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In this paper, comparative analysis between the profits of three reliability models of a building cable manufacturing plant is carried out. To facilitate the analysis, real maintenance data of the plant are collected. Three case specific reliability models of the plant are developed. Semi-Markov processes and regenerative point techniques are used to estimate optimized reliability indices of the plant; such as; mean time to plant failure, plant availability, expected number of plant repairs, expected busy period of the repairman and profit incurred to the plant. Comparison between the profits is demonstrated through graphical analysis.

Dashboards in modern vehicular interiors, house multiple infotainment systems that allow a continuous flow of nonessential information maintaining driver connectivity. This results in distraction of the driver's attention from the primary task of driving, leading to a higher probability of collisions. This paper presents a novel head-up display (HUD) system which utilizes gesture recognition for direct manipulation of the visual interface. The HUD is evaluated in contrast to a typical head-down display system by 20 users in a high-fidelity virtual reality (VR) driving simulator. The preliminary results from a rear collision simulation scenario indicate a reduction in collision occurrences of 45% with the use of HUD. This paper presents the overall system design challenges and user evaluation results.

This paper presents a comparative study of Multilayer Feedforward Perceptron Neural Network which is trained with Back Propagation (MLP-BP) and also using hybrid training using Genetic Algorithm (GA) (MLP-GABP), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers to classify the fault conditions of a centrifugal pump. Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) with three different wavelet functions (Morlet, db8 and rbio1.5) is used to extract the features. GA is also used to optimize the number of hidden layers and neurons of MLP. From the results obtained, MLP-BP has shown better performance than MLP-GABP and SVM using a lower number of features. SVM has performed better using polynomial kernel function using a smaller number of features and parameters. A centrifugal pump test rig has been specifically designed and built for this work in order to create the desired faults. Keywords: Genetic Algorithm (GA), Multilayer Feedforward Perceptron (MLP), Support vector machine (SVM), Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT)

The design, development and evaluation of consumer electronics pose many challenges in the transition from initial concept to final product market release. In the automotive sector, in particular, due to the nature of these devices and to alleviate users’ safety concerns, the evaluation of such devices could be primarily performed in simulated and virtual environments. Device functionality can be evaluated objectively by measurement of user performance indicators. User acceptance of these technologies and attitude towards future use is, however, more difficult to formally access, but is considered as important a determinant of the success or failure of a product. The paper presents the virtual simulation requirements of two prototype AR HUD systems and two variations of Technology Acceptance Models (TAM) designed exclusively for their evaluation. The reasoning behind virtual simulations and utilisation of TAM variants in accessing and predicting user experience outcomes and intentions is discussed. In conclusion, a future plan for examining further the virtual simulation environments and additional TAM structures is proposed.

Industry 4.0 was introduced in 2011 and since then has been perceived in multiple ways such as a vision, a paradigm, a scenario or as a digital revolution in production and service organizations. Even though Industry 4.0 is associated with great improvements for companies, there is still a lack of a uniform definition of the term Industry 4.0, especially when it comes to the transfer of knowledge from theoretical research to the implementation in organizations, which leads to confusion and disaffirmation. The lack of a clear structure and a holistic definition of the research topic Industry 4.0 inhibits the development of new business areas and new research approaches. To target this fundamental gap, a methodology is developed and the 338 most relevant publications are analyzed in the database of ScienceDirect starting from 2015. Based on those publications, the field of Industry 4.0 is structured. A consistent and comprehensive definition for Industry 4.0 is introduced by using a bibliometric analysis. Therefore, existing descriptions are decomposed into word fragments and analyzed. It is shown that this novel approach to find a definition for the term “Industry 4.0” does not yet exist. The aim is to provide a purely objective definition based on a statistical evaluation, without restricting the selection of publications to a specific research or business area. Based on those data, a new and ubiquitous definition of Industry 4.0 is formed, discussed and validated on practical examples.

