Journal Description
Machines
Machines
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on machinery and engineering published monthly online by MDPI. The IFToMM is affiliated with Machines and its members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Inspec, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Engineering, Mechanical)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 15.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.6 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.8 (2022)
Latest Articles
Fault Diagnosis Method for Railway Signal Equipment Based on Data Enhancement and an Improved Attention Mechanism
Machines 2024, 12(5), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050334 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Railway signals’ fault text data contain a substantial amount of expert maintenance experience. Extracting valuable information from these fault text data can enhance the efficiency of fault diagnosis for signal equipment, thereby contributing to the advancement of intelligent railway operations and maintenance technology.
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Railway signals’ fault text data contain a substantial amount of expert maintenance experience. Extracting valuable information from these fault text data can enhance the efficiency of fault diagnosis for signal equipment, thereby contributing to the advancement of intelligent railway operations and maintenance technology. Considering that the characteristics of different signal equipment in actual operation can easily lead to a lack of fault data, a fault diagnosis method for railway signal equipment based on data augmentation and an improved attention mechanism (DEIAM) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the original fault dataset is preprocessed based on data augmentation technology and retained noun and verb operations. Then, the neural network is constructed by integrating a bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) model with an attention mechanism and a convolutional neural network (CNN) model enhanced with a channel attention mechanism. The DEIAM method can more effectively capture the important text features and sequence features in fault text data, thereby facilitating the diagnosis and classification of such data. Consequently, it enhances onsite fault maintenance experience by providing more precise insights. An empirical study was conducted on a 10-year fault dataset of signal equipment produced by a railway bureau. The experimental results demonstrate that in comparison with the benchmark model, the DEIAM model exhibits enhanced performance in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Artificial Intelligence in Smart Industrial Diagnostics and Manufacturing, 2nd Volume)
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Research on Noise Reduction of Water Hydraulic Throttle Valve Based on RBF Neural Network and Multi-Island Genetic Algorithm
by
Huawei Wang, Linjia Nan, Xin Zhou, Yaozhong Wu, Bo Wang, Li Hu and Xiaohui Luo
Machines 2024, 12(5), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050333 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Excessive pressure drop within the internal flow channel of the water hydraulic throttle valve will generate severe noise. In order to reduce the noise of the throttle valve, in this paper, the model of the throttle valve was established, and the flow characteristics
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Excessive pressure drop within the internal flow channel of the water hydraulic throttle valve will generate severe noise. In order to reduce the noise of the throttle valve, in this paper, the model of the throttle valve was established, and the flow characteristics and acoustic characteristics of the valve were simulated. The simulation results showed that the parameters of the throat structure, such as the half angle, throat inlet angle and throat length, have a significant effect on the noise of the valve. Then, the three main structural parameters were used as optimization variables, and radial basis function (RBF) neural networks and multi-island genetic algorithms (MIGA) were used to reduce the noise of the valve. The approximate model of the relationship between the structural parameters of the valve and noise was established by RBF neural networks, and MIGA was used to optimize the approximate model. Finally, the optimal valve model was established based on the obtained optimal parameters, and its noise was analyzed through simulation and experiment. The research results indicated that the optimization method, which combines RBF Neural Network and MIGA, can effectively reduce the noise of hydraulic throttle valves.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Manufacturing)
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A Novel Method for Failure Mode and Effect Analysis Based on the Fermatean Fuzzy Set and Bonferroni Mean Operator
by
Liangsheng Han, Mingyi Xia, Yang Yu and Shuai He
Machines 2024, 12(5), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050332 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) helps to identify the weak points in the processing, manufacturing, and assembly of products and plays an important role in improving product reliability. To address the shortcomings of the existing FMEA methods in terms of the uncertainty
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Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) helps to identify the weak points in the processing, manufacturing, and assembly of products and plays an important role in improving product reliability. To address the shortcomings of the existing FMEA methods in terms of the uncertainty treatment of information and not considering the weights and correlations between risk factors, we propose a new FMEA method. In this paper, the Fermatean fuzzy Z-number (FFZN) is proposed by fusing the Fermatean fuzzy number and Z-number. Extending it to the Bonferroni mean (BM) operator, the Fermatean fuzzy Z-number-weighted Bonferroni mean (FFZWBM) operator is proposed. A new FMEA method is proposed based on this operator. In order to overcome the factors not considered in the FMEA method, two new risk factors are proposed and added. The ability of experts to express fuzzy information is enhanced by introducing the FFS. The weights and correlations between the influencing factors can be handled by aggregating the evaluation information using the FFZWBM operator. Finally, the proposed method is applied to an arithmetic example and the accuracy of the proposed method is proved by teaming it with other methods.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluation of State of Health of Equipment for Predictive Maintenance and Circular Economy)
