RAPID prototyping, CURRENT-voltage characteristics, and FEEDBACK (Psychology)

Using a photovoltaic (PV) emulator (PVE) simplifies the testing of the PV generation system. However, conventional controllers used for PVEs suffer from oscillating output voltage, requiring a high number of iterations, or being too complex to be implemented. This paper proposes a controller based on a resistance feedback control strategy that produces a stable and fast converging operating point for the PVE. The resistance feedback control strategy requires a new type of PV model, which is the current–resistance (I–R) PV model. This model is computed using a binary search method at a fast convergence rate. It is combined with a closed-loop buck converter using a proportional-integral controller to form the resistance feedback control strategy. The PVE's controller is implemented into dSPACE ds1104 hardware platform for experimental validation. The acquired experimental results show that the proposed PVE is able to follow the current–voltage characteristic of the PV module accurately. In addition, the PVE's efficiency is more than 90% under maximum power point operation. The transient response of the proposed PVE is similar to the PV panel during irradiance changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TARGET costing, PROTOTYPES, PRODUCT design, RAPID prototyping, and SUPPLIERS

Prototyping allows firms to evaluate the technical feasibility of alternative product designs and to better estimate their costs. We study a collaborative prototyping scenario in which a manufacturer involves a supplier in the prototyping process by letting the supplier make detailed design choices for critical components and provide prototypes for testing. While the supplier can obtain private information about the costs, the manufacturer uses target costing to gain control over the design choice. We show that involving the supplier in the prototyping process has an important influence on the manufacturer's optimal decisions. The collaboration results in information asymmetry, which makes parallel prototyping less attractive and potentially reverses the optimal testing sequence under sequential prototyping: It may be optimal to test designs in increasing order of attractiveness to avoid that the supplier does not release technically and economically feasible prototypes for strategic reasons. We also find that the classical target costing approaches (cost‐ and market‐based) need to be adjusted in the presence of alternative designs: Due to the strategic behavior of suppliers, it is not always optimal to provide identical target costs for designs with similar cost and performance estimates, nor to provide different target costs for dissimilar designs. Furthermore, the timing is important: While committing upfront to carefully chosen target costs reduces the supplier's strategic behavior, in some circumstances, the manufacturer can take advantage of this behavior by remaining flexible and specifying the second prototype's target costs later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPID prototyping, SEARCH algorithms, DIELECTRIC-loaded antennas, THREE-dimensional printing, and PERMITTIVITY

A prototyping method for dielectrically loaded antennas is presented. Dielectric loading has been used with horn antennas, feeds, and lenses. Dielectrics have also been used for coating antennas submerged in water and biological matter and have led to improvements in bandwidth and efficiency as well as antenna miniaturisation. The authors present a new technique to produce variable dielectrics with permittivity from 6 to 28 using two commonly available powders, titanium dioxide (used in foods) and magnesium silicate (used in talcum powder). An example spherical helical ball antenna is used to demonstrate the process. In this antenna, the mixed powders were encased in a 3D printed shell that achieved a reduction in diameter of the spherical antenna by a factor of 1.85. The technique aids rapid prototyping and optimisation using search algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPID prototyping, ARTIFICIAL neural networks, INDUCTION machinery, INDUCTION motors, NEURAL networks (Neurobiology), and KALMAN filtering

This paper presents a discrete-time neural inverse optimal control for induction motors, which is implemented on a rapid control prototyping (RCP) system using a C2000 Microcontroller-Simulink platform. Such controller addresses the solution of three issues: system identification, trajectory tracking, and state estimation, which are solved independently. The neural controller is based on a recurrent high order neural network (RHONN), which is trained with an extended Kalman filter. The RHONN is an identifier to obtain an accurate motor model, which is robust to external disturbances and parameter variations. The inverse optimal controller is used to force the system to track a desired trajectory and to reject undesired disturbances. Moreover, the controller is based on a neural model and does not need the a-priori knowledge of motor parameters. A supertwisting observer is implemented to estimate the rotor magnetic fluxes. The hub of the RCP system is a TMS320f28069M MCU, which is an embedded combination of a 32-bit C28x DSP core and a real-time control accelerator. This Microcontroller is fully programmable from the Simulink environment. Simulation and experimental results illustrate the performance of the proposed controller and the RCP system, and a comparison with a control algorithm without the neural identifier is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RELATIONSHIP marketing, MARKETING research, CUSTOMER relations, CUSTOMER loyalty, DATABASE marketing, and COMMERCIAL products