Multiple infotainment sources can significantly overload the driver’s cognitive load and increase the collision probabilities. Current solutions provided have attempted to alleviate this issue with the centralization of infotainment devices to single touchscreen devices in the dashboard area. Yet this solution still requires the driver to take the eyes from the road and concentrate on operating the secondary tasks unrelated to the driving process. The paper presents a prototype Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD) system that superimposes a selected number of infotainment data on the vehicle’s windshield only when this is safe for the driver. The selection of infotainment data and projection timing is calculated by a prototype Artificial Intelligence (AI) Co-Driver that aims to reduce the driver’s cognitive load. The proposed system was evaluated by 50 users against a typical touchscreen dashboard system. This work presents and discusses the subjective feedback related to the cognitive load that the users perceived during the trials. The paper concludes with a future plan for improving both the AI and AR HUD elements to perform in an urban environment.

As the telecommunication network components and functions are getting commoditized, the complexity in configuration and optimization increases. Several automation techniques are evolving from traditional deterministic algorithms (pre-defined rulesets obtained from experience accumulated by humans) that were heuristic-based to more cognitive and stochastic-based algorithms. The aim of this paper is to introduce the seven layers in wireless telecommunication networks that uses stochastic or AI algorithms, explain the need for monitoring and possible potential biases in each layer of the stochastic algorithm stack and finally conclude with evaluation methods, techniques for detecting false positive and false negative proposals in autonomous network functions. The main subject of the paper is to provide a background on the need of explainable AI for autonomous network functions. The paper includes introduction of two models ANOBIA and INFEROBIA models that helps to achieve explainable AI for autonomous network functions in wireless and mobile networks.

This paper describes the design, development and commercialization of a digital twin in an industrial product service system (industrial PSS). The twin was one of a number developed as part of a Smart Twin project in Switzerland with multiple industrial partners. The case here follows a commercialization process for digital twin-enabled services and will highlight some of the critical success factors. The service provided with the support of the digital twin was based on the reliable and predictable operation of a server room. Equipment in the room comes from several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and a system integrator manages the system. The approach is to apply action research as the methodology on a single case and then to identify and assess the aspects where Service Dominant (S-D) logic supported or hindered the development of the new digital technology-based service that was being co-created between the supplier and the customer. The analysis of the case confirmed that S-D logic supported the development of Smart Service offerings and showed that value co-creation can be developed.

Centrifugal pumps are rotating machines which are widely used in process operations and other applications. Efficient and failure-free operation of these pumps is important for effective plant operation and productivity. However, the complexity of pumps, combined with continuous operation, can lead to failure and expensive maintenance requirements, thus motivating interest in on-line condition monitoring. This work investigates the application of frequency-domain analysis for classification of various centrifugal pump conditions. Seven conditions are considered, namely, healthy (non-faulty); five mechanical faults: misalignment, imbalance, faulty bearing, faulty impeller and mechanical looseness; and a hydraulic fault: cavitation. A centrifugal pump test rig was built specifically for this research to simulate each fault condition and acquire the resulting vibration measurements. Signals are acquired from the pump using an accelerometer which is mounted on its bearing housing, and a data acquisition device (DAQ) is used to acquire the signals. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is used to identify which types of faults generate stationary or non-stationary signals. However, the accuracy of detection for the non-stationary signals is shown to require further improvement, and alternate methods are suggested accordingly.

Long distance travelling and commuting can be particularly tiring for the driver and the rear passengers. The level of driver distraction could be further increased if younger passengers onboard are idle for long time during the drive. This paper presents a novel Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Up Display (HUD) interface that aims to attract rear passengers’ attention through assortment of infotainment applications superimposed on the side car-windows. The system additionally offers a bespoke provision of educational value, which provides superimposed data and games available for the different landmarks. The simplified interface enables the use from younger passengers and seniors alike. The proposed system has undergone two main evaluations involving 50 users and 10 families aiming to identify the system usability. The evaluation took place in a full-scale Virtual Reality driving simulator, which tested the drivers/parents’ ability to avoid collisions. The evaluation outcome offered an informative appraisal of the systems efficiency and overall positive feedback from the users.

