Improve Design Efficiency Research Articles

Feature-Based Design of Personalized Anatomical Plates for the Treatment of Femoral Fractures

In this study, we propose a feature-based method of anatomic plate design for the treatment of individual femoral fractures. This approach improves the design efficiency and convenience of personalized plates. First, we create a parameterized template that represents the typical anatomic features of the femur. This template is produced by reconstructing and parameterizing feature surfaces that are segmented from an average model. Next, the femoral template is deformed under constraints to obtain an individual reference model using several feature parameters of a fractured bone. The major fracture segments are guided automatically to their original anatomic positions. We next design plate templates, namely typical parameterized anatomic plates with specific shapes and structures, and set up the parameter mapping relation between the femoral template and plate template based on the correspondence of feature points. Finally, an initial personalized plate is quickly generated through the instantiation of the selected template with derived parameter values solved from feature mappings. The personalized plate is obtained based on further modification of the initial plate using semantic parameters. Our method supports the automatic restoration of fracture models and achieves the rapid creation of personalized bone plate. The intuitive modification of the shape and structure that arises from our approach contributes to the improvement of design efficiency and quality of personalized plates for individuals.

An integrated computer-aided approach for parametric investigation of anatomic plate design

ABSTRACT Personalized anatomic plate is used in the surgical treatment of femoral fracture for the good matching between individual femur and plate. However, the development process of personalized plate is time-consuming and laborious at present due to anatomic and fracture differences between individuals. To improve the efficiency and quality of plate design, this study proposes an integrated computer-aided approach for parametric investigation of anatomic plate design. Based on the constraint deformation of femur template, a reference model was constructed, and major fracture segments were quickly restored to each original anatomic region by rigid registration to the reference model. The experimental results indicate that personalized anatomic plates can be constructed and edited quickly and intuitively with semantic parameters in high level, and contribute to the improvement of design efficiency and quality of customized plates for individuals.

New Hybrid AD Methodology for Minimizing the Total Amount of Information Content: A Case Study of Rehabilitation Robot Design

Converting customer needs into specific forms and providing consumers with services are crucial in product design. Currently, conversion is no longer difficult due to the development of modern technology, and various measures can be applied for product realization, thus increasing the complexity of analysis and evaluation in the design process. The focus of the design process has thus shifted from problem solving to minimizing the total amount of information content. This paper presents a New Hybrid Axiomatic Design (AD) Methodology based on iteratively matching and merging design parameters that meet the independence axiom and attribute constraints by applying trimming technology, the ideal final results, and technology evolution theory. The proposed method minimizes the total amount of information content and improves the design quality. Finally, a case study of a rehabilitation robot design for hemiplegic patients is presented. The results indicate that the iterative matching and merging of related attributes can minimize the total amount of information content, reduce the cost, and improve design efficiency. Additionally, evolutionary technology prediction can ensure product novelty and improve market competitiveness. The methodology provides an excellent way to design a new (or improved) product.

Developing a Common Library of Prefabricated Structure Components through Graphic Media Mapping to Improve Design Efficiency

In recent years, prefabricated structures have attracted a lot of attention because of their advantages of multifunctional design, fast construction speed, and high degree of standardization. However, they also entail increased design information complexity. To achieve a simplified and efficient design process, this study proposes to develop a common library of prefabricated structural components using graphic media mapping. The study integrates digital graphic information of building information modeling (BIM) with engineering and production data. Based on the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data standard, semantic data related to the geometry, processes, resources, production costs, construction sites, and other design information relevant for prefabricated components are assigned to a component’s graphic representation. Thus, the visible geometric representation and the background engineering information are integrated into a unified database. A collection of common structural components forms a library that can be reused in prefabricated design projects. The development of a component library and its application to a more efficient design process is demonstrated through a case study of an urban viaduct project.

