Minimum Feed Research Articles

Динамика биологических показателей возвратных гибридов на основе кастера (калуга Huso dauricus × стерлядь Acipenser ruthenus) (Acipenseridae)

Due to the lack of conditions for industrial sturgeon fishing in the near future, the current artificial reproduction programs play a leading role in replenishing sturgeon populations and commercial sturgeon breeding. It may take a long time to bring the number of individuals and the total biomass of sturgeon fish species in different water basins into proper condition. It is important, along with the implementation of programs for the stocking of young sturgeons of various types of natural habitats, to develop commercial cultivation. Modern aquaculture is the use of environmental control systems, timely feed supply, rapid growth of juveniles with a minimum feed ratio, high survival rate at all stages of growth, greater yield of edible body parts during processing. The dynamics of size and mass indices and the Fulton fatness coefficient in recurrent hybrids of different ages (K × St) are considered × K, (K × St) × St, (St × K) × K and (St × K) × St. It is noted that the fastest growing hybrids turned out to be returnable hybrids based on K × St, and the hybrid (St × K) × St has the highest fatness coefficient with a slight growth rate of weight and length.

Enhancing high-speed CNC milling performance of Ti6Al4V alloy through the application of ZnO-Ag hybrid nanofluids

Abstract This research investigates the performance of high-speed CNC milling operations on Ti6Al4V alloy by employing a novel ZnO-Ag hybrid nanofluid. The study involves the preparation and characterization of nanofluids with varying concentrations of nanoparticles, focusing on thermal conductivity and stability. The machining experiments encompass four critical input parameters: Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) flow rate, cutting speed, nanofluid concentration, and feed rate. Performance evaluation is based on average surface roughness (Ra) and cutting temperature. Key findings include a remarkable 21.05% improvement in thermal conductivity for the ZnO-Ag-based sunflower oil at 0.2% volume concentration compared to 0.05% concentration. The prepared nanofluids exhibit good stability. Moreover, cutting speed and MQL flow rate emerge as significant contributors to Ra, accounting for 35.62% and 34.82%, respectively. Interestingly, MQL flow rate is identified as the most influential factor, surpassing even cutting speed. SEM images for tool wear reveals that the ZnO-Ag based sunflower oil reduced tool wear significantly. In conclusion, the proposed ZnO-Ag-based sunflower oil at 0.2% concentration emerges as the good option for sustainable high-speed machining of Ti6Al4V alloy, showcasing

Investigation and optimization of multiple objectives by hybrid evolutionary algorithms for turning of Nimonic 80A under nano MQL environment

ABSTRACT Nimonic80A is one of the hard-to-cut superalloy materials. However, machining the same remains difficult. The present study’s objective is attained by taking surface quality and tool wear as output core attributes of machining by deploying conventional statistical approaches and meta-heuristic optimisation algorithms to find optimal input attributes. Optimal input parameters were found using ANN hybridised with meta-heuristic optimisation algorithms, considering cutting acceleration as one of the response attributes along with cutting force (Fz), flank wear (Vb) and surface roughness (Ra). In this process, nanofluids were formulated by suspensions of graphene oxide into rice bran oil as the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL). Experiments were conducted based on L27 Taguchi experimental trials, and the experimental results revealed that minimum feed rate and cutting velocity reduced the cutting force, surface roughness, and tool flank wear up to 51% during nano-MQL turning conditions compared to dry machining. Thus, an artificial neural network (ANN) was used to generate the model for each machining response, which was further interfaced with multiobjective particle swarm optimisation (MOPSO) and multiobjective mayfly algorithms (MOMA) as a hybrid algorithm for finding optimal parameters. The optimal results were compared, and ANN-MOMA was found to be better.

