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New Trends in Design Engineering
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New Trends in Design Engineering

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2021) | Viewed by 64181

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Francisco Cavas Martínez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Structures, Construction and Graphic Expression, Technical University of Cartagena, 30202 Cartagena, Spain
Interests: design, computational modeling, and simulation; CAD, CAE, CAM, and BIM; geometric modeling and analysis; creativity and sustainability; innovative design; additive manufacturing; biomechanical engineering; engineering methods in human-related applications; biomedical engineering; big data and artificial intelligence; digital manufacturing for industry 4.0
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the current and complex mechanical engineering environment, computational modeling and simulation represent vital tools for gaining understanding and optimizing product designs and manufacturing processes at different levels. Today, the huge growth in computational power available for design, modeling, and simulation provides modern computational methods with a significant role in the analysis and optimization of many complex processes and designs, allowing them to be completed in a fast and effective manner, saving costs, time, and reducing waste. Therefore, it becomes essential to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the field of Mechanics.

We encourage submissions to this Special Issue which aim at sharing knowledge, experience, and up-to-date scientific information in the areas of design engineering, providing an overview on methodologies, tools, and applications for understanding how the application of emerging technologies impact critical engineering activities, such as product design, manufacturing, management and integration of information along the life cycle of the product/system. This Special Issue shall provide a comprehensive coverage of the experimental, computational, and analytical approaches that are usually employed to implement new products and processes in several different fields (automotive, biomedical, civil, aeronautics, etc.). These approaches also frequently aim to improve current products and processes, basing on new approaches to implement technologies. This Special Issue will not only be useful for researchers in these areas, but also for engineers engaged with advanced design and manufacturing problems.

This Special Issue will publish original contributions related but not limited to the topics described in the keywords.

Prof. Dr. Francisco Cavas Martínez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Design, computational modeling, and simulation
  • Optimization
  • Finite element method
  • Manufacturing, integrated product and process design
  • Virtual reality, augmented reality and interactive design
  • Geometric modelling and analysis
  • CAD, CAE, CAM and BIM
  • Additive manufacturing—design and applications
  • Engineering methods in human-related applications
  • Reverse engineering, digital acquisition and inspection
  • Industrial design and ergonomics
  • Numerical modeling for simulation in biomechanical engineering
  • Digital manufacturing for Industry 4.0 applications
  • Manufacturing, integration and characterization of multifunctional structure and devices
  • Design for sustainability and human robot collaboration
  • Biomimicry for product design
  • In silico design and generation of biological structures
  • Virtual prototyping-based design
  • Mechanisms and machine design
  • Big data and artificial intelligence
  • Product/process innovation and systematic design methods
  • Materials engineering design

Published Papers (22 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 817 KiB  
Article
Occupants’ Perspectives of the Use of Smartphones during Fire Evacuation from High-Rise Residential Buildings
by Michael Gerges, Peter Demian, Ahmed Khalafallah and Marek Salamak
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(11), 5298; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12115298 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1395
Abstract
Over the past few years there has been a significant change in fire safety design and management. As the possibility of safe escape is the most crucial aspect of a building’s fire safety features, the understanding of human behaviour under fire conditions is [...] Read more.
Over the past few years there has been a significant change in fire safety design and management. As the possibility of safe escape is the most crucial aspect of a building’s fire safety features, the understanding of human behaviour under fire conditions is important for a successful evacuation. Previous research studies have developed models, prototypes, and serious games that help engineers/architects to design or firefighters to improve design so that the building facilitates a smooth evacuation process. Although these studies have looked into human behaviour, perceptions of important stakeholders (such as occupants, structural engineers, fire engineers, facility managers) are still not understood. These perceptions are important for the appropriate application of technology for evacuation. The broader research effort, of which this paper is part, stems from the premise that bespoke evacuation instructions can be sent directly to evacuees’ smartphones. Information from a BIM model with the aid of sensors can be used to customise these evacuation instructions. The prospect of information being delivered to occupants during a fire emergency is still at its premature phase and more research is needed. Twenty-three interviews were conducted with occupants who currently live in high-rise residential buildings in Egypt and the United Kingdom to understand their views of using smartphones to assist during fire evacuations. The sampling strategy targeted occupants who currently live in high-rise residential buildings but have not necessarily experienced a fire evacuation. The research clearly shows the importance of smartphones during evacuation and the role they can play in assisting occupants to find the fastest and safest egress route. The interview findings will assist in future research to develop an evacuation framework system that could be implemented for high-rise residential buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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15 pages, 14762 KiB  
Article
Improvement of the Method for Fixing a Punch in the Punch Holder
by Melissa Semaan, Victor Castex, Eneko Ruiz Arramendy and Manuel Paredes
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 11013; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112211013 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1790
Abstract
The punching process allows large quantities of parts to be produced at very low cost. This paper studies how the technique used for fixing a punch can be improved in order to increase productivity before punch fracture, which results in large numbers of [...] Read more.