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Visual Perception and Multimodal Control: A Novel Approach to Designing an Intelligent Badminton Serving Device
by
Fulai Jiang, Yuxuan Lin, Rui Ming, Chuan Qin, Yangjie Wu, Yuhui Liu and Haibo Luo
Machines 2024, 12(5), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050331 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Addressing the current issue of limited control methods for badminton serving devices, this paper proposes a vision-based multimodal control system and method for badminton serving. The system integrates computer vision recognition technology with traditional control methods for badminton serving devices. By installing vision
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Addressing the current issue of limited control methods for badminton serving devices, this paper proposes a vision-based multimodal control system and method for badminton serving. The system integrates computer vision recognition technology with traditional control methods for badminton serving devices. By installing vision capture devices on the serving device, the system identifies various human body postures. Based on the content of posture information, corresponding control signals are sent to adjust parameters such as launch angle and speed, enabling multiple modes of serving. Firstly, the hardware design for the badminton serving device is presented, including the design of the actuator module through 3D modeling. Simultaneously, an embedded development board circuit is designed to meet the requirements of multimodal control. Secondly, in the aspect of visual perception for human body recognition, an improved BlazePose candidate region posture recognition algorithm is proposed based on existing posture recognition algorithms. Furthermore, mappings between posture information and hand information are established to facilitate parameter conversion for the serving device under different postures. Finally, extensive experiments validate the feasibility and stability of the developed system and method.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methodology of Intelligent Control and Measurement)
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Hydrodynamic Performance Study of a Reciprocating Plate Column Dirven by Electro-permanent Magnet Technology
by
Kai Guo, Jianxu Jiang, Deqiang Zhang, Linyuan Meng, Yiran Zhang, Xiantao Fan and Hongsheng Zhang
Machines 2024, 12(5), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050330 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The reciprocating plate column is a kind of column with the plates driven by a geared motor, and it has advantages in regard to efficiency compared to traditional columns in the extraction process, however, it comes with an increase in energy consumption. A
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The reciprocating plate column is a kind of column with the plates driven by a geared motor, and it has advantages in regard to efficiency compared to traditional columns in the extraction process, however, it comes with an increase in energy consumption. A new type of reciprocating plate column driven by electro-permanent magnet technology (EPM) is proposed in this paper to obtain a better performance with lower energy consumption. The feasibility and performance of the proposed column is studied by numerical simulation and experiments with a kerosene–water system. The electro-permanent magnet chuck could provide a maximum amplitude of 12 mm in this study. Kerosene was used as the dispersed phase, and deionized water was used as the continuous phase, in a laboratory-scale 35 mm diameter reciprocating plate column driven by EPM. Hydrodynamic performance experiments were carried out with different flowrates of both phases and reciprocating frequencies. The experimental results show that the electro-permanent magnet chuck, which serves as the driving device of the reciprocating plate column, plays the role of adding energy and increasing the droplet breakage. In addition, the energy consumption of the reciprocating plate column with traditional geared motor and electro-permanent magnet chuck is calculated respectively. Compared with the traditional geared motor, the energy saving of the electro-permanent magnet chuck is as high as 98.55%.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Condition Monitoring of Electric Motors: Integrating Digital Twins, AI, and IoT for Enhanced Operational Efficiency, Fault Diagnosis, and Cybersecurity)
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Clearance Nonlinear Control Method of Electro-Hydraulic Servo System Based on Hopfield Neural Network
by
Tao Wang and Jinchun Song
Machines 2024, 12(5), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050329 - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The electro-hydraulic servo system has advantages such as high pressure, large flow, and high power, etc., which can also realize stepless regulation, so it is widely used in many engineering machineries. A linear model is sometimes only a simple approximation of an idealized