The proliferation of infotainment systems in the contemporary vehicular environment offers an abundance of information which is typically not distilled or prioritised according to the driver's requirements and driving conditions. Additionally, this requires from the driver to operate multiple interfaces, resulting in an overwhelming cognitive load and a higher probability of collision. Our work presents a new multimodal Head-Up Display interface that aims to enhance human responses during a potential collision whilst moderate the plethora of incoming information through a simplified and manageable system. The latter is fully interactive and operated with the use of an embedded gesture recognition system. The proposed system was evaluated by comparison to a traditional Head-Down Display interface system by twenty users, with the use of a high-fidelity driving simulator. The results were in favour of the proposed system which reduces the collision propensity by 90% in a motorway environment.

PurposeCurrent healthcare applications produce a complex and inaccessible set of data that often needs to be investigated simultaneously. As such the conflicting software applications and mental effort being demanded from the user result in time‐consuming analysis and diagnosis. The purpose of this paper is to provide a prototype, interactive system for management of multiple data sets, currently used for gait analysis capturing, reconstruction and diagnosis. In summary, this work is concerned with the development of interactive information‐visualisation software that assists medical practitioners in simplifying and enhancing the retrieval, visualisation and analysis of medical data with the intention of improving the overall system leading to an improved service for the user and patient experience.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the proposed system aims to combine all the related existing software currently used for gait analysis and diagnosis under one, user‐friendly package. The latter will have the capacity to offer also real‐time, three dimensional (3D) representations of all the derived data (CT, MRI, motion capture) in an interactive virtual reality (VR) environment.FindingsIt is intended that the proposed prototype solutions will enhance interactive systems for management of multiple data sets, currently used for gait analysis capturing, reconstruction and diagnosis. The derived data encapsulate a plethora of multimedia information aiming to enhance medical visualisation.Originality/valueThe proposed system offers simulation capacity and a VR visualisation experience, which enhances the gait analysis diagnostic process. The 3D data can be manipulated in real‐time through a novel human‐computer interface which uses multimodal interaction through the use of graphical user interfaces and gesture recognition. The system aims towards a cost‐effective, clearly presented and timely accessible system that follows a threefold approach; It entails managing the extensive amount of the daily produced medical data, combining the scattered information related to one patient in one interface with a filtering criteria to the required information, and visualising in 3D the data from different sources, in order to improve 3D mental mapping, increase productivity and consequently ameliorate quality of service and management.

This paper presents a novel Human-Computer Interaction design approach for an automotive direct manipulation interface, aiming primarily to act as a younger passengers' interactive infotainment system in order to minimize driver distraction. The proposed design is applied in the peripheral windscreens with the use of a novel Head-Up Display system. The system evaluation by twenty users offered promising results discussed in the paper.

In recent years the construction fixings industry has begun to look to the concrete screw anchor to alleviate lengthy installation cycles and expansion issues, whilst introducing temporary fixing capability and suitability for use in cracked concrete. The screw anchor, often used in heavy-duty structural applications, operates on a mechanical interlock principle by creating a threaded cut in the substrate. Previous research has revealed this operational principle to show similarities to both expansion and chemical anchors—the two predominant fixings systems in current construction practice. Still in its infancy, the product lacks a certified test procedure and program for attaining technical approvals. This paper describes the development of an improved methodology for analysing the performance of the concrete screw anchor both physically and theoretically. Having reviewed the current test procedures, a range of products available on the market were assessed manually in the interest of developing an understanding of product operation. Standard test approaches were then customised to suit the unique product characteristics, before continuing to gather performance data. This research work then focuses upon theoretical performance calculation. Currently two theoretical models are potentially applicable to the concrete screw anchor; the concrete capacity method and the bond strength calculation method. Through comparison of the physical test data and the two current theoretical models, realisation of partial conformity with each model pointed towards promising routes for future research and a foundation for improved design of the product.

