Design Optimization Software Research Articles

Packaging optimization model using cost-based behavioral perspective approach in food and beverage industry

The high competition in the food and beverage industry in Indonesia, where packaging has a very important function, with the main function to protect the product, as well as being a factor in attracting consumers' interest in making purchases. Packaging production is dominated by several companies, which when categorized are divided into middle-up manufacturing and middle-low manufacturing. The research is necessary to create an optimal packaging design model by considering the culture and habits of consumer. Capturing customer behavior and costs has a control function. Ethnographic studies are used to explore packaging elements that are important to consumer and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used for data processing. The result provides a conceptual model as well as recommendations for food and beverage manufacturers in terms of the packaging used. Seven elements of packaging that deserve primary attention: design, image, typography, color, size, material and quality. Using habit and cost factors has the control variables, with maximum profit as the objective function. Recommendations for middle-up manufacturing are focused on four packaging elements: design, image, color and quality. It is recommended to maximize strategies for customer retention and improving customer loyalty. Middle-low manufacturing is focused on four packaging elements: color, size, material and quality. It is recommended to maximize strategies to encourage repeat business and boost productivity. The features identified in this research are very possible to be implemented by food and beverage manufacturer, along with recommended strategies. For example, at the middle and low manufacturing level, it is very important to pay attention to product availability in several sizes

Design of a 2R Open-Chain Plug Seedling-Picking Mechanism and Control System Constrained by a Differential Non-Circular Planetary Gear Train

With a focus on the problems of complex structure and accumulated lateral clearance in the single degree of freedom non-circular wheel system seedling-picking mechanism, which leads to poor motion accuracy, trajectory, and attitude, this study developed a 2R open-chain chili plug seedling-picking mechanism (SPM) constrained by a differential non-circular wheel system. The picking arm was driven by a single-stage non-uniform speed transmission mechanism to reproduce the seedling-picking trajectory and attitude. A protruding seedling-picking device, SPM control system, and test bench were designed. A kinematic model of a differential non-circular gear system was established, and an optimization design software for the SPM was developed based on kinematic analysis. The kinematic characteristics of the SPM were analyzed under optimal parameters. This study completed the seedling-picking performance test of the SPM on the control panel. The test showed that the designed chili SPM can sequentially complete the processes of seedling picking, conveying, retracting, pushing, and returning under the automatic control of the test bench without damaging the main root. The lateral root damage rate was 15.7%, effectively ensuring the integrity of the seedling bowl substrate.

Mechanism Analysis and Optimization Design of Exoskeleton Robot with Non-Circular Gear–Pentabar Mechanism

To address the complex structure of existing rod mechanism exoskeleton robots and the difficulty in solving the motion trajectory of multi−rod mechanisms, an exoskeleton knee robot with a differential non−circular gear–pentarod mechanism is designed based on non−circular gears with arbitrary transmission ratios to constrain the degrees of freedom of the R-para-rod mechanism. In this study, the kinematic model of a non-circular gear–five−rod mechanism is established based on motion mapping theory by obtaining the normal motion positions of the human lower limb. An optimization design software for the non-circular gear–five−rod mechanism is developed using the MATLAB 2018b visualization platform, with the non−circular active gear as the sole input variable. A set of ideal parameters is obtained through parameter adjustment and optimal parameter selection, and the corresponding trajectories are compared with human trajectories. The three−dimensional model of the mechanism is established according to the obtained parameters, and the motion simulation of the non−circular gear–five−bar mechanism demonstrates that the mechanism can better reproduce the expected human knee joint motion posture, meeting the working requirements of an exoskeleton knee robot.

