Mechatronic Anti-Collision System for Electric Wheelchairs Based on 2D LiDAR Laser Scan

Electric wheelchairs make it easier for disabled and elderly people to live, move, interact, and participate in society. Moving a wheelchair in open spaces is relatively easy, but in closed and small spaces, maneuvering is difficult. Solutions to such problems for people with disabilities are applicable to a relatively small group of recipients and are mostly custom-made solutions, whose considerable cost is a significant barrier to accessibility. New technologies can provide an opportunity to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in this aspect. Using selected elements of complex automation and control systems, cost-effective solutions can be created that facilitate the functioning of people with disabilities. This paper presents an analysis of hazards and problems when maneuvering a wheelchair in narrow passageways, as well as the authors’ solution to this problem, and the concept and assumptions of a mechatronic anti-collision system based on 2D LiDAR laser scanners. This solution is composed of a proprietary 2D rotating scanner mechanism that ensures the acquisition of 3D images of the environment around the wheelchair. Preliminary tests of this solution yielded promising results. Further research will include miniaturization of the device.

Analysis of X-ray luminescent separation of diamond ores as an automation object

The paper discusses the basic principles of X-ray luminescent separation of diamond ores as an automation object and analyzes modern technical solutions and basic organizational and technical issues, the solution to which will contribute to the effective implementation of automated control systems in separation. The complex automation systems of processing plants (ore mills) are described. The process and principle of operation of the X-ray luminescent separator of diamond ores are described. It is expedient to automate the X-ray luminescent separation using an automated control system. The issues of designing an automated control system with a human-machine interface are considered. An APCS system and an interface of the automated operator-technologist workstation, upgraded through implementing RSLogix 5000 and FactoryTalk View production management software are described.

Dealing with Communication Channels within IEC61499 Component-Based Systems

Traditional approaches for developing automation systems consider system itself hardly can be changed. Current challenges in automation applications include the need of autoreconfiguration in response to process changes or event triggering. In order to face these requirements, new automation methodologies are necessary. Component-based technologies, initially defined for achieving efficient, structured and reusable designs can also be used to achieve adaptation. In this work, an IEC 61499-based framework that uses the concept to deal with reconfiguration issues is presented. The final output of the framework is a distributed system IEC61499 compliant. A new concept, the communication channel, is introduced providing a new abstraction layer to deal with communication between components. The joint use of automation components and communication channels allows defining complex automation systems in an easy way.

Human-machine system as a control shell in the implementation of mooring operations

Mooring is a complex and responsible process for a boat master, so modern trends determine the need to create automated and automatic systems for mooring vessels to minimize the human factor. The study researched the vessel ergatic control complex and the towing group with the use of mathematical apparatus in the implementation of mooring operations. The human-machine or “ergatic” system is the control shell under the active influences of the bridge complexes and is an auxiliary tool for the watchman on the navigation bridge. This is the essence – a human, as a controlling and observing link, is an integral part of the human-machine complex. Automation, even in systems with artificial intelligence, will not soon replace the flexibility of the human brain, despite possible and sometimes very serious human mistakes. Taking into account the fact that the automated mooring system applies all kinds of monitoring sensors to prevent docking impact, the control and responsibility for the mooring process still lie with the navigator operator.

Multi-tool processing in the conditions of complex automation of technical processes

The article analyzes the influence of errors from elastic deformations on the accuracy of processing in the conditions of complex automation. Different variants of multi-tool processing are considered: parallel processing, when different tools are alternately, one after the other, involved in the processing of the workpiece surfaces, and parallel-sequential processing, when different surfaces of the workpiece are processed simultaneously by several tools located in the working position. Design automation in machine-building production is part of the complex problem of automation of engineering work in all areas of the functioning of a modern production system. Therefore, when creating design automation systems, its connections in the general complex of automation of engineering activities in the production cycle should be taken into account. In general, the automation of the engineer's work is task planning, design and technological preparation of production, and management of the production system. The choice of favorable cutting modes for multi-tool processing is a difficult task, since, along with taking into account the features of each individual tool, it is necessary to make a general analysis of the entire setup, i.e. the set of tools used on the machine, and the distribution of processing transitions among them. Machine-building production is currently characterized by the desire to constantly update the range of released products. The requirements of multi-product manufacture can be met under the condition of its automation, which covers both the automation of production preparation and management. The article provides recommendations for reducing the error from elastic deformations in the conditions of complex automation. English version ofthe article is available at URL: https://panor.ru/articles/multi-tool-machining-in-complex-process-automation/65225.html

