scholarly journals A Cotton Module Feeder Plastic Contamination Inspection System

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-293
Author(s):  
Mathew G. Pelletier ◽  
Greg A. Holt ◽  
John D. Wanjura
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Inspection System ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Cotton Lint ◽  
Cotton Industry ◽  
Bill Of Materials ◽  
The U.S

The removal of plastic contamination in cotton lint is an issue of top priority to the U.S. cotton industry. One of the main sources of plastic contamination showing up in marketable cotton bales, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s classing office, is plastic from the module wrap used to wrap cotton modules produced by the new John Deere round module harvesters. Despite diligent efforts by cotton ginning personnel to remove all plastic encountered during unwrapping of the seed cotton modules, plastic still finds a way into the cotton gin’s processing system. To help mitigate plastic contamination at the gin; an inspection system was developed that utilized low-cost color cameras to see plastic on the module feeder’s dispersing cylinders, that are normally hidden from view by the incoming feed of cotton modules. This technical note presents the design of an automated intelligent machine-vision guided cotton module-feeder inspection system. The system includes a machine-learning program that automatically detects plastic contamination in order to alert the cotton gin personnel as to the presence of plastic contamination on the module feeder’s dispersing cylinders. The system was tested throughout the entire 2019 cotton ginning season at two commercial cotton gins and at one gin in the 2018 ginning season. This note describes the over-all system and mechanical design and provides an over-view and coverage of key relevant issues. Included as an attachment to this technical note are all the mechanical engineering design files as well as the bill-of-materials part source list. A discussion of the observational impact the system had on reduction of plastic contamination is also addressed.

scholarly journals Cotton Gin Stand Machine-Vision Inspection and Removal System for Plastic Contamination: Software Design

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-518
Author(s):  
Mathew G. Pelletier ◽  
Greg A. Holt ◽  
John D. Wanjura
Keyword(s):  
Machine Vision ◽  
Software Design ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Cotton Lint ◽  
Cotton Industry ◽  
Vision Inspection ◽  
Machine Vision Inspection ◽  
Vision Detection ◽  
Removal System

The removal of plastic contamination from cotton lint is an issue of top priority to the U.S. cotton industry. One of the main sources of plastic contamination showing up in marketable cotton bales is plastic used to wrap cotton modules produced by John Deere round module harvesters. Despite diligent efforts by cotton ginning personnel to remove all plastic encountered during module unwrapping, plastic still finds a way into the cotton gin’s processing system. To help mitigate plastic contamination at the gin, a machine-vision detection and removal system was developed that utilizes low-cost color cameras to see plastic coming down the gin-stand feeder apron, which upon detection, blows plastic out of the cotton stream to prevent contamination. This paper presents the software design of this inspection and removal system. The system was tested throughout the entire 2019 cotton ginning season at two commercial cotton gins and at one gin in the 2018 ginning season. The focus of this report is to describe the software design and discuss relevant issues that influenced the design of the software.

Mechanical Design of a Low Cost Transhumeral Prosthesis

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Arturo Gómez Malagón ◽  
João Luiz Vilar Dias
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Low Cost

Retrospective on the 1970’s “Low Cost Shore Protection” program

Shore & Beach ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 3-12
Author(s):  
Joan Pope
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Erosion ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Coastal Engineering ◽  
Shoreline Erosion ◽  
Shore Protection ◽  
Demonstration Program ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
The U.S

In the 1970s, the U.S. Congress authorized and funded a five-year demonstration program on low-cost methods for shore protection called the “U.S. Army Engineers Shoreline Erosion Control Demonstration (Section 54) Program.” The Section 54 also known as the “Low-Cost Shore Protection” demonstration program is revisited. Demonstration and monitoring sites including the materials, devices, vegetative plantings, approaches tested, and program findings are discussed. Simply put, a major finding of the Section 54 program was that the concept of “low-cost shore protection” was a bit naïve. However, the program did lead to a wealth of public information documents and practical coastal engineering lessons that are still resonating as home owners, communities, and engineers consider alternative approaches for managing coastal erosion. The program structure and findings are applicable 40 years later as consideration is given toward the use of Natural and Nature-based Features (NNBF) for addressing coastal erosion. Evolution in thought relative to coastal erosion and shoreline enhancement activities since the 1970s has built upon many of the lessons and concepts of the Section 54 program and other real-world coastal erosion management success-failure experiences. This growth has led to a modern appreciation that those features that emulate NNBF are promising and responsible alternative coastal erosion management strategies if proper engineering standard elements of design are included in the project.

