Search results for "Systems engineering"
showing 10 items of 1230 documents
A structured filter for Markovian switching systems
2014
In this work, a new methodology for the structuring of multiple model estimation schemas is developed. The proposed filter is applied to the estimation and detection of active mode in dynamic systems. The discrete-time Markovian switching systems represented by several linear models, associated with a particular operating mode, are studied. Therefore, the main idea of this work is the subdivision of the models set to some subsets in order to improve the detection and estimation performances. Each subset is associated with sub-estimators based on models of the subset. In order to compute the global estimate and subset probabilities, a global estimator is proposed. Theoretical developments ba…
Control design for a hypersonic aircraft using a switched linear parameter-varying system approach
2012
This paper is concerned with the control problem of an air-breathing hypersonic aircraft using a switched linear-parameter-varying systems approach. The rigid non-linear longitudinal model of a generic hypersonic aircraft is adopted with the aim of verifying the design methodology of the developed controller and switching logic. By linearizing the non-linear model of the hypersonic aircraft at trim points and dividing the velocity range into several parts, a switched linear parameter-varying model for the underlying system is derived. With the aid of multiple Lyapunov-like functions technique, controllers that ensure the tracking of given commands of the closed-loop system are designed und…
Production planning in reconfigurable enterprises and reconfigurable production systems
2005
Reconfigurable enterprises and reconfigurable production systems represent nowadays one of the key responses towards the organisational and manufacturing needs arising in the new era known as mass customization. The paper proposes an Agent Based approach for the production planning activities in reconfigurable enterprises, characterized by complex, articulated and geographically distributed production capacities contended by many product families and composed by reconfigurable production systems that allow quick adjustment of production capacity and functionality consenting to manufacture different products of the same part family.
Development and validation of a nonlinear dynamic impact model for a notch impact
2015
Finite element simulations are being more and more applied when studying the crash-worthiness of vehicles during impact. This paper deals with setting up such a simulation and discusses several ways to simplify and verify a simulated crash. For this purpose, a notch impact-testing machine will be released from a certain angle and crash into a model constructed with three different wall thicknesses. The plastic and elastic deformation is measured in the front of the model and is then used for validation of the simulation. In the end, the simulation was found to be in good agreement with the real crash data.
Self-piercing riveting for aluminium alloys-composites hybrid joints
2008
In the paper, the growing interest on hybrid joints developed between composite panels and aluminium alloys blanks is focused. The self-piercing riveting operation is considered and its feasibility for the proposed joints verified. The most relevant process parameters were investigated in order to determine a suitable process window and, what is more, the mechanical performances of the developed joints were investigated in order to determine process parameters aimed to maximise them. Finally, the failure mechanics of the obtained joints were considered in order to highlight the mechanisms which occur and determine the lost of the load carrying capability of the joints. The developed experim…
PAUT inspection of complex-shaped composite materials through six DOFs robotic manipulators
2015
The requirement to increase inspection speeds for the non-destructive testing (NDT) of composite aerospace parts is common to many manufacturers. The prevalence of complex curved surfaces in the industry provides significant motivation for the use of six-axis robots for the deployment of NDT probes in these inspections. The IntACom project, developed by TWI Technology Centre (Wales) and supported by a number of major aerospace partners and the Welsh government, has produced a prototype robotic NDT system. The prototype system is capable of inspecting complex-geometry composite components with great time savings. Two six-axis robotic arms deploy end effectors carrying phased array ultrasonic…
A Reference Scenario for IMS Strategic Design
1999
Today is fully acknowledged that manufacturing is a formidable competitive weapon. The strength of such a weapon is essentially defined during the first step of the design phase called strategic design. During this phase, in fact, the principal characteristics of the manufacturing systems are to be defined taking into account the competitive environment and the competition strategy. Classical analytical models for IMS design often neglect this aspect and, perhaps, this is one of the causes of IMS failure. The paper proposes a set of analytical models for strategic IMS design; they have been classified into four classes, each one pursuing a determined set of objectives, providing, in this wa…
On the material flow in fsw of T-joints: influence of geometrical and tecnological parameters
2008
Friction stir welding (FSW) now definitively reached a large interest in the scientific community and what is more in the industrial environment, due to the advantages of such solid state welding process with respect to the classic ones. The latter aspects are relevant also with reference to joints characterized by a complex geometry. What is more, advanced FEM tools permit to develop effective engineering of the processes; quantitative results can be acquired from numerical simulations once basic information, as the process mechanics and the material flow, are certain. Material flow plays a fundamental role in FSW since it determines the effectiveness of the joints or, in turn, the insurge…
Design optimization on the drive train of a light-weight robotic arm
2011
A drive train optimization method for design of light-weight robots is proposed. Optimal selections of motors and gearboxes from a limited catalog of commercially available components are done simultaneously for all joints of a robotic arm. Characteristics of the motor and gearbox, including gear ratio, gear inertia, motor inertia, and gear efficiency, are considered in the drive train modeling. A co-simulation method is developed for dynamic simulation of the arm. A design example is included to demonstrate the proposed design optimization method.
Transition of a distribution system towards an active network. Part II: Economical analysis of selected scenario
2011
This paper outlines the economical issues related to the transition of the energy generation for a real MV/LV distribution system from a ‘fuel based’ one to a distributed and smart ‘renewables based’ one. It is the prosecution of a companion paper, which addressed the technical issues connected to such transition. The study has been carried out by University of Palermo and ENEA (Italy), on a portion of real MV/LV distribution system of the research center ENEA of Casaccia (Rome, Italy). The analysis is carried out for a specific scenario chosen among those proposed in the companion paper.