Design and test of walk-type rice potted seedling transplanting machine

At present, rice potted seedling transplanting machine is mostly suitable for high-speed, large seedlings and large plant distance rice transplanting. In order to adapt to the transplanting of different types of rice potted seedlings, this study carried out theoretical research and institutional design for transplanting rice potted seedlings suitable for small seedlings and small plant spacing. A 2R open-chain rice potted seedling transplanting mechanism with two non-circular gears meshing to achieve the ideal transplanting posture was developed, and an optimization software for potted seedling transplanting was developed by establishing the kinematic model of the transplanting mechanism, which simulated the motion trajectory and attitude of the transplanting arm during the transplanting process. Through the optimization of the optimization design software parameters, a set of parameters that meet the requirements of transplanting rice potted seedlings in the rear insert rice potted are obtained, a transplanting mechanism suitable for walking rice potted seedling transplanting machine is designed and developed, and the experiments of rice potted seedling picking, conveying and planting are completed. The success rate of the designed walk-type rice potted seedling transplanting mechanism on the bench was 96.7%, and the qualification rate of the whole machine transplanting test was 89.1%.

Effects of Thermal-Moisture Coupled Field on Delamination Behavior of Electronic Packaging

Abstract Delamination failure is one of the most prevalent and serious reliability issues in micro-electronic packaging. To understand this phenomenon further, this study constructs an experimental test system consisting of a double cantilever beam (DCB) fixture, an MTS-Acumen microforce tester, and a temperature and humidity controller. The system is employed to investigate the effects of coupled moisture-thermal loading on the critical strain energy release rate (SERR) at the epoxy molding compound (EMC)/Cu leadframe (LF) interface of a very thin quad flat no-lead package (WQFN) assembly. A three-dimensional computational model with hygro-thermal loading conditions is developed to evaluate the moisture diffusion, thermal stress, and integrated stress of a multichip WQFN package under typical processing conditions and precondition tests. The validated simulation model is then applied with the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) to investigate the fracture behavior at the EMC/Cu LF interface in the WQFN package. The effects of three design parameters on the SERR performance of the package are identified through a parametric analysis. Finally, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimization method is employed to examine the effects of the main structural design parameters of the WQFN package on its delamination reliability. The results are used to determine the optimal packaging design that minimizes the SERR and hence enhances the package reliability.

Design and Experimental Investigation of a Transplanting Mechanism for Super Rice Pot Seedlings

Super rice contains a variety of advantageous characteristics. However, current rice seedling transplanting machines fail to achieve the necessary trajectory and distance required for super rice mechanized transplanting. To address this issue, this study introduces a differential-speed rotary mechanism for transplanting super rice pot seedlings. The developed mechanism operates using a non-uniform speed differential gear train, which enables the transplanting arm components to mimic the specific trajectory and posture necessary for transplanting super rice pot seedlings. The kinematic model of the differential-speed rotary super rice pot seedling transplanting mechanism (PSTM) was established, and optimization design software was developed. This software facilitated the determination of a set of mechanism parameters optimized for super rice pot seedling transplantation. The results obtained from virtual simulations were found to be in alignment with those from the optimization software, thereby verifying the accuracy of the theoretical analysis and simulation. A testing bench for the rice PSTM was also developed and used for pot seedling pickup experiments. The bench tests demonstrated that the designed super rice PSTM yielded a seedling pickup success rate of 97% and a seedling injury rate of 1.8% when operating at an efficiency of 200 times/min.

Vehicles for the Service Economy: Early-stage Vehicle Concept Designs for Vehicle-based Service

Future vehicles are connected, autonomous and shared platforms that render a multitude of services in our everyday lives. The vehicle's driving function will ultimately converge to a commodity sourced by superstructure manufactures that develop service-oriented functionality. For the early stage vehicle concept design, this new functionality imposes a new complexity for superstructure engineers. Novel service offerings translate into new functional requirements and technical components that need to be optimally sized and positioned inside the vehicle package to increase the amount of service units that can be supplied to the customer. Today, vehicle concept design optimization only focuses on powertrain components. In this paper, we introduce a novel two-step package design optimization for vehicle superstructures. First, functional requirements are derived from service units, the smallest unit of value to the vehicle-based service customer. We then develop component weight and size regression models from data retrieved from online warehouses. Components and their installation constrains are represented by scalable containers. A combined packing heuristic and parameter optimization arranges the containers within the vehicle's available installation space and created layout alternatives. We apply this procedure to a real case study based on the aCar, a light electric utility vehicle for rural sub-Saharan Africa. This is a first step to enable superstructure manufactures to design and optimize vehicle concept designs based on service capacity.