The punching process allows large quantities of parts to be produced at very low cost. This paper studies how the technique used for fixing a punch can be improved in order to increase productivity before punch fracture, which results in large numbers of parts failing to be produced, thus creating a significant shortfall. In this context, the study deals with an industrial case, specifically the manufacturing (metal sheeting and metal forming) of a connector made of stainless steel. A broken tool is first analyzed in order to identify the source of the premature breakage. Then, the tool and the process are modeled using finite element analysis (FEA) to act as a reference. Then, the improvements in the geometry and fixing method, intended to increase the tool lifespan, are assessed and modeled using FEA. Finally, the modified profile with only one central hole proves to be very efficient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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13 pages, 7469 KiB  
Article
Iterative Methods for the Biomechanical Evaluation of Corneal Response. A Case Study in the Measurement Phase
by Carmelo Gómez, David P. Piñero, Manuel Paredes, Jorge L. Alió and Francisco Cavas
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 10819; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210819 - 16 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1378
Abstract
The number of corneal surgeries steadily grew in recent years and boosted the development of corneal biomechanical models. These models can contribute to simulating surgery by reducing associated risks and the need for secondary interventions due to ectasias or other problems related to [...] Read more.
The number of corneal surgeries steadily grew in recent years and boosted the development of corneal biomechanical models. These models can contribute to simulating surgery by reducing associated risks and the need for secondary interventions due to ectasias or other problems related to correcting other diseases. Biomechanical models are based on the geometry obtained with corneal topography, which is affected by intraocular pressure and material properties. Knowledge of stress distribution in the measurement phase is a key factor for improving the accuracy of in silico mechanical models. In this work, the results obtained by two different methods: prestress method and displacements method were compared to evaluate the stress and strain distribution in a general geometric model based on the Navarro eye geometry and two real corneal geometries. The results show that both methods are equivalent for the achievement of the stress distribution in the measurement phase. Stress distribution over the corneal geometry in the measurement phase is a key factor for accurate biomechanical simulations, and these simulations could help to develop patient-specific models and reduce the number of secondary interventions in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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13 pages, 460 KiB  
Article
Verification of a Comfort-Enhanced Liquid Cooling Vest
by Wen-Kuei Lai and Chih-Fu Wu
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 10799; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210799 - 16 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1714
Abstract
Firefighter uniforms provide thermal protection and block radiant as well as high-temperature heat. However, they limit cooling and the dissipation of internal heat from the body. This study attempted to improve firefighter uniforms by developing and evaluating a comfortable and thermally balanced design. [...] Read more.
Firefighter uniforms provide thermal protection and block radiant as well as high-temperature heat. However, they limit cooling and the dissipation of internal heat from the body. This study attempted to improve firefighter uniforms by developing and evaluating a comfortable and thermally balanced design. This study recruited six male college students for a within-subject comparison of vests with and without active liquid cooling. The participants used a questionnaire to report their comfort level in each body part while performing various motions. A biomechanical analysis was performed to objectively evaluate the comfort level of the cooling vest before and after the test. Subsequently, the participants’ blood pressure and ear as well as skin temperature were measured as they ran on a treadmill. The participants also responded to a questionnaire regarding their thermal perception. The results revealed that the cooling vest was comfortable and flexible. The data from the psychological questionnaire indicated that the participants were satisfied with the warmth, coolness, and other various aspects of the cooling vest. Moreover, the cooling vest positively affected the wearer’s microclimate and provided a comfortable thermal balance. The current findings demonstrate the feasibility of using human-factors-engineering-based objective verification methods for designing products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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14 pages, 1913 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Customized Design Criteria of Pedestrians’ Specifications Using a Dimensionless Number
by Chang-Gyun Roh and Bum-Jin Park
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 10762; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210762 - 15 Nov 2021
Viewed by 1220
Abstract
Worldwide, the population is aging at a gradually increasing speed, due to a decrease in the population and the development of medical facilities and technology. Due to the rapid aging of the population, social infrastructure will also need to be transformed into convenient [...] Read more.
