Magnetic Actuation of Meso-Scale Mechanisms

Author(s):  
P. M. Moore ◽  
F. Modica ◽  
G. J. Wiens ◽  
I. Fassi

This paper discusses the applications and development of magnetic actuators for meso-scale mechanisms. Due to their small sizes, meso-scale parts cannot be actuated using techniques typical of macro-scale mechanisms, such as servos or ball screws. Similarly, the techniques used in micro-actuation, such as the use of electrostatic force in MEMS devices, cannot be easily scaled up to the meso-scale. As a result, the use of magnetic forces for actuating meso-scale mechanisms may be capable of filling this void of actuation methods. A case study of a fixturing mechanism meant for meso-scale end-milling was analyzed. This mechanism uses two fixed-fixed beams in order to actively tune the harmonic modes of the machining operation in order to improve the stability of the cutting. It also uses magnetic forces to actuate the fixturing platform in order to provide close-loop feedback of cutting force.

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naresh Thadhani ◽  
Arun Gokhale ◽  
Jason Quenneville ◽  
Jennifer Breidenich ◽  
Manny Gonzales ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 160-162 ◽  
pp. 1211-1216
Author(s):  
Zhuang Liu ◽  
Xiao Qing Wu

The impregnation stage of the Resin Transfer Moulding process can be simulated by solving the Darcy equations on a mould model, with a ‘macro-scale’ finite element method. For every element, a local ‘meso-scale’ permeability must be determined, taking into account the local deformation of the textile reinforcement. This paper demonstrates that the meso-scale permeability can be computed efficiently and accurately by using meso-scale simulation tools. We discuss the speed and accuracy requirements dictated by the macro-scale simulations. We show that these requirements can be achieved for two meso-scale simulators, coupled with a geometrical textile reinforcement modeller. The first solver is based on a finite difference discretisation of the Stokes equations, the second uses an approximate model, based on a 2D simulation of the flow.


Author(s):  
Farhad Aghili

A heavy payload attached to the wrist force/moment (F/M) sensor of a manipulator can cause the conventional impedance controller to fail in establishing the desired impedance due to the noncontact components of the force measurement, i.e., the inertial and gravitational forces of the payload. This paper proposes an impedance control scheme for such a manipulator to accurately shape its force-response without needing any acceleration measurement. Therefore, no wrist accelerometer or a dynamic estimator for compensating the inertial load forces is required. The impedance controller is further developed using an inner/outer loop feedback approach that not only overcomes the robot dynamics uncertainty, but also allows the specification of the target impedance model in a general form, e.g., a nonlinear model. The stability and convergence of the impedance controller are analytically investigated, and the results show that the control input remains bounded provided that the desired inertia is selected to be different from the payload inertia. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed impedance controller is able to accurately shape the impedance of a manipulator carrying a relatively heavy load according to the desired impedance model.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milou Straathof ◽  
Michel R.T. Sinke ◽  
Theresia J.M. Roelofs ◽  
Erwin L.A. Blezer ◽  
R. Angela Sarabdjitsingh ◽  
...  

AbstractAn improved understanding of the structure-function relationship in the brain is necessary to know to what degree structural connectivity underpins abnormal functional connectivity seen in many disorders. We integrated high-field resting-state fMRI-based functional connectivity with high-resolution macro-scale diffusion-based and meso-scale neuronal tracer-based structural connectivity, to obtain an accurate depiction of the structure-function relationship in the rat brain. Our main goal was to identify to what extent structural and functional connectivity strengths are correlated, macro- and meso-scopically, across the cortex. Correlation analyses revealed a positive correspondence between functional connectivity and macro-scale diffusion-based structural connectivity, but no correspondence between functional connectivity and meso-scale neuronal tracer-based structural connectivity. Locally, strong functional connectivity was found in two well-known resting-state networks: the sensorimotor and default mode network. Strong functional connectivity within these networks coincided with strong short-range intrahemispheric structural connectivity, but with weak heterotopic interhemispheric and long-range intrahemispheric structural connectivity. Our study indicates the importance of combining measures of connectivity at distinct hierarchical levels to accurately determine connectivity across networks in the healthy and diseased brain. Distinct structure-function relationships across the brain can explain the organization of networks and may underlie variations in the impact of structural damage on functional networks and behavior.