The State and Prospects of Development of Power Supply Systems of Metallurgical Enterprises with On-Site Power Plants

The article considers the features of design of industrial power supply system of metallurgical enterprises with on-site electrical power generation. The problems of increasing the efficiency of the main electrical equipment of on-site power plants are formulated. The analysis of development trends in the energy sector of Russian metallurgy is carried out, on the basis of which the importance of industrial on-site power plants is shown. The problem of choosing a generator automatic excitation control system of on-site power plants is con-sidered and possible ways of its solution are given. The task of regime optimization of industrial on-site power plants is considered and original optimization algorithms are presented. Methods of increasing the reliability of power supply of critical equipment and mechanisms involved in the technological process of thermal power plants are proposed. The urgency of the tasks of complex automation and digitalization in the industrial power supply systems is shown, while the special meaning of "digital twins" is noted. Possible prospects for the development of on-site power plants in the context of the decarbonization policy and the transition to alternative energy are considered.

Possibilities of using automatic systems for correcting the position of working units of tools including soil cultivation

The progressive technical development of agriculture and the desire to increase the efficiency and quality of agrotechnical processes related to soil cultivation forces the use of more and more complex automation and robotisation processes in agricultural technology. The article introduces the reader to modern control systems for automatic hoeing tools and presents a modern control system for a baler-wrapper, the project of which (POIR.04.01.04-00-0067/18) is implemented by the authors in the Łukasiewicz Research Network Industrial Institute of Agricultural Engineering consortium with the Metal-Fach company. One of the reasons for the automatisation of agricultural machinery is the departure from chemical methods of cultivating crops, due to the growing awareness of consumers who want ecological and thus healthier products. The influence of automation on organic farming was characterized and its general principles were presented. The automatic cultivators were divided based on the kinematics of the tool movements they operate on the basis of machine vision. The results of the baler-wrapper tests were presented, confirming the validity of the designed control system. The authors summarized the main advantages and disadvantages of the systems for correcting the position of working tools of machines, considering the profitability of this type of investment on the example of weeder and a baler-wrapper. The article adopts the hypothesis that the development of agricultural automation has a positive effect on the development and popularity of organic farming.

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS IN DIGITAL PRODUCTION

The analysis of the current situation and prospects for developing additional technologies for IT production presents a new development paradigm, Industry 4.0. In addition to learning the techniques to acquire the product, additional manufacturing processes may require IT development of the model. For multi-layer manufacturing techniques, angle cuts at the edges are used to provide an algorithm for dividing the product into layers of different thickness. Computer design is considered a combination of complex engineering products, complex automation technologies, and engineering product assembly. Considering the use of 5-axis manipulators in the context of complex automatic cutting, the design of the plate and layer cutting process can be used differently with the example of synthesizing complex engineering products.

CREATION OF AUTOMATED LOW-INTENSITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS CONTROLLED THROUGH AN INTERNET CHANNEL IN AZERBAIJAN (ASMO)

With the correct process management, low-intensity irrigation allows not only to drastically reduce water consumption for irrigation of agricultural crops, but also to provide the necessary microclimate for plants and the supply of water and fertilizers in the required amount directly to the root zone of plants, which contributes to the earlier entry of plants into the season fruiting and increased productivity while reducing water per unit of crop and reducing production costs. For this, we have developed a perfect safe technological system of automated irrigation based on IDAD with automated control of the controlled potential moisture supply of the plant, an optimized irriga-tion regime taking into account the controlled soil and agroclimatic parameters that affect the growth and develop-ment of the plant phase, while maintaining the ecological environment that contributes to obtaining a guaranteed and high-quality yield per unit area meeting the requirement of mi ovyh standards. The system of low-intensity irri-gation created by the results of the study compared to traditional surface irrigation methods is more technologically demanding and in the remote areas from settlements it is difficult to provide qualified service; to ensure their possi-ble efficiency, they require complex automation of the irrigation technological process.