Worldwide, the population is aging at a gradually increasing speed, due to a decrease in the population and the development of medical facilities and technology. Due to the rapid aging of the population, social infrastructure will also need to be transformed into convenient facilities for the elderly. Walking facilities have been manufactured based on body size measured for general adults. Accordingly, it is necessary to prepare a new design standard suitable for the characteristics of the elderly. It is very difficult to establish standardized values for the elderly because there is a large difference in gait characteristics as well as body size. Therefore, in this study, gait characteristics were measured for the elderly with the standard physique of the elderly in Korea, and the measured gait characteristic variable values were converted into dimensionless numbers to calculate coefficients with more representativeness. The calculated coefficient is expected to be more universally applied and utilized because factors that may affect it depending on the size of the body are removed. When designing a walking facility, the average body size is applied to convert it back into necessary walking attribute information (including units), and this is presented as an example from Korea. It is expected that the presented results can be used to design more suitable and safe pedestrian facilities for an aging society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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14 pages, 46175 KiB  
Article
Developments of Adapted Clothing for Physically Disabled People with Scoliosis Using 3D Geometrical Model
by Sara Mosleh, Mulat Alubel Abtew, Pascal Bruniaux, Guillaume Tartare and Yukang Xu
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 10655; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210655 - 12 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2982
Abstract
Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine that causes disorders of the rib cage. This makes it difficult to design clothes for affected people without following the shape of the rib cage. This paper presents a new 3D clothing design method based on [...] Read more.
Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine that causes disorders of the rib cage. This makes it difficult to design clothes for affected people without following the shape of the rib cage. This paper presents a new 3D clothing design method based on virtual reality for women with physical disabilities such as scoliosis. The current design method is a variation of the draping techniques commonly used by fashion designers to design clothes on a mannequin or human body. However, the current design process highly considers the skeleton and body scan of the person. The skeleton is used to detect the anthropometric points of the patient, while the body scan allows us to detect the morphological contours at the onset of scoliosis. Thus, both allow us to accurately track the patient’s morphology and atypical shape. The position of the morphological contours is indicated by reference marks that are closely associated with the skeleton. This helps to automatically adapt the garment to the evolution of the patient’s pathology over time. The process of creating the 3D garment was processed based on the 3D model of the thorax, which helps to easily determine the anthropometric points and the morphological curves. Using this data, the geometrical model of the garment could be created with 3D ease allowances. The 2D block pattern was then obtained by flattening the 3D patterns using flattening methods. Finally, various tests were performed considering the evolution of pathology to predict the future garment. These tests validate our geometrical model of the garment with 3D ease allowances by comparing the results with previous work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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21 pages, 5939 KiB  
Article
Feasibility Study on Downhole Gas–Liquid Separator Design and Experiment Based on the Phase Isolation Method
by Yuntong Yang, Zhaoyu Jiang, Lianfu Han, Wancun Liu, Xingbin Liu and Gang Deng
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10496; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112110496 - 08 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2053
Abstract
As oil exploitation enters its middle and late stages, formation pressure drops, and crude oil degases. In production profile logging, the presence of the gas phase will affect the initial oil–water two-phase flowmeter’s flow measurement results. In order to eliminate gas-phase interference and [...] Read more.
As oil exploitation enters its middle and late stages, formation pressure drops, and crude oil degases. In production profile logging, the presence of the gas phase will affect the initial oil–water two-phase flowmeter’s flow measurement results. In order to eliminate gas-phase interference and reduce measurement costs, we designed a downhole gas–liquid separator (DGLS) suitable for low flow, high water holdup, and high gas holdup. We based it on the phase isolation method. Using a combination of numerical simulation and fluid dynamic measurement experiments, we studied DGLS separation efficiency separately in the two cases of gas–water two-phase flow and oil–gas–water three-phase flow. Comparative analysis of the numerical simulation calculation and dynamic test results showed that: the VOF model constructed based on k−ε the equation is nearly identical to the dynamic test, and can be used to analyze DGLS separation efficiency; the numerical simulation results of the gas–water two-phase flow show that when the total flow rate is below 20 m3/d, the separation efficiency surpasses 90%. The oil–gas–water three-phase’s numerical simulation results show that the oil phase influences separation efficiency. When the total flow rate is 20 m3/d–50 m3/d and gas holdup is low, the DGLS’s separation efficiency can exceed 90%. Our experimental study on fluid dynamics measurement shows that the DGLS’s applicable range is when the gas mass is 0 m3/d~15 m3/d, and the water holdup range is 50%~100%. The research presented in this article can provide a theoretical basis for the development and design of DGLSs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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17 pages, 4048 KiB  
Article
Studies regarding the Use of Pneumatic Muscles in Precise Positioning Systems
by Ioana Mădălina Petre
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 9855; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11219855 - 21 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1695
Abstract
The paper presents the methods and results of an experimental study that highlights the behavior of a pneumatic actuator under different pressures and with different loads applied. One important challenge that occurs in the application of pneumatic muscles is the phenomenon of hysteresis, [...] Read more.