Author(s):  
Timothy Moulton ◽  
G. K. Ananthasuresh

Abstract There exists a need to stabilize the electrostatic actuation commonly used in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Most electrostatically actuated MEMS devices act as variable capacitors with varying gap between the charged conductors. Electrostatic force in these devices is a nonlinear attractive force between the conductors resulting in a complex dynamic system. These systems are stable for only a small portion of the initial gap. In this paper a design method is presented for electrostatic micro-mirrors with improved stability. Controllable, stable electrostatic actuation can be achieved through surface contact between the two conductors. Once in contact with the surface, the compliance of the structure is used to stabilize the electrostatic actuation over a long range of motion. Beam based variable angle mirrors were designed and fabricated using the Multi-User MEMS Process at MCNC technology center. The design methods for stable electrostatic actuation were tested on these mirrors. Some characteristics are noted and their implementation into future designs is discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 864 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Luding

Fluid mechanics and rheology involve many unsolved challenges related to the transport mechanisms of mass, momentum and energy – especially when it comes to realistic, industrially relevant materials. Very interesting are suspensions or granular fluids with solid, particulate ingredients that feature contact mechanics on the micro-scale, which affect the transport properties on the continuum- or macro-scale. Their unique ability to behave as either fluid, or solid or both, can be quantified by non-Newtonian rheological rules, and results in interesting mechanisms such as super-diffusion, shear thickening, fluid–solid transitions (jamming) or relaxation/creep. Focusing on the steady state flow of a granular fluid, one can attempt to answer a long-standing question: how do realistic material properties such as dissipation, stiffness, friction or cohesion influence the rheology of a granular fluid? In a recent paper Macaulay & Rognon (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 858, 2019, R2) shed new light on the effect cohesion can have on mass transport in sheared, sticky granular fluids. On top of the usual diffusive, stochastic modes of transport, cohesion can create and stabilise clusters of particles into bigger agglomerates that carry particles over large distances – either ballistically in the dilute regime, or by their rotation in the dense regime. Importantly, these clusters must not only be larger than the particles (defining the intermediate, meso-scale), but they must also have a finite lifetime, in order to be able to exchange mass with each other, which can seriously enhance transport in sticky granular fluids by rotection, i.e. a combination of rotation and convection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 958-963
Author(s):  
Koji Teramoto ◽  
◽  
Takahiro Kunishima ◽  
Hiroki Matsumoto

Elastomer end-milling is attracting attention for its role in the small-lot production of elastomeric parts. In order to apply end-milling to the production of elastomeric parts, it is important that the workpiece be held stably to avoid deformation. To evaluate the stability of workholding, it is necessary to predict cutting forces in elastomer end-milling. Cutting force prediction for metal workpiece end-milling has been investigated for many years, and many process models for end-milling have been proposed. However, the applicability of these models to elastomer end-milling has not been discussed. In this paper, the characteristics of the cutting force in elastomer end-milling are evaluated experimentally. A standard cutting force model and its parameter identification method are introduced. By using this cutting force model, measured cutting forces are compared against the calculated results. The comparison makes it clear that the standard cutting force model for metal end-milling can be applied to down milling for a rough evaluation.


2020 ◽  
pp. 107754632095261
Author(s):  
Kashfull Orra ◽  
Sounak K Choudhury

The study presents model-based mechanism of nonlinear cutting tool vibration in turning process and the strategy of improving cutting process stability by suppressing machine tool vibration. The approach used is based on the closed-loop feedback control system with the help of electro–magneto–rheological damper. A machine tool vibration signal generated by an accelerometer is fed back to the coil of a damper after suitable amplification. The damper, attached under the tool holder, generates counter forces to suppress the vibration after being excited by the signal in terms of current. The study also discusses the use of transfer function approach for the development of a mathematical model and adaptively controlling the process dynamics of the turning process. The purpose of developing such mechanism is to stabilize the machining process with respect to the dynamic uncut chip thickness responsible for the type-II regenerative effect. The state-space model used in this study successfully checked the adequacy of the model through controllability and observability matrices. The eigenvalue and eigenvector have confirmed the stability of the system more accurately. The characteristic of the stability lobe chart is discussed for the present model-based mechanism.


2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhifeng Xu ◽  
Roberto Ballarini ◽  
Jia-Liang Le

Experimental data have made it abundantly clear that the strength of polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures exhibits significant variability, which arises from the random distribution of the size and shape of sidewall defects created by the manufacturing process. Test data also indicated that the strength statistics of MEMS structures depends strongly on the structure size. Understanding the size effect on the strength distribution is of paramount importance if experimental data obtained using specimens of one size are to be used with confidence to predict the strength statistics of MEMS devices of other sizes. In this paper, we present a renewal weakest-link statistical model for the failure strength of poly-Si MEMS structures. The model takes into account the detailed statistical information of randomly distributed sidewall defects, including their geometry and spacing, in addition to the local random material strength. The large-size asymptotic behavior of the model is derived based on the stability postulate. Through the comparison with the measured strength distributions of MEMS specimens of different sizes, we show that the model is capable of capturing the size dependence of strength distribution. Based on the properties of simulated random stress field and random number of sidewall defects, a simplified method is developed for efficient computation of strength distribution of MEMS structures.


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