Attila L. Bencsik

Maintenance of complex automated systems

In complex automated equipment, mechatronic and robotised systems, maintenance and corresponding diagnostics have extreme significance, because failure may cause considerable damages to the manufacturer. In the lecture we will deal with maintenance of robotised systems. First we will describe properties, introduction of maintenance demand of these technical systems. We will discover properties of maintenance strategy of robot systems. In the presentation we will show a method connected with cost analysis, which will serve as a basis for effective introduction of possible maintenance technology.

Model-based definition of prerequisites in engineering course structures

This paper introduces a method for representation of topic hierarchies in engineering course structures at higher education degree programs. The problem to be solved was emerged by an increased need for consideration of detailed prerequisites when a given topic was taught. In engineering, a topic for a principle, method, process, device, equipment, or system needs multiple sources of other topics from various areas to consider. Solution is conceptualized as a course model that is configured to represent the required connections. In this paper, following a problem characterizing, the authors analyze a former proposed course model structure, consider their earlier related works and propose a new concept for course structure, its building up using practice oriented entities, and a process concept for backing up a topic by prerequisite topics.

A new path generation method for autonomous in-door and out-door robots

Autonomous robot navigation is an important research field because these robots can solve problems where the human presence is impossible, dangerous, expensive, or uncomfortable. The main problem to be solved for an autonomous robot is that the environment where they have to move safely is usually not or only partially known and possibly even dynamically changing. In such situations universal navigation methods can be advantageous because they can combine the abilities of both the global and local techniques and thus can be used in any environment. In this paper, a new autonomous hybrid navigation method is introduced. The algorithm is composed of visibility graph based global navigation and simple potential field based local navigation parts. It applies a new automated graph generation method which may become necessary if, because of the observed new obstacles, a new path should be generated. The route generated by the introduced technique is quasi optimal. The presented technique offers a universal navigation technique which can successfully be used in all, known, unknown, and dynamically changing environments.

Video-based measurement system of parameters of the pyrotechnic effect

In architecture, in special tasks of industrial robotics applications, in navigation and control systems of military technology, in solution for manipulation problems of space exploration in many cases we have to deal with definition, measurement of specified points of space. From measurement technology point of view, it is regarded as a classical solution to solve a problem by application of calculation according to the principle of three-dimensional triangulation. A newer possible solution is provided by application of imaging systems, which may give good results with proper software support. In our article we deal with measurement technology problems of a special area. Measurement of parameters of spectacle elements for pyrotechnics is important from the point of view of qualification of applied pyrotechnical tool and of programming of the planned effect. We will describe the results of development by introduction of experiments of parameters according to a new measurement procedure and by comparative analysis of them.

Integration of new equipment by advanced process optimization

Practice of modern industrial production is characterised by continuous development as well as optimizing of processes. Its tool is the world-wide Lean management method, which is suitable for offering such solutions for changing production environment that correspond to productivity increase and cost reduction expectations. After brief introduction we will discuss main features of Lean management, which is connected to further applied production modernization. We will introduce the development that beside increase of production establishes conditions for applicability of Lean methods. This design work, by observing characteristics of the selected new machine unit, established a special serving environment. Application of the new equipment and the performed modernisation required also transformation of the production process. We will close our publication with summarising of results of production optimizing accomplished by integration of the new equipment.

Development trends in bio-mechatronics

One aim of the bio-mechatronics is to design devices that are capable of working together with muscles, nerves, brain stimulation and the skeleton, sometimes by completely taking over their role, to replace them. The other possible approach is that new results of mechatronics with robotics allow designing robotic remote surgery systems by system modelling in the case of robotic tissue manipulation. In the present work after discussion of operation and tasks of bio-mechatronics will be summarised more important areas of bio-mechatronic developments, showing further possibilities. Illustrative examples provide an overview about military and civilian application areas of different prosthetic designs. The paper shows the current university research directed to creation of soft tissue model starting from problems encountered in the design and modelling of remote surgery systems.

Effects of new engineering paradigm on university education programs

The first decade of this century brought paradigm change in product centered engineering. As result of a long integration process, the new paradigm of product lifecycle management established modeling methodology which is suitable for robust and efficient management of product information for wide range of engineering activities. This paper introduces an analysis of the new paradigm from the point of view of teaching and learning processes in university programs. Following this, new education challenges are identified and discussed and new demanded features for course programs are analyzed. Practice orientation of education is emphasized in a theory and methodology enriched engineering environment.

Condition system for application of industrial robot systems as critical technologies

Robots that mostly have open kinematic chain are suitable for performing high-speed complex movements. According to various technologies, some methods and procedures evolved, that made their application general and economic. In the present work we analyse conditions and effects that characterise these complex, valuable systems. On their evaluation, complex relations that increase reliability and safety, play a significant role. We will introduce its several personal, social and technical projections. The essay briefly will address the role of safety engineering, which may also increase protection of the robot systems.

Twin diagnostic method for industrial robot maintenance

Efficient system diagnostics has paramount significance in avoiding financial losses due to unexpected outages that may be caused by failures and/or damages. Proper maintenance strategies therefore need reliable technologies for observing erroneous operation and forecasting the potential consequences. With the exception of deliberate applications as braking etc. energy dissipation is undesired phenomenon in the operation of mechatronic devices. As a consequence, they are designed with the intent of minimizing dissipation as much as possible. The presence of intensive dissipation i.e. warming of various components normally conveys information on erroneous operation that may be caused by either mechanical or electrical components, or both. Combined application of thermometry and vibration analysis can effectively reveal the actual problem behind the symptoms and provides the users with good forecast. This method can be realized with relatively simple measuring apparatus. In the paper the details of this methodology are presented.

On the way of mechatronics

Hearing of mechatronics, even those who are not specialists, used to think of two things: mechanics and electronics. English expression of mechatronics was created by engineers more than one quarter of a century ago, and their aim was indeed to express some alloy of mechanics (machine engineering) and electronics. However, mechanics is more than interlocking of these two professions; under it we understand — beside computing (informatics) and electronics — also results of control technique, artificial intelligence and their common effect that are realised in the equipment that surrounds us. In the article we show how we arrived here, through origins of evolution of individual sciences up to mechatronics that establishes integration that creates a new value.