With the fast deploying and development of information sharing technologies, the Internet has been extensively applied by modern enterprises to pursue a good, efficient communication with their customers and thus research activities supported by global companies zealously motivate onto the Internet which can be used to advertise their products and provide relevant information within design and manufacturing process. Modern enterprises of manufacturing utilize the benefits of global resource from Internet to make the solution which could cut cycle time and reduce costs during the procedure of product design, development and manufacturing. Due to positive development of graphic technologies and 3D modelling tools, Internet is used as an infrastructure to develop new system and explore potential market by modern enterprises on account of the power of sharing text, value and data but also supports dynamic media such as delivering of high quality and interactive 3D graphical content. In the meantime, much work has been done by companies and numerous modelling systems have been developed to build three-dimensional detailed solid which focuses on designing useful parts and shapes using CAD/CAM technologies. Regarding to the increasing quantities of 3D models and requirement of designers based on design reuse in practice, the investigations suggest the achievement of shape data retrieval is viable and a characteristic 3D model search tool is welcome. This paper presents the framework of web-based system and technologies applied in design and the related barrier to implementation is identified. A method for collection 3D data is described and inevitable recursive analysis and relevant equation are induced.

Medical education is a dynamic field that witnesses continuous evolution and development. The employment of Virtual Reality (VR) based visualization and training environments in the delivery of anatomy teaching transfers the learning experience from one that involves memorising the structures without a true understanding of the 3-Dimensional (3D) relations, to a process that involves a thorough understanding of the structure based on visualisation rather than memorising, which makes the learning process more efficient and enjoyable, and less time consuming. This paper describes the development of a Virtual Reality and 3D visualisation system for anatomy teaching. The developed system offers a real-time 3D representation of the heart in an interactive VR environment that provides self-directed learning and assessment tools through a variety of interfaces and functionalities. To ensure the accuracy and precision of the developed system it was evaluated by a group of medical professionals.

With the great progress of web technology in the past few years, many approaches have been proposed to implementing web-based systems for design and manufacturing. However, the implementation of the approaches and associated systems is not an easy task because design and manufacturing are normally sophisticated engineering operations. In this paper the authors present an engineering approach for implementing web-based design and manufacturing support systems. The implementation issues are critically discussed with an exemplar-a web-based bearing design support system developed by the authors. These issues include design information integration, remote execution of the systems, use of Java programming, client - server architecture, open computing and user interface design, and the human - computer interaction aspects.

The simulation of manufacturing processes and manufacturing systems using computers has been carried out for several decades. The use of discrete event simulation models for production systems, material planning, machine grouping and various other key problems of resource allocation have been well researched and a number of ready to use commercial products are available. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence simulation and modelling techniques for certain manufacturing processes have led to significant advantages over conventional techniques. However, the benefits of using AI techniques have not been fully exploited in existing simulation systems. Owing to the different way that some AI techniques process or represent simulation data compared to conventional mathematically based methods, it is not always easy to include AI techniques in existing simulation systems with their inherent structures for representing simulation data. In this paper, a concept which allows the use of AI techniques such as artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms and fuzzy sets as well as traditional mathematical techniques for the simulation and modelling of certain manufacturing processes is presented and discussed. Methods for the exchange of simulation data are demonstrated using the milling process as an example. Furthermore, the notion of distributed simulation and the determination of essential process parameters by remote access to common simulation databases using a client/server model has been reviewed.

