Modifed Pre-stretching Assembly Method for Cable-Driven Systems

Soft cable-driven systems have been employed in many assembled mechanisms, such as industrial robots, parallel kinematic mechanism machines, medical devices, and humaniform hands. A pre-stretching process is necessary to guarantee the quality of cable-driven systems during the assembly process. However, the stress relaxation of cables becomes a critical concern during long-term operation. This study investigates the effects of non-uniform deformation and long-term stress relaxation of the driven cables owing to moving parts in the system. A simple closed-loop cable-driven system is built and an alternating load is applied to it to replicate the operation of transmission cables. Under different experimental conditions, the cable tension is recorded and the boundary data are selected to be curve-fitted. Based on the fitted results, a formula is presented to estimate the stress relaxation of cables to evaluate the assembly performance. Further experimental results show that the stress relaxation is mainly caused by cable creep and the assembly procedure. To remove the influence of the assembly procedure, a modified pre-stretching assembly method based on the stress relaxation theory is proposed and verification experiments are performed. Finally, the assembly performance is optimized using a cable-driven surgical robot as an example. This paper proposes a dual stretching method instead of the pre-stretching method to assemble the cable-driven system to improve its performance and prolong its service life.

Self-Optimizing Flexible Assembly Systems

Today＇s production systems are demanded to exhibit an increased flexibility and mutability in order to deal with dynamically changing conditions, objectives and an increasing number of product variants within industrial turbulent environments. Flexible automated systems are requested in order to improve dynamic production efficiency, e.g. robot-based hardware and PC-based controllers, but these usually induce a significantly higher production complexity, whereby the efforts for planning and programming, but also setups and reconfiguration, expand. In this paper a definition and some concepts of self-optimizing assembly systems are presented to describe possible ways to reduce the planning efforts in complex production systems. The concept of self-optimization in assembly systems will be derived from a theoretical approach and will be transferred to a specific application scenario---the automated assembly of a miniaturized solid state laser--where the challenges of unpredictable influences from e.g. component tolerances can be overcome by the help of self-optimization.

Analysis of Potential Failure Modes in an Assembly Line by Fuzzy Expert Systems

The failure modes and effects analysis （FMEA） is widely applied in manufacturing industries in various phases of the product life cycle to evaluate the system, its design and processes for failures that can occur. The FMEA team often demonstrates different opinions and these different types of opinions are very difficult to incorporate into the FMEA by the traditional risk priority number model. In this paper, for each of the Occurrence, Severity and Detectivity parameters a fuzzy set is defined and the opinion of each FMEA team members is considered. These opinions are considered simultaneously with weights that are given to each individual based on their skills and experience levels. In addition, the opinion of the costumer is considered for each of the FMEA parameters. Then, the Risk Priority Numbers （RPN） is calculated using a Multi Input Single Output （MISO） fuzzy expert system. The proposed model is applied for prioritizing the failures of Peugeot 206 Engine assembly line in IKCo （Iran Khodro Company）.

Supramolecular Self-assembly and Functionalization of Porphyrin-based Systems

Porphyrins are abundant in nature. They have been frequently employed as building blocks in the construction of nanoarchitectures and functional supramolecular systems. Recently, a series of novel porphyrin molecules including small molecules and polymers have been originally designed and synthesized with the aim of producing nanostructures with controllable-growth and materials with high-performance. Literature coverage is through 2004-2012. This review gives a full summary of related studies in our group.

Virtual Reality Toolkit for the Assembly of Nanotube-based Nano-electro-mechanical Systems

Nano assembly and manipulation technologies are the basis for nano-electro-mechanical systems（NEMS）. Atomic force microscope（AFM） is widely used to manipulate nanotubes to assemble NEMS. Manipulating nanotubes with AFM is a challenging and difficult task. One of the major reasons is the deficiency of visual information during the manipulation process. To address these difficulties, this research aims to put forward novel virtual tools and assembly strategies to improve the efficiency, accuracy and ease of the assembly process of NEMS. This paper begins by the discussion of the principles and implementation of a virtual nano-assembly simulator, which serves as a benchmark to test the proposed NEMS assembly techniques and virtual tools. Then, a general framework of nanotube-based NEMS assembly is proposed. Several nano-assembly strategies and virtual tools, such as automated path planning for NEMS assembly, a four-step scheme of nanotube manipulation, virtual fixtures for assembly finalization and safe manipulation, are introduced. These virtual tools and methods are experimented for justification. An assembly task of moderate complexity was performed in our virtual nano-assembly simulator with and without the help of the proposed toolkit. Experimental results suggest that the proposed methods tend to greatly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of nanotube-based NEMS assembly. In general, the proposed virtual reality toolkit not only ensures the safety, but also enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the assembly of nanotube-based NEMS.