The paper presents the methods and results of an experimental study that highlights the behavior of a pneumatic actuator under different pressures and with different loads applied. One important challenge that occurs in the application of pneumatic muscles is the phenomenon of hysteresis, which causes a nonlinear relationship between the input–output values. The aim of this study is to identify the occurrence of hysteresis in the operation of a small pneumatic muscle in different conditions. Thus, different loads are attached to the free end of a pneumatic muscle and different successive pressures are applied in order to examine the hysteresis of the contraction ratio when the muscle is inflated and then deflated. The obtained equations that describe the relationship between the input pressure and the axial contraction are significant for reaching a high-performance position control. In this regard, the article proposes a solution to increase positioning accuracy based on pressure control using a proportional pressure regulator and a programmable logic controller. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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14 pages, 4245 KiB  
Article
Prototyping, Testing, and Redesign of a Three-Wheel Trekking Wheelchair for Accessible Tourism Applications
by Gabriele Baronio, Ileana Bodini, Barbara Motyl and Stefano Uberti
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(20), 9641; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11209641 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1801
Abstract
This work is part of the project called “Gölem project”, started in 2017, about special devices developed to enable the so-called Accessible Tourism. This project aims to design and develop a trekking wheelchair for people with impaired mobility. After an initial phase of [...] Read more.
This work is part of the project called “Gölem project”, started in 2017, about special devices developed to enable the so-called Accessible Tourism. This project aims to design and develop a trekking wheelchair for people with impaired mobility. After an initial phase of design and prototyping, the testing phase has now begun. The objective is to validate several aspects of the design, concerning basic kinematics and dynamics, passenger comfort and physical effort of the carriers. This paper describes the development of qualitative tests for drivability and balance validation of this first prototype. At this stage, a list of features to be investigated was made, suitable trekking paths were chosen, and qualitative experimental field tests were performed. Then, the design of the prototype was modified according to these first experimental results, to improve the wheelchair characteristics. The prototype is now undergoing the modification phase, then further testing will be performed with the use of specific instrumental devices to evaluate the wheelchair itself and to perform the kinematic, dynamical, and comfort characterization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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13 pages, 3914 KiB  
Article
Integrated Electromagnetic-Thermal Approach to Simulate a GaN-Based Monolithic Half-Bridge for Automotive DC-DC Converter
by Giuseppe Mauromicale, Alessandro Sitta, Michele Calabretta, Salvatore Massimo Oliveri and Gaetano Sequenzia
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8302; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188302 - 07 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2357
Abstract
New technological and packaging solutions are more and more being employed for power semiconductor switches in an automotive environment, especially the SiC- and GaN-based ones. In this framework, new front-end and back-end solutions have been developed, and many more are in the design [...] Read more.
New technological and packaging solutions are more and more being employed for power semiconductor switches in an automotive environment, especially the SiC- and GaN-based ones. In this framework, new front-end and back-end solutions have been developed, and many more are in the design stage. New and more integrated power devices are useful to guarantee the performances in electric vehicles, in terms of thermal management, size reduction, and low power losses. In this paper, a GaN-based system in package solution is simulated to assess the structure temperature submitted to a Joule heating power loss. The monolithic package solution involves a half-bridge topology, as well as a driver logic. A novel integrated electromagnetic and thermal method, based on finite element simulations, is proposed in this work. More specifically, dynamic electric power losses of the copper interconnections are computed in the first simulation stage, by an electromagnetic model. In the second stage, the obtained losses’ geometrical map is imported in the finite element thermal simulation, and it is considered as the input. Hence, the temperature distribution of the package’s copper traces is computed. The simulation model verifies the proper design of copper traces. The obtained temperature swing avoids any thermal-related reliability bottleneck. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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12 pages, 7611 KiB  
Article
Silver Sintering for Silicon Carbide Die Attach: Process Optimization and Structural Modeling
by Michele Calabretta, Alessandro Sitta, Salvatore Massimo Oliveri and Gaetano Sequenzia
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7012; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11157012 - 29 Jul 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7509
Abstract
The increasing demand in automotive markets is leading the semiconductor industries to develop high-performance and highly reliable power devices. Silicon carbide MOSFET chips are replacing silicon-based solutions through their improved electric and thermal capabilities. In order to support the development of these novel [...] Read more.