Simulation of spiral-wound pressure retarded osmosis for harvesting osmotic power: Module-level modeling and implications of feed pre-treatment

A process-scale model for pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) using a 1-dimensional representation of the spiral-wound membrane is presented. Comparing a length-averaged modeling approach with a true counter-current approach reveals that the former holds only for relatively short membrane lengths while it over-predicts the net power output for longer membranes. For a membrane line with eight spiral-wound elements in series, the length-average model over-predicted the PRO performance by 20 %. The model was further used to assess the impact of feed pre-treatment on process performance and optimal process design. Feed pre-treatment was found to be a dominant factor affecting the optimal inlet feed flow rate and the power output. Our model suggests that for a moderate to high feed pre-treatment requirement the inlet feed flow rate is close to minimum feed flow rate of the membrane module. In the absence of feed pre-treatment a power density of 143 and 284 W m−2 for CTA and TFC membranes, respectively, was found. When feed pre-treatment with 100 Wh m−3 was employed these numbers dropped to 48 and 94 W m−2.

Growth and Body Composition of Spiny Lobster (Panulirus homarus) Reared with Short-Term Fasting

Slow growth rate tends to be a challenge in the cultivation of spiny lobster (P. homarus) because it impact on long rearing periods and high operational costs, especially for feeds. Short-term starvation or fasting has known to allow the minimum feed usage without inhibiting biota growth, also improves digestive function, reduces the amount of water-soluble nutrient metabolites, and reduces operational costs. Spiny lobster (P. homarus) measuring 50.0 ± 10.0 g was reared for 6 weeks in floating net cages. Lobsters were fasted at intervals of 1 fasting day/1 day of feeding, 1 fasting day/2 days of feeding, and fed daily. Survival, growth, and feed efficiency of spiny lobster (P. homarus) were analyzed. Higher growth rate and energy retention were found in spiny lobster (P. homarus) reared with short-term fasting system. Lower FCR also found in the same rearing system. Spiny lobster (P. homarus) body content indicate its ability to store nutrient in mucle and hepatopancreas in order to adapt to starved condition. Short-term fasting can improve growth and feed efficiency in spiny lobster (P. homarus) cultivation

Effect of Ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) Leaf Powder Feeding on Growth Performance and Economics of Feeding in Pantja Goats

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaf powder feeding on growth performance and economics of feeding in Pantja goats at Goat Unit, Department of Livestock Production Management, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar. The study was conducted on a total of sixteen, 6-8 months old kids, which were randomly divided into four groups (T0- Control, T1- 75% Concentrate + 25% ardu leaf powder, T2- 50% Concentrate + 50% ardu leaf powder and T3- 25% Concentrate + 75% ardu leaf powder). Growth parameters were studied by observation of body weight at different time periods viz. 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days. The results of the experiment revealed that treatment groups supplemented with ardu leaf powder had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weights than the control group. Maximum body weight during whole experimental period was noted in treatment group supplemented with 75% of ardu leaf powder. All the treatment groups fed with ardu leaf powder showed reduction in feed cost as compared to control with minimum feed cost noted in treatment group fed with 75% of ardu leaf powder.

Low-Profile Polarization-Twisting Cassegrain Antenna for Generating Dual Circularly Polarized Multibeam Radiation in Ku-Band

In this paper, a low-profile polarization-twisting Cassegrain antenna (LPPTCA) is proposed to generate dual circularly polarized (CP) multi-beam radiation by integrating multifunctional metasurface (MM), polarization conversion metasurface (PCM), and multiple microstrip feeds. Considering that the LPPTCA removes the occlusion effect from the traditional Cassegrain antenna, the profile height of LPPTCA will be chosen as 1/3 focal length of PCM and can also be freely adjusted when employing corresponding phase gradient over the MM to mimic the hyperbolic reflector of the traditional Cassegrain antenna. The MM is capable of achieving the functionality of reflecting co-LP waves with performing diverged wave-fronts and transmitting cross-LP waves with linear-to-dual-circular polarization conversion. Based on the MM and PCM, the LPPTCA is designed and fabricated, then measurement results illustrate that the LPPTCA is capable of realizing dual CP multi-beam radiation in the range of 13.7 - 14.7 GHz when employing multiple microstrip antennas as feeds. In the meanwhile, the scanning range of multi-beams is ±20° with the minimum feed isolation of 15 dB. The proposed dual CP multi-beam LPPTCA integrating the MM and PCM should thus pave the way for building up current and future wireless communication systems with millimeter-wave MIMO applications in Ku-band.

