PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION AND EXPERIMENT OF ORCHARD DOUBLE ROW DITCHING-FERTILIZING MACHINE

In order to improve the fertilization uniformity and stability of the orchard double row ditching-fertilizing machine, the design was optimized. Firstly, the factors affecting the movement of the fertilizer particles were analysed in combination with the kinetic model of the fertilizer particles during the falling process. Secondly, the influence of each factor on the fertilization uniformity was analysed by single factor variance. Finally, the Box-Behnken central composite method was used to establish a mathematical model of fertilization uniformity of the orchard double row ditching-fertilizing machine, and regression statistical variance, response surface, and contour lines were used to analyse the influence of each mechanism parameter on the fertilization uniformity. The test results show that: when the test parameters of the conveyer belt speed is within 165~235 r·min-1, the advancing velocity is within 0.8~1.2 m·s-1, and the guide plate angle is changed within the range of 15~45°, the degree of influence of each factor on the fertilization uniformity from high to low is the conveyer belt speed, advancing velocity, the angle of the guide plate, and the conveyer belt speed; when the conveyer belt speed is 214 r·min-1, advancing velocity is 1 m·s-1, and the angle of the guide plate is 37°, the fertilizer coverage reaches 100%, and the fertilization uniformity is increased from 86.31% to 90.73%, and the fertilization stability is improved. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the design and optimization of orchard ditching-fertilizing machine.

Optimization Design of X-ray Conveyer Belt Length for Subway Security Check Systems in Beijing, China

The frequent terrorist attacks in subways has dramatically increased the necessity and importance of security check systems (SCSs). The implementation of a SCS in China has successfully eliminated lots of potential safety hazards. However, the excessive waiting time due to the SCS is also an issue. SCS efficiency is greatly affected by the length of the conveyer belt of the X-ray machine (CBXM). A scheme for optimizing the CBXM length to accommodate different passenger flows is proposed in this paper. A modeling framework is developed for associating the CBXM length with the queuing waiting time based on a M/M/1/N queuing model. The optimal scheme of CBXM length calculated from the model demonstrates that the passenger queuing time is saved by 15.7%, 16.0%, and 23.3% with the passenger arrival rate of 4000, 5000, and 6000, respectively, greatly reducing queuing crowdedness. The scheme can be used to select X-ray machines for subway stations by their passenger arrival rates. In addition, the findings of this paper could be a crucial supplement and perfect the design code of subway SCSs.

Substrate processing by the Cdc48 ATPase complex is initiated by ubiquitin unfolding

The Cdc48 adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (p97 or valosin-containing protein in mammals) and its cofactor Ufd1/Npl4 extract polyubiquitinated proteins from membranes or macromolecular complexes for subsequent degradation by the proteasome. How Cdc48 processes its diverse and often well-folded substrates is unclear. Here, we report cryo–electron microscopy structures of the Cdc48 ATPase in complex with Ufd1/Npl4 and polyubiquitinated substrate. The structures show that the Cdc48 complex initiates substrate processing by unfolding a ubiquitin molecule. The unfolded ubiquitin molecule binds to Npl4 and projects its N-terminal segment through both hexameric ATPase rings. Pore loops of the second ring form a staircase that acts as a conveyer belt to move the polypeptide through the central pore. Inducing the unfolding of ubiquitin allows the Cdc48 ATPase complex to process a broad range of substrates.

Recyclable waste separation system based on material classification using weight and size of waste

Insufficient landfills problem had increased the needs to decrease the waste and recycling them. However, despite the efforts done by the government and local authorities on promoting recycling culture by introducing new laws and regulations, the awareness and willingness among the community is still low. One of the possible reasons to this is lack of effort to categorize the waste into the designated category which are paper, glass, plastic and metal. In order to address this problem, it is important to design a system that will ease the process of categorizing the waste. This can be achieve by the automation of the said process. In this work, a system consist of an algorithm and hardware to automatically categorize recyclable waste is proposed. The proposed system are utilizing weight sensor and ultrasonic sensors in order to capture the characteristics of the waste item, which are weight and size so that it can be categorized into paper, glass, plastic and metal. Here, a sytem to automatically separate household waste item is presented by combining an algorithm with a set of hardware consist of minimal number of sensors, conveyer belt and servor motors.

Faulty Lock Detection and Separation System

All product manufacturing units need to have a faulty product detection and separation system in order to maintain product quality and maintain a good reputation. So here we demonstrate such a system using a mini conveyer belt system. We propose to design and fabricate a faulty product detection and separation mechanism. Each product is different and thus has different mechanisms to detect faulty products. Here we detect fault in lock based on its size and operations. We use a sensor to detect each lock size and operations as products move over a conveyer belt. The conveyer is design so that it can hold the lock so that it does not fall or leave the conveyer belt. A defected product with size lower than minimum limit will be automatically detected as it moves on a conveyer belt and separated by a conveyer arm. If the product passes the size test the next sensor perform it task to operate the lock so that it can open the locking mechanism and check if it opens or not. If the product passes the test it is send for packaging and if not the product is separated and sent to production line for correct the fault. Here we use rollers and rubber belt to develop a mini conveyer belt mechanism. This mechanism is operated by a motor. This system uses servo motor arm to separate the faulty product.