The increasing demand in automotive markets is leading the semiconductor industries to develop high-performance and highly reliable power devices. Silicon carbide MOSFET chips are replacing silicon-based solutions through their improved electric and thermal capabilities. In order to support the development of these novel semiconductors, packaging technologies are evolving to provide enough reliable products. Silver sintering is one of the most promising technologies for die attach. Due to their superior reliability properties with respect to conventional soft solder compounds, dedicated reliability flow and physical analyses should be designed and employed for sintering process optimization and durability assessment. This paper proposes an experimental methodology to optimize the pressure value applied during the silver sintering manufacturing of a silicon carbide power MOSFET molded package. The evaluation of the best pressure value is based on scanning electron microscopy performed after a liquid-to-liquid thermal shock reliability test. Furthermore, the sintering layer degradation is monitored during durability stress by scanning the acoustic microscopy and electric measurement of a temperature sensitive electric parameter. Moreover, mechanical elastoplastic behavior is characterized by uniaxial tensile test for a bulk sample and finite element analysis is developed to predict the mechanical behavior as a function of void fraction inside sintering layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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13 pages, 2656 KiB  
Article
Warpage Behavior on Silicon Semiconductor Device: The Impact of Thick Copper Metallization
by Michele Calabretta, Alessandro Sitta, Salvatore Massimo Oliveri and Gaetano Sequenzia
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 5140; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11115140 - 01 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4218
Abstract
Electrochemical deposited (ECD) thick film copper on silicon substrate is one of the most challenging technological brick for semiconductor industry representing a relevant improvement from the state of art because of its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity compared with traditional materials, such as [...] Read more.
Electrochemical deposited (ECD) thick film copper on silicon substrate is one of the most challenging technological brick for semiconductor industry representing a relevant improvement from the state of art because of its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity compared with traditional materials, such as aluminum. The main technological factor that makes challenging the industrial implementation of thick copper layer is the severe wafer warpage induced by Cu annealing process, which negatively impacts the wafer manufacturability. The aim of presented work is the understanding of warpage variation during annealing process of ECD thick (20 μm) copper layer. Warpage is experimentally characterized at different temperature by means of Phase-Shift Moiré principle, according to different annealing profiles. Physical analysis is employed to correlated the macroscopic warpage behavior with microstructure modification. A linear Finite Element Model (FEM) is developed to predict the geometrically stress-curvature relation, comparing results with analytical models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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13 pages, 4259 KiB  
Article
Characterising the Mould Rectification Process for Designing Scoliosis Braces: Towards Automated Digital Design of 3D-Printed Braces
by Inigo Sanz-Pena, Shanika Arachchi, Dhammika Halwala-Vithanage, Sanjaya Mallikarachchi, Jeewantha Kirumbara-Liyanage, Alison McGregor, Pujitha Silva and Nicolas Newell
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(10), 4665; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11104665 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3031
Abstract
The plaster-casting method to create a scoliosis brace consists of mould generation and rectification to obtain the desired orthosis geometry. Alternative methods entail the use of 3D scanning and CAD/CAM. However, both manual and digital design entirely rely on the orthotist expertise. Characterisation [...] Read more.
The plaster-casting method to create a scoliosis brace consists of mould generation and rectification to obtain the desired orthosis geometry. Alternative methods entail the use of 3D scanning and CAD/CAM. However, both manual and digital design entirely rely on the orthotist expertise. Characterisation of the rectification process is needed to ensure that digital designs are as efficient as plaster-cast designs. Three-dimensional scans of five patients, pre-, and post-rectification plaster moulds were obtained using a Structure Mark II scanner. Anatomical landmark positions, transverse section centroids, and 3D surface deviation analyses were performed to characterise the rectification process. The rectification process was characterised using two parameters. First, trends in the external contours of the rectified moulds were found, resulting in lateral tilt angles of 81 ± 3.8° and 83.3 ± 2.6° on the convex and concave side, respectively. Second, a rectification ratio at the iliac crest (0.23 ± 0.04 and 0.11 ± 0.02 on the convex and concave side, respectively) was devised, based on the pelvis width to estimate the volume to be removed. This study demonstrates that steps of the manual rectification process can be characterised. Results from this study can be fed into software to perform automatic digital rectification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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17 pages, 9194 KiB  
Article
3D Digital Adaptive Thorax Modelling of Peoples with Spinal Disabilities: Applications for Performance Clothing Design
by Sara Mosleh, Mulat Alubel Abtew, Pascal Bruniaux, Guillaume Tartare, Yukang Xu and Yan Chen
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(10), 4545; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11104545 - 17 May 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2513
Abstract
Peoples with spinal disability face a huge problem in the design and development of ergonomically fitted and comfortable clothing. Various research studies on the design and developments of functional clothing for scoliosis patients consider their morphological shapes. However, developing appropriate models of the [...] Read more.