Current medical data derived from gait analysis and diagnosis of various musculoskeletal pathologies offer a plethora of text based and imaging data. The large volume and complexity of the particular data present a number of issues during the collection, storage, searching and visualisation process for gait analysis management and diagnosis. Adhering to above it is evident that a simplified, holistic and user-friendly system is required in order to improve the acquisition and comparison of medical data in a timely manner. Further consultation with health professionals suggested that the proposed prototype should entail an automated system that can extract, save and visualise the data from different sources, in order to enhance medical data visualisation, increase efficiency and thus improve quality of service and management. This work presents the development stages of a new prototype system for managing medical data for gait analysis, which additionally offer simulation capacity in a Virtual Reality environment in order to assist the medical practitioners towards a faster an better informed evaluation of each condition. In particular this paper investigates various methods of displaying medical data in a single application with a view to managing and sharing multimedia data and to employing a VR to enhance user interaction with medical data. Findings of a promising preliminary evaluation through user trials are also presented. Concluding, the paper presents future plans to incorporate a bespoke 3D human- computer interface with a view to provide the health professionals with customisable information and enhancing the interface functionalities. Finally, as the system is web-based there is scope for expansion of the application to other areas of medical assessments involving complicated datasets.

Contemporary medical training is hindered by an excessive amount of information provided to students through mainly traditional teaching methods yet the younger generations are accustomed to digital data and information on-demand. As such they have developed a fully customised manner of learning, which in turn requires a new, innovative and equally customised teaching method. This inherited customisation and accelerated manner of learning stems from contemporary lifestyle trends. As such, a reduced learning curve requires innovative and efficient teaching methods, which comply with existing curriculums, yet facilitate the contemporary learning mantra. In particular medical education requires a plethora of information related to the understanding of spatial relations and the three-dimensionality of the human body. Previous studies successfully employed Virtual Reality (VR) and high fidelity patient simulation in order to improve and enhance the medical education and clinical training. The benefits of this technological adoption in the teaching field offered safer experimentation environments, reduced time and cost. Furthermore the Virtual Reality facilities and systems can be extensively customised with relatively low cost and be re-used for various applications. The purpose of this paper is to identify the differences between current education methods and the proposed technology. This research will exploit current teaching trends and attempt to provide recommendations based on a University of Jordan case study. Overall the paper describes the design process of the survey questionnaire that was used for this evaluation and provides valuable insights to both academics and practitioners regarding the potential benefits and drawbacks of adopting such a system.

This paper investigates the impact of human-computer interaction in virtual reality online shopping interface on the consumer experience. In particular, it measures the effectiveness of visualising a three dimensional photorealistic item, the real-time interactivity with the product and the real-time, fully interactive product customization service. The proposed VR system employs a sophisticated approach of interaction with primary objective to simplify and improve the user experience during online shopping. The proposed interface was evaluated through a preliminary questionnaire designed to simulate the typical decision making process prior to a luxury object purchase. The paper presents the outcomes of this usability trial on a group of ten luxury brands customers, the challenges involved in the HCI design are discussed, the visual components of the interface are presented in addition to an analysis of the system evaluation. Adhering to the derived feedback, our future plan of work entails additional development of the interactive tools with a view to further enhance the system usability and user experience. Furthermore we aim to introduce more object choices and customisation covering a larger group of luxury brands.

Telehealth provides a much needed option for remote diagnosis and monitoring of various pathologies and patients. Remote provision of health care can offer a two fold support for the medical system and the patients. Primarily it could serve isolated locations and secondly it could monitor a large number of outpatient cases directly on their homes instead of the hospital premises. However in specific cases direct communication and visual data acquisition can be a major obstacle. To this end we have developed a prototype system that could enable the medical practitioners to have real-time diagnosis through 3D captured visual and motion data. This data are recreated in a Virtual Reality environment in the hospital facilities offering a unique system for remote diagnosis. This paper presents the design considerations and development process of the system and discusses the preliminary results from the system evaluation. The paper concludes with a tentative plan of future work which aims to offer the medical practitioners and the patient with a complete interface which can acquire gait data and thus analyse a large variety of musculoskeletal pathologies.