Nanolithography toolbox—Simplifying the design complexity of microfluidic chips

Microfluidic devices typically require complex shapes such as funnels, spirals, splitters, channels with different widths, or customized objects of arbitrary complexity with a smooth transition between these elements. Device layouts are generally designed by software developed for the design of integrated circuits or by general computer-aided design drawing tools. Both methods have their limitations, making these tasks time consuming. Here, a script-based, time-effective method to generate the layout of various microfluidic chips with complex geometries is presented. The present work uses the nanolithography toolbox (NT), a platform-independent software package, which employs parameterized fundamental blocks (cells) to create microscale and nanoscale structures. In order to demonstrate the functionality and efficiency of the NT, a few classical microfluidic devices were designed using the NT and then fabricated in glass/silicon using standard microfabrication techniques and in poly(dimethylsiloxane) using soft lithography as well as more complex techniques used for flow-through calorimetry. In addition, the functionality of a few of the fabricated devices was tested. The powerful method proposed allows the creation of microfluidic devices with complex layouts in an easy way, simplifying the design process and improving design efficiency. Thus, it holds great potential for broad applications in microfluidic device design.

Simulation of the fuel gas and raw material supply system to the furnace of the atmospheric oil distillation unit and development of a computer training software

Software products designed to simulate technological processes are currently very relevant, since they help to prepare workers in advance for difficult production situations. It has been proven that simulation systems can improve design efficiency by 20% with quality workflow management tools, and capital cost savings of up to 30% can be achieved with the right materials for security design. Currently, there are various software and hardware tools for computer modeling of technological objects, selection of technological modes and adjustment of control loops. These tools include Unisim. Unisim is a unique software package from Honeywell that combines a variety of products, including an extensive list of components and thermodynamic properties packages, used to simulate complex process systems.

Experimental and computational evaluation of a flow-through UV-LED reactor for MS2 and adenovirus inactivation

The design of efficient ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) reactors is of paramount importance for delivering a high UV dose (fluence). This is particularly critical to the disinfection of UV-resistant organisms, such as adenovirus, in continuous UV systems, given the low wall plug efficiency of UV-LEDs. The UV-LED offers reactor design flexibility, allowing to conform the reactor fluence rate to its hydrodynamics to a high degree, leading to improved design efficiency. In this study, we designed and fabricated a flow-through multi-baffle UV-LED reactor containing 18 UV-LEDs for delivering high UV fluence to a flow of water. Further, we developed a computational model for simulating the reactor performance, to fine-tune the fluence rate and hydrodynamics conformity through exploring several design concepts. The model was evaluated by experimental studies using male-specific-2 (MS2) bacteriophage and adenovirus as the model UV resistance microorganisms. The radiant field was adjusted through the LED arrangement and radiation profile modification. The reactor performance was studied under six different LED arrangements, three irradiation modes, and flow rates of 0.75, 1, and 2 L min−1. Adenovirus inactivation at 1 L min−1 from 1.6 logs increased to 4.1 logs through radiant field modification and enhancing the design efficiency. It was observed that the flexibility offered by UV-LEDs in adjusting the radiation pattern and hydrodynamics could lead to the design of highly-efficient reactors through positively correlating the UV fluence rate profile with the velocity filed. This study presents a detailed discussion concerning irradiation methods and provides insights applicable to UV-LED reactor design.

Inverse design of a single-step-etched ultracompact silicon polarization rotator.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel ultracompact silicon polarization rotator based on equivalent asymmetric waveguide cross section in only single-step etching procedure for densely integrated on-chip mode-division multiplexing system. In the conventional mode hybridization scheme, the asymmetric waveguide cross section is employed to excite the hybridized modes to realize high performance polarization rotator with compact footprint and high polarization extinction ratio. However, the fabrication complexity severely restricts the potential application of asymmetric waveguide cross section. We use inverse-designed photonic-crystal-like subwavelength structure to realize an equivalent asymmetric waveguide cross section, which can be fabricated in only single-step etching process. Besides, a theory-assisted inverse design method based on a manually-set initial pattern is employed to optimize the device to improve design efficiency and device perform. The fabricated device exhibited high performance with a compact footprint of only 1.2 × 7.2 µm2, high extinction ratio (> 19 dB) and low insertion loss (< 0.7 dB) from 1530 to 1590 nm.