As relationship marketing research evolved, a number of key constructs emerged. Some scholars have argued that these constructs are not conceptually or empirically distinct. We investigate this phenomenon based on the premise that sustained research effort towards studying conceptually overlapping/redundant constructs, while treating them as independent, can hamper the development of the field. We use prototyping, a method adopted from psychology, to examine consumers’ views of these constructs, and then identify relationship contexts where constructs are distinct or redundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SYSTEMS engineering, RAPID prototyping, DEFENSE industries, MANUFACTURING processes, and LIKELIHOOD ratio tests

In 2007, John Young, then-Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, mandated the use of "competitive prototyping" strategies in defense acquisition. Further, Department of Defense Instruction 5000.02 includes considerations for prototyping in the acquisition strategy. A 2017 memorandum circulated by Young lists five prototyping benefits, which are expected to "reduce technical risk, validate designs, validate cost estimates, evaluate manufacturing processes, and refine requirements." However, a process to assess whether, and to what extent, a prototype will be or has been successful in achieving these benefits is not currently in use by the Department of Defense. Because cost increases and schedule extension downsides are inherent in prototyping, such an assessment is critical. This research proposes an approach for assessing the likelihood of achieving expected prototyping benefits based on identifying the factors yielding these benefits as well as their relative weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPID prototyping, INFORMATION technology, TECHNOLOGICAL innovations, and BUSINESS partnerships

To build a platform for (high, sustainable) use, we need to know what will thrill users. Finding the right concoction of technology, functionality and design to delight users takes a thousand decisions, pivots and changes. The JSTOR Labs team has been using Flash Builds -- high-intensity, short-burst, user-driven development efforts -- in order to prototype new ideas and get to a user saying "Wow" in as little as a week. In this paper, a distillation of a presentation I gave at NFAIS 2015, I will describe how we have done this, highlighting the partnerships, skills, tools and content that help us innovate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PROTOTYPES, INDUSTRIAL design, ENGINEERING design, TECHNOLOGICAL innovations, and NEW product development

Prototyping can be seen as the heart of the innovation process. Typically, engineers and designers both work on prototyping activities, but their diverse backgrounds make for different perspectives on prototyping. Based on earlier literature, this study investigates commonalities and differences in the prototyping behavior of engineers and designers. For this study, semi‐structured interviews and workshops with different experiments were conducted. Using low‐fidelity prototypes, our results indicated that there are differences in the early phase of prototyping. Engineers focused on the features and functions of a prototype and needed to meet specific goals in order to push the process forward. Designers, on the other hand, used prototypes to investigate the design space for new possibilities, and were more open to a variety of prototyping materials and tools, especially for low‐fidelity prototypes. In the later prototyping phases, the prototyping behaviors of engineers and designers became similar. Our study contributes to the understanding of prototyping purposes, activities, and processes across disciplines, and supports the management of prototyping in new product development processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MAGNETIC resonance imaging, RADIO frequency, HIGH resolution imaging, LASER beam cutting, and HUMAN body