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The electro-hydraulic servo system has advantages such as high pressure, large flow, and high power, etc., which can also realize stepless regulation, so it is widely used in many engineering machineries. A linear model is sometimes only a simple approximation of an idealized model, but in an actual system, there may be nonlinear and transient variation characteristics in the systems. Coupling is reflected in the fact that the components or functional structures implemented by each system used for the design of hydraulic systems are not completely or independently related to each other, but affect each other. The nonlinear clearance between the actuator and the load reduces the control accuracy of the system and increases the impact, thus losing stable working conditions. In the paper, based on the nonlinear clearance problem of the electro-hydraulic servo system, a mathematical transfer model with clearance is established, and on this basis, a clearance compensation method based on the Hopfield neural network is proposed. In this way, clearance compensation can be realized by adjusting the parameters of neural network nodes, through simple and convenient operation. Finally, by setting different clearance values, the results of the step response and sine response curve before and after clearance compensation of the hydraulic system are compared, and the effectiveness of Hopfield neural network compensation clearance control is verified based on the comparison simulation results.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Automation and Control Systems)
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Determination of Optimal Machining Parameters Based on Roughness and Vibration Measurements of Pieces Produced by Whirling on a Lathe Machine
by
Zlatko Botak, Katarina Pisačić, Marko Horvat and Tanja Tomić
Machines 2024, 12(5), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050328 - 10 May 2024
Abstract
Worms can be produced using special machines or standard lathes equipped with a whirling thread-cutting device. A blank is placed on the mandrel and tightened using the three-jawed chuck of the standard lathe. If the workpiece diameter is excessively large, passage through the
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Worms can be produced using special machines or standard lathes equipped with a whirling thread-cutting device. A blank is placed on the mandrel and tightened using the three-jawed chuck of the standard lathe. If the workpiece diameter is excessively large, passage through the driven pulley is not possible, and the workpiece cannot be supported. Therefore, a new tool holder for whirling devices is needed. During the whirling process, vibrations in the form of machine velocity amplitudes were measured. After whirling was complete, roughness values were calculated. Using numerical procedures of Wolfram Mathematica 10, vibration peaks were extracted, from which frequencies and maximum amplitudes were determined. The data were then inputted into Design Expert, and the rotational speed and amount of separated material were optimized. The results of the study showed that the quality of the processed surface did not improve with processing in two passes of the tool. The measured vibration amplitudes on the lathe carrier and thread whirling attachment increased with cutting speed at the same cutting depth, whereas the quality of the machined surface was best at the smallest and largest cutting depths.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in the Design, Simulation, and Manufacturing of Production Systems)
Open AccessArticle
Investigation of Torque and Reduction of Torque Ripples through Assisted-Poles in Low-Speed, High-Torque Density Spoke-Type PMSMs
by
Sayyed Haleem Shah, Yun-Chong Wang, Dan Shi and Jian-Xin Shen
Machines 2024, 12(5), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050327 - 10 May 2024
Abstract
In this article, rotor designs utilizing assisted-poles are investigated for a high-torque density spoke-type permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) with fractional slot concentrated winding (FSCW) to explore the rich air-gap magnetic field harmonics and torque generation mechanism. Due to their higher average torque
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In this article, rotor designs utilizing assisted-poles are investigated for a high-torque density spoke-type permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) with fractional slot concentrated winding (FSCW) to explore the rich air-gap magnetic field harmonics and torque generation mechanism. Due to their higher average torque output, spoke-type PMSMs with FSCW are increasingly used in high-torque density applications. However, slot harmonics generate torque ripples that are difficult to eliminate in FSCW spoke-type PMSMs. Removing slot harmonics from the stator or winding results in a large drop in torque since their winding factors are identical to those of the main harmonic. Therefore, rotor designs having assisted-poles (symmetrical and asymmetrical) are investigated in this work to mitigate slot harmonics and minimize torque ripples. Firstly, the air-gap flux density is analyzed for the machines having assisted-poles, and a model of interaction between the stator and rotor-MMF harmonics is created and validated through Finite element analysis (FEA) to analyze the torque production mechanism. In addition, an analytical relationship between the assisted-poles’ dimensions and the generated torque harmonics is proposed. Furthermore, a generalized torque ripple reduction concept for the FSCW spoke-type PMSM having asymmetrically designed assisted-poles is presented. The proposed design and optimization method are validated through analytical calculations and FEA simulations, and a brief comparative analysis is presented for the analyzed machine prototypes. It has been established that the machine designed by applying the proposed asymmetrical assisted-poles can achieve a reduction in torque ripples while also significantly lowering cogging torque in comparison to the conventional spoke-type PMSMs and other spoke-type PMSMs with rotor having symmetrical assisted-poles.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Machines, Power Electronics, and Motor Drives: Opportunities and Challenges)
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A Comparative Study on Coupled Fluid–Thermal Field of a Large Nuclear Turbine Generator with Radial and Composited Radial–Axial–Radial Ventilation Systems
by
Shukuan Zhang, Fachen Wang, Yusen Zhang, Weijie Gao and Chuan Xiang
Machines 2024, 12(5), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050326 - 10 May 2024
Abstract