Analysis and Research of Electric Bicycle Design Based on Hall Three-Dimensional Structure

Purpose In the context of the implementation of the Mandatory National Standard for Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles (hereinafter referred to as the “New National Standard”), in order to meet the needs of the target group for daily traveling, a general method for electric bicycle design is proposed. Method Based on Hall three-dimensional structure theory, focusing on the time axis, comparing with the existing products in the market, referring to the traditional electric bicycle system design flow from product positioning, draft design, type selection, performance target determination, component performance parameters and boundary dimension, in-depth design, rendering, to model making, combined with marketing and user research, conduct electric bicycle design research with the theme of “young” and “future”. Results Propose a general method for the design of electric bicycles based on Hall three-dimensional structure. Conclusion The model method helps to feedback the design progress in time, finding the problems in the design flow, improving design efficiency and shortening the design cycle.

Research on Product Design Efficiency Improvement Based on Computer Information Technology

With the progress of society, computer technology has gradually penetrated into all aspects of life. The product design industry is an industry that emphasizes innovation and efficiency. In the process of new product design, the product details and existing problems need to be fully considered. This requires further optimization and innovative design. Among them, computer-aided technology can smoothly apply information technology to the forefront of product design life cycle and provide intellectual innovative solutions for the design and application of new products. The intervention of computer technology will greatly improve the efficiency of product design and help promote the development of product development companies.

High-Level Synthesis Design for Stencil Computations on FPGA with High Bandwidth Memory

Due to performance and energy requirements, FPGA-based accelerators have become a promising solution for high-performance computations. Meanwhile, with the help of high-level synthesis (HLS) compilers, FPGA can be programmed using common programming languages such as C, C++, or OpenCL, thereby improving design efficiency and portability. Stencil computations are significant kernels in various scientific applications. In this paper, we introduce an architecture design for implementing stencil kernels on state-of-the-art FPGA with high bandwidth memory (HBM). Traditional FPGAs are usually equipped with external memory, e.g., DDR3 or DDR4, which limits the design space exploration in the spatial domain of stencil kernels. Therefore, many previous studies mainly relied on exploiting parallelism in the temporal domain to eliminate the bandwidth limitations. In our approach, we scale-up the design performance by considering both the spatial and temporal parallelism of the stencil kernel equally. We also discuss the design portability among different HLS compilers. We use typical stencil kernels to evaluate our design on a Xilinx U280 FPGA board and compare the results with other existing studies. By adopting our method, developers can take broad parallelization strategies based on specific FPGA resources to improve performance.

Optimization method of vehicle handling stability based on response surface model with D-optimal test design

In order to improve the handling stability of a vehicle, an optimization method of vehicle handling stability based on D-optimal test design was proposed in this paper. The multibody dynamic model was established and verified by experiments. On this basis, a response surface model was established based on D-optimal test design. An improved genetic-particle swarm algorithm was used to optimize the vehicle handling stability. The general evaluation score of vehicle handling stability was taken as the optimization objective. The vehicle structural parameters, tire and spring characteristics were regarded as design variables. The results showed that the multi-body dynamic model was accurate. After optimization, the general evaluation score of vehicle handling stability increased by 8.98 %; the score of the steering returnability and steady static circular test was increased by 20.43 % and 27.31 %, respectively. Then from the sensitivity of the optimization variables to the stability of the vehicle's handling, the rear wheel lateral stiffness has the greatest impact on it, with a sensitivity of 86.9 %; the wheelbase has the smallest impact on it, with a sensitivity of -3.39 %, which can be reduced in future optimization variable to improve design efficiency.