Custom software development of structural dimension optimization software for the buckling of stiffened plates

<abstract> <p>Existing structural optimization software tools only integrate the Euler buckling function of rods and plates and do not consider the buckling strength constraint of stiffened plates, thus failing to meet the optimization design requirements of thin-walled structures such as ship hulls. In this study, according to the buckling strength specifications for stiffened plates of ships, the custom software development of a structural optimization program with "buckling constraints of stiffened plates" was performed using the HyperMesh optimization design software. The finite-element grid of the stiffened plate was divided; the average stress, stress gradient and other parameters associated with the buckling of stiffened plates were determined; the DRESP3 card was set; the external OML function file was linked and the buckling strength of the stiffened plates was introduced into the dimensional optimization design model as a constraint. The proposed method was used to optimize the structure scantlings of a platform, achieving a reduction of 8.96% compared with the original scheme, while also meeting the requirements of structural strength, deformation and buckling strength. The results demonstrated that the dimensional optimization software with buckling constraints is operable and can aid in the rapid structural optimization design of stiffened plates.</p> </abstract>

Optimal design of transplanting mechanism with differential internal engagement non-circular gear trains

This study aimed at the problems of unequal speed transmission ratio mutual restriction and side gap accumulation of the transplanting mechanism with single-degree-of-freedom K-H-V non-circular planetary gear train, which leads to poor trajectory and attitude, and poor precision of movement. This study has proposed a simple structure of transplanting mechanism with differential internal engagement non-circular planetary gear trains, which reconstructs the complex transplanting trajectory and attitude of the planting arm through single-stage unequal speed transmission. The working principle of the transplanting mechanism was analysed, and the kinematic theoretical model of the transplanting mechanism was established. The optimal design software for the transplanting mechanism was developed based on the visual platform. The dimensions optimisation on the transplanting mechanism was completed considering the requirements with strong coupling, and multi-objective and a set of superior mechanism parameters were obtained. The design theory and method of the internal engagement non-circular gear pair were proposed based on the generating principle. The correctness and accuracy of the trajectory and attitude of the transplanting mechanism were verified through virtual simulation experiments. The experiments show that the designed transplanting mechanism with internal engagement non-circular planetary gear trains was compact in structure, the trajectory meets the requirements of multi-objective transplanting, and the trajectory and attitude can be accurately reproduced, which provides a new feasible solution for the innovative design of the transplanting mechanism.

High-Temperature Superconducting Cable Optimization Design Software Based on 2-D Finite Element Model

With the increasing electricity power demand in major cities, the existing conventional power cables is difficult to meet the requirements of high-density and large-capacity power transmission. Compared with conventional power cables, high-temperature superconducting cables can significantly increase transmission capacity, reduce power losses, and save land occupation, which have great potential in future urban high-density power transmission applications. However, the process of designing a complete set of HTS cable is very complex, and many factors need to be considered comprehensively, such as current distribution, AC loss calculation, thermal stability analysis. In this case, a HTS cable design software platform is under development to simplify design process and improve the work efficiency of designers. Based on the software, design schemes of three-phase 10kV/1.5kA HTS cable with two different structures are given. A 2-D AC loss finite element model of HTS cable is established and verified. The simulation results show that at low voltage level, the HTS cable with three-phase coaxial structure has good performance, and can save more land, which is more suitable for the expansion of urban power grid in the future.