Genetic Algorithm for Concurrent Balancing of Mixed-Model Assembly Lines with Original Task Times of Models

The growing global competition compels manufacturing organizations to engage themselves in all productivity improvement activities. In this direction, the consideration of mixed-model assembly line balancing problem and implementing in industries plays a major role in improving organizational productivity. In this paper, the mixed model assembly line balancing problem with deterministic task times is considered. The authors made an attempt to develop a genetic algorithm for realistic design of the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem. The design is made using the originnal task times of the models, which is a realistic approach. Then, it is compared with the generally perceived design of the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem.

Multi-agent robotic cooperative assembly system

Presents a multi robot cooperative assembly system (MRCAS) which is composed of an organizer computer, three industrial robots, PUMA 562 mounted on an omni directional vehicle, PUMA 760 and Adept I and organized into a hierarchical structure with the cooperation organization on the top and the coordination motion at the bottom to solve the main problem of coordination and cooperation among robots, and concludes with experimental results that MRCAS is reconfigurable and adaptable as the mission changes.

Mixed-Model U-Shaped Assembly Line Balancing Problems with Coincidence Memetic Algorithm

Mixed-model U-shaped assembly line balancing problems (MMUALBP) is known to be NP-hard resulting in it being nearly impossible to obtain an optimal solution for practical problems with deterministic algorithms. This paper pre-sents a new evolutionary method called combinatorial optimisation with coincidence algorithm (COIN) being applied to Type I problems of MMUALBP in a just-in-time production system. Three objectives are simultaneously considered;minimum number workstations, minimum work relatedness, and minimum workload smoothness. The variances of COIN are also proposed, i.e. CNSGA II, and COIN-MA. COIN and its variances are tested against a well-known algo-rithm namely non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA II) and MNSGA II (a memetic version of NSGA II). Experimental results showed that COIN outperformed NSGA II. In addition, although COIN-MA uses a marginal CPU time than CNSGA II, its other performances are dominated.

Seismic Isolation of Reactor Assembly for a Fixed Base Accelerator Driven System Reactor Building

In the SILER （Seismic-Initiated events risk mitigation in LEad-cooled Reactors） Project, it is interesting to apply seismic isolation technology for the reactor assembly of the fixed base reactor building for ADS （Acceleration Driven System） heavy liquid reactor MYRRHA （Multipurpose Hybrid Research Reactor for High-Tech Application） which contains the most critical safety related components, such as reactor vessel, safe shutdown and control rod mechanisms, primary heat exchangers, primary pumps, spoliation target assembly and fuel assemblies, etc. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of an application of a partial seismic isolation to the safety critical components only, here, the reactor assembly. This paper presents the preliminary analysis results of the isolated reactor assembly and compares these with those of seismic isolated ADS reactor building. The analysis results show the reduction of the seismic acceleration response but the increase of the relative displacement for the reactor assembly. Some safety issues, especially, coolant＇s incapable covering the reactor core make difficult to apply for the partial seismic isolation of the ADS reactor assembly due to large relative displacement occurring the partial isolation system. Further study on the partial seismic isolation application of the critical safety components are also discussed.

The Development of the Production Management and Control System for 10th Assembly Workshop under XAC-CIMS

This paper gives brief introduction to the production management and control system (PMCS) for 10th assembly workshop under Xi’ an Aircraft Company (XAC)--CIMS. Its user requirements 9 structure, ftinctions, and implementation are described. It is showed that the development problems of PMCS can be further reduced to a development methodology for Chinese enterprises, which will make them competitive.

Investigation of Performance of Turret Assembly in Inboard Turret Mooring System

To fulfil the need of development of offshore oil floating production system, the performance of turret assembly in an inboard turret mooring system has been investigated in the paper. By means of systematic evaluation, the optimal structure of the turret for single-point mooring systems has been determined. Through model tests of a turret mooring system, several groups of data such as forces, moments and displacements under different environmental conditions have been obtained. Stresses and strains of the turret structure have been calculated by means of the finite element method corresponding to the situation in the model experiment. The study shows that the selected turret structure and the designed turret assembly are technically feasible.