Finite element analysis and optimization design for automobile interior door-handle

This paper used NX8.0 to perform parametrization design, motion simulation, finite element analysis, fatigue life analysis and optimization design on the automobile interior doorhandle. Load Transfer Method and Single Body Method were used to analyze the Maximum stress of door-handle. The mechanical properties before and after optimization were compared. Results showed that the maximum stress was reduced by 12.65%, the fatigue life is 3.62E+007 Duty Cycles, and fatigue life met design requirements. All processes were completed under the same software, which ensured the data consistency and improved design efficiency.

A hydrodynamic prediction model of throttle orifice plate using space filling and adaptive sampling method

The hydrodynamic prediction model improved design efficiency of the flow control application. A global sampling process with space filling method, adaptive sampling method, and neural network is proposed to generate a hydrodynamic prediction model for the flow control device. The optimized Latin hypercube sampling method is applied to create a uniform set of initial sample points for analysis. An automatic computational fluid dynamics analysis process is developed to provide data for the hydrodynamic objective of the multi-stage throttle orifice plate. By self-learning from previous sample points, the new sample points placed in the region of interest are collected by the adaptive sampling method in several iterations. Two numerical examples and the flow rate modeling for the throttle orifice plate are provided to demonstrate the approximation capability of the proposed process. Ten prediction model cases are established by a back-propagation feed-forward neural network, and the test data show that the model constructed by optimized Latin hypercube sampling and adaptive sampling has 1% mean relative error and 4.85% maximum relative error, which is nearly 25% more accurate than the optimized Latin hypercube sampling model. The proposed global sampling process is efficient to build the hydrodynamic prediction model and shows potential in the flow control design area.

Continuous Bracing Requirements for Constrained-Axis Torsional Buckling

The design of floor and roof framing members is typically controlled by flexural demands; however, if a member serves as a chord or collector it can also be subjected to significant axial compression. Continuous restraint provided by the floor or roof diaphragm is commonly assumed in design to provide adequate bracing of connected wide-flange members against minor-axis flexural buckling; however, these members are still susceptible to major-axis flexural buckling and potentially to torsional buckling about a constrained axis located at the top flange. In addition to the lateral restraint, floor and roof decking systems can also provide continuous torsional restraint through their flexural stiffness and strength. This restraint can be used to increase the calculated constrained-axis torsional buckling strength or inhibit the mode altogether. In this paper, the specific case of a wide-flange steel beam-column with both lateral and torsional restraint located at the top flange is investigated and torsional bracing requirements are derived. The focus of the study is on continuous torsional bracing and its effect on the constrained-axis torsional buckling mode. The requirements are illustrated through a design example and a parametric study is performed examining typical floor and roof decking system configurations, identifying cases where improved design efficiency can be achieved.

Inverse design of digital nanophotonic devices using the adjoint method

A high-efficiency inverse design of “digital” subwavelength nanophotonic devices using the adjoint method is proposed. We design a single-mode 3 dB power divider and a dual-mode demultiplexer to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed inverse design approach, called the digitized adjoint method, for single- and dual-object optimization, respectively. The optimization comprises three stages: 1) continuous variation for an “analog” pattern; 2) forced permittivity biasing for a “quasi-digital” pattern; and 3) a multilevel digital pattern. Compared with the conventional brute-force method, the proposed method can improve design efficiency by about five times, and the performance optimization can reach approximately the same level. The method takes advantages of adjoint sensitivity analysis and digital subwavelength structure and creates a new way for the efficient and high-performance design of compact digital subwavelength nanophotonic devices, which could overcome the efficiency bottleneck of the brute-force method, which is restricted by the number of pixels of a digital pattern, and improve the device performance by extending a conventional binary pattern to a multilevel one.

