency of three-dimensional (3D) printed curvilinear or conformal patterns on freeform surfaces. The algorithm dynamically and locally compensates the nozzle location with respect to the pattern geometry, motion direction, and topology of the substrate to minimize lagging or leading during conformal printing. The printing algorithm was implemented in an existing 3D printing system that consists of an extrusion-based dispensing module and an XYZ-stage. A dispensing head is fixed on a Z-axis and moves vertically, while the substrate is installed on an XY-stage and moves in the x–y plane. The printing algorithm approximates the printed pattern using nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) curves translated directly from a 3D model. Results showed that the proposed printing algorithm increases the consistency in the width of the printed patterns. It is envisioned that the proposed algorithm can facilitate nonplanar 3D printing using common and commercially available Cartesian-type 3D printing systems.


2012 ◽  
Vol 482-484 ◽  
pp. 2148-2152
Author(s):  
Cong Wei Yang ◽  
Hai Tao Wu ◽  
Hong Bin Liu

Established the model of dual-purpose move-assistant device of wheelchair and crutch, using 3D modeling software SolidWorks, finished the 3D model of parts and parts assembly according to the design requirements of dual-purpose move-assistant device of wheelchair and crutch. Verified the accuracy of designing the project. With the software to carry on a 3D model design can save work time and economize the design budget, providing the theoretical feasibility of realizing the dual-purpose move-assistant device of wheelchair and crutch.


Author(s):  
Preeti Joshi ◽  
R. K. tyagi ◽  
Krishna Mohan Agarwal

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global effect with several people dying daily due to the dreaded disease. Therefore, each individual has a duty to support the efforts of their countries either financially, socially, technically, or by any other means to contribute to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. During this crisis, engineers can come up with innovations to fight the pandemic. One of the reasons for the death of a patient suffering from COVID-19 was the lack of resources required for patient care. The doctors who are taking care of COVID patients could get infected due to lack or the deficiency of available safety kits. Some of the resources required to fight COVID-19 are personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g. gloves, gowns, face masks and shields for respiratory and eye protection respectively), mechanical ventilators and body vital monitoring devices. Engineers can contribute to the fight against COVID-19, by developing compact size ventilators, 3D printed face shield, masks, door handles, hand sanitizer, etc. The available medicines to fight the disease are still under development and trials with limited options at present has led to deaths among patients mostly those who are elderly or having any co-morbid condition. The deficiency of medicine availability can be resolved up to some extent by applying tools of supply chain management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 291 ◽  
pp. 02009
Author(s):  
Yongmei Jiang ◽  
Zilong Wang ◽  
Zhao Jingnan

The 3D model of centrifugal pump impeller in Unigraphics (UG) was optimized by implementing the principles of NURBS curve interpolation. The impeller was then manufactured by rapid prototyping equipment using polystyrene. The technique improves the efficiency in innovative design, modification, and fabrication.


2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 370-381
Author(s):  
Derrick W. Smith ◽  
Sandra A. Lampley ◽  
Bob Dolan ◽  
Greg Williams ◽  
David Schleppenbach ◽  
...  

Introduction: The emerging technology of three-dimensional (3D) printing has the potential to provide unique 3D modeling to support specific content in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, particularly chemistry. Method: Seventeen ( n = 17) students with visual impairments were provided direct instruction on chemistry atomic orbital content and allowed to use either print or tactile graphics or 3D models in rotating order. Participants were asked specific content questions based upon the atomic orbitals. Results: The students were asked two sets of comprehension questions: general and specific. Overall, students’ responses for general questions increased per iteration regardless of which manipulative was used. For specific questions, the students answered more questions correctly when using the 3D model regardless of order. When asked about their perceptions toward the manipulatives, the students preferred the 3D model over print or tactile graphics. Discussion: The findings show the potential for 3D printed materials in learning complex STEM content. Although the students preferred the 3D models, they all mentioned that a combination of manipulatives helped them better understand the material. Implications for practitioners: Practitioners should consider the use of manipulatives that include 3D printed materials to support STEM education.


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