The paper presents a solution of the control system for fatigue test stand MZGS-100 PL, comprising the integrated Real-Time controller based on FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) technology with LabVIEW software. The described control system performs functions such as continuous regulation of speed induction motor, measuring strain of the lever machine and the test specimen, displacement of the polyharmonic vibrator, as well as the elimination of interferences, overload protection and emergency stop of the machine. The fatigue test stand also allows to set the pseudo-random history of energy parameter W(t).

The rigid finite element method (RFEM) has been used mainly for modelling systems with beam-like links. This paper deals with modelling of a single set of electrodes consisting of an upper beam with electrodes, which are shells with complicated shapes, and an anvil beam. Discretisation of the whole system, both the beams and the electrodes, is carried out by means of the rigid finite element method. The results of calculations concerned with free vibrations of the plates are compared with those obtained from a commercial package of the finite element method (FEM), while forced vibrations of the set of electrodes are compared with those obtained by means of the hybrid finite element method (HFEM) and experimental measurements obtained on a special test stand.

This paper presents a design of a tracked in-pipe inspection mobile robot with an adaptive drive positioning system. The robot is intended to operate in circular and rectangular pipes and ducts, oriented horizontally and vertically. The paper covers a design process of a virtual prototype, focusing on track adaptation to work environment. A mathematical description of a kinematic model of the robot is presented. Operation of the prototype in pipes with a cross-section greater than 210 mm is described. Laboratory tests that validate the design and enable determination of energy consumption of the robot are presented.

This paper presents a development of a model of a set of multistage centrifugal electro pumps including two 4 stage stainless steel centrifugal pumps, each coupled to a 4 kW three-phase induction motor, connected to a hydraulic application running under two control strategies including constant speed and variable speed methods. Each pump provides 16 m³/hr flow rate and 58_mwaterhead at BEP (Best Efficiency Point). Dynamicity of the model causes variations in all operational parameters of pumping system in any variation on consuming flow rate. Each electro pump has been driven with a variable frequency drive utilizing frequency control method for adjusting the rotational speed under a PID control regarding to match of pumping system operational point with the consumption point to save the energy. 83% energy saving is achieved by model in variable speed control strategy comparing to constant speed control strategy. MATLAB/SIMULINK software using ode45 solver and variable step size simulates this model.

The paper presents the solutions, calculation results and dynamic observations of three-layers, annular plate with thick core subjected to increasing in time load. The presented solutions use approximate methods: orthogonalization method and finite difference method in analytical and numerical solution of the problem, and finite element method. The observed phenomenon of the reduction of critical load values of the plates, in which the buckling mode is not global and there are different additional deflections of respective plate layers was comprehensively analysed in order to evaluate the critical state and supercritical plate behaviour. The critical deformation could have a form with strong deformation in the region of the loaded plate edge. The observation of the dynamic behaviour of plates, which buckling modes have circumferential waves is an important element of the analysis. Presented in this work the analytical and numerical solution to the problem of dynamic plate deflection was generalized on the case of plates with buckling waves in circumferential direction.

The article presents an approach to assessing human physical models specified in the ISO 10068:2012 standard. The models were compared on the basis of energy analysis, which was conducted in terms of power distribution. Since the models in question have a fully specified internal structure, the investigation focused on power distribution in the models and the total power in the system. The article provides a description of the construction and energy-based modelling of Human-Tool systems. Simulation results obtained during the study were analysed in terms of health risks posed to the tool operator.

In the present work, a constitutive model of materials undergoing the plastic strain induced phase transformation and damage evolution has been developed. The model is based on the linearized transformation kinetics. Moreover, isotropic damage evolution is considered. The constitutive model has been implemented in the finite element software Abaqus/Explicit by means of the external user subroutine VUMAT. A uniaxial tension test was simulated in Abaqus/Explicit to compare experimental and numerical results. Expansion bellows was also modelled and computed as a real structural element, commonly used at cryogenic conditions.

The paper describes the behavior of the liquid in a container that moves with a constant speed along a track consisting of three arcs. Such a complicated track shape generates complex form of inertia forces acting on the liquid and generates the sloshing effect. The behavior of the tank container vehicle is affected by the time-dependent inertia forces associated with the transient sloshing motion of the liquid in the non-inertial frame. These internal excitations, acting on a tank construction, can cause a loss of stability of the vehicle. For that reason, the authors analyze the dynamic loads acting on the walls of the tank truck container. The variation of the position of the liquid cargo gravity center, that depends on the filling level of the container, is also analyzed. The simulations were performed according to the varying fill level, which was 20%, 50% and 80% of a liquid in the whole tank volume. The simulations were carried out for a one-compartment container. Another aim of this study was the investigation of the influence of container division (tank with one, two and three compartments) on behavior of the liquid. These simulations considered only the half-filled container which was treated as a dangerous configuration prohibited by the law regulations for one-compartment tank. The results of simulation are presented in the form of visualization of temporary liquid free surface shape, variation of forces and moments, as well as frequency analysis. The results of simulation were analyzed, and some general conclusion were derived, providing the material for future investigation and modifications of the law regulations.

