Sebastian Koziołek

Critical to Quality Factors of Engineering Design Process of Armoured Vehicles

Critical to quality factors of engineering design process of armored vehicles includes establishing the effects that defects have on the quality of mechanical objects as per engineering assessment criteria. Determination of the factors is an original part of work known as the Optimal Design For Six Sigma [9], which defines a defect as an inconsistency between parameters and the technical specification limits of the mechanical object. The basis for determining the common factors of the effects of defects is established through conducting surveys among users and establishing the significance of the engineering assessment criteria. Innovative product design based on the measurable quality factors and crucial for customers allows effective optimization of the object, and the ability to achieve a stable and optimal degree of product quality. In effect, this method enables to limit the occurrence of defects through preventive actions.

Proactive Failure Prevention by Human-Machine Interface in Remote-Controlled Demolition Robots

The objective of the paper is to design an advanced Humane Machine Interface implemented in remote-controlled robot for demolition works. The paper includes the use of Design Thinking methodology in the conceptual design process for determined user-machine problems. The experimental testing with high-speed camera and vibrometer were performed to obtain the input data for numerical analysis. Then the finite element method simulations were carried out to provide the assumptions for HMI solution. Finally, a novel arm-mounted HMI status/caution/warning lighting was designed and executed in the robot controller. The system notifies the operator about the load capacity and warns the operator about leading the arm in resonant frequency, which is a main cause of the reported robot’s arm fatigue failure.

Design Process Innovation of Mechanical Objects with the Use of Design for Six Sigma Methodology

According to the strategy of Total Quality Management (TQM) [7] effective quality assurance of mechanical objects is maintained by means of permanent monitoring processes carried out in the cycle of product formation. The quality assessment of processes and the optimization of their crucial elements are the necessary condition for the improvement of efficiency and achievement of high level of customer satisfaction [15]. So far most of the techniques used for the process improvement are adopted to Lean Six Sigma methodology [1, 2, 11, 12, 17]. Achieving the quality on the level of 6 sigma is a primary goal of applying this methodology. Opinions exist that Lean Six Sigma should be implemented in the large number of areas of the life, and its effects (essential improvement in financial results through the reduction of poor quality costs) are hard to overrate. High effectiveness of every single process that is possible to achieve by applying the Lean Six Sigma strategy, became a source of inspiration for the study of Design For Six Sigma (DFSS) [4, 8, 12, 13], with purpose to improve object quality by implementing the innovation in product development.

Design by Analogy: Synectics and Knowledge Acquisition Network

Truly successful engineers and inventors not only use their domain-specific knowledge; they also utilize knowledge from other domains as well as the large body of heuristics and metaheuristics. They are holistic thinkers using both their deductive (rational) and abductive (creative) capabilities. Present computing education mostly emphasizes the utilization of knowledge in the context of analysis. Unfortunately, this limited focus has a negative impact on engineering students as it severely limits their ability to become inventors. In computer-aided design, models utilize attributes only from the used representation space. Therefore, the nature of such space is decisive where innovation of results is concerned. How to build a representation space for the problem-specific knowledge but allowing exploration leading to innovation is a challenge within the intersection of engineering and computer science. This paper proposes a method for building a design representation space capturing domain knowledge and at the same time creating an opportunity to acquire knowledge outside the problem domain. This dual emphasis increases the potential for producing novel designs. The method combines the advantages of heuristic thinking based on Synectics with traditional systematic and analytical thinking and is intended mostly for use in conceptual design. It will allow designers to develop a fundamental understanding how to acquire knowledge necessary for conceptual design while preserving their ability to explore various domains and to expand a representation space.

Design of Performance Indicators Based on Effective Time and Throughput Variability. Case Study in Mining Industry

The following paper proposes a method on how to analyze productive systems to achieve performance indicators that allows to know the state of the system. In particular, the objective of the paper is to analyze performance indicators that allow to understand the state of the production line in systems that present variability conditions in the performance of their equipment, and in their operational conditions that will not allow direct calculation of the effective time. It is proposed to begin with the utilization of a methodology to increase the understanding of the system, which will generate a conceptual model that will concentrate the required knowledge through a logic structure that will ease the subsequent analysis. Then, a step by step process is proposed to define the system, its performance indicators of interest, and the most efficient and effective way to obtain those, considering the existing restrictions. Finally, system and subsystem level indicators will be obtained, which will be a representation of the real state of the process, by representing the effective times, and variable throughput. All of the above will be applied in a case study in the mining industry from Chile.

A Computer Application for Drone Parametrization: Developing Solution for Drone Manufacturing

In this article, a solution for parametrization of drone parts by following a structured approach is proposed. Through this research, the authors attempt to contribute with a solution for those users that can have a 3D printer, but not necessarily have the specific knowledge to create appropriate parts for their drone or related modifications. A master 3D model has been created, which can be modified through a simple user interface, allowing to modify the general 3D model. The solution aims to manufacture the master model according to different drone sizes.

Method of Innovation Assessment of Products and Processes in the Initial Design Phase

A key for economic success of an enterprise is proper decision making regarding product and process planning. The aim of this study was to develop a method of innovation assessment of products and processes that will be applicable at early stage of design and throughout life cycle of a product. The effectiveness of proposed method was examined on real-life case studies. The method is based on systematic, quantitative analysis of parameters, unlike current approaches that concentrate rather on subjective opinions or assessment of the design process, not the design itself. Proposed method comprises some already known tools regarding functional modelling including TRIZ and adopts them to innovation assessment environment. Innovation assessment using proposed method allows to facilitate decision making process regarding choice of concept to be further developed at an early stage of a design process, reducing cost and time of development of new products and processes.

Analysis of the Use of Biogas as Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines

The article presents the opportunity to power internal combustion engine by treated and non-purified biogas. Internal combustion engines may be operated only within a certain range of parameters of fuel due to the design and method of operation. Furthermore, they are sensitive to changes in chemical composition of the fuel. The aim of the work described in the studies was to test the quality of biogas that can be obtained by methane fermentation of the test material. Considering the treatment of biogas as a consumable in vehicles, its physicochemical properties can be very diverse. It is reasonable therefore to analysis biogas composition of samples from various biogas plants, in the context of the possibility of its use in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The article presents an analysis of the chemical composition of untreated biogas collected from five representative biogas plants. Then it summarizes the data received with the requirements of the standards referred to European countries and set out the possibility of direct use of untreated and untreated biogas during the operation of vehicles with combustion engines.