Design and operation of a tripod walking robot via dynamics simulation

Robotica ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 733-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conghui Liang ◽  
Hao Gu ◽  
Marco Ceccarelli ◽  
Giuseppe Carbone
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
The Body ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Walking Robot ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Software Environment ◽  
Leg Mechanisms

SUMMARYA mechanical design and dynamics walking simulation of a novel tripod walking robot are presented in this paper. The tripod walking robot consists of three 1-degree-of-freedom (DOF) Chebyshev–Pantograph leg mechanisms with linkage architecture. A balancing mechanism is mounted on the body of the tripod walking robot to adjust its center of gravity (COG) during walking for balancing purpose. A statically stable tripod walking gait is performed by synchronizing the motions of the three leg mechanisms and the balancing mechanism. A three-dimensional model has been elaborated in SolidWorks® engineering software environment for a characterization of a feasible mechanical design. Dynamics simulation has been carried out in the MSC.ADAMS® environment with the aim to characterize and to evaluate the dynamic walking performances of the proposed design with low-cost easy-operation features. Simulation results show that the proposed tripod walking robot with proper input torques, gives limited reaction forces at the linkage joints, and a practical feasible walking ability on a flatten ground.

Open Uniaxial Test Machine (OpenUTM): Part 1 — A Low-Cost Electrohydraulic Test Frame for Additive Manufacturing Part Qualification

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Steuben ◽  
Athanasios P. Iliopoulos ◽  
John G. Michopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Test Machine ◽  
Mechanical Stiffness ◽  
Uniaxial Test ◽  
Bill Of Materials ◽  
Test Frame ◽  
Force Displacement

A wide variety of scientific and engineering activities require the use of testing machines in order to acquire data regarding the response of materials subjected to mechanical loads. This is particularly applicable to the domain of Additive Manufacturing (AM), where mechanical qualification is essential. Such machinery should be capable of applying loads at required levels and exhibit high mechanical stiffness. Accurate force, displacement, and strain measurements are also required. As a consequence, such testing machines are typically very costly. In the present paper we introduce the Open Uniaxial Test Machine (OpenUTM) project, aimed at providing a low-cost (less than $2500.00) material testing hardware/software framework. This paper will focus on the engineering design and hardware aspects of the OpenUTM project, with particular attention paid to the use of an electrohydraulic actuator (EHA) to provide test loads. A full bill of materials and drawings package is provided, in order to enable the use of the OpenUTM framework by research groups with minimal machine tooling. We introduce several case studies demonstrating the successful use of the OpenUTM frame in AM research efforts, including the testing and characterization of AM polymers and ceramics. We conclude with discussion of the software aspects of the OpenUTM framework, which will be elaborated upon in a follow-up paper (part two). We also present a series of potential avenues towards the improvement of the OpenUTM frame in future hardware iterations.

Flexible Prosthetic Vein Valve

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul D. Sathe ◽  
David N. Ku
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Bench Test ◽  
Design Criteria ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Opening Pressure ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Cyclic Flow ◽  
Opening And Closing

Over 7 million Americans suffer from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a disease that affects the venous system of the lower extremities. Problems associated with CVI include ulcerations, bleeding, swelling, and varicose veins, as well as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The presence of CVI is the result of incompetent, or malfunctioning, one-way vein valves in leg veins. There are few effective clinical therapies for treating CVI and there are currently no prosthetic vein valves commercially available. The purpose of this study was to define clinically relevant design requirements, develop functional tests for assessing a prosthetic vein valve, and design and fabricate a functional prosthetic vein valve for eventual clinical use. Engineering design methods were used to develop the valve, building a product based on well-defined consumer needs and design specifications. Emphasis was placed on creating a valve with potential clinical functionality. This clinical functionality was distilled into three major design criteria: that the valve (1) withstand backpressure of 300mmHg with less than 1.0mL∕min of leakage; (2) open with distal pressure gradients less than 5mmHg; and (3) meet criteria 1 and 2 after 500,000cycles of opening and closing. Hydrostatic testing was conducted to measure the opening pressure and reflux leak rate of the valve. Cyclic life functionality was assessed using a cyclic flow loop simulating physiologic conditions of cyclic flow and pressure found in leg veins. The valve opened with a pressure of 2.6mmHg±0.7mmHg, which matches physiologic vein valve function. The valve also withstood 300mmHg of backpressure with less than 0.5mL∕min of leakage, and maintained this performance even after 508,000cycles of opening and closing in simulated physiologic conditions. The valve’s burst pressure was a minimum of 530mmHg±10mmHg, six times greater than physiologic pressure natural vein valves experience. The valve continued to function well in an environment of vein-like tube expansion. The newly designed bi-leaflet prosthetic valve is comprised of a flexible, biocompatible material. Bench test results have shown that the valve is hydrodynamically functional and meets the mechanical design criteria for backpressure competency and opening pressure after 500,000cycles. Finally, the valve can be manufactured easily with low cost.

