Joseph A. Morgan

Physical simulation: The use of scaled-down fully functional components to analyze and design automated production systems

Abstract This paper presents and discusses the physical simulation methodology currently employed in the Industrial Automation Laboratory in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Texas AM constructing scaled-down, functionally-equivalent generic models of the components with mechanical breadboarding kits; and then using these generic models to construct fully functional scaled-down systems. Thus, it allows us to evaluate the dynamic physical interactions using the models to confirm design decisions and to develop and test system software in parallel with the construction of the full-sized system. This approach should allow a cost reduction in the design cycle for complex automation because (1) through it we can identify design errors early, and (2) it provides a mechanism for the parallel development of both the computer hardware/software control system and the systems machinery. The methodology is currently under development in the Industrial Automation Laboratory in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Texas A&M University.

A course in innovative product design: A collaboration between architecture, business, and engineering

The importance of innovation and entrepreneurship has grown significantly over the past decade. Institutions of higher education have recognized the increasing level of importance being placed globally on producing college graduates with the skills to innovate new products and services, and many are rising to the occasion. Recently, Texas A&M University has established a small business accelerator available to all students. In addition, the University has supported the development of a new course where junior and senior students across the University can interact and learn about ideation, innovative product development, and entrepreneurship. Looking across the literature, most institutions are moving in a direction of fostering entrepreneurship through interdisciplinary courses either within engineering, business or through partnerships between both. This new course is novel in that, in addition to integrating product development with entrepreneurship, it also incorporates the ideation and innovation processes through involvement of the College of Architecture. By embedding architecture students into the teams of engineering and business students, expertise in these areas is added to the teams. Finally, the course exposes all students to new tools such as the lean startup method and Launchpad Central.

Development of a novel Modular Integrated Stackable Layer — Analog System Environment (MISL — ASE) platform for embedded systems education

With the support of Texas Instruments and NASA, a novel Modular Integrated Stackable Layer - Analog System Environment (MISL - ASE) platform has been developed to provide a comprehensive educational hardware environment for three embedded system design courses and two capstone design courses in the Electronic Systems Engineering Technology (ESET) program at Texas A&M University. The MISL-ASE platform uses the TI-MSP430 intelligence layer of the MISL architecture as the main core and control system that can be directly interfaced to the ASE board. Moreover, the MISL-ASE platform encompasses various analog and digital peripherals, such as GPIO outputs/inputs, LEDs, 7-segment displays, audio system, switches, keypad, and TFT LCD with touch screen, typical signal conditioning circuits such as A/D and D/A conversion for analog voltage simulation, battery life and light density measurement, 3-axis accelerometer, high-resolution external ADC converter, multiple analog signal generators, and motor control, etc. Several communication interfaces and protocols are also available such as UART (USB, RS-232/485, Bluetooth, and Zigbee), SPI (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Micro SD card, and flash memory), I2C (DAC and EEPROM), and 1-wire communication devices. Additionally, the robust design of the ASE board facilitates it being interfaced to a number of other embedded intelligence boards such as the Launchpad development system. This paper will discuss the overall design and capabilities of the MISL-ASE platform and the development of a series of laboratory assignments that can be accomplished using this novel MISL-ASE environment in the area of analog electronics, digital interfacing, and communications.

The Kaspar wire-forming machine: an application of physical simulation to the disign and implementation of an automated process control system

Abstract This paper presents and discusses a direct application of physical simulation modeling to a joint development effort between Kaspar Wire Works, Inc. and the Industrial Automation Laboratory in the Industrial Engineering Department at Texas A&M University. Physical simulation is the study of complex automated manufacturing and material handling systems through the use of mini- and microcomputers using full-sized software. By modeling the mechanical portions of the wire forming machine designed by Kaspar, the Industrial Automation Laboratory was able to develop the process control system as a parallel effort, thus saving time and expense. Paralleling the mechanical and control development resulting in early identification and prompt resolution of problem areas and design deficiencies. User-friendliness of the operator/system software interface was greatly enhanced due to an extended test and evaluation period provided by the operational model. This paper encompasses a brief explanation of physical simulation, addresses the development of the process control system and physical model in detail, and summarizes the benefits of this technology to the implementation of automated industrial control systems.