FMI implementation in LMS Virtual.Lab Motion and application to a vehicle dynamics case

Multi-tool modeling and co-simulation of complex systems is a difficult problem. The missile power distribution system is a typical multidisciplinary combination of electrical, mechanical, dynamic, magnetic and cybernetics. Traditional professional software can only simulate a specific domain model. In order to study the coupling characteristics of the missile system and verify the rationality of the system model design, a multi-domain model simulation tool is needed. This paper proposes a multi-domain simulation method based on FMI (Functional Mock-up Interface) to simulate complex systems. It can use the advantages of different software and its professional model library, and overcome the difficulty of multi-source model co-simulation in the process of complex system development. This paper makes study in two aspects. On the one hand, the missile electrical characteristics are taken as the research object, the missile system is analyzed and decoupled according to the function. The missile subsystem models are established by using different professional software, and then the original model of the subsystem is converted into an FMU (Functional Mock-up Unit) model that conforms to the FMI standard. On the other hand, a simulation platform supporting the FMI standard was developed for co-simulation of the entire missile power distribution system. Finally, the simulation results show the correctness of the FMI based simulation scheme and the effectiveness of the simulation platform.

A mechatronic inerter can simulate the equivalent mechanical network through the external electrical network and can be used in a wide range of mechanical device design applications. In this paper, we study the use of a mechatronic inerter to enhance vibration isolation in vehicle seat suspensions. Firstly, the vertical and pitch movements of the vehicle’s sprung mass and the vertical vibration of the seat are considered in a half vehicle model. Then, the mechatronic inerter is introduced and the external electrical network is presented. The particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to optimize the seat suspension layout parameters with different transfer function-orders. Numerical simulations under different speeds were performed, and the results show that the application of the used mechatronic inerter’s seat suspension vibration isolation performance outperforms passive suspension. In addition, with an increase in the external electrical network transfer function-order, the seat acceleration and pitch acceleration RMS values will be further reduced. The results of the study will contribute to a new approach to vehicle seat suspension design.

Textile waste is a significant environmental problem that contributes to landfills and pollution that causes greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling and reusing textiles and developing a product from waste is feasible. Moreover, it can bring new opportunities in the recycling industry and contribute to the circular economy. However, choosing a material to produce a composite and finding out all its properties is a big challenge that needs to be explored more. This research is based on the characterization of a natural fiber composite from textile waste for domestic as well as industrial applications. It involves the production of composite material from textile waste, which has suitable mechanical strength and impact properties for use in the construction, automotive and ballistic industries. Three recycled non-woven wastes– cotton, polyester and cotton/polyester blend– are used. A roller speed of 200 rpm is chosen to produce carded mesh. The shredded textiles are then mixed with epoxy resin. The pressing technique with the help of compression moulding is used to produce composite samples. Mechanical tests were carried out to evaluate the young' s modulus, tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength and breaking elongation of the composites. It was found that with an increase in the volume percentage of fibers, the storage modulus of the prepared composites shows a higher value. Young's modulus, elongation at break, flexural strength and impact toughness increase with volume fraction up to 40 percent, but then the properties start to decrease again when mixing is done above 40 percent to 50 percent. The novelty lies in utilizing pre and postconsumer textile waste, including discarded personal protective equipment (PPE) and other textile wastes from the COVID-19 pandemic, as reinforcing fibers which contributes to textile waste recycling and also providing a better alternative to existing materials like pine wood, maple, oak and wood plastic composite for possible use in domestic items as well as construction and automotive industry at a lower cost.

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">The upcoming World-harmonized Light-duty Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC) together with the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) legislation used for the assessment of fuel economy and emissions, demand a start from a cold engine state. The process of warming up the engine from a cold start has a significant contribution to the emissions and fuel economy of the entire drive cycle. The process involves a multitude of interdependent components which means that modelling the phenomena has so far only been achieved using highly simplified approaches or accepting a very large penalty on calculation time.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper presents a modelling of the real-time running virtual vehicle whose parts are built in different domains connected with the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) co-simulation standard. A real- time 1-D gas thermodynamics code ‘WAVE-RT’ is used as a virtual gasoline engine providing detailed information about any chosen parameters at every engine crank angle. Real-time predictive spark ignition combustion is enhanced by a knocking model ensuring the correct combustion response within the entire engine operating range, keeping the engine from knocking during both cold and hot states.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">The vehicle driveline equipped by an engine cooling circuit is modelled in ‘IGNITE’ physics-based system simulation package driving the virtual vehicle through a chosen emission cycle. Finally, the exhaust aftertreatment uses ‘R-CAT’ code for modelling and solving relevant chemical kinetic reactions within the catalyst brick. DoE optimization is used for minimizing CO<sub>2</sub> as well as other undesired emissions allowing the aftertreatment to be properly controlled by a suitable engine control strategy. This unique solution opens new possibilities due to its rapid simulation speed. The whole virtual vehicle model runs real-time on a common computer, providing fast turnaround times and allowing multiple optimization runs in parallel or the performance of the simulation on a laptop on board a tested vehicle.</div></div>

An 8 degree-of-freedom (DOF) vehicle model is established to investigate the vertical vibration characteristics of an exhaust system excited by road surface inputs. The simplification of an exhaust system relevant to the vehicle model is discussed in detail, including the steps of exhaust modal analysis, definition of mass element, exhaust partitioning, parameter acquisition, and simplified exhaust validation. The vehicle model is developed based on a half-vehicle model, simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK, and validated by comparing the simulation and experiment on various road profiles. Results show that the vehicle model effectively represents the dynamics of the vehicle characteristic in vertical vibration.