The Analysis Method of Performance Comprehensive Performance Optimization Design for Multi-body Unmanned Boat

Abstract In order to compare and analyze the comprehensive performance of multi-hull unmanned boats under specific conditions, this paper conducts in-depth research on the multi-objective decision-making theory and intelligent optimization algorithms of boat type design. First of all, this paper establishes the corresponding ship type and resistance database using the response surface fitting method through the drag resistance test of the ship model. Secondly, comprehensively considering the impact of the three major performances of multi-hull unmanned craft on the design of the boat’s speed, maneuverability and seakeeping, a comprehensive optimization mathematical model was established, and the comprehensive optimization design software was adapted. Then, using genetic algorithm, particle swarm algorithm, and chaos algorithm to conduct a preliminary calculation and analysis of the comprehensive performance of the two ship types. By comparing the calculation results, it is concluded that the particle swarm algorithm is the best algorithm among the three intelligent algorithms. Finally, the particle swarm algorithm is used to compare and analyze the comprehensive performance of the two ship types in the multi-hull unmanned craft. It is concluded that the overall performance of the three-hull unmanned craft is better at the same speed and displacement. This paper discusses the pros and cons of the three intelligent algorithms, compares and analyzes the calculation results of each optimization algorithm, and provides a practical way and method for the selection of multihull unmanned boats under the same speed and same displacement.

Brake-Disc Holes and Slit Shape Design to Improve Heat Dissipation Performance and Structural Stability

A brake disc decelerates the vehicle through friction with the brake pads. When the brake system is overheated, brake fade can occur, in which the friction coefficient drops significantly. Additionally, an over-heated brake system may cause vapor lock, in which the brake hydraulic fluid is vaporized. These phenomena can lead to the loss of braking power and cause a fatal accident. Therefore, brake systems must have stable braking and heat dissipation performance. Having through-holes and slits on the friction surface of the rotor has been adopted to improve the heat dissipation performance, but the holes become stress points and potentially cause cracks. Therefore, brake systems should be designed to have structural stability as well as good heat dissipation. In this study, finite element (FE) modeling was developed to analyze the structural stability and heat dissipation performance of a brake system, and structural and thermal simulations were performed in ANSYS, a CAE software package. In addition, to minimize concentrated stress and temperature, optimal design of the shape and pattern of holes and slits was carried out using PIAnO, an integrated optimal design software package. The first step of design optimization was performed while considering the shape and pattern of the disc holes and slits as design factors. Among the design factors, those with the largest effects on the objective functions were found and set as new design factors to perform the second step. The designs were compared to existing discs. Through the optimization presented in this paper, it is expected that the performance of the braking system will improve and the life of the brake parts will be increased.

Non-Local Sensitivity Analysis and Numerical Homogenization in Optimal Design of Single-Wall Corrugated Board Packaging.

The optimal selection of the composition of corrugated cardboard dedicated to specific packaging structures is not an easy task. The use of lighter boards saves material, but at the same time increases the risk of not meeting the guaranteed load capacity. Therefore, the answer to the question “in which layer the basis weight of the paper should be increased?” is not simple or obvious. The method proposed here makes it easy to understand which components and to what extent they affect the load-bearing capacity of packages of various dimensions. The use of numerical homogenization allows for a quick transformation of a cardboard sample, i.e., a representative volume element (RVE) into a flat plate structure with effective parameters describing the membrane and bending stiffness. On the other hand, the use of non-local sensitivity analysis makes it possible to find the relationship between the parameters of the paper and the load capacity of the packaging. The analytical procedures presented in our previous studies were used here to determine (1) the edge crush resistance, (2) critical load, and (3) the load capacity of corrugated cardboard packaging. The method proposed here allows for obtaining a comprehensive and hierarchical list of the parameters that play the most important role in the process of optimal packaging design.