Analysis of MRR, Thrust Force, and Torque in Drilling Al/BN/Al2O3 Composites using Hybrid Grey–Taguchi Technique

The demand for hybrid composite materials has been expanding globally in all kinds of mechanical industries. Drilling is one of the basic operations required in manufacturing of various components and choosing optimum parameters of drilling is vital for getting good quality holes. The main objective of our work is to determine the ideal parameters of drilling and tool coatings required to minimize the thrust force and torque in drilling and to maximize the material removal rate (MRR) using Grey–Taguchi technique. Hybrid composite specimen made by reinforcing Al7075 alloy with 4% of aluminum oxide and 2% of boron nitride in stir casting process and drilling was carried out in a sequence at different drilling feed rates (40, 80, and 120 mm/min) and spindle speeds (1,200, 2,400, and 3,600 rpm) in a vertical machining center attached with drill tool dynamometer, using twist drills of diameter 5 mm and point angle 118° made of uncoated carbide, diamond-like carbon (DLC)-coated carbide and high carbon (HC)-coated carbide. The recorded thrust force and torque from the dynamometer and the computed MRRs during each drilling operation are tabulated as per Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array and the results are analyzed using hybrid Grey–Taguchi technique. In our analysis, the optimum thrust force of 62.12 N and torque of 0.766 Nm were obtained when using a DLC-coated tool at a maximum speed of 3,600 rpm and minimum feed rate of 40 mm/min. An optimum MRR of 178.79 mm3/s was obtained while using DLC coated at a maximum speed of 3,600 rpm and a maximum feed rate of 120 mm/min.

Production of pacific white shrimp in biofloc system with different food management strategies

In the present work, different models for adjustments in feeding rates to produce Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in a biofloc system were analyzed. Shrimps were stocked with an initial weight of 4.21 ± 0.09 g at a density of 250 shrimp m-3 and fed following different methodologies for 60 days. The first method was according to the Van-Wyk table, considering the minimum (MIN) and maximum (MAX) feed rates. The second was according to two estimated values from the feed conversion ratio (FCR; FCR of 1.1 and 1.5), based on the methodology determined by Garzade Yta. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted, consisting of four treatments (MAX, MIN, FCR 1.1, and FCR 1.5) with 4 independent replicates. Zootechnical performance, the physical and chemical water quality parameters, and the production of solids in the system were evaluated. The treatment that used minimum amounts of feed determined by the table showed a better feed conversion, survival, using a lower amount of feed and, thus, generating less waste. Although the feeding strategy using the minimum values in the table has shown better results, it is still necessary to improve these strategies, as the Biofloc system is a system that has variations and their adjustments must be made according to the interactions of the system.

Hybridized high concentration photovoltaic unit with enhanced performance air gap membrane distillation unit via depositing reduced graphene oxide layer upon the condensation plate using electrophoretic deposition technique

Amongst the membrane distillation techniques, the air gap configurations showed an outstanding thermal efficiency, while a decline in productivity was recorded due to the additional thermal and mass resistances. The current study proposes minimizing the additional thermal and mass resistances by altering the condensation process to dropwise condensation. Depositing a layer of reduced graphene oxide using the electrophoretic deposition technique on the copper condensation plate was investigated to obtain a hydrophobic nature and attain dropwise condensation. Moreover, different operating conditions were examined for the optimum conditions, which were 45 V, 30 s, 1 cm, and 0.5 mg/ml, for the applied voltage, deposition time, distance between electrodes, and concentration, respectively. This modified condensation plate was investigated experimentally on the lab-scale test rig and showed an improvement in the productivity of 12.5% and 28.5% at the minimum and maximum feed temperatures, respectively. On the other hand, solar energy was utilized to eliminate the heating source required for the membrane distillation unit. A high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) unit was introduced numerically in the current work with 36 multijunction cells. Furthermore, a microchannel heat sink was successfully designed to keep the cells from thermal degradation. The numerical results showed that the HCPV system could supply hot water up to 55 °C and produce electric power up to 230 W.