Dynamic response of bird strike on honeycomb-based sandwich panels of composite leading edge

In general, results from the birdstrike tests are employed so that they can be used to validate numerical models and promote the use of numerical tools in aircraft design and the certification process. In this research, firstly, via three existing experiments, the numerical models of birdstrikes are verified, and the simulated methods and parameters are chosen, such as the bird EOS’ selection. And then, the finite element model of the honeycomb sandwich structure of the leading edge is established. Through the different impact speed, we examine the energy absorption of honeycomb sandwich materials, as well as their failure. This paper also discusses how the strengthened beam may avoid the breakdown. Bird impact resistant design provides guidance for the future. The rules and experiences of some bird-strike scenarios are summarized in the end, leading to improved design efficiency and safety, while significantly reducing certification costs.

Creation and Diversified Applications of Plane Module Libraries for Prefabricated Houses Based on BIM

In recent years, due to the advantages of high construction efficiency and less environmental pollution, prefabricated housing has been of increasing interest and vigorously promoted. However at present, most prefabricated houses simply pursue an increase in assembly rate, and the floor plan design still continues to follow the traditional design method of housing, which does not meet the requirements of industrialization and cannot achieve the goal of product diversification. This paper puts forward a method for floor plan designs of prefabricated houses whose core is building plane module libraries. The modules in module libraries all conform to standardized and refined designs. A new residential floor plan can be obtained by selecting and recombining modules in module libraries. The richer the module library, the more diverse the results will be under the same combinatorial logic, which can greatly improve design efficiency. In addition, this paper probes the method of creation and applications of plane module libraries in detail, so as to provide a new idea for floor plan designs of prefabricated houses. This research is of great significance for improving the efficiency of floor plan design of prefabricated housing and realizing goals of standardization and diversification of prefabricated housing development.

Investigation of the opportunities in reducing lifecycle cost of boats: case study for structural components of 'Samanala' boats used in Sri Lanka

This study focuses on assessing the lifecycle cost (LCC) of structural components of the 'Samanala' boat used in Sri Lanka in order to identify opportunities in reducing LCC contributions at different stages of lifecycle in boat structures. The research methodology was mainly based on survey data and research literature. The lifecycle cost analysis (LCCA) was conducted in four phases, which include design, production, utilisation and disposal. It was identified that the LCC distribution in design, production, utilisation and disposal phases were 0.70%, 4.27%, 94.89% and 0.14%, respectively. It was concluded that although the contribution of design, production and disposal phases for the total LCC is approximately 5%, the efficiency improvement of design and production phases will contribute approximately 16.63% of significant LCC reduction in the utilisation phase. Consequently, it is recommended to use vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding for boat manufacturing for reducing their weight and LCC.

Rapid Design System for Agricultural Machinery Employing Knowledge-Based Engineering: Case Study of A Wheeled Combine Chassis

Abstract. Highlights A knowledge-based rapid design system for combine chassis is proposed. The object-oriented knowledge representation uniformly describes the multi-source heterogeneous design knowledge. The multivariate linear regression analysis ratiocinates further unknown design principles behind existing products. Abstract. In the design of agricultural machinery, the lack of systematic and structured knowledge utilization systems results in low development efficiency and poor reusability of design knowledge. This paper considers the design of a combine chassis, and focuses on the application of knowledge-based rapid design to agricultural machinery. As a typical sophisticated agricultural machine, combines have a complicated design that requires the integration of multiple disciplines according to the crop types, production areas, and ability of the designers. Hence, a knowledge-based design system for a wheeled combine chassis is proposed. By integrating object-oriented technology with a mixed reasoning strategy, multi-source heterogeneous design knowledge can be applied in completing the chassis design task. To date, there are more than 2000 design ideas and 350 parameter models in the knowledge database. In addition, tacit design knowledge acquired by a knowledge discovery method can be employed to perfect the design and improve the reliability of the product. The design of a combine chassis demonstrates that the knowledge-based rapid design of agricultural machinery is completely feasible, and the design system significantly reduces the design workload, shortens the development cycle, and improves design efficiency and knowledge utilization.