With the continuous growth of energy demand, the advantages of nuclear power, such as high energy density, low emissions, and cleanliness, are gradually highlighted. However, the increasing capacity of the turbine generator in nuclear power plants has led to greater losses and critical
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With the continuous growth of energy demand, the advantages of nuclear power, such as high energy density, low emissions, and cleanliness, are gradually highlighted. However, the increasing capacity of the turbine generator in nuclear power plants has led to greater losses and critical heating issues. Designing an effective cooling system plays an important role in improving the rotor’s heat dissipation ability, especially under the condition of limited rotor space. In this study, the cooling effects of the rotor using a radial straight-type cooling structure and a composited radial–axial–radial cooling structure are compared and analyzed for a 1555 MVA hydrogen-cooled nuclear turbine generator. Three-dimensional fluid thermal coupled models of the rotor with both cooling structures are established, and corresponding boundary conditions are provided. The models are solved using the finite volume method. The flow law of cooling hydrogen gas inside the rotor and the temperature distribution of various parts of the rotor are studied in detail. Compared with the radial straight-type cooling structure, adopting the composited radial–axial–radial cooling structure can reduce the average temperature of the rotor field windings by 4.5 °C. The research results provide a reference for the design and optimization of the rotor cooling system for large-capacity nuclear turbine generators.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Cooling and Thermal Management Solutions for Electrical Machines)
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Coupling Study on Quasi-Static and Mixed Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Behavior of Precision High-Speed Machine Spindle Bearing with Spinning
by
Hao Liu, Yun Chen, Yi Guo, Yongpeng Shi, Dianzhong Li and Xing-Qiu Chen
Machines 2024, 12(5), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050325 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
In this work, a modified numerical algorithm that couples the quasi-static theory with the mixed thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (mixed-TEHL) model is proposed to examine the mechanical properties and lubrication performance of the spindle bearing that is used in a high-speed machine tool with
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In this work, a modified numerical algorithm that couples the quasi-static theory with the mixed thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (mixed-TEHL) model is proposed to examine the mechanical properties and lubrication performance of the spindle bearing that is used in a high-speed machine tool with spinning. The non-Newtonian fluid characteristics of the lubricant and the non-Gaussian surface roughness are also considered. Moreover, the mechanical properties and lubrication state of the bearing are examined in various service environments. The results indicate that the temperature reduces the lubrication efficiency, which in turn exerts a significant impact on the mechanical properties. The lubrication that either behaves in the manner of Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluid has a relatively negligible influence on the bearing working state, while the non-Gaussian surface roughness significantly alters the oil film thickness and temperature. Calculations with different operating conditions demonstrate that the operating parameters (i.e., axial load, rotation speed) will directly affect the performance of the bearings via the changes in the oil film thickness and the temperature.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Research in Tribology and Its Applications to Rolling Element Bearings)
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Self-Diagnostic Opportunities for Battery Systems in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
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Szabolcs Kocsis Szürke, Gergő Sütheö, Péter Őri and István Lakatos
Machines 2024, 12(5), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050324 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
The number of battery systems is also growing significantly along with the rise in electric and hybrid car sales. Different vehicles use different types and numbers of batteries. Furthermore, the layout and operation of the control and protection electronics units may also differ.
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The number of battery systems is also growing significantly along with the rise in electric and hybrid car sales. Different vehicles use different types and numbers of batteries. Furthermore, the layout and operation of the control and protection electronics units may also differ. The research aims to develop an approach that can autonomously detect and localize the weakest cells. The method was validated by testing the battery systems of three different VW e-Golf electric vehicles. A wide-range discharge test was performed to examine the condition assessment and select the appropriate state of charge (SoC) for all three vehicles. On the one hand, the analysis investigated the cell voltage deviations from the average; the tests cover deviations of 0 mV, 12 mV, 60 mV, 120 mV, and 240 mV. On the other hand, the mean value calculation was used to filter out possible erroneous values. Another important aspect was examining the relationship between the state of charges (SoC) and the deviations. Therefore, the 10% step changes were tested to see which SoC level exhibited more significant voltage deviations. Based on the results, it was observed that there are differences between the cases, and the critical range is not necessarily at the lowest SoC level. Furthermore, the load rate (current) and time of its occurrence play an important role in the search for a faulty cell. An additional advantage of this approach is that the process currently being tested on the VW e-Golf can be relatively simply transferred to other types of vehicles. It can also be a very useful addition for autonomous vehicles, as it can self-test the cells in the system at low power consumption.