Cooling is indispensable for maintaining the desired performance and reliability over a very huge variety of products like electronic devices, computer, automobiles, high power laser system etc. Apart from the heat load amplification and heat fluxes caused by many industrial products, cooling is one of the major technical challenges encountered by the industries like manufacturing sectors, transportation, microelectronics, etc. Normally water, ethylene glycol and oil are being used as the fluid to carry away the heat in these devices. The development of nanofluid generally shows a better heat transfer characteristics than the water. This research work summarizes the experimental study of the forced convective heat transfer and flow characteristics of a nanofluid consisting of water and 1% Al₂O₃(volume concentration) nanoparticle flowing in a parallel flow, counter flow and shell and tube heat exchanger under laminar flow conditions. The Al₂O₃ nanoparticles of about 50 nm diameter are used in this work. Three different mass flow rates have been selected and the experiments have been conducted and their results are reported. This result portrays that the overall heat transfer coefficient and dimensionless Nusselt number of nanofluid is slightly higher than that of the base liquid at same mass flow rate at same inlet temperature. From the experimental result it is clear that the overall heat transfer coefficient of the nanofluid increases with an increase in the mass flow rate. It shows that whenever mass flow rate increases, the overall heat transfer coefficient along with Nusselt number eventually increases irrespective of flow direction. It was also found that during the increase in mass flow rate LMTD value ultimately decreases irrespective of flow direction. However, shell and tube heat exchanger provides better heat transfer characteristics than parallel and counter flow heat exchanger due to multi pass flow of nanofluid. The overall heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number and logarithmic mean temperature difference of the water and Al₂O₃/water nanofluid are also studied and the results are plotted graphically.

This paper presents an estimation of performances by tests on composite material structures. In order to evaluate the effects on the structural behavior, tests changing the percentage of orientation of the fiber at 0, 45 and 90 degrees and mixing the unidirectional plies with the fabric ones have been done. Fixed the lay-up configuration and so the stacking sequence, two typology of structures have been analyzed; the first one having only unidirectional plies while the second one having a fabric ply (plain weave 0/90) in place of the top and bottom unidirectional plies. The openhole compressive strength and the filled-hole tensile strength and moduli have been characterized by test. A total of 72 specimens have been used in the test campaign. In order to well compare the test results a Performance Weight Index (PWI) has been introduced by authors in order to normalize the strength of each laminate with respect to its weight/unit of surface. Results and different laminate behaviors have been evaluated and discussed.

Flank wear of multilayer coated carbide (TiN/TiCN/Al₂O₃/TiN) insert in dry hard turning is studied. Machining under wet condition is also performed and flank wear is measured. A novel micro-channel is devised in the insert to deliver the cutting fluid directly at the tool-chip interface. Lower levels of cutting parameters yield the minimum flank wear which is significantly affected by cutting speed and feed rate. In comparison to dry and wet machining, insert with micro-channel reduces the flank wear by 48.87% and 3.04% respectively. The tool with micro-channel provides saving of about 87.5% in the consumption of volume of cutting fluid and energy.

The aim of this paper is to compare some geometric parameters and deflections of a sandwich meta-structure with its classic, three-layer counterpart. Both structures are composed of the same materials and have the same external dimensions and mass, but their middle layers (cores) are different. The core of the sandwich meta-structure is a new spatial structure itself, consisting of there-layer bars. The core of the classic sandwich structure is a layer of the continuum. To make the comparison more general and convincing, three geometrical parameters, i.e., ratio of interfacial contact (Ric), interlayer bonding factor (Ibf) and coefficient of impact sensitivity (Cis), were introduced and applied. Deflections of the structures, simply supported at the edges and loaded in the mid-span by a static force, have been measured and are presented in the paper. Potential advantages of the new meta-structure are briefly outlined.

The study presents the issue of kinematic discrepancy of hydrostatic drive systems of high mobility vehicles, and its impact on the presence of the unfavourable phenomenon of circulating power. Furthermore, it presents a theoretical discussion concerning the capacity of the compensation of kinematic discrepancy by a hydrostatic drive system on the basis of tests using static characteristics.

This paper presents the results of numerical analysis of aerodynamic characteristics of a sports car equipped with movable aerodynamic elements. The effects of size, shape, position, angle of inclination of the moving flaps on the aerodynamic downforce and aerodynamic drag forces acting on the vehicle were investigated. The calculations were performed with the help of the ANSYS-Fluent CFD software. The transient flow of incompressible fluid around the car body with moving flaps, with modeled turbulence (model Spalart-Allmaras or SAS), was simulated. The paper presents examples of effective flap configuration, and the example of configuration which does not generate aerodynamic downforce. One compares the change in the forces generated at different angles of flap opening, pressure distribution, and visualization of streamlines around the body. There are shown the physical reasons for the observed abnormal characteristics of some flap configurations. The results of calculations are presented in the form of pressure contours, pathlines, and force changes in the function of the angle of flap rotation. There is also presented estimated practical suitability of particular flap configurations for controlling the high-speed car stability and performance.