应用Gibson Assembly方法构建植物表达载体

【目的】构建方便快捷的植物表达载体。【方法】应用Isothermal in vitro recombination system or “Gibson Assem-bly”方法设计包含片段间20～25 bp互补重叠序列的引物，通过PCR扩增出带有首尾重叠的目的DNA片段，可将1个或多个片段和线性化的载体一步组装成表达载体。【结果和结论】利用该方法快速构建了多个水稻基因的全长以及部分缺失编码区表达载体。此外，还通过对Gibson Assembly连接产物进行PCR扩增后再连接到载体，提高多DNA片段组装的效率。本方法不受目的片段内部限制性酶切位点的限制，可广泛应用于各种载体的构建。

A Study on Modular Fixture Design with Intelligent Selection of Elements and Interactive Assembly

Based on the features of the design and assembly of rnodular fixtures, a new design system which combines intelligent selection of elements and interactive assembly is presented.Using the fixture design datum, the system can automatically select elements,and can interactively assemble together these elements based on AutoCAD. An example is given to illustrate it.

Supply Coordination Based on Bonus Policy in Assembly under Uncertain Delivery Time

The existing research of supply coordination under uncertain delivery time mainly focuses on the collaboration between the supplier and the manufacturer, which aim at minimizing the total cost of each side and finding comparative optimal solutions under decentralized decision. In the supply coordination, the collaboration between suppliers in assembly system is usually not considered. As a result, the manufacturer’s production is often delayed due to mismatching delivery of components between suppliers. Therefore, to ensure supply coordination in assembly system, collaboration between suppliers should be taken into consideration. In this paper, an assembly system with two suppliers and one manufacturer under uncertain delivery time is considered. The model is established and optimal solution is given under decentralized decision. Furthermore, the cost functions of two suppliers are both convex, and a unique Nash equilibrium exists between two suppliers. Then the optimal decision under supply coordination is analyzed, which is regarded as a benchmark for supply coordination. Additionally, the total cost of the assembly system is jointly convex in agreed delivery time. To achieve supply coordination a bonus policy is explored in the assembly system under uncertain delivery time, and the total cost under bonus policy must be lower than under decentralized decision. Finally the numerical and sensitivity analysis shows the cost of assembly system under bonus policy equals that under supply coordination, and the cost of each side in assembly system under bonus policy is lower compared to that under decentralized decision. The proposed research minimizes the total cost of each side with bonus policy in assembly system, ensures the supply coordination between suppliers and the manufacturer, and improves the competiveness of the whole supply chain.

Cryptanalysis of a Substitution-Permutation Network Using Gene Assembly in Ciliates

In this paper we provide a novel approach for breaking a significant class of block ciphers, the so-called SPN ciphers, using the process of gene assembly in ciliates. Our proposed scheme utilizes, for the first time, the Turing-powerful potential of gene assembly procedure of ciliated protozoa into the real world computations and has a fewer number of steps than the other proposed schemes to break a cipher. We elaborate notions of formal language theory based on AIR systems, which can be thought of as a modified version of intramolecular scheme to model the ciliate bio-operations, for construction of building blocks necessary for breaking the cipher, and based on these nature-inspired constructions which are as powerful as Turing machines, we propose a theoretical approach for breaking SPN ciphers. Then, we simulate our proposed plan for breaking these ciphers on a sample block cipher based on this structure. Our results show that the proposed scheme has 51.5 percent improvement over the best previously proposed nature-inspired scheme for breaking a cipher.

Heuristics for Mixed Model Assembly Line Balancing Problem with Sequencing

The growing global competition compels organizations to use many productivity improvement techniques. In this direction, assembly line balancing helps an organization to design its assembly line such that its balancing efficiency is maximized. If the organization assembles more than one model in the same line, then the objective is to maximize the average balancing efficiency of the models of the mixed model assembly line balancing problem. Maximization of average balancing efficiency of the models along with minimization of makespan of sequencing models forms a multi-objective function. This is a realistic objective function which combines the balancing efficiency and makespan. This assembly line balancing problem with multi-objective comes under combinatorial category. Hence, development of meta-heuristic is inevitable. In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop three genetic algorithms for the mixed model assembly line balancing problem such that the average balancing efficiency of the model is maximized and the makespan of sequencing the models is minimized. Finally, these three algorithms and another algorithm in literature modified to solve the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem are compared in terms of the stated multi-objective function using a randomly generated set of problems through a complete factorial experiment.

