Moisture Influences of Some Physical and Gravimetric Properties of Ackee Apple Seeds (Blighia sapida

This research evaluated and determined some moisture-influenced physical and gravimetric properties of Blighia sapida seeds relevant to machine design at 11.9, 17.0, 22.0, 27.0 and 32.0% moisture levels (wet basis). These properties are vital in handling and seed process design. With increasing seed moisture (11.9 to 32.0%), there was no statistically significant effect on the seed axial dimensions, principal diameters, sphericity and surface area. This is because seed axial dimensions relatively determine other properties afore stated. However, there were significant and linear increases in thousand seed mass (189.3 – 230.3 g), bulk (377.0 - 418.3 kg m-3) and true (714.3 - 771.1 kg m-3) densities but decrease in porosity was not significant. Increase in bulk and true densities is due to the rate of increase in the seed mass being more rapid than the rate of increase in its volume, as the seed moisture increased. A non-linear decrease showed in seed volume (3.4-3.2 cm3). Behavioral patterns of ackee seeds and their investigated properties, under increasing moisture was expressed using regression models. Required primary data for the design of handling techniques and process machinery for ackee apple seeds were generated.

AUTOMATED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AIR POLLUTION DETECTION IN INDUSTRIES

In the terms of damage caused to the environment, air pollution can be easily characterized as the main culprit .The main sources of air pollution are industries. Therefore, this paper aims at using semi-conductor sensor for detecting the various pollutant gases at the emission outlets which detects the level of pollutants in the industries. Specifically in this paper, gas sensor MQ135 is used. When the pollution/emission level shoots beyond the permissible level, the process/machinery causing the polluted emission is immediately shut down and there will be an alarm (light alarm or buzzer) to indicate that the limit has been reached at a specific emission outlet. Simultaneously, the factory control room will be informed via GSM that the process/ machinery has been shut down and corrective action has to be taken. The execution and synchronization of the entire process is monitored and controlled by a microcontroller (PIC16F877A).

Signal Analysis of Scratch-Detection on Magnetic Disc by Using Light Reflection Approach

In hard disk manufacturing, a process of quality inspection of magnetic disc is crucially focused on finding traces of scratch that occur on the surface by various sources such as production process, machinery, tribology or recording head. It may affect the efficiency of magnetic disc’s read/write ability. Many approaches have been proposed to detect the scratch by either destructive or non-destructive testing. In this study, it shows an analysis of signals from the detected scratches on the magnetic disc by reflection light method, using a CD pick-up head. It works by producing an incidental laser beam to the surface and then detecting it by a photodiode detector. The results showed that when the laser beam is incident onto the magnetic disc with/ without scratch, reflecting lights to the photodiode are different and the signal changes according to the intensity of the incidental/reflecting lights.

Boundary Conditions That Govern the Lateral Behavior of Flexible Webs in Roll to Roll Process Machines

Thin web materials are commonly transported through machinery where a process adds value to the web. The flexible web is supported intermittently by contact with rollers. The friction forces associated with this contact are largely responsible for determining the lateral mechanics and dynamics of the thin web transiting rollers in roll-to-roll process machinery. The investigation focuses on cases where slippage between the rollers and web has become substantial and has resulted in a complex lateral behavior of the web. Two methods are presented for investigating the frictional forces and the resulting lateral behavior. The first method employs explicit finite element (FE) dynamic analysis to study the lateral mechanics of the web after steady state behavior has been achieved. This method allows the direct study of the frictional forces. The second method employs Laser Doppler Velocimetry in a novel experimental noncontact technique to examine internal loads within the web, which were influenced by the frictional forces. Both methods are shown to provide results, which agree with one another and with previous analysis. The analyses are used to form a new friction boundary condition between a web and roller that will benefit other analysis methods.