Ronald B. Bucinell

The multidisciplinary international virtual design studio (MIVDS)

The International Virtual Design Studio (MIVDS) that was originated between the Departments of Mechanical Engineering of Union College (UC) and the Middle East Technical University (METU) is now extended to include the Mechanical Engineering Department at Queens University in Canada, the Computer Systems Engineering/Electrical Engineering Department at UC, and the Electrical/Electronics Engineering Department of METU. The design teams that participate in this project are composed of various combinations of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems engineering students. Design project topics are selected to cover mechatronic concepts that force students toward mechatronic design solutions. After years of experience, it is now possible to draw some conclusions and report on the concept and implementation of the multidisciplinary IVDS (MIVDS) project. One important conclusion is that a strong combination of institutional support and multidisciplinary faculty commitment is required for project initiation. Success in MIVDS is highly dependent on well-defined project specifications, a single source of project information, incentives for students to participate, travel to participating countries, a balanced team structure, common design and productivity tools, 24-hour access to MIVDS facilities, and participation by all students in the manufacturing phase of the project.

Full-field characterization of wishboning strain in the colobine mandibular symphysis.

The masticatory loading regime of lateral transverse bending (wishboning) is hypothesized to be instrumental in the evolution of symphyseal form among primates. The biomechanics of wishboning have largely been inferred by assuming that the mandible behaves as a curved beam under this load; however, the characterization of stress and strain in the anthropoid symphysis has been interpretively challenging. This is due, in part, to both limitations of sampling strain in an in vivo context and the incongruence of beam theory assumptions on the one hand, and the anatomical complexity of mandibular morphology on the other. Utilizing three‐dimensional (3D) Digital Image Correlation (DIC), we employ an in vitro approach to characterize the strain field in a sample of colobine mandibles under simulated wishboning loads in order to assess the utility of idealized curved beam models for characterizing strain gradients in symphyseal bone. Conventional theory of curved beams suggest that colobine mandibles should exhibit reduced disparity of labial and lingual stresses relative to papionin primates given differences in overall mandibular architecture. This prediction is borne out by our analysis: whereas macaques experience lingual:labial strain disparities of 3.5:1, the colobine mandibles exhibit ratios on the order of 2–3:1. However, despite the fact that wishboning loads represent a case of asymmetric bending, details of the wishboning strain field do not conform to expected stress distribution under this model. Anat Rec, 293:549–556, 2010.

Low-cost manufacturing and recycling of advanced biocomposites

ABSTRACT In this paper, the capabilities of Specialized Elastomeric Tooling for Resin Infusion, a low-cost and low-energy autoclaving alternative for consolidating and curing resin-infused thermoset composite parts, are expanded to biobased composites. Specifically, multiple flat laminate parts (10-ply stack of woven cellulose fiber with a high bio-content, recyclable epoxy resin matrix) are infused with bioresin, consolidated between a temperature-controlled rigid tool and matching rubber-faced tool specially engineered to provide uniform pressure under load, and then thermally cured in place. As expected, parts made using this process are thinner, have higher stiffness and strength, and have fewer surface voids as consolidation pressure is increased. Experimental results reported include resin infusion observations, part thickness, surface roughness, microscopy, tensile strength/modulus, and flexural strength/modulus. Following consolidation and curing, the recyclability of the cellulose textile is assessed by dissolving the commercially available bioresin in a dilute acetic acid bath to create a recyclable thermoplastic.

Velocities and Accelerations at the 3R Mechatronic Systems

This article presents an original method to determine the speeds and accelerations to structures MP R-3 The structure of the 3R (space) are known (required) rotation speeds of the triggers and must be determined speeds and accelerations of the endeffector M. Starting from the positions of direct kinematic system MP R-3deriving these system of relations in depending on the time, once and then a second time (the second derivation) is first obtains the speeds of the system and for the second time the accelerations endeffector point M. System on which must be resolved has three equations and three independent parameters to determine. Constructive basis is represented by a robot with three degrees of freedom (a robot with three axis of rotation). In the case where a study (analysis) a robot anthropomorphic with three axis of rotation (which represents the main movements, it is absolutely necessary), already has a system of the basis on which it can add other movements (secondary,). All calculations have been arranged and in the form of the array.