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful imaging modality in clinics and is essential for the diagnosis of strokes through carotid artery imaging. The limiting factor for high-quality MRI is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance of the radio frequency (RF) coils. The current RF surface coils, however, are made of rigid or semiflexible materials with very limited bending properties. As a result, their SNR is limited because they cannot be placed very close to the imaging area, thus receiving noises from parts of the human body, which are not intended to be imaged. Taking advantage of the computerized embroidery and laser cutting technology, in this paper, we utilize electrotextile to design, fabricate, and measure multilayer RF coil array system for 3 Tesla (3T) MRI to improve the SNR performance. The proposed RF coil array system provides an ergonomic and high-performance solution to the 3T MRI systems. A roadmap to systematically design electrotextile RF coil arrays is proposed. RF coil array is characterized to have the accurate resonant frequency, good impedance matching, and low mutual coupling. In addition, magnetic field distribution, bending effects, and human body effects are also discussed. A systematic method to characterize the performance of the electrotextile pattern is studied and used to assist the development and performance characterization. Finally, the high resolution and high SNR images of various kinds of phantoms are obtained using the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Antenna Lab electrotextile coil array after its integration with the 3T MRI scanners at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Translational Research Imaging Center. Compared with the conventional surface coil, more than 10 dB SNR increase is observed at the depth of 0.5 cm and 3 dB increase at the depth of 3 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MACHINING, MANUFACTURING processes, PERMANENT magnets, MACHINE tools, STATORS, POWER capacitors, and HEAT transfer

This paper presents a design process and a detailed multiphysics analysis of an axial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous machine for large-power direct-drive applications. The machine in this paper is 130 kW at 26 r/min with a dual-stator inner-rotor structure. A stator core that is assembled with segmented and prewound teeth is first proposed and applied in a large-power axial-flux permanent-magnet machines (AFPMs). Through this method, the challenges of manufacturing large-diameter AFPMs can be solved. A novel water-cooling system is embedded in the machine to transfer the heat. In addition, the assembling procedure and the manufacture process are also proposed, and a novel distributed follower bearing is used to reduce the deformation and stress of the rotor disk. Finally, based on the multiphysics design, a prototype machine is manufactured and tested. The experiment results match well with the finite-element analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INFORMATION resources management, RAPID prototyping, INDUSTRIAL surveys, COMPUTER software developers, SYSTEMS design, and ORGANIZATION

Many proposed contingencies regarding the conditions when the use of prototyping will lead to successful system development appear in the literature. Using an industry survey, this exploratory study empirically investigates the effect of certain contingencies on system success. Overall, results indicate that five variables, when combined with prototyping, affect system success (as indicated by user satisfaction): innovativeness of the project, impact of the system on the organization, user participation, number of users, and developer experience with prototyping. These results provide some insight into the proper uses of prototyping to improve system success. The results also indicate that several of the current contingencies, if followed, do not ensure high levels of system success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPID prototyping, PROTOTYPES, JOB analysis, INFORMATION resources management, SYSTEMS design, ORGANIZATIONAL change, and CORPORATE culture

This article assesses the effectiveness of the prototyping approach to information systems development. In this investigation of the effectiveness of the prototyping approach, user and designer attitudes are explored through field interviews and a laboratory experiment. The research findings concerning the impact of the prototyping approach on designers and users of information systems provide some insight into the effectiveness of the prototyping approach. A prototyping effort should be undertaken by designers and users who are well informed about the prototyping approach. Prototyping philosophy and plans should be understood by both designers and users. Prototyping is a new approach to information systems development, and like any organizational innovation, it needs a supportive organizational climate. Prerequisites to successful prototyping include technological tools that facilitate fast response to user requests and motivated and knowledgeable users and designers. In summary, the prototyping approach offers an opportunity to achieve favorable user attitudes toward the design process and the information system.