Active food packaging to control carbon dioxide

AbstractKeeping certain level of carbon dioxide concentration along with a desired oxygen concentration in food packages is helpful in preserving a variety of foods, and thus, active packaging technology to control CO2 has been reviewed here in perspective of optimized package design. For whatever product packages, tailoring interaction among the gas, food product and packaging material is essential for realization of positive role and function of CO2: antimicrobial activity, prevention of oxidation, preferred sensory quality, maintenance of package integrity and extension of shelf life. Gas absorbers, emitters or active valves may be applied for this purpose, and commercial products are available in market. However, these active devices should be applied in harmony with food's CO2 production and dissolution. Elements or factors involved in the design process are examined by looking over scientific literature. Mass balance relationship combined with dissolution equilibration for active food package has been presented to control CO2 concentration and package wholesomeness in beneficial and desired way. Atmosphere estimation of roasted coffee packages was presented as case study for tackling the task of attaining the desired condition.

Optimized design and experiment of the three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedlings

The transplanting arm of two-arm transplanting mechanism is easy to cause seedlings injury and missing due to its faster speed relative to the seedlings. In order to solve the existed problems, a three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedlings was developed in this study. The developed three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedling can make the transplanting arm realize special trajectory and attitude through the unequal planetary gear transmission. The kinematic model of three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedling was established, and the optimal design software was developed. Based on the heuristic optimization algorithm named “parameter guide”, a set of satisfied mechanism parameters required by the rice potted seedling transplanting were obtained. The trajectory and attitude of three-arm transplanting mechanism used for the rice potted seedling were analyzed. Besides, the virtual simulation results were basically consistent with the optimization software results, and the correctness of theoretical analysis and virtual simulation were also verified by each other. When the developed transplanting mechanism picked up the seedling, the velocity of transplanting arm relative to the seedling was reduced by about 30%. The results showed that the injury rate of rice potted seedling transplanting mechanism was 0.04%, the missing rate of seedling was 1.4%, the integrity rate of seedling pot matrix was 96%, and the success rate of picking seedling was 99.92%. Keywords: agricultural machinery, transplanting mechanism, rice potted seedling, three-arm, optimal design DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20211405.6844 Citation: Yin J J, Wang Z L, Zhou M L, Wu L N, Zhang Y. Optimized design and experiment of the three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedlings. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2021; 14(5): 56–62.

Warpage modeling and characterization of intelligent power modules (IPMs)

Abstract Intelligent power modules (IPMs) are widely used in the electric vehicle (and hybrid electric vehicle industry nowadays due to their high power density and ability to integrate multiple components within a single package. However, the reliability of IPMs is severely degraded by the substrate warpage effect produced during the packaging process. This study therefore develops a computational model to analyze the warpage of the IPM assembly at various stages of the packaging process. The validity of the simulation model is confirmed by comparing the numerical results for the warpage of the direct plated copper substrate with the experimental observations. Taguchi experiments are then performed to examine the effects of eight control factors on the IPM package warpage following the post-mold cure (PMC) process, namely (1) the dam bar layout, (2) the epoxy molding compound (EMC) thickness, (3) the lead frame thickness, (4) the ceramic thickness, (5) the bottom layer Cu foil thickness, (6) the top layer Cu foil thickness, (7) the ceramic material type and (8) the EMC material type. Finally, the Taguchi analysis results are used to determine the optimal packaging design that minimizes the warpage of the post-PMC package.

SrMO-BO-3GP: A sequential regularized multi-objective Bayesian optimization for constrained design applications using an uncertain Pareto classifier

Abstract Bayesian optimization (BO) is an efficient and flexible global optimization framework that is applicable to a very wide range of engineering applications. To leverage the capability of the classical BO, many extensions, including multi-objective, multi-fidelity, parallelization, and latent-variable modeling, have been proposed to address the limitations of the classical BO framework. In this work, we propose a novel multi-objective BO formalism, called srMO-BO-3GP, to solve multi-objective optimization problems in a sequential setting. Three different Gaussian processes (GPs) are stacked together, where each of the GPs is assigned with a different task. The first GP is used to approximate a single-objective computed from the multi-objective definition, the second GP is used to learn the unknown constraints, and the third one is used to learn the uncertain Pareto frontier. At each iteration, a multi-objective augmented Tchebycheff function is adopted to convert multi-objective to single-objective, where the regularization with a regularized ridge term is also introduced to smooth the single-objective function. Finally, we couple the third GP along with the classical BO framework to explore the convergence and diversity of the Pareto frontier by the acquisition function for exploitation and exploration. The proposed framework is demonstrated using several numerical benchmark functions, as well as a thermomechanical finite element model for flip-chip package design optimization.