Video systems for production process coordination and assistance based on pattern matching are met in areas such as: production of electronic components and printed circuit boards, production of aluminum, steel and glass, automotive industry, agricultural industry and medicine and textiles. The defining element of video systems with industrial applications is the image matching algorithm used to identify the investigated item. Thus, for industrial video applications, the main purpose is to detect the defect region of the investigated images by comparing them with a reference image.

In recent years, the industry has succeeded in achieving adequate performance of coatings for automotive, industrial, and decorative applications, both in terms of mechanical and aesthetical properties. Nevertheless, there is an increasing demand for novel light stabilizers which can meet even today’s higher performance and quality requirements as well as cost pressures. It is well known, for example in the automotive industry, that UV-absorbers (UVA) based on hydroxyphenyl-s-triazines (HPT) are capable of fulfilling these requirements where 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-benzotriazoles (BTZ) tend to fail or show inferior properties. Besides the well-known HPT for automotive applications, other high-performance products have been developed for an even broader range of applications comprising, for example, thin- or reduced-film applications, powder coatings, and extremely durable wood coatings. New encapsulation techniques make it even possible to convert most of these hydrophobic products into highly compatible and stable water-based product forms. This opens the door for the advanced HPT UVA for a broad range of possible waterborne and solventborne applications.

The industrial robot is more precisely an “automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator, programmable in three or more axes, which can be either fixed in place or mobile” (ISO 8373:2012). According to the International Federation of Robotics, by 2018, more than 400,000 new units were being installed annually, and the global average robot density in the manufacturing industry was 99 robots per 10,000 employees. More than 30% of all installed robots were in the automotive industry, the biggest customer for robots. Research on measuring and calibrating, modeling, programming and controlling, and integrating systems has been conducted to give robotic manipulators a wider variety of industrial applications. This special issue covers technical and academic efforts related to new technologies that improve the accuracy and facilitate the implementation of robotic manipulators in industrial applications. The first paper, by Ibaraki et al., outlines technical issues and future research directions for the implementation of model-based numerical compensation schemes for industrial robots. The random forest method is used by Kato et al. to construct a calibration model for positioning errors and identify industrial robots’ positioning errors. A procedure for the quasi-static compliance calibration of serial articulated industrial manipulators is proposed by Theissen et al. A review of the kinematic modeling theory and a derived algorithm to identify error sources for a six-axis industrial robot are presented by Alam et al. Nagao et al. derive a forward kinematics model and identify the kinematics parameters for the calibration of a robot-type machine tool. A novel trajectory generation algorithm, including a corner smoothing method for high-speed and high-accuracy machining by industrial robots, is proposed by Tajima et al. Sato et al. study the vibration characteristics of an industrial robot and derive a mathematical model that represents the dynamic behavior of the system. In the context of smart manufacturing, a multilayer quality inspection framework including a measurement instrument and a robot manipulator is introduced by Azamfirei et al. To support mass customization and the development of reconfigurable manufacturing systems, Inoue et al. propose an autonomous mobile robotic manipulator. Yonemoto and Suwa present an adaptive manipulation procedure to establish an automated scheduling technique that flexibly responds to unforeseen events, such as machine failures. Sasatake et al. introduce a learning system that is based on a method for calculating the similarity between tools, and they test it on a robot system for doing housework. Finally, for better knowledge of the key challenges that manufacturers experience in implementing collaborative industrial robots, an industrial survey is conducted by Andersson et al. The editors sincerely appreciate the contributions of all the authors as well as the work of the reviewers. We are confident that this special issue will further encourage research and engineering work to increase our understanding and knowledge of robotic manipulators and their industrial applications.

Bast fibers such as flax, hemp, and jute‐reinforced polymer composites due to their exceptional properties are gaining significant demand as a sustainable and cost‐effective alternative to conventional synthetic fiber‐reinforced composites. This comprehensive study aims to shed light on the potential of bast fiber reinforced composites (BFRCs) as innovative materials for various industrial applications. The manuscript presents a comprehensive discussion on bast fibers, polymer matrices, and the fabrication techniques employed to produce BFPCs, highlighting the effects of different modification techniques on the resulting mechanical properties. Industrial and structural applications of BFPCs are explored, with a specific focus on their use in the automotive and aerospace industries, construction materials, and sporting goods. Finally, the manuscript concludes with a discussion of the challenges and future prospects of BFPCs. This manuscript can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and professionals interested in the emerging field of bast fiber‐reinforced polymer composites. It opens new frontiers in material design and highlights the enormous potential of BFPCs to revolutionize industrial applications through their exceptional mechanical properties.Highlights Materials and processing of fiber‐reinforced polymer nanocomposites. Exploration of various fiber and matrix modification techniques. Recent advances in the mechanical properties of bast fiber‐reinforced composites. Ashby charts to illustrate the comparative analysis.