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(This article belongs to the Section Vehicle Engineering)
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Structural Optimization of an Unmanned Ground Vehicle as Part of a Robotic Grazing System Design
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Nikola Korunović, Milan Banić, Vukašin Pavlović and Tamara Nestorović
Machines 2024, 12(5), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050323 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have gained increased attention in different fields of application; therefore, their optimization requires special attention. Lowering the mass of a UGV is especially important to increase its autonomy, agility, and payload capacity and to reduce dynamic forces. This contribution
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Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have gained increased attention in different fields of application; therefore, their optimization requires special attention. Lowering the mass of a UGV is especially important to increase its autonomy, agility, and payload capacity and to reduce dynamic forces. This contribution deals with optimizing a UGV unit prototype that, when connected with similar units, forms a moving electric fence for animal grazing. Together, these units form a robotic system that is intended to solve the critical problem of lack of human capacity in herding and grazing. This approach employs topology optimization (TO) and finite element analysis (FEA) to lower the mass of a UGV unit and validate the design of its structural components. To our knowledge, no optimization of this type of UGV has been reported in the literature. Here, we present the results of a case study in which a set of four load cases served as a basis for the optimization of the UGV frame. Response surface analysis (RSA) was used to identify the worst load cases, while substructuring was used to allow for more detailed meshing of the frame portion that was subjected to TO. Thereby, we demonstrate that the prototype of the UGV unit can be built using standard parts and that TO and FEA can be efficiently used to optimize the load-carrying structure of such a specific vehicle.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applied Mechatronics, Volume II)
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Simplified Strategy for Trajectory Tracking Application of a Passive Suspension Rover-Type Mobile Robot
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Jheison Duvier Diaz-Ortega, Octavio Gutiérrez-Frías, José Alejandro Aguirre-Anaya and Alberto Luviano-Juárez
Machines 2024, 12(5), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050322 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
In the present work, based on an approximate modelling of a rover-type robot and a proportional control law, a simplified trajectory tracking strategy for a passive suspension rover-type mobile robot was developed. This strategy achieves trajectory tracking and the autonomous displacement of a
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In the present work, based on an approximate modelling of a rover-type robot and a proportional control law, a simplified trajectory tracking strategy for a passive suspension rover-type mobile robot was developed. This strategy achieves trajectory tracking and the autonomous displacement of a rover, of which its configuration involves complex kinematics and dynamics. All these lineaments reduce the complexity of the analysis, the number of electronic components to implement, the computational requirements and the energy consumption. The robotic system used is based on the Shrimp rover, which is a robot with a passive suspension that is capable of carrying out displacements over rough terrain. The tests were performed using numerical simulations with different desired trajectories, and also using experimental tests using a passive suspension rover-type mobile robot.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Machines)
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Novel Probabilistic Collision Detection for Manipulator Motion Planning Using HNSW
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Xiaofeng Zhang, Bo Tao, Du Jiang, Baojia Chen, Dalai Tang and Xin Liu
Machines 2024, 12(5), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050321 - 7 May 2024
Abstract
Collision detection is very important for robot motion planning. The existing accurate collision detection algorithms regard the evaluation of each node as a discrete event, ignoring the correlation between nodes, resulting in low efficiency. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that
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Collision detection is very important for robot motion planning. The existing accurate collision detection algorithms regard the evaluation of each node as a discrete event, ignoring the correlation between nodes, resulting in low efficiency. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that transforms collision detection into a binary classification problem. In particular, the proposed method searches the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) of the new node and estimates its collision probability by the prior node. We perform the hierarchical navigable small world (HNSW) method to query the nearest neighbor data and store the detected nodes to build the database incrementally. In addition, this research develops a KNN query technique tailored for linear data, incorporating threshold segmentation to facilitate collision detection along continuous paths. Moreover, it refines the distance function of the collision classifier to enhance the precision of probability estimations. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
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(This article belongs to the Section Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Machines)