Peoples with spinal disability face a huge problem in the design and development of ergonomically fitted and comfortable clothing. Various research studies on the design and developments of functional clothing for scoliosis patients consider their morphological shapes. However, developing appropriate models of the complicated and deformed anatomical shape of the patient in 3D digitization technologies makes it possible to design a comfortable and fitted garment. The current paper proposes a method for developing a fully parametric 3D adaptive model of the thorax of a patient suffering from scoliosis. The model is designed from the spine and follows the deformation of the spine to adapt the thorax skeleton according to the temporal evolution of the spinal column deformation. The integration of the model of the thorax, adjusted to the patient’s data, enables the chain of acquisition, processing, and global model to be validated. The fit of the model could be improved for the different bones and it is possible to modify the angles of the spine to see the evolution of the disease. The developed model greatly helps to further detect anthropometric points from certain bone parts of the skeleton to design a basic bodice adapted to the patient’s evolving morphology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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12 pages, 11314 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Vertical Stiffness Characteristics Based on Spoke Shape of Non-Pneumatic Tire
by Jongkeun Sim, Jiyeon Hong, Insu Cho and Jinwook Lee
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2369; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052369 - 07 Mar 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4737
Abstract
Recently, research regarding non-pneumatic tires that are resistant to punctures has been actively conducted, and the spoke structure design of non-pneumatic tires has been found to be a crucial factor. This study aimed to analyze the vertical stiffness characteristics of a non-pneumatic tire [...] Read more.
Recently, research regarding non-pneumatic tires that are resistant to punctures has been actively conducted, and the spoke structure design of non-pneumatic tires has been found to be a crucial factor. This study aimed to analyze the vertical stiffness characteristics of a non-pneumatic tire based on the shape of the spoke under the application of a vertical load. The three-dimensional model of a commercial non-pneumatic tire was obtained from the manufacturer (Kumho Tire Co., Inc., Gwangju, Korea), and the vertical stiffness characteristics of the three tire models with modified spoke shapes were compared and analyzed based on a reference tire model. Results show that the vertical stiffness of the fillet applied model is most appropriate. Furthermore, the vertical stiffness characteristics of the analyzed tire models indicate that if fillets with a minimum size are applied to the spokes, the stability of the non-pneumatic tire is expected to improve. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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11 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Realization of Agile Methods in Established Processes: Challenges and Barriers
by Johan Lugnet, Åsa Ericson and Andreas Larsson
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2043; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052043 - 25 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2790
Abstract
This paper presents an explorative study and the results of 17 interviews with informants from different companies. Its purpose is to identify the challenges associated with implementing agile methods along with the established procedures for early design. The study exemplifies project leaders’ experiences [...] Read more.
This paper presents an explorative study and the results of 17 interviews with informants from different companies. Its purpose is to identify the challenges associated with implementing agile methods along with the established procedures for early design. The study exemplifies project leaders’ experiences and implementation efforts. As leaders of design projects, they have proposed the use of a new method that involves teams engaging in testing and evaluation, which aids in the understanding and introduction of change initiatives. The challenges that are identified are as follows: (1) a lack of approval not only from top managers but also from critical peers; (2) an unprepared organization that did not allow teamwork; and (3) a lack of specific company success factors to support new methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
17 pages, 3871 KiB  
Article
A Theoretical Model with Which to Safely Optimize the Configuration of Hydraulic Suspension of Modular Trailers in Special Road Transport
by Rubén Escribano-García, Marina Corral-Bobadilla, Fátima Somovilla-Gómez, Rubén Lostado-Lorza and Ash Ahmed
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11010305 - 30 Dec 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3100
Abstract
The dimensions and weight of machines, structures, and components that need to be transported safely by road are growing constantly. One of the safest and most widely used transport systems on the road today due to their versatility and configuration are modular trailers. [...] Read more.