This paper presents a methodology for the manufacture of tools embodying true three-dimensional free-form surfaces using PC-based two-and-a-half axis CADCAM systems. The numerical control machining of free-form surfaces is usually accomplished utilizing minicomputer or mainframe computer aided design and manufacturing (CADCAM) systems. The resulting NC data are suitable for either three axis or five axis machining, dependent upon machine tool type/capability and CAM package complexity. However, the cost of such packages and systems precludes their use in smaller companies with only an occasional requirement for components embodying free-form surfaces. The increasing availability of powerful yet reasonably priced personal computers (PCs) coupled with improving software provides such companies with a far cheaper alternative approach. However, a common feature of PC-based CADCAM systems is that they are limited to two-and-a-half axis machining for all but special applications such as three axis canted Z-plane milling or four axis wire electro discharge machining. All the main functions performed on mainframe systems can be performed on personal computers, such as toolpath generation for free-form surfaces, cusp height determination and change in shape and volume which may be used for component springback compensation.

In this paper, we describe the development of a support tool based on voice recognition technology for deaf students in the lecture environment. The successful prototype is then extended in a pilot scheme to provide additional material for the entire student body. Based on the feedback from the pilot scheme a proposal for a framework to support student interaction with captured lecture content is developed. The work is placed in the context of other developments and issues in the fields of deaf studies and e-learning.

Selected Mapping (SLM) is a popular technique used for Peak-to Average Power (PAPR) reduction in OFDM systems. Normally SLM techniques require explicit side information to be transmitted to allow decoding at the receiver. Alternative SLM techniques use shift register scramblers to embed the side information into the transmitted OFDM symbols. In this paper the concept of an SLM Simplified Scrambler is introduced. The advantages of this technique are (a) no explicit side information is transmitted, and (b) the simplified scrambler helps to avoid the problem of shift register error propagation in the receiver descrambler. The Simplified Scrambler SLM-OFDM approach is investigated in terms of PAPR reduction, Power Spectral Density (PSD) and Bit-Error Rate (BER) performance. It is shown that the Simplified Scrambler SLM-OFDM technique exhibits the same PSD and BER as general OFDM as well as improving the BER performance over SLM shift-register scrambler techniques.

This paper describes traditional methods of production of videos of lecture presentations and argues that these are suitable only for a limited number of presentations due to the high cost of capture and post-production. The concept of making every presentation of every class available as a podcast is discussed, and methods of utilising low-cost technologies and applications to allow this to be achieved are compared. Experiences of pilot schemes utilising a variety of devices and commercial, freeware and self-written production methods will be presented, with comment on the usability of each approach at both capture and production stages.

This chapter presents the applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the process control of Electro Chemical Discharge Machining (ECDM). The performance of the ECDM process depends on the pulse shape of the voltage and current waveforms. However, the type of the pulse and shape of the voltage and current waveforms are highly non linear and complex in nature. Therefore, the intelligent pulse classification systems are required for the achievement of better performance of the ECDM process. The aim of the study is to investigate the most suitable pulse classification architecture which provides the better classification accuracy with the minimum calculation time. A Neural Network Pulse Classification System (NNPCS), a Fuzzy Logic Pulse Classification System (FLPCS) and a Neuro Fuzzy Pulse Classification System (NFPCS) were developed for the pulse classification of the ECDM process. However, the NNPCS was selected as the most suitable pulse classification system for the ECDM process control system as it provides the smallest calculation time and reasonable classification accuracy.

In this paper various phasing schemes that reduce the Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) within OFDM systems are discussed. Simulation results on the effect of these phasing schemes in reducing PAPR are also presented. Companding OFDM symbols prior to transmission using the µ-Law has also been shown in previous papers to further reduce the PAPR. This paper now presents the results of combining both companding with various phasing schemes. The Bit-Error Rate (BER) performance of various PAPR reduction techniques in an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel is also presented. It is shown that combining companding and the application of phasing schemes can significantly improve further PAPR reduction as well as improve the BER performance.