Effect of L-Methionine and L-Lysine HCL supplementation in minimum standard feed requirements on the performance of KUB (Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan) chickens

This study will determine the effect of supplementing L-methionine, and L-lysine HCl to a minimum diet based on KUB (Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan) chickens standards body weight, weight gain, and Feed Conversion Ratio of KUB chicken at the grower phase. A total of 240 Eight weeks-old KUB chickens were used in this study. The KUB chickens were divided into 3 treatments with 4 replications. The dietary treatments were: R0 (ration based on minimum diet standard), R1 (ration based on minimum diet standard + 0.25% L-Methionine+ 0.25% L-Lysine HCl), R2 (ration based on minimum diet standard + 0.5% L- Methionine + 0.5% L-Lysine HCl). The data collected were body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of KUB chickens aged 8 weeks. The result of this study for R0, R1 and R2 showed that body weight of chickens were 516.25+34.07a; 519.75+31.25a; 502+47.45bg/bird, weights gain were451.58+39.54a; 443.08+35.74ab; 424.83+57.73bg/birds and feed conversion ratio were3.76+0.31a; 3.83+0.29a; 4.05+0.63brespectively. The results showed that supplementation of L-Methionine and L-Lysine HCl using minimum diet standard gave no significant effect (P<0.05) on body weight, weight gain, and Feed Conversion. The result concluded that supplementing 0.25% to 0.5% L-methionine and l-lysine HCl did not increase body weight and weight gain and did not affect the Feed Conversion of KUB chickens. Furthermore, the minimum diet standard for KUB chicken already has a basic diet requirement. We suggested not adding the combination of L-Methionine (0.25% to 0.5%) and L-Lysine HCl (0.25% to 0.5%) in the minimum diet standard KUB chicken.

Influence of texture parameters of the bio-inspired crescent textured tool on machining performance of martensitic stainless steel

Recently surface textured tools have gained much attention as sustainable machining techniques in enhancing the tribological characteristics at tool and workpiece interfaces. However, minimal research is conducted to inspect the influence of bio-inspired textured tool cutting performances. Therefore in the current investigation, the influence of variation in the rake and flank faced bio-inspired crescent textured tool parameters such as radius, edge distance, depth, and center distance on the cutting performance of difficult to machine martensitic AISI 420 steel has been examined. The turning operation has been conducted at a constant depth ( a p ) = 0.3 mm, cutting speed ( v c ) = 315 m/min and feed ( f z ) = 0.14 mm/rev. The bio-inspired crescent-shaped textured tool indicated a reduction in feed force, tangential force, chip-tool contact area, flank wear and chip reduction coefficient compared to the conventional tool. The built-up edges, chipping, and abrasion are common tool wear mechanisms noticed on the tool surface. It is noticed that out of different texture parameters, center distance of the crescent textured tool played a vital role in improving the machining performance with minimum feed force, tangential force, contact area, flank wear, and chip reduction coefficient of 49 N, 118 N, 7.96 E + 05 µm 2 , 103 µm and 1.695 is observed using the textured tool of center distance of 80 µm. These research findings are significant for increasing the bio-inspired textured tool applications with superior tribological characteristics. • Bio-inspired crescent textured tool performed superior compared to conventional tool. • Texture parameters plays vital role in improving machining performances. • BUE, abrasion, and chipping are common tool wear mechanisms observed. • Textured tool showed lower chip reduction coefficient.