The dimensions and weight of machines, structures, and components that need to be transported safely by road are growing constantly. One of the safest and most widely used transport systems on the road today due to their versatility and configuration are modular trailers. These trailers have hydraulic pendulum axles that are that are attached in pairs to the rigid platform above. In turn, these modular trailers are subject to limitations on the load that each axle carries, the tipping angle, and the oil pressure of the suspension system in order to guarantee safe transport by road. Optimizing the configuration of these modular trailers accurately and safely is a complex task. Factors to be considered include the load’s characteristics, the trailer’s mechanical properties, and road route conditions including the road’s slope and camber, precipitation and direction, and force of the wind. This paper presents a theoretical model that can be used for the optimal configuration of hydraulic cylinder suspension of special transport by road using modular trailers. It considers the previously mentioned factors and guarantees the safe stability of road transport. The proposed model was validated experimentally by placing a nacelle wind turbine at different points within a modular trailer. The weight of the wind turbine was 42,500 kg and its dimensions were 5133 × 2650 × 2975 mm. Once the proposed model was validated, an optimization algorithm was employed to find the optimal center of gravity for load, number of trailers, number of axles, oil pressures, and hydraulic configuration. The optimization algorithm was based on the iterative and automatic testing of the proposed model for different positions on the trailer and different hydraulic configurations. The optimization algorithm was tested with a cylindrical tank that weighed 108,500 kg and had dimensions of 19,500 × 3200 × 2500 mm. The results showed that the proposed model and optimization algorithm could safely optimize the configuration of the hydraulic suspension of modular trailers in special road transport, increase the accuracy and reliability of the calculation of the load configuration, save time, simplify the calculation process, and be easily implemented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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17 pages, 4599 KiB  
Article
Novel Bionic Design Method for Skeleton Structures Based on Load Path Analysis
by Zhaohua Wang, Nan Wu, Qingguo Wang, Yongxin Li, Quanwei Yang and Fenghe Wu
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8251; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10228251 - 20 Nov 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3675
Abstract
Biological structures have excellent mechanical performances including lightweight, high stiffness, etc. However, these are difficult to apply directly to some given complex structures, such as automobile frame, control arm, etc. In this study, a novel bionic design method for skeleton structures with complex [...] Read more.
Biological structures have excellent mechanical performances including lightweight, high stiffness, etc. However, these are difficult to apply directly to some given complex structures, such as automobile frame, control arm, etc. In this study, a novel bionic design method for skeleton structures with complex features is proposed by the bio-inspired idea of “main-branch and sub-branch”. The envelope model of a given part is established by analyzing the structural functions and working conditions, and the load path is extracted by the load-transferred law as the structural main-branch. Then, the selection criterion of bionic prototype is established from three aspects: load similarity, structural similarity and manufacturability. The cross-sections with high similarities are selected as the structural sub-branch. Finally, the multi-objective size optimization is carried out and a new model is established. The bionic design of a control arm is carried out by the method: structural main-branch is obtained by the load path analysis and structural sub-branch is occupied by the fish-bone structure. The design result shows that the structural stiffness is increased by 62.3%, while the weight is reduced by 24.75%. The method can also be used for other fields including automobile, aerospace and civil engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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16 pages, 341 KiB  
Article
Secular Trends of Adult Population and Their Impacts in Industrial Design and Ergonomics
by Martina Lipoldová, Miloš Hitka, Róbert Sedmák, Branislav Kolena and Tsolmon Jambal
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7565; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217565 - 27 Oct 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1945
Abstract
Significant increase in 25 anthropometric variables of the Slovak and Czech population in time are defined in the paper. A total of 691 respondents from Slovakia and 688 from the Czech Republic were analyzed. Arithmetic means and standard deviations to characterize the anthropometric [...] Read more.
Significant increase in 25 anthropometric variables of the Slovak and Czech population in time are defined in the paper. A total of 691 respondents from Slovakia and 688 from the Czech Republic were analyzed. Arithmetic means and standard deviations to characterize the anthropometric variables and their variation were defined and compared. Subsequently, quantiles of the selected anthropometric measurements of the adult male and female population in individual countries in the year 2004 and newly determined quantiles in the year 2018 were calculated and compared. Following the results, the fact that secular trend has stabilized and differences in population between individual countries have minimized over the course of the last 14 years can be stated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
13 pages, 6343 KiB  
Article
Detection and Classification of Aircraft Fixation Elements during Manufacturing Processes Using a Convolutional Neural Network
by Leandro Ruiz, Manuel Torres, Alejandro Gómez, Sebastián Díaz, José M. González and Francisco Cavas
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(19), 6856; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10196856 - 29 Sep 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2749
Abstract
The aerospace sector is one of the main economic drivers that strengthens our present, constitutes our future and is a source of competitiveness and innovation with great technological development capacity. In particular, the objective of manufacturers on assembly lines is to automate the [...] Read more.