RAPID prototyping, NEW product development, COMMERCIAL products, CUSTOMER satisfaction, and INFORMATION dissemination

Purpose Rapid prototyping can potentially accelerate the entire process of new product development (NPD), enabling a high level of customer involvement and hence new product success (NPS). This study aims to examine the relationship between prototyping and NPS, and the moderating effect of customer involvement, as well as the influence of speed of information dissemination on customer involvement.Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using the survey method through structured questionnaires. The key participants were management and team leaders from technology-based companies.Findings The results indicate that prototyping positively correlates with NPS, particularly when customer involvement is high. The speed of information dissemination, both from customers and on competitive products, has a positive impact on customer involvement.Research limitations/implications The study was limited by the undefined development stage of the prototype when offered for customer feedback. Future studies could focus on how customer involvement at each stage of prototype development affects NPS through a moderating effect.Practical implications The study confirms that investing in prototyping equipment for NPD increases the probability of NPS. Information capturing customers’ views and on competitive products in the market should be shared among the NPD teams. This could encourage better sharing of opinions and perceptions with customers about whether new products meet their wishes and expectations.Originality/value This study demonstrates that customer involvement moderates the relationship between prototyping and NPS. The degree of customer involvement depended on the speed of response of the customers themselves and on how well competitive product information was disseminated within the NPD team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPID prototyping, HUMAN-computer interaction, USER interfaces (Computer systems), RENDERING (Computer graphics), and GRAPHICS processing units

In this paper, we present a rapid prototyping framework for GPU-based volume rendering. Therefore, we propose a dynamic shader pipeline based on the SuperShader concept and illustrate the design decisions. Also, important requirements for the development of our system are presented. In our approach, we break down the rendering shader into areas containing code for different computations, which are defined as freely combinable, modularized shader blocks. Hence, high-level changes of the rendering configuration result in the implicit modification of the underlying shader pipeline. Furthermore, the prototyping system allows inserting custom shader code between shader blocks of the pipeline at run-time. A suitable user interface is available within the prototyping environment to allow intuitive modification of the shader pipeline. Thus, appropriate solutions for visualization problems can be interactively developed. We demonstrate the usage and the usefulness of our framework with implementations of dynamic rendering effects for medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PROTOTYPES, RAPID prototyping, COMPUTER integrated manufacturing systems, INDUSTRIAL engineering, MATHEMATICAL models, PRODUCTION planning, and COMPUTER-aided process planning

This paper presents a generative process planning system for parts produced by the rapid prototyping process (i.e. fused deposition modelling-FDM). The proposed process planning involves optimal selection of orientating the model with a proper support structure and then provides an intelligent slicing methodology, such as direct or adaptive, to minimise the built up time, keeping the geometry and cusp height errors in control. Pre- and post-slicing processes have been used to minimise the sliced data error. The Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) model has been arranged into five modules: orientation, support structure generation, slicing, path planning and Numerical Control (NC) program generation, and model build up. The CAPP model has been implemented in C language having a unique methodology consisting of 42 simplified steps. The CAPP model has been tested for several examples and shows satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPID prototyping, MANAGEMENT information systems, DECISION support systems, PROTOTYPES, and PRODUCTION engineering

A new method is proposed for selecting the most appropriate rapid prototyping process according to user's specific requirements by using the expert system and fuzzy synthetic evaluation. The selection process is divided into two stages. First, it is necessary to generate feasible alternatives, which are executed under the expert system environment. Second, given those feasible alternatives, the fuzzy synthetic evaluation approach is employed to produce a ranking order of the alternatives and to finalize the most suirapid prototyping system. One distinctive characteristic of this method is that quantitative as well as qualitative measures are employed, providing more accurate results. The decision system developed based on the proposed method is composed of four modules: a database to store the specifications of various rapid prototyping processes; a knowledge-based expert system for determining the feasible alternatives; a fuzzy synthetic evaluation model to select the most suitable rapid prototyping process; and a user interface and an expert interface to interact with the system. The fuzzy synthetic evaluation approach used in the system is illustrated in detail by a numerical example. Furthermore, a Java-enabled solution, together with web techniques, is employed for developing such a networked decision support system. Finally, two examples of rapid prototyping process selection are designed to demonstrate the application of the system. The system has been implemented and can run at a rapid prototyping and manufacturing networked service platform that the authors have developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