An Adaptive Machine Learning Method Based on Finite Element Analysis for Ultra Low-k Chip Package Design

Machine learning (ML) is widely used for building data-driven models that are highly useful for optimization. In this study, a finite element model-based adaptive ML method is presented for chip package reliability prediction and design optimization. This ML method employs a validated multi-scale finite element model for training data generation. An adaptive sampling scheme is developed to optimize the training process with a steepest descent algorithm. The developed method was used to optimize ultra low-k chip package design. The effects of ten key design parameters on chip packaging reliability were considered. Multiple ML algorithms were evaluated for model development. It is shown that the adaptive sampling method performs much better than existing sequential sampling methods and that the finite element-based ML model can be used to achieve improved prediction accuracy for chip package design optimization.

Surface energetic-based analytical filling time model for flip-chip underfill process

Purpose This paper aims to present new analytical model for the filling times prediction in flip-chip underfill encapsulation process that is based on the surface energetic for post-bump flow. Design/methodology/approach The current model was formulated based on the modified regional segregation approach that consists of bump and post-bump regions. Both the expansion flow and the subsequent bumpless flow as integrated in the post-bump region were modelled considering the surface energy–work balance. Findings Upon validated with the past underfill experiment, the current model has the lowest root mean square deviation of 4.94 s and maximum individual deviation of 26.07%, upon compared to the six other past analytical models. Additionally, the current analytically predicted flow isolines at post-bump region are in line with the experimental observation. Furthermore, the current analytical filling times in post-bump region are in better consensus with the experimental times as compared to the previous model. Therefore, this model is regarded as an improvised version of the past filling time models. Practical implications The proposed analytical model enables the filling time determination for flip-chip underfill process at higher accuracy, while providing more precise and realistic post-bump flow visualization. This model could benefit the future underfill process enhancement and package design optimization works, to resolve the productivity issue of prolonged filling process. Originality/value The analytical underfill studies are scarce, with only seven independent analytical filling time models being developed to date. In particular, the expansion flow of detachment jump was being considered in only two previous works. Nonetheless, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no analytical model that considered the surface energies during the underfill flow or based on its energy–work balance. Instead, the previous modelling on post-bump flow was based on either kinematic or geometrical that is coupled with major assumptions.

Study on the coupling calculation model of dump flooding in Hala-hatang fracture-cavity reservoir

Abstract The dump flooding technology comes from offshore oil fields. It is necessary to increase the production of oil by water injection when fracture-cavity reservoirs in Xinjiang enter their middle and later stages. Lack of water sources in the desert area and the presence of heavy upper water layers encourage further research into the application of this technology. The dump flooding technology can eliminate the need for specialized injection wells and reduce the consumption of oil fields in the surface water sources, which may significantly aid in the development of the local economy and environment. In China, the research on dump flooding is still in its preliminary phase. Hence, there is no complete flow model for gravity flow and no optimization design software to optimize the development effect. This article sets up a flow model of a water layer-well-fracture unit by key local nodes. The key nodes, such as some perforating water layer, the bullet hole or the water valve, were simulated using the COMSOL software. The flow equations of each node were coupled together for the system-wide flow coupling model to verify the whole system by the numerical simulation, which needs Eclipse to run. The results of the research can be used to predict the water injection rates and formation pressures, and also provide a reference and a basis for the optimal design of water injection.