The Impacts of Locally Cultivated Herbs on Physical Parameters and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Herbs greatly influence broiler chickens’ performance and may alternate the use of antibiotics in the poultry sector. The study investigated the effects of local natural herbs on Ross 308 broiler chickens’ physical characteristics and meat quality. A total of 702-day-old broiler chickens were divided into two trials consisting of 13 treatment groups fed 11 diets. Treatments included control groups (CGIa and CGIb); Basal diet (BD) free of antioxidants and antibiotics, and CGIIa, CGIIb; BD complemented with antioxidants and antibiotics, and experimental groups (EG); EGIII (1% peppermint + BD), EGIV (1% thyme + BD), EGV (0.5% peppermint + 0.5% thyme), EGVI (1% rosemary + BD), EGVII (1% chamomile flowers + BD), EGVIII (0.5% rosemary + 0.5% chamomile), EGIX (1% onion powder + BD), EGX (1% garlic powder + BD), and EGXI (0.5% onion powder + 0.5% garlic powder). Maximum and minimum feed intake averages were in EGV and EGIII (94.90 and 77.74 kg/group, respectively). Live body weight gains of both EGVI and CGIIa were significantly higher than EGIV, EGVIII, and CGIa. Chicks of EGVIII showed the lowest net weight percentage in relation to live body weight (carcass yield). Breast meat pH ranged between 5.26 and 6.14 (in EGVII and EGIV, respectively) 24 hours after cooling, and between 5.86 and 6.11 (in CGIa and EGVI, respectively) one month after freezing. Breast meat lightness was significantly higher in EGVI than EGVIII at 24 hours after cooling, and it was the highest in EGVI 1 month after freezing. Breast meat redness was the highest in CGIIa at 24 hours after cooling. EGIX showed a significantly higher redness value one month after freezing than EG X, CG Ib, and CG IIb. Yellowness ranged between 7.58 and 13.54 for EGX and CGIa, respectively, 24 hours after cooling, and between 8.29 and 13.95 a month after cooling for EGX and EGV, respectively. Tested herbs had comparable effects to antibiotics on chicken growth and meat quality. Rosemary (1%) had an ameliorative effect on chickens’ body growth. Chamomile (1%) as well as thyme and peppermint mix (0.5% each), improved the palatability for feed.

Dual switch simulated moving bed chromatography: An optimal two‐fraction yielding separation process

Conventional Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography (C-SMBC) characterized by a single operating point comprising of the internal flow rates and switching period, yields a single fraction of the extract and raffinate, at cyclic steady state. In the current work, we deal with two-fraction yielding Dual Switch SMBC (DS-SMBC) characterized by two operating points implemented during alternate switches. The higher degrees of freedom in Dual Switch SMBC give it the potential of obtaining a higher average extract purity, for one of its two fractions, compared to conventional SMBC, at a certain minimum feed flow rate and minimum average extract recovery. This becomes possible with a trade-off in the average purity of the other extract fraction of Dual Switch SMBC, without any addition to the conventional SMBC equipment. We solve a multi-objective optimization problem wherein we maximize the average purity of one of the extract fractions of Dual Switch SMBC, with the requirement of certain minimum feed flow rate, minimum average extract recovery and minimum average purity of the non-objective extract fraction. One of the aims of the current work is deduction of the working principle of Dual Switch SMBC, that facilitates superior average extract purity. Next, we analyze the trade-offs due to the said process bounds on the objective i.e. average purity of objective extract fraction of Dual Switch SMBC. This has been done for the two case studies of separation: 1) linear isotherm based separation of fructose-glucose in deionized water on cation exchange resin 2) non-linear isotherm based separation of enantiomers of Tröger’s base in ethanol on microcrystalline cellulose triacetate. The findings from the trade-offs in the multi-objective optimization problem, further corroborate our understanding of the working principle.