The aerospace sector is one of the main economic drivers that strengthens our present, constitutes our future and is a source of competitiveness and innovation with great technological development capacity. In particular, the objective of manufacturers on assembly lines is to automate the entire process by using digital technologies as part of the transition toward Industry 4.0. In advanced manufacturing processes, artificial vision systems are interesting because their performance influences the liability and productivity of manufacturing processes. Therefore, developing and validating accurate, reliable and flexible vision systems in uncontrolled industrial environments is a critical issue. This research deals with the detection and classification of fasteners in a real, uncontrolled environment for an aeronautical manufacturing process, using machine learning techniques based on convolutional neural networks. Our system achieves 98.3% accuracy in a processing time of 0.8 ms per image. The results reveal that the machine learning paradigm based on a neural network in an industrial environment is capable of accurately and reliably estimating mechanical parameters to improve the performance and flexibility of advanced manufacturing processing of large parts with structural responsibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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20 pages, 6587 KiB  
Article
A Visualization System for Exploring Logo Trend and Design Shape Patterns
by Hyoji Ha, Hyunwoo Han and Kyungwon Lee
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(13), 4579; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10134579 - 01 Jul 2020
Viewed by 3548
Abstract
A logo is an effective way of expressing a brand’s identity and an essential element in conveying the values and image of the company. The development process of a competitive logo should be based on a design that is future-proof in a rapidly [...] Read more.
A logo is an effective way of expressing a brand’s identity and an essential element in conveying the values and image of the company. The development process of a competitive logo should be based on a design that is future-proof in a rapidly changing global market; hence, understanding the design trends for successful logo design is key. In this study, the design shape elements of logo trend models were analyzed and made into a database. Then, a trend analysis system was produced using radial visualization (RadViz) and circular parallel coordinates data visualization techniques. RadViz allows observation of clusters of logos that have similar shape elements, whereas with circular parallel coordinates plots, detailed information of the shape elements of each logo trend can be seen. Using the system, it was confirmed that shape elements—such as transformation to surface, overlapping, artificiality, concept of color and rhythm—play a major role in driving a trend. It was observed that trends change over time as various shape elements are added or removed. In addition, our study is expected to help predict the logo trend models that will come into style in the future. While similar efforts have been made in the past, our proposed system improves upon them by utilizing standard design elements as the categorizing criteria, using a unique combination of RadViz and circular parallel coordinates data visualization techniques. Using our system as a guideline, many users would be able to create logos that reflect what is trending. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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10 pages, 838 KiB  
Article
Familiarization and Reliability of the Isometric Knee Extension Test for Rapid Force Production Assessment
by Javier Courel-Ibáñez, Alejandro Hernández-Belmonte, Alejandro Cava-Martínez and Jesús G. Pallarés
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(13), 4499; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10134499 - 29 Jun 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3322
Abstract
Despite the rising interest in the use of portable force sensors during isometric exercises to inform on neuromuscular performance, the design of practical field-based methods to obtain reliable measures is an ongoing challenge. We aim at identifying the intra-session and test-retest reliability of [...] Read more.
Despite the rising interest in the use of portable force sensors during isometric exercises to inform on neuromuscular performance, the design of practical field-based methods to obtain reliable measures is an ongoing challenge. We aim at identifying the intra-session and test-retest reliability of a rapid, isometric knee extension test to evaluate the maximal voluntary concentric force (MVC), rate of force development (RFD) and impulse following a field-based approach. On two occasions, 14 athletes unfamiliar with the test completed three sets of 2 s ballistic contractions (as fast and hard as possible) with 30 s rest. Raw and filtered data were collected in real time using a portable force sensor. RFD and impulse were highly reliability during “late” phases of the contraction (0–250 ms) since the first session (coefficient of variation (CV) < 9.8%). Earlier phases (0–150 ms) achieved a moderate reliability after one familiarization session (CV < 7.1%). Measures at 0–50 ms did not reach sufficient reliability (CV~14%). MVC was accurately assessed. Dominant limbs were not importantly altered by the familiarization. In opposite, non-dominant limbs showed large variations. New evidence is provided about the positive effects of a single familiarization session to improve the reliability the isometric knee extension test for rapid force production assessment. Coaches and practitioners may benefit of from these findings to conduct practical and reliable assessments of the rapid force production using a portable force sensor and a field-based approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Design Engineering)
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