Sharif Digital Repository

Using mobile robots in disaster areas can reduce risks and the search time in urban search and rescue operations. Optimal path-planning for mobile robotics can play a key role in the reduction of the search time for rescuing victims. In order to minimize the search time, the shortest path to the target should be determined. In this paper, a new integrated Reinforcement Learning—based method is proposed to search and find a hidden target in an unknown environment in the minimum time. The proposed algorithm is developed in two main phases. Depending on whether or not the mobile robot receives the signal from the hidden target, phases I or II of the proposed algorithm can be carried out. Then,... 

Rolling-element bearing (REB) failure is one of the general damages in rotating machinery. In this manner, the correct prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) of REB is a crucial challenge to move forward the unwavering quality of the machines. One of the main difficulties in implementing data-driven methods for RUL prediction is to choose proper features that represent real damage progression. In this article, by using the outcomes of frequency analysis through the Envelope method, the initiated/existed defects on the ball bearings are identified. Also, new features based on developing faults of ball bearings is recommended to estimate RUL. Early-stage faults in ball bearings usually... 

Using mobile robots in disaster areas can reduce risks and the search time in urban search and rescue operations. Optimal path-planning for mobile robotics can play a key role in the reduction of the search time for rescuing victims. In order to minimize the search time, the shortest path to the target should be determined. In this paper, a new integrated Reinforcement Learning—based method is proposed to search and find a hidden target in an unknown environment in the minimum time. The proposed algorithm is developed in two main phases. Depending on whether or not the mobile robot receives the signal from the hidden target, phases I or II of the proposed algorithm can be carried out. Then,... 

Tolerances significantly affect the assemblability of components, the product's performance, and manufacturing cost in mechanical assemblies. Despite the importance of product reliability assessment, the reliability-based tolerance design of mechanical assemblies has not been previously considered in the literature. In this paper, a novel method based on Bayesian modeling is proposed for the tolerance-reliability analysis and allocation of complex assemblies where the explicit assembly functions are difficult or impossible to extract. To reach this aim, a Bayesian model is developed for tolerance-reliability analysis. Then, a multi-objective optimization formulation is proposed for obtaining... 

The process of laser assisted machining (LAM) of metal matrix composites (MMC) is experimentally studied. The effects of process parameters (cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut), laser parameters (laser power, laser frequency and laser beam angle), and the percentage of reinforcing particles on the tool wear and the surface roughness are investigated. Furthermore, the effects of the mentioned parameters on the built-up edge (BUE), chip shape, and workpiece temperature are explored. The experiments were performed using uncoated tungsten carbide and PCD tools under dry conditions. In order to analyze the sensitivity of the process parameters, the Plackett-Burman method was used for... 

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing is a novel technology used for fabricating high-resolution part features from a wide range of materials. Due to the multiphysics dynamics and the multiphase nature of the microdroplet formation in the EHD printers, modeling of this phenomenon is complicated. In this paper, the formation of a droplet in an EHD printer—under a pulsed electrical field—is simulated using a new numerical model which couples the fluid flow, the electric field distribution and the movement of the electric charges under dynamic and transient conditions. The level-set method is applied to the entire multiphysics domain in order to study the formation of the droplet. The presented... 

The electrohydrodynamic (EHD) 3D printing technology is an Additive Manufacturing (AM) method that can be used in the manufacture of submicron-size structures. In this process, which is based on the formation of Taylor jet from a metallic ink, the investigation of particles reaction and aggregate formation in ink during printing is of great importance. In this paper, a new Finite Element model based on particle tracing in fluids is presented that couples the different physics that govern an EHD phenomenon. Vortex flow caused by boundary shear stress was observed in the ink jet; which was more like the Marangoni phenomenon in a stationary drop. By experimentally validating the presented model... 

Rolling element bearing (REB) failure is one of the general damages in rotating machinery. In this manner, the correct prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) of REB is a crucial challenge to move forward the unwavering quality of the machines. One of the main difficulties in implementing data-driven methods for RUL prediction is to choose proper features that represent real damage progression. In this article, by using the outcomes of frequency analysis through the envelope method, the initiated/existed defects on the ball bearings are identified. Also, new features based on developing faults of ball bearings are recommended to estimate RUL. Early-stage faults in ball bearings usually... 

Tolerances naturally generate an uncertain environment for design and manufacturing. In this paper, a novel fuzzy based tolerance representation approach for modeling the variations of geometric features due to dimensional tolerances is presented. The two concepts of fuzzy theory and small degrees of freedom are combined to introduce the fuzzy-small degrees of freedom model (F-SDOF). This model is suitable for tolerance analysis of mechanical assemblies with linear and angular tolerances. Based on the fuzzy concept, a new index (called the assemblability index) is introduced which signifies the fitting quality of parts in the assembly. Graphical and numerical representations of tolerance... 

In the selective laser sintering (SLS) method, layers of powder are scanned by a laser beam and sintered. The thermal gradients created by laser heating and the subsequent cooling of the sintered sections results in thermal stresses and part warping in the final part. Thermal gradients are dependent on the scanning algorithm, in particular, the scan vector length. In this work, an efficient scanning algorithm for the SLS process is presented with the aim to minimise the part warping in the final part due to thermally induced residual stresses, while maintaining the production time at a minimum. The proposed algorithm is implemented in a finite element simulation and scanning parameters... 