Application of a Sludge Blanket Reactor for Effluent Treatment: A Laboratory Study

Energy is required in all societies worldwide. This led to a dependency of fossil fuel. During uncertain times fossil fuel supply become highly politically and used as an influencing source. This requires establishing a more environmentally friendly processes to decrease dependency. To produce biogas from municipal, agricultural and industrial waste a laboratory benchtop up-flow sludge blanket reactor with a operating volume of 2850 ml was designed build, started up, and operated using prepared municipal wastewater and separated liquid cow manure at a hydraulic retention time of 1 day, 3 days and 6 days after an 120 h adjustment time prior to testing.
 While using wastewater as influent, the laboratory benchtop up-flow sludge blanket reactor system was not able to reduce the chemical oxygen demand content significantly. Especially at a high volumetric flow rate for the 1-day hydraulic retention time. The produced gas amount decreased from 0.59 ±0.07 (ml/h)/L at a hydraulic retention rate of 6 days to 0.042 ±0.04 (ml/h)/L. The fluctuating influent chemical oxygen demand of 25 ±1 mg/L to 74 ±15 mg/L resulted in a stable effluent concentration of 39 ml/L and 45 ±11 mg/L respectively.
 The laboratory benchtop up-flow sludge blanket reactor system with separated liquid cow manure showed a higher chemical oxygen demand degradation capability but resulted in higher chemical oxygen demand in the effluent. The influent chemical oxygen demand of 308 ±42 mg/L was broken downs to 59 ±1 mg/L at a hydraulic retention time of 6 days and to 114 ±5 mg/L for 1 day retention time. The biogas production result in a stable gas production rate of 0.27 ±0.02 (ml/h)/L through all three hydraulic retention times. For both the wastewater and separated liquid cow manure operation the biogas without carbon dioxide was between 55 and 65%.
 The results show that the laboratory benchtop up-flow sludge blanket reactor system can reduce high chemical oxygen demand in wastewater and separated liquid cow manure. However, a minimum feed level having a minimal chemical oxygen demand above 36 mg/L is needed, otherwise, the active bacterial mass contributes to the effluent level as seen for the influent level below 36 mg/L and 25 mg/L which resulted in a minimum effluent level of 39 mg/L for a hydraulic retention time of 3-days and 6-days.

Techno-economic assessment of a hybrid connected PV solar system

The current work was performed a techno-economic analysis of a 5-kWp capacity hybrid-connected solar system installed on the roof of a house at Diyala province, Iraq (33.77° N, 45.14° E, elevation 44 m). The rooftop PV solar system consists of 18 polycrystalline PV modules of 355 W each, an energy storage system consisting of 8 batteries of 150 Ah, 12 V, and an intelligent inverter of 5-kWp capacity. The PV string output energy and the load sharing between the PV output, the grid, and the discharging energy from the energy storage system are studied. While the economic assessment of the PV system is performed by calculating the net present value (NPV) depending on the discount cash flow method, from the results, the payback time is found. The PV system’s annual results showed that the PV system’s energy yield is 8.9 GWh/year, and the array efficiency, performance ratio, and load efficiency were 0.126, 0.66, and 0.92, respectively. The reference, array, and final yields were 6.1, 3.88, and 3.99 h/day, respectively. The minimum energy feed to the grid was in summer, and the maximum was in winter. On the other hand, the results showed that the maximum purchasing energy was in summer, and the less was in winter. The economic assessment showed that the minimum tariff for Iraq should not be less than 0.1 $/kWh with a PB time equal to PV lifetime; a tariff of 0.12 $/kWh is profitably for Iraq, as the PB time is 10 years.