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Mechanics 4.0 and Mechanical Engineering Education
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Eusebio Jiménez López, Pablo Alberto Limon Leyva, Armando Ambrosio López, Francisco Javier Ochoa Estrella, Juan José Delfín Vázquez, Baldomero Lucero Velázquez and Víctor Manuel Martínez Molina
Machines 2024, 12(5), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050320 - 7 May 2024
Abstract
Industry 4.0 is an industrial paradigm that is causing changes in form and substance in factories, companies and businesses around the world and is impacting work and education in general. In fact, the disruptive technologies that frame the Fourth Industrial Revolution have the
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Industry 4.0 is an industrial paradigm that is causing changes in form and substance in factories, companies and businesses around the world and is impacting work and education in general. In fact, the disruptive technologies that frame the Fourth Industrial Revolution have the potential to improve and optimize manufacturing processes and the entire value chain, which could lead to an exponential evolution in the production and distribution of goods and services. All these changes imply that the fields of engineering knowledge must be oriented towards the concept of Industry 4.0, for example, Mechanical Engineering. The development of various physical assets that are used by cyber-physical systems and digital twins is based on mechanics. However, the specialized literature on Industry 4.0 says little about the importance of mechanics in the new industrial era, and more importance is placed on the evolution of Information and Communication Technologies and artificial intelligence. This article presents a frame of reference for the importance of Mechanical Engineering in Industry 4.0 and proposes an extension to the concept of Mechanics 4.0, recently defined as the relationship between mechanics and artificial intelligence. To analyze Mechanical Engineering in Industry 4.0, the criteria of the four driving forces that defined mechanics in the Third Industrial Revolution were used. An analysis of Mechanical Engineering Education in Industry 4.0 is presented, and the concept of Mechanical Engineering 4.0 Education is improved. Finally, the importance of making changes to the educational models of engineering education is described.
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(This article belongs to the Section Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Machines)
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Enhancing Industrial Process Control: Integrating Intelligent Digital Twin Technology with Proportional-Integral-Derivative Regulators
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Austeja Dapkute, Vytautas Siozinys, Martynas Jonaitis, Mantas Kaminickas and Milvydas Siozinys
Machines 2024, 12(5), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050319 - 7 May 2024
Abstract
This paper explores the integration of intelligent digital twin technology with PID regulators in industrial process control utilizing smart meter data. It presents a novel approach involving the creation of mathematical models to simulate real-time system behavior, thereby enhancing the PID control loop.
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This paper explores the integration of intelligent digital twin technology with PID regulators in industrial process control utilizing smart meter data. It presents a novel approach involving the creation of mathematical models to simulate real-time system behavior, thereby enhancing the PID control loop. The focus is on the development of specialized IT infrastructure to support this integration, which includes data acquisition, processing, and control optimization. This integration aims to not only improve control system efficiency but also introduce a robust predictive maintenance framework, offering significant benefits across a wide range of industrial applications.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Smart Design and Manufacturing Technology)
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Influence of Tool Inclination and Effective Cutting Speed on Roughness Parameters of Machined Shaped Surfaces
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Ján Varga, Michal Demko, Ľuboš Kaščák, Peter Ižol, Marek Vrabeľ and Jozef Brindza
Machines 2024, 12(5), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050318 - 5 May 2024
Abstract
Free-form surfaces in the automotive or aviation industry where the future shape of the product will contain complex surfaces raises the question of how to achieve the necessary shape of the required quality in the milling process. One of the methods of their
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Free-form surfaces in the automotive or aviation industry where the future shape of the product will contain complex surfaces raises the question of how to achieve the necessary shape of the required quality in the milling process. One of the methods of their production is the use of 5-axis milling, in which it is necessary to consider not only the input data of the process itself, but also the methodology for evaluating the desired results. Correctly answered questions can thus facilitate the choice of the inclination of the tool when machining parts of the surfaces defined in the experiment. The primary goal of the paper was to monitor the influence of tool inclination on the quality of the machined surface and effective cutting speed by evaluating surface roughness and surface topography. The experiment was designed to show the effect of different tool positions while the feed per tooth fz for the finishing operation remained constant. The best result in terms of surface quality was achieved with a tool inclination of 15° in the cutting process. The most unfavorable result was obtained with a tool axis inclination of zero degrees due to unfavorable cutting conditions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Manufacturing and Machine Tools)