The present automotive product development environment is characterised by the customer’s thirst for new, innovative and affordable products. This imposes a shorter Product Development Process (PDP). A healthy concept definition, and control, at the early PDP stages results in successful end products. A key factor of which is an upfront knowledge assessment and integration between the ‘true’ customer’s needs and marketing/finance, product design/engineering and manufacturing functions. The Common workspace in all these functions is considered to be the product model.

This paper is concerned with a relatively new bending technique, known as Free-Bending. Its possibilities to realise geometries with almost arbitrary bending radii, with freely definable bending angles, which can be in several planes make this technique very interesting for an application in the automobile industry, especially in the field of car chassis and space frames. Therefore the paper shows some practical examples of geometries which were investigated with bending tests and examined by means of the finite element method. Furthermore the extended possibilities and the restrictions of this new technology are discussed.

The introduction and evaluation of the simulation tool LS-DYNA in manufacturing process simulation is the basis for a new view in the virtual development chain. The explicit LS-DYNA forming simulation can map complex processes very exactly. One intention is to achieve more accurate computer models with the transfer of the part properties caused by production for subsequent crash and strength calculations. Using case studies a view of the transferable data is analysed to highlight their effects on the part.

The performance of an Electro Chemical Discharge Machining (ECDM) machine, in terms of surface finish and rate of machining is significantly influenced by the performance of the tool position control system, process controller, and the pulse generator. This investigation concentrates on the tool position control system and the paper presents a system identification for the controller design.

This paper presents the pulse classification of the ECDM process using Fuzzy Logic (FL). An Electro Discharge Machining (EDM) machine was modified by incorporating an electrolyte system and by modifying the control system. Gap voltage and working current waveforms were obtained. A fuzzy rule base was designed and simulated to classify pulses. Different ECDM process variables were considered to design the pulse classification rule base. The performances were compared by changing the process variables and by changing rules in the fuzzy rule base. The classification accuracy was measured in the classification system. A quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the fuzzy pulse classifier with different process variables and with different fuzzy rules for the ECDM machine.

This paper describes the use of Simulink Target for Real-Time Linux (ST-RTL) to control over a network a horizontal driven inverted pendulum. ST-RTL is an application developed to provide a cost-effective alternative to the expensive real-time applications that require specialised software and hardware. The application allows performing a number of laboratory scale hard real-time control experiments, which can be remotely monitored and tuned at run-time from a second computer using a TCP/IP connection. The software packages Matlab, Simulink and Real-Time Workshop (RTW), widely used among educational institutions, are used as a controller algorithm development tool. A performance comparison with the commercial Windows based version Real-Time Windows Target has also been carried out. The conclusions show that ST-RTL is a preferable tool since not only does it perform as well as RTW, but it also includes remote networking capabilities to the system.

This paper presents a generic integration approach to the design and manufacture of scroll type compressors which are becoming popular and widely used in refrigeration and air conditioners. To design and manufacture scroll compressors, however, is not easy for the reasons that their key parts have complex shapes with involute curves. The authors have developed a design approach that can cope with simultaneous design activities concurrently within one single environment. The approach is implemented by using Pro/ENGINEER and Visual C++ programming. The work presented is focused on the integration of Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) solid modelling, FEM and CAM. With this particular approach a correct and precise solid model can be achieved, which leads to an optimal design in terms of specification adherence, quality, delivery time and cost. The paper concludes with a discussion on the potential and applications of the approach for mechanical product design.

This paper presents an integration approach to solid modelling and finite element method (FEM) analysis on the components design of a scroll type of compressors which are becoming popular and widely used in refrigeration and air conditioners. It is time consuming to design and manufacture a scroll compressor since its two key components are complex shaped and high precision requirements. The authors use C++ programming and Pro/ENGINEER to implement the proposed approach and associated design development. Constructive solid geometry (CSG) modelling of two scroll components are created and presented. FEM analysis is used to further consolidate the modelling with respect to force and heat influences, etc. The paper concludes with a discussion on the potential of the proposed approach in mechanical product design.