The automotive industry is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. Companies are facing the challenge of producing different systems simultaneously. Additionally, the global quantity of electric vehicles is also expected to increase significantly. This results in the following capability to remain competitive: Effective and efficient adaptions of production systems to model variations and volume increases. While flexible production is identified as the most promising concept, defining the actual flexibility level of included production resources is essential for its proper realization. A literature review on existing flexibility assessment approaches revealed their emphasis on high-level enablers and limited practical applicability in the automotive industry. In contrast, focusing the assessment on single workstations supports the selection of appropriate production resources. Therefore, a simple and structured standard procedure for a production resource flexibility assessment was developed. This theoretical construct was subsequently complemented with practical insights through its application on two real-life case studies within one automotive engineering company. Summarizing and discussing the findings in combination with a conclusion completed this paper.

The Autonomous Industrial Plant -Future of Process Engineering, Operations and Maintenance

Green degumming of hemp fibers: Evaluating deep eutectic solvents for sustainable industrial applications: A review.

Hydraulic integrated interconnected regenerative suspension (HIIRS) is a novel suspension system that can simultaneously harvest the vibration energy in the suspension and enhance the vehicle dynamics. The parameter sensitivity of the HIIRS system is analyzed and the significant parameters are optimized in this paper. Specifically, a half-vehicle model with the HIIRS is established. Based on the model, the parameter sensitivity of the hydraulic system is analyzed with three objectives, ride comfort, road holding, and average energy harvesting power. The parameters considered in this study are more abundant than those in previous related studies, including hydraulic cylinder inner diameter, hydraulic motor displacement, resistance, initial system pressure, and accumulator parameters. It turns out that the most sensitive parameters are the inner diameter of the hydraulic cylinder, the resistance, and the displacement of the hydraulic motor. To further study the performances that the HIIRS could present, both the single-objective optimization and the multi-objective optimization problems are solved and compared with the optimized traditional suspensions. The optimized HIIRS performs better in ride comfort and road holding than the optimized traditional suspension and anti-roll bar suspension. Different from the previous suspension optimization design, multi-objective optimization not only considers the traditional performance of the suspension but also incorporates the energy harvesting characteristics into the optimization objective. In the multi-objective optimization, a Pareto front is obtained, which shows that the ride comfort conflicts with the road holding and the energy harvesting power, while road holding and energy harvesting power did not conflict. The Pareto front shows that the optimized HIIRS is superior to the traditional suspension in ride comfort and road holding, and also harvests considerable energy.

Plant fibers are increasingly being incorporated into composites, as they reduce the material’s environmental impact. As part of an eco-design approach, we studied the processing of a flax/polypropylene (PP) composite. The ability of companies to adapt to demand is also a key factor in the ecological transition. While the manufacture of this composite using the bending method has already been studied, the way in which it is shaped has received little attention. In this study, the feasibility of bending composite samples (size 100 × 15 × 3.4 mm) at an angle of 90 degrees is evaluated. For its thermoplastic properties, the PP has been chosen, so it can be transformed more than one time, contrary to the epoxy. As a result, the manufacturing and storage of flat plates upstream will then allow elements to be shaped on demand, since only the bending stage would remain. Flax fibers are found in large quantities in France and are natural fibers with interesting properties. Process conditions were experimented with to achieve external bending without detrimental damage to mechanical behavior. Those conditions are related to the process fabrication: tools temperature (die and punch up to 145 °C), preheating of the material (160 °C), heat flux around the sample (flow up to 0.115 m 3 /s), implementation process (holding time between 240 and 360 s and cycles), fold orientation (45° or 0°), … The influence of the various parameters on fold quality (visual and mechanical) is analyzed by experimental design and strength tests (threshold higher than 117.3 MPa). Operating conditions have been determined, that guarantee both aesthetic quality and robustness through reproducible experimental protocols. Such semi- finished products will play a role in tomorrow’s structural parts for various industrial applications, such as the automotive industry, as well as in the construction of boat parts, etc.

Nowadays, the automotive industry is challenged constantly by increasing environmental regulations and the continuous enhancement of standards with regard to passenger's safety (NCAP, Part 1). In order to fulfil the aforementioned requirements, the use of ultra high-strength steels in research and industrial applications is of high interest. When forming such materials, the main problem results from the large amount of springback which occurs after the release of the part. This paper shows the applicability of several approaches for the reduction of springback amount by forming of one hat channel shaped component. A novel approach for springack reduction which is based on forming with an alternating blank draw-in is presented as well. In this investigation an ultra high-strength steel of the grade DP 980 was used. The part's measurements were taken at significant cross-sections in order to provide a qualitative comparison between the reference geometry and the part's released shape. The obtained results were analysed and used in order to quantify the success of particular approaches for springback reduction. When taking a curved hat channel shaped component as an example, the results achieved in the investigations showed that it is possible to reduce part shape deviations significantly when using DP 980 as workpiece material.