Beneficial effects of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium) extract on growth performance, biochemical, immunological and antioxidant responses of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fingerlings

The aim of this study was designed to analyze the effect of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium) extract (PSE) on growth performance, biochemical parameters, antioxidant and immunity status of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings. The rainbow trout (25.33 ± 0.15 g) were treated with four effective dosages of 0.5, 1, 2, and, 3% PSE in four separated with one control group for 60 days. At the end of experiment, the rainbow trout treated with PSE showed minimum feed conversion ratio (FCR), maximum weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR). Increased values of total protein, albumin and globulin were observed in PSE-fed fish; meanwhile, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST, ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as triglyceride, cholesterol, glucose, and cortisol levels significantly decreased in animals fed with 1–2% PSE diet. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), total immunoglobulin (total Ig), lysozyme activity, alternative complement hemolytic activity (ACH50), and respiratory burst (NBT) significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the PSE, with highest values in the treatments of 1–2% diet. The dietary PSE supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). A maximum significant amount (P < 0.05) in skin mucus was found in 1–3% PSE, while significant enhancement in total Ig and ACH50 were found in 0.5–3% PSE. All parameters analyzed in this study point at the usefulness of employing PSE in aquaculture as growth, antioxidant and immune system promoter. The optimum inclusion level was estimated to range between 1 and 2%.

Structural and Functional Models for Building New Generation Automated and Robotic Dairy Farms

The authors showed that large dairy complexes for over 2,000 cows create an increased environmental burden on the environment. The main tasks arising in this case were named: creating an optimal indoor microclimate for different age and gender groups of animals; providing sparing and comfortable modes of technological, veterinary and sanitary care and keeping animals; waste recycling; increasing the productive longevity of cows up to 4-5 lactations. (Research purpose) To develop methodologies for modular construction of an expanded standard-size range of new generation automated and robotic livestock farms. (Materials and methods) The authors proposed the main criteria and indicators for building a "smart" farm: minimum feed costs per unit of production; reduced energy consumption; optimal capital intensity of equipment and engineering structures per one livestock place; the minimum cost per unit of production with its high quality. The authors received the criterion equation for the total functional of the dairy farm. (Results and discussion) The authors analyzed the structural and functional diagrams of various configuration and size dairy farms (T-H-shaped), including combined storage farms, which make it possible to create a combined functional and logistics infrastructure consisting of standard modular units. The authors proposed the concept of building a technological module for a "smart" robotic farm for 400 heads with combined sectional feed and waste storage facilities, a robotic milking parlor, a multifunctional electrified robotic feed loader-pusher-dispenser and equipment for microclimate differentiated provision. (Conclusions) The authors developed methods, models, structural and functional schemes for modular construction of new generation automated and robotic dairy farms of various shapes and sizes. Their following advantages were confirmed: the optimal construction time, a sparing effect on biological objects and the environment, an increase in the production digitalization and automation level, the animal productive longevity, the dairy farming profitability in general.

Experimental Studies on Geometrical Accuracy During Single-Point Incremental Forming of Inconel 625 Superalloy

The single-point incremental forming has been globally accepted as an advanced method of sheet metal forming due to its rapid prototyping and economic benefits. The process has sensitively released the practice of using expensive dies, making it suitable for manufacturing custom-built products in tiny batches. Further, it is getting acceptance in producing parts of shabby machinery. In recent years, superalloys have become the most commonly used materials in the transportation, automotive, aeronautics and marine industries due to their fundamental and structural applications. The input parameters considered in this study are step size, feed rate and tool spindle speed. The effects of all three process parameters on the geometrical accuracy of Inconel 625 superalloy conical parts formed by the single-point incremental forming process are considered in this work. The deviations in roundness, concentricity, half-cone angle and straightness from the target values were considered as response parameters to measure the accuracy. The results showed that the part accuracy could be enhanced by using minimum step size, feed rate and maximum tool spindle speed.

Flat diamond sliding burnishing surface roughness investigation

The sliding diamond burnishing process is one among many burnishing post-machining processes applied for surface integrity enhancement purposes. This experimental study aims to investigate the effect of burnishing parameters on the surface roughness of the product. Taguchi design was used, and the machining parameters considered were burnishing force, feed rate, and the number of passes with three levels each. C45 steel alloy workpieces were face milled with the same machining variables and their surface roughness was measured before and after the diamond sliding burnishing process. Enhanced surface roughness was achieved with increasing burnishing force and minimum feed rate and higher number of passes.