Salman Hussain

Parameter analysis and design framework for magnetic adhesion wall climbing wheeled robot

Some robots need to climb ferromagnetic walls for performing important inspections and evaluations of the material properties of these walls. This paper aims to establish a design framework for magnetically adhering wheeled robots having magnets attached to the base of the robot. The different design parameters influencing the magnetic adhesion include the geometry of the flux concentrator, the variation of the air gap on adhesion and climbing performance in addition to various types of materials for magnetic flux concentration. These parameters shaping adhesion behaviour are simulated numerically using magnetostatic analysis in ANSYS Finite Elements Method (FEM) software. The results are evaluated and a set of rules and procedures are created as a framework that will enable a more efficient design and construction of this type of robots.

Integration of cell formation and job sequencing to minimize energy consumption with minimum make-span

Cell formation is the fundamental step while designing a cellular manufacturing system. Integration of job sequencing with cell formation can attain lower make-spans. The traditional cell formation and scheduling problems consider performance indicators such as productivity, time and flexibility in cellular manufacturing system; however, energy consumption has not been given due attention. Therefore, this research addressed the minimization of total energy consumption by implementing an energy-efficient schedule at the cell formation stage of cellular manufacturing system. For this purpose, a two-phase approach is proposed; in phase I, formation of independent cells is being carried out by considering energy-efficient routings and genetic algorithm is used for improving search performance. In phase II, a formulation is being developed to compute the total energy of the system based on optimal job sequence with respect to minimum idle running of the machines in each independent cell. For the proposed approach, a code is being developed in MATLAB software. Different sample problems have been evaluated. The results showed that the proposed approach is effective in generating independent cells and sequences with minimum energy consumption and make-span.

An Empirical Analysis of a Process Industry to Explore the Accident Causation Factors: A Case Study of a Textile Mill in Pakistan

Industrial revolutions not only improved the general lifestyle of individuals but also brought an increase in the diversity of the manufactured goods. This diversification involved use of advanced technology and complex methods that entailed dangerous conditions. According to international labor organization, occupational accidents cause death of more than two million individuals each year in different industries. Process industries are complex in nature and tend to lead to more accidents. In Pakistan among the process industries, textile mills are the most accident prone industries in recent times. Therefore, an empirical analysis of a textile process industry has been done using structural equation modelling to examine the interactions between the contributory factors of accidents. Results revealed that unsafe acts are a major contributor to human error, equipment error and unsafe environment that in turn lead to the calamities and disasters that can be avoided with proper safety measures in place.

A Comparative Study of Face Milling of D2 Steel Using Al2O3 Based Nanofluid Minimum Quantity Lubrication and Minimum Quantity Lubrication

This study aims to investigate the effects of process parameters: feed, depth of cut and flow rate, on the temperature during face milling of the D2 tool steel under two different lubricant conditions, Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) and Nano fluid Minimum Quantity Lubrication (NFMQL). Deionized water with the flow rate range 200–400 ml/h was used in MQL. 2% by weight concentration of Al2O3 nano particles with deionized water as a base fluid used as NFMQL with the same flow rate. Response surface methodology RSM central composite design CCD was used to design experiment run, modeling and analysis. ANOVA was used for the adequacy and validation of the system. The comparison shows that NFMQL condition reduced temperature more efficiently during machining.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) framework: A case of industrial engineering department

This paper aims to present an educational framework for outcomes based continuous quality improvement. Well defined program outcomes, program educational objectives and assessment process have been developed to ensure graduates’ outcomes achievement. Direct and indirect tools have been used for assessment process. Course evaluation surveys, alumni surveys, and employer surveys have been deployed for indirect outcome assessment. Exams, quizzes, assignments and projects, on the other hand, have been used for direct outcome assessment. In developed framework, the educational processes committees and facilities committees have been integrated to continuously evaluate and monitor the educational processes. Furthermore, program outcomes and course learning outcomes are proposed to be evaluated and continuously monitored by programs goals committee and continuous course improvement committee respectively. Forms and procedures have been developed to assess student outcomes.

POLE-PLACEMENT CONTROL OF A WALL CLIMBING VORTEX MACHINE

The paper presents the performance of a control system designed to maintain a desired negative pressure to support the payload of a wall climbing robot with a Vortex machine on different climbing surfaces. The control objective is to provide fast response to changes in pressure demands and air leakage when a vacuum chamber is dragged over different climbing surfaces by a wheeled robot. Experiments have been performed on a single vacuum chamber in which a negative pressure is created by a very cheap AC motor and control is applied by changing the speed of the motor. A pole-placement control system is shown to decrease the time constant of the Vortex system from an open-loop value of 2.85 second to a closed-loop value of 0.15 second.