METAMORPHIC MECHANISMSAND THEIR CONFIGURATION MODELS

The concept of metamorphic mechanisms is presented, configuration models and configuration transformations relating to a set of new matrix operations are discussed and proposed. The configuration of a metamorphic mechanism reflects the connectivity change in the mechanism during motions which results in mobility change and presents the characteristics of the mechanism which is discussed in various applications particularly in decorative artifacts. The characteristics is further investigated with mobility analysis.

A review of down-hole tubular string buckling in well engineering

Down-hole tubular string buckling is the most classic and complex part of tubular string mechanics in well engineering. Studies of down-hole tubular string buckling not only have theoretical significance in revealing the buckling mechanism but also have prominent practical value in design and control of tubular strings. In this review, the basic principles and applicable scope of three classic research methods （the beam-column model, buck- ling differential equation, and energy method） are intro- duced. The critical buckling loads and the post-buckling behavior under different buckling modes in vertical, inclined, horizontal, and curved wellbores from different researchers are presented and compared. The current understanding of the effects of torque, boundary condi- tions, friction force, and connectors on down-hole tubular string buckling is illustrated. Meanwhile, some unsolved problems and controversial conclusions are discussed. Future research should be focused on sophisticated description of buckling behavior and the coupling effect of multiple factors. In addition, active control of down-hole tubular string buckling behavior needs some attention urgently.

Optimization and Mechanical Accuracy Reliability of a New Type of Forging Manipulator

Researches on forging manipulator have enormous influence on the development of the forging industry and national economy.Clamp device and lifting mechanism are the core parts of forging manipulator,and have been studied for longer time.However,the optimization and mechanical accuracy reliability of them are less analyzed.Based on General Function（G_F）set and parallel mechanism theory,proper configuration of 10t forging manipulator is selected firstly.A new type of forging manipulator driven by cylinders is proposed.After solved mechanical analysis of manipulator＇s core mechanisms,expressions of force of cylinders are carried out.In order to achieve smaller force afforded by cylinders and better mechanical characteristics,some particular sizes of core mechanisms are optimized intuitively through the combined use of the genetic algorithms（GA）and GUI interface in MATLAB.Comparing with the original mechanisms,optimized clamp saves at least 8 percent efforts and optimized lifting mechanism 20 percent under maximum working condition.Finally,considering the existed manufacture error of components,mechanical accuracy reliability of optimized clamp,lifting mechanism and whole manipulator are demonstrated respectively based on fuzzy reliability theory.Obtained results show that the accuracy reliability of optimized clamp is bigger than 0.991 and that of optimized lifting mechanism is 0.995.To the whole manipulator under maximum working condition,that value exceeds 0.986 4,which means that optimized manipulator has high motion accuracy and is reliable.A new intuitive method is created to optimize forging manipulator sizes efficiently and more practical theory is utilized to analyze mechanical accuracy reliability of forging manipulator precisely.

An optimization method for metamorphic mechanisms based on multidisciplinary design optimization

The optimization of metamorphic mechanisms is different from that of the conventional mechanisms for its characteristics of multi-configuration. There exist complex coupled design variables and constraints in its multiple different configuration optimization models. To achieve the compatible optimized results of these coupled design variables, an optimization method for metamorphic mechanisms is developed in the paper based on the principle of multidisciplinary design optimization（MDO）. Firstly, the optimization characteristics of the metamorphic mechanism are summarized distinctly by proposing the classification of design variables and constraints as well as coupling interactions among its different configuration optimization models. Further, collaborative optimization technique which is used in MDO is adopted for achieving the overall optimization performance. The whole optimization process is then proposed by constructing a two-level hierarchical scheme with global optimizer and configuration optimizer loops. The method is demonstrated by optimizing a planar five-bar metamorphic mechanism which has two configurations,and results show that it can achieve coordinated optimization results for the same parameters in different configuration optimization models.

Composite structural modeling and tensile mechanical behavior of graphene reinforced metal matrix composites

Owing to its distinguished mechanical stiffness and strength, graphene has become an ideal reinforcing material in kinds of composite materials. In this work, the graphene（reduced graphene oxide） reinforced aluminum（Al）matrix composites were fabricated by flaky powder metallurgy. Tensile tests of pure Al matrix and graphene/Al composites with bioinspired layered structures are conducted.By means of an independently developed Python-based structural modeling program, three-dimensional microscopic structural models of graphene/Al composites can be established, in which the size, shape, orientation, location and content of graphene can be reconstructed in line with the actual graphene/Al composite structures. Elastoplastic mechanical properties, damaged materials behaviors, grapheneAl interfacial behaviors and reasonable boundary conditions are introduced and applied to perform the simulations. Based on the experimental and numerical tensile behaviors of graphene/Al composites, the effects of graphene morphology,graphene-Al interface, composite configuration and failure behavior within the tensile mechanical deformations of graphene/Al composites can be revealed and indicated, respectively.From the analysis above, a good understanding can be brought to light for the deformation mechanism of graphene/Al composites.