3D Data Acquisition and Numerical Analysis of a Footwear in Walking

The aim of the paper is to set a procedure to study the load history of a footwear during a step with non-linear FE analysis. The geometric model tested was reconstructed from a real shoe by means of Reverse Engineering process, starting from dense point clouds acquired by non-contact scanning system. For each phase of the walk, the pressure values are obtained by a pressure distribution platform when tester is walking along the platform. The Finite Element model is easily generated by Hypermesh software using the CAD model. Ansys software is used to perform non-linear analyses. The procedure can be employed for improving the product performance in terms of durability, flexibility and comfo…

Rilievo in tempo reale di difetti superficiali su corpi in movimento a velocità elevata con ultrasuoni senza contatto

Il rilievo di difetti superficiali durante le ispezioni periodiche è importante poiché in genere le sollecitazioni sono maggiori in superficie e possono accelerare la crescita delle discontinuità. I difetti superficiali possono essere rilevati utilizzando alcuni metodi tradizionali di controllo non distruttivo, quali correnti indotte, liquidi penetranti, polveri magnetiche ed ultrasuoni. Alcuni tra questi metodi possono essere usati solo in condizioni statiche; gli altri presentano delle limitazioni per l’ispezione dinamica. I progressi recenti nel campo dei sensori ultrasonori senza contatto ci hanno permesso di sviluppare un sistema semplice per l’ispezione in tempo reale di corpi in movi…

A new haptic-based tool for training in medicine

Shape optimization of high-energy absorbers

In this paper, a new approach to simulate and to optimize the performances of a crash-box, in terms of energy absorption or acceleration peak, is presented. As soon as the maximum size of the crash-box (longitudinal and transversal dimensions) has been fixed, the new approach allows optimizing the shape of the transversal section and the thickness of the structure. Thanks to the proposed procedure, engineers can easily identify the best crash-box depending on the particular working conditions. The new method has been tested with different cases study by considering different objective functions. The obtained results show the procedure works well and also demonstrate that the optimal number …

Study of the performances of a fluidynamic actuator

Aim of this paper is presented a new methodology to study how different geometric parameters affect the performance of a hydraulic actuator. Preliminarily, the real working conditions of a hydraulic machine have been simulated by means of a CFD module. After, to test the reliability of the simulations, the obtained numerical results have been compared with the experimental data of a real prototype. This comparison demonstrates a good level of agreement between numerical and experimental results. Different simulations have been setup by modifying the actuator geometry and evaluating the efficiency of every analysed configuration. The results of this study give useful guidelines for the choic…

Behaviour of a speargun with a novel muzzle

The paper presents the results of a numerical and experimental investigation performed on a barrel of a speargun equipped with two kinds of muzzle. In particular, a standard muzzle for speargun (having an elastic propulsion) has been compared with an innovative one called ‘roller’. This new muzzle is equipped with two rollers and special bands. The rubber bands, fixed at the lower side of the barrel, run through the rollers and are engaged in suitable seats of the shaft. These bands are, therefore, longer than the traditional ones and, consequently, with equal force applied by the diver, the roller speargun has a longer range. Thanks to the particular geometry of the new muzzle, one of the …

Methodical redesign of a semitrailer

Dynamic rail inspection by vision system

Numerical and experimental analysis of a pegs-wing ventilated disk brake rotor, with pads and cylinders

DESIGN OPTIMIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF A NEW REAR UNDERRUN PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR TRUCK

In this paper the optimization process of a new High Energy Absorption Rear Underrun Protective Device called HEARUPD is discussed. The main objectives of the HEARUPD design optimization process have been related to the reduction in car decelerations (high crashworthiness) and avoiding the car underrun (high structure stability). In the implemented optimization process, the crash between an economy car (GEO Metro) and the rear part of a truck has been simulated by numerical models. A linear function of the decelerations measured on the car has been used as objective to minimize, the main dimensional values of the rear underrun protective device, instead, have been chosen as design variables…