In multi-stage wire drawing machines productivity growth can be achieved at higher drawing speeds by preventing wire breakage during the process. One disadvantage of high-speed wire drawing is the requirement imposed by machine dynamics in terms of its stability and reliability during operation. Tensile forces in the wire must maintained by fast synchronization of all capstans speed. In this process, the displacement sensors play the main role in providing the control system with feedback information about the wire condition. In this study, the influences between the sensors and actuator driven capstans have been studied, and tuner roll concept of a wire drawing machine was experimentally investigated. To this aim, measurements were carried out on two drawing stages at different drawing speeds and obtained results were presented. These results clearly show the fast changes of the capstans speed and the angular displacements of the rollers that tighten the wire, which only confirms the high dynamics of the wire drawing machine.

The aim of the study is to identify the relevant aspects of numerical analysis of impact of projectiles with soft cores into a package composed of thin flexible plies located on the plastic backing. In order to illustrate the problem, normal impact of 7.62 mm TT projectile into an unclamped package comprising 36 plies of Dyneema SB71 supported on the plastic backing was selected. The problem was solved with the use of the finite element method (FEM) with the explicit integration scheme (central difference method) of motion equations in the matrix form. Based on the conducted numerical computations, it was revealed that obtaining the extreme deformations of a projectile soft core and the backing material in Lagrangian description requires employment of adaptive methods. The proposed R-adaptive method performs its role but must be used carefully due to the mass loss which may appear during calculations.

A thermoelastic boundary value problem of a hollow circular disc made of functionally graded materials with arbitrary gradient is analysed. The steady-state temperature distribution is assumed to be the function of the radial coordinate with prescribed temperature at the inner and outer cylindrical boundary surfaces. The material properties are assumed to be arbitrary smooth functions of the radial coordinate. A coupled system of ordinary differential equations containing the radial displacement and stress function is derived and used to get the distribution of thermal stresses and radial displacements caused by axisymmetric mechanical and thermal loads. General analytical solutions of functionally graded disc with thermal loads are not available. The results obtained by the presented numerical method are verified by an analytical solution. The considered analytical solution is valid if the material properties, except the Poisson ratio, are expressed as power functions of the radial coordinate.

The box wing system is an unconventional way to connect the lifting surfaces that the designers willingly to use in prototypes of new aircrafts. The article present a way to quickly optimize the wing structure of box wing airplane that can be useful during conceptual design. At the beginning, there is presented theory and methods used to code optimization program. Structure analysis is based on FEM beam model, which is sufficient in conceptual design. Optimization is performed using hybrid method, connection of simple iteration and gradient descent methods. Finally, the program is validated by case study.

The paper deals with experimental investigations of a set of metal wave-ring gaskets of different thickness and different assembly interference. The gaskets were examined under assembly conditions, i.e. pressed in their seats with no operating pressure applied. The electric resistance wire strain gauges were used to measure the circumferential and axial strains at the inner surface of the gaskets. The traces of contact at the working surface of the gaskets were measured after disassembly the gaskets from their seats. The material tests were carried out to determine the real mechanical properties of materials applied for the gaskets and the seats. The results of experiment were verified by FEM calculations and compared with the analytical approach based on the simplified shell model proposed for the gasket.

Nominal strength reduction in cross ply laminates of [0/90]2s is observed in tensile tests of glass fiber composite laminates having central open hole of diameters varying from 2 to 10 mm. This is well known as the size effect. The extended finite element method (XFEM) is implemented to simulate the fracture process and size effect (scale effect) in the glass fiber reinforced polymer laminates weakened by holes or notches. The analysis shows that XFEM results are in good agreement with the experimental results specifying nominal strength and in good agreement with the analytical results based on the cohesive zone model specifying crack opening displacement and the fracture process zone length.

Attempts to perform synthesis of a passive vibroinsulation two-mass system intended for the simultaneous reduction of machine frame vibrations and forces transmitted to foundations by supporting elements were undertaken in the study. In view of the variable frequency of the machine operation, it was necessary for the frequency interval, encompassed by the vibroinsulation system operation, to be within given limits. On the grounds of properties of the linear massive-elastic system formulated in the works of Genkin and Ryaboy (1998), the problem of vibroinsulation system synthesis was formulated in the parametric type optimisation approach with equality and inequality limitations. For piston compressor vibroinsulation, the mass and elasticity matrices of the vibroinsulating system, as well as its physical structure, were determined. Its operation was verified on the basis of simulation investigations, taking into account the system loss and transient states.