scholarly journals Turbomachinery Design Considerations for the Nuclear HTGR-GT Power Plant

1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin F. McDonald ◽  
Murdo J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Primary System ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Commercial Plant ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbines ◽  
Plant Configuration ◽  
Turbomachinery Design ◽  
The U.S

For several years, design studies have been underway in the U.S. on a nuclear closed-cycle gas turbine plant (HTGR-GT). This paper presents design aspects of the helium turbo-machine portion of these studies. Gas dynamic and mechanical design considerations are presented for helium turbomachines in the 400 MWe (non-intercooled) and 600 MWe (intercooled) power range. Design of the turbomachine is a key element in the overall power plant program effort, which is currently directed towards the selection of a reference HTGR-GT commercial plant configuration for the U.S. utility market. A conservative design approach has been emphasized to provide for maximum safety and durability. The studies presented for the integrated plant concept outline the necessary close working relationship between the reactor primary system and turbomachine designers. State-of-the-art technology from large industrial gas turbines developed in the U.S., considered directly applicable to the design of a helium turbomachine, particularly in the areas of design methodology, performance, materials, and fabrication methods, is emphasized.

scholarly journals MANUFACTURE OF A DIE PROTOTYPE FOR DIDACTIC PURPOSES IN MECHATRONIC ENGINEERING

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-40
Author(s):  
ELIEL EDUARDO MONTIJO-VALENZUELA ◽  
SAUL DANIEL DURAN-JIMENEZ ◽  
LUIS ALBERTO ALTAMIRANO-RÍOS ◽  
JOSÉ ISAEL PÉREZ-GÓMEZ ◽  
OSCAR SALMÓN-AROCHI
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Die Design ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Technological Institute ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Cad Models ◽  
Functional Prototype ◽  
Definition Of

The objective of this research is to manufacture a prototype of a teaching die for the specialty of precision mechanical design in mechatronic engineering, in order to achieve the skills required in unit two, regarding dies. The methodology used consists of five stages: 1. Definition of the preliminary conditions. 2. Theoretical calculations for die design. 3. Design, modeling and assembly using computer-aided software (CAD) of the parts that make up the die. 4. Validation with simulation of finite element analysis (AEF). 5. Manufacture of parts and physical assembly of the die. A functional prototype was obtained with which the teacher and student can perform calculations, designs and CAD models, AEF analysis of the static and fatigue type, manufacture of rapid prototypes using 3D printing, the identification of the parts that make up a die and their functioning. The advantage of this prototype, compared to metal die-cutting machines, is its low cost of production and manufacturing, it does not require expensive and specialized machinery for manufacturing, specific designs can be made by the students and its subsequent manufacture within the laboratories of the Technological Institute of Hermosillo.

scholarly journals Learning from Past Policy: Assessing United States Foreign Policy over Indonesia in Resolving the 1999 East Timor Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Sigit S. Nugroho
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The United States ◽  
East Timor ◽  
United States Foreign Policy ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The U.S

Assessing the output of past foreign policy is instrumental for any country to learn policy-relevant insights, to appreciate its experience, and to improve its future conduct. To glean such insights, this article borrows Baldwin’s framework in assessing the success and failure in foreign policy. Using a case study analysis, it assesses the United States’ (U.S.) influence attempt towards Indonesia to resolve the 1999 East Timor humanitarian crisis. President Clinton’s decision to undergo an influence attempt primarily aimed to change Indonesia’s policy while gaining support from U.S. allies in the process. The article finds that Clinton’s decision was a highly successful attempt. This finding is based on several factors: (1) the attempt effectively attained the intended primary and secondary goals at a considerably high degree; (2) it was conducted at a considerably low cost for the U.S.; (3) it inflicted a high cost towards Indonesia; (4) the increase in Clinton’s stake strengthened the U.S. resolve to pursue the influence attempt; and (5) Clinton had successfully overcome the difficult undertaking as Indonesia possessed higher stake over East Timor. These findings provide some lessons for both U.S. and Indonesian foreign policymakers to chart future relations for the two nations.

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