The Coupled Operational Systems:A Linear Optimisation Review

The purpose of this review is to summarise the existing literature on the operational systems as to explain the current state of understanding on the coupled operational systems.The review only considers the linear optimisation of the operational systems.Traditionally,the operational systems are classified as decoupled,tightly coupled,and loosely coupled.Lately,the coupled operational systems were classified as systems of time-sensitive and time-insensitive operational cycle,systems employing one mix and different mixes of factors of production,and systems of single-linear,single-linear-fractional,and multi-linear objective.These new classifications extend the knowledge about the linear optimisation of the coupled operational systems and reveal new objective-improving models and new state-of-the-art methodologies never discussed before.Business areas affected by these extensions include product assembly lines,cooperative farming,gas/oil reservoir development,maintenance service throughout multiple facilities,construction via different locations,flights traffic control in aviation,game reserves,and tramp shipping in maritime cargo transport.

A Novel Targeting Drug Delivery System Based on Self-Assembled Peptide Hydrogel

In the last two decades, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used in clinical practice to inhibit the fibroblasts to proliferate and improve the success rate of glaucoma-filtering surgery, but 5-FU has many toxic effects to normal ocular tissues. The self-assembled peptide hydrogels may serve as a new class of biomaterials for applications including tissue engineering and drug delivery. How to deliver 5-FU quickly and precisely to the target sites of ocular tissue by a self-assembled peptide hydrogel remains unexplored. RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) sequence is cell attachment site in extracellular matrix (ECM). Thus, If the self-assembled peptide hydrogel containing the RGD sequence that act as a specific attachment site for the proliferated fibroblasts adhesion could be designed, after integrated 5-FU, a novel targeting drug delivery system will be put into practice in the future.

CONCURRENT PRODUCT PORTFOLIO PLANNING AND MIXED PRODUCT ASSEMBLY LINE BALANCING

Reconfigurable products and manufacturing systems have enabled manufacturers to provide ＂cost effective＂ variety to the market. In spite of these new technologies, the expense of manufacturing makes it infeasible to supply all the possible variants to the market for some industries. Therefore, the determination of the right number of product variantsto offer in the product portfolios becomes an important consideration. The product portfolio planning problem had been independently well studied from marketing and engineering perspectives. However, advantages can be gained from using a concurrent marketing and engineering approach. Concurrent product development strategies specifically for reconfigurable products and manufacturing systems can allow manufacturers to select best product portfolios from marketing, product design and manufacturing perspectives. A methodology for the concurrent design of a product portfolio and assembly system is presented. The objective of the concurrent product portfolio planning and assembly system design problem is to obtain the product variants that will make up the product portfolio such that oversupply of optional modules is minimized and the assembly line efficiency is maximized. Explicit design of the assembly system is obtained during the solution of the problem. It is assumed that the demand for optional modules and the assembly times for these modules are known a priori. A genetic algorithm is used in the solution of the problem. The basic premise of this methodology is that the selected product portfolio has a significant impact on the solution of the assembly line balancing problem. An example is used to validate this hypothesis. The example is then further developed to demonstrate how the methodology can be used to obtain the optimal product portfolio. This approach is intended for use by manufacturers during the early design stages of product family design.

A Laser Line Scanner Based Hole Position Correction Mechanism for Automatic Drilling and Riveting in Aircraft Assembly

The low-stiffness of aircraft skins may results in the differences between aircraft actual parts and their theoretical models,which will consequently affect the accuracy of automatic drilling and riveting in aircraft assembly.In this paper,a novel approach of hole position correction using laser line scanner(LLS)is proposed to assign a single row of holes on the parts’surfaces.First,we adopt a space circle fitting method and the random sample consensus(RANSAC)to obtain the precise coordinates of center of the datum holes’coordinates.Second,LLS is calibrated by the laser tracker,and the relations between the LLS coordinate system and the tool coordinate system(TCS)can be calculated.Third,the kinematics model of the automatic riveting machine is established based on a two-point referencing strategy proposed in this paper.Thus,the positions of the holes to be drilled can be adjusted.Finally,the experimental results show that in TCS the measurement error of LLS is less than 0.1 mm,and the correction error of the hole position is less than 0.5 mm,which demonstrates the reliability of our method.