Inaccuracies in workpiece location lead to errors in position and orientation of machined features on the workpiece, and strongly affect the assemblability and the quality of the product. The accurate positioning of workpiece on a fixture is influenced by rigid body displacements and rotations of the workpiece due to several errors (e.g. geometric radial and position errors in locators and manufacturing tolerances of the workpiece). In this paper, an efficient approach is introduced for analysis and compensation errors in the workpiece-fixture-cutting tool system. A new mathematical formulation of workpiece-fixture modelling is proposed to establish the relationship between the locating... 

Fixtures play a key role in locating workpieces to manufacture high quality products within many processes of the product lifecycle. Inaccuracies in workpiece location lead to errors in position and orientation of machined features on the workpiece, and strongly affect the assemblability and the final quality of the product. The accurate positioning of workpiece on a fixture is influenced by rigid body displacements and rotations of the workpiece. In this paper, a systematic approach is introduced to investigate the located workpiece position errors. A new mathematical formulation of fixture locators modeling is proposed to establish the relationship between the workpiece position error and... 

Interactive and integrated design and manufacturing can be a useful strategy for designers to reach the efficient design through the cognitive or physical interactions. Process tolerance design is a key tool in the integrated design and manufacturing to reach a product with high quality and low cost. Since the optimal tolerance allocation involves several aspects of the design, manufacturing and quality issues, it is always a time consuming and difficult procedure, especially for complex products. Therefore, to overcome these difficulties, a computer-aided approach for optimal tolerance design of manufacturing process is needed in the design stage. In this paper, a novel interactive... 

Imprecise productions with low quality are produced by the incapable manufacturing processes. Prediction of the process capability in the design stage plays a key role to improve the product quality. In this paper, a new method is proposed to optimally reduce the locating error by allocating the minimum adjustments of locators. To quantify the precision of the manufacturing process, a proper tool that is called the geometric capability ratio (GCR) of the manufacturing process is introduced. First, based on a part fixture model, the relationship between the locating error and its sources is developed. Then, using the proposed geometric capability ratio, the manufacturing process capability is... 

Operational modal analysis based on power spectral density transmissibility functions (PSDT) is a powerful tool to identify the modal parameters with low sensitivity to excitations. The rotor systems may have the asymmetric damping or stiffness matrices which can lead to increase the difficulties of the identification procedure. In this paper, a new method is proposed to identify the modal parameters of the asymmetric rotary systems by the operational modal analysis based on the power spectral density transmissibility functions. For pole extraction from the PSDT function, a proper parametric identification method such as the Poly-reference Least Squares Complex Frequency-domain method... 

Optimal tolerance design is a time-consuming and multi-disciplinary procedure and involves several aspects of design, manufacturing, quality and cost problems. In addition, the quality of assemblies can be significantly affected by the flexibility of components which has not been considered in most of the previous research. In this paper, a new method is proposed for multi-objective optimal tolerance design of compliant assemblies based on an integrated Kriging meta-modelling–NSGA-II–Shannon’s Entropy TOPSIS algorithm. The tolerance propagation of flexible components in the assembly process is modelled through the enhanced Method of Influence Coefficients (MIC). Geometrical variations of key... 

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present a novel Kriging meta-model assisted method for multi-objective optimal tolerance design of the mechanical assemblies based on the operating conditions under both systematic and random uncertainties. Design/methodology/approach: In the proposed method, the performance, the quality loss and the manufacturing cost issues are formulated as the main criteria in terms of systematic and random uncertainties. To investigate the mechanical assembly under the operating conditions, the behavior of the assembly can be simulated based on the finite element analysis (FEA). The objective functions in terms of uncertainties at the operating conditions can be... 

Imprecise productions with low quality are produced by the incapable manufacturing processes. Prediction of the process capability in the design stage plays a key role to improve the product quality. In this paper, a new method is proposed to optimally reduce the locating error by allocating the minimum adjustments of locators. To quantify the precision of the manufacturing process, a proper tool that is called the geometric capability ratio (GCR) of the manufacturing process is introduced. First, based on a part fixture model, the relationship between the locating error and its sources is developed. Then, using the proposed geometric capability ratio, the manufacturing process capability is... 

In order to produce the mechanical assemblies with the high quality, the finest functionality, and the low cost, the optimal tolerance synthesis can be a useful tool in the design stage. The degradation of components due to some operational or environmental factors (such as the thermal cycling, the mechanical deformation, and the wear) can lead to dimensional variations in components and fall-off of the functionality of the product. In addition, different manners of the degradation on the internal and external dimensions can cause asymmetric deviations in the dimensions. On the other hand, the effect of degradation on the product quality has not been considered in most researches. In this... 

Interactive and integrated design and manufacturing can be a useful strategy for designers to reach the efficient design through the cognitive or physical interactions. Process tolerance design is a key tool in the integrated design and manufacturing to reach a product with high quality and low cost. Since the optimal tolerance allocation involves several aspects of the design, manufacturing and quality issues, it is always a time consuming and difficult procedure, especially for complex products. Therefore, to overcome these difficulties, a computer-aided approach for optimal tolerance design of manufacturing process is needed in the design stage. In this paper, a novel interactive...