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The Effect of a Ferromagnetic Steel Enclosure on Magnetic Shielding Systems: Analysis, Modeling, and Experimental Validation
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Yuan Cheng, Jiang Huang, Yaozhi Luo and Feng Lu
Machines 2024, 12(5), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050317 - 5 May 2024
Abstract
The magnetic shielding device, made of high-permeability soft magnetic material, is sensitive to external influences and requires a protective steel enclosure. A steel enclosure, being strongly ferrimagnetic, can alter the surrounding magnetic field distribution, thus impacting the shielding effectiveness. This study proposes a
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The magnetic shielding device, made of high-permeability soft magnetic material, is sensitive to external influences and requires a protective steel enclosure. A steel enclosure, being strongly ferrimagnetic, can alter the surrounding magnetic field distribution, thus impacting the shielding effectiveness. This study proposes a novel analytical approach to quantify this effect, which has not been previously researched. The method develops a simplified finite element simulation model based on the structural symmetry of the steel enclosure. By using this model, this study analyzes the impact of steel structures with varying heights, widths, and remanent magnetization values. The validity of the method is confirmed through experimental tests on steel buildings. The findings offer insights into the optimal placement of magnetic shielding systems and provide theoretical guidance for designing large-scale magnetic shielding devices.
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(This article belongs to the Section Machine Design and Theory)
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Study on the Parameter Influences of Gear Tooth Profile Modification and Transmission Error Analysis
by
Di Zhou, Yonglin Guo, Jian Yang and Yimin Zhang
Machines 2024, 12(5), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050316 - 4 May 2024
Abstract
Gear transmission systems are widely used to transfer energy and motion and to guarantee the accuracy of the entire machine system. The modification technique is a common method that improves the gear profile and reduces the transmission error. Based on the parametric model,
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Gear transmission systems are widely used to transfer energy and motion and to guarantee the accuracy of the entire machine system. The modification technique is a common method that improves the gear profile and reduces the transmission error. Based on the parametric model, a modified gear can be established for the evaluation of static and dynamic characteristics. The influences of profile modification parameters and gear parameters are investigated while changing the rules of different kinds of factors. Based on sensitive parameters, a two-stage profile modification curve is proposed to improve the performance of gear pairs. Thus, considering the time-varying mesh stiffness and backlash, a novel, dynamic modified gear model is established to analyze the dynamic performance, such as the dynamic transmission error. Based on the proposed curve, the range and amplitude of the transmission error can be decreased. Additionally, the vibration displacement and noise can be reduced to improve the running characteristics.
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(This article belongs to the Section Machine Design and Theory)
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A Review of Wrist Rehabilitation Robots and Highlights Needed for New Devices
by
Gabriella Faina Garcia, Rogério Sales Gonçalves and Giuseppe Carbone
Machines 2024, 12(5), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050315 - 3 May 2024
Abstract
Various conditions, including traffic accidents, sports injuries, and neurological disorders, can impair human wrist movements, underscoring the importance of effective rehabilitation methods. Robotic devices play a crucial role in this regard, particularly in wrist rehabilitation, given the complexity of the human wrist joint,
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Various conditions, including traffic accidents, sports injuries, and neurological disorders, can impair human wrist movements, underscoring the importance of effective rehabilitation methods. Robotic devices play a crucial role in this regard, particularly in wrist rehabilitation, given the complexity of the human wrist joint, which encompasses three degrees of freedom: flexion/extension, pronation/supination, and radial/ulnar deviation. This paper provides a comprehensive review of wrist rehabilitation devices, employing a methodological approach based on primary articles sourced from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and IEEE, using the keywords “wrist rehabilitation robot” from 2007 onwards. The findings highlight a diverse array of wrist rehabilitation devices, systematically organized in a tabular format for enhanced comprehension. Serving as a valuable resource for researchers, this paper enables comparative analyses of robotic wrist rehabilitation devices across various attributes, offering insights into future advancements. Particularly noteworthy is the integration of serious games with simplified wrist rehabilitation devices, signaling a promising avenue for enhancing rehabilitation outcomes. These insights lay the groundwork for the development of new robotic wrist rehabilitation devices or to make improvements to existing prototypes incorporating a forward-looking approach to improve rehabilitation outcomes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Medical and Rehabilitation Robots)
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