APPLICATION software, RAPID prototyping, COMPUTER software, COMPUTER-aided design, MANUFACTURING processes, and INTERPOLATION

A direct-slicing approach might improve the accuracy and quality of small, complex parts produced with rapid prototyping technology. An application software based on direct slicing for rapid prototyping was used on the foundation of PowerSHAPE models. Lines, conic arcs and cubic bezier curves were adopted as the basic elements describing the direct-slicing contours. Moreover, a scheme to carry out subdivided software development was proposed. A picture (PIC) format file was selected as an interface for the slicing data, and a macro-AutoSection software, which collects the direct-slicing contour data of arbitrary complex computer-aided design models and provides power to produce the direct-slicing PIC files, was developed. On the above basis, an application software called PDSlice based on direct-slicing data processing was developed for the commercial selective laser sintering machine HRPS-III, which was made at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), P. R. China. The major input and output interfaces as well as the PIC model reconstruction method of the PDSlice are described. Furthermore, a batch of direct-slicing polymer parts were successfully fabricated with the selective laser sintering machine. The application example shows that the accuracy and surface finish of three-dimensional complex curvature surface parts fabricated with the application software system based on a direct-slicing format were better than the application software system based on a stereolithography (STL) format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PROTOTYPES, BEHAVIORAL research, TECHNOLOGY, DISCIPLINE, and SCHOLARS

How do researchers search for knowledge? What are their behaviors and habits, and what technologies do they use? This article proposes that three design shifts - involving more human senses, enabling comparative and simultaneous viewing, and allowing immediate access to full content - will create a more fruitful research process for scholars who conduct a literature review, learn about a new topic in a related discipline, or catch up on advances in their field. The three proposed designed shifts were tested with prototyping. The systematic prototyping procedure is a method that can be employed by others to advance this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INDUSTRY 4.0, RAPID prototyping, ORIGINALITY, DIRECT instruction, and CASE study (Research)

Goal / Purpose: Universities are increasingly investing in makerspaces. These learning spaces are presented as a place where students can share their projects, can innovate using rapid prototyping equipment, use low and high technology that serves as a starting point for students to launch start-ups, get advice on how to place a product in the market, and relate to potential lenders. This paper aims to discuss whether companies can benefit from these projects and whether skills for engineers can be developed in this environment. The paper provides insightful perceptions of the actions developed by one emergent university to develop innovative methodologies to support industry and students, to provide potential partnerships that fund projects in order to better prepare professionals for the industry 4.0. Design / Methodology / Approach: A discussion of the subject was carried out based on the existing literature and an exploratory study in an existing makerspace in the Netherlands. It was one qualitative research based on a case study. Field observation and research questions were based on the technical skills of engineering described in theory. Results: This article presented the idea that the makerspaces can be a great source of innovation if they are appropriately designed. The connection between universities and companies, aligned to active methodologies for teaching and learning meets a global need within a corporate universe to get faster and simpler and make the team see the project in a more holistic and complete manner. However, the goal is to bridge the gap with professors, researchers, makers, start-ups, and companies who want to use business-to-business practices. It can be said that these are beneficial characteristics of a makerspace observed: (i) students’ learning is more active, (ii) more interaction between students and professors, through different areas (iii) at an early stage, students get in contact with the professional reality of their field, as the projects are related to real Engineering problems, and (iv) students develop transversal skills. Practical implications: This paper identifies the potential that Makerspaces offer as a strategic approach to teaching and learning related to the fourth industrial era. This paper implies that universities and academics that wish to tailor their education to industry 4.0 need understand this model better, and where appropriate invest in educational infrastructures such as this in universities, companies or cities. This will ensure that universities are educating professionals with the most suitable skills for industry and society, generating innovation in creative teaching and learning spaces. Research Limitations: The study is limited to one empirical research, analysis, and observation of a case study that can serve as a basis for future studies in other locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]