Enrique Gallegos-Nieto, Hugo I. Medellin-Castillo, Yan Xiu-Tian and Jonathan Corney
This study aims to present a new haptic-enabled virtual assembly system for the automatic generation and objective assessment of assembly plans. The system is intended to be used…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present a new haptic-enabled virtual assembly system for the automatic generation and objective assessment of assembly plans. The system is intended to be used as an assembly planning tool along the product development process.
Design/methodology/approach
The generation of product assembly plans is based on the analysis of the assembly movements and operations performed by the user during the virtual assembly execution, and the objective assessment of product assembly is based on the definition and computation of new proposed assembly metrics.
Findings
To evaluate the system, a case study corresponding to the assembly of a mechanical component is presented and analyzed. The results demonstrate that the proposed system is an effective tool to plan and evaluate different product assembly strategies in a more practical and objective approach than existing assembly planning methods.
Research limitations/implications
Although the virtual assembly execution time is larger than the real assembly execution time, the assembly planning and evaluation results provided by the system are valid. However, the development of higher performance collision detection algorithms is needed to reduce the simulation time.
Originality/value
The proposed virtual assembly system is able to not only simulate and automatically generate assembly plans but also objectively assess them from the virtual assembly task execution. The introduction and use of several assembly performance metrics to objectively evaluate assembly strategies in virtual assembly also represents a novel contribution.
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Steffany N. Cerda-Avila and Hugo I. Medellín-Castillo
This study aims to present and evaluate a novel analytical model to predict the structural properties of parts fabricated by fused filament fabrication (FFF) along any…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present and evaluate a novel analytical model to predict the structural properties of parts fabricated by fused filament fabrication (FFF) along any non-orthogonal direction.
Design/methodology/approach
A new analytical model to estimate the ultimate tensile stress (UTS) and elastic modulus (E) of polylactic acid (PLA)-FFF parts fabricated in any non-orthogonal build orientation, is proposed. The new model is based on an ellipsoid, two angles that define the orientation with respect to the build axes, the infill value and the structural properties along the build axes. The proposed model is evaluated by comparing the UTS and E properties predicted by this model, with the results obtained from experimental tensile tests on PLA-FFF specimens manufactured using variable infill values and non-orthogonal build orientations.
Findings
The proposed model is able to predict with good precision the structural properties of PLA-FFF parts along any direction and infill value.
Research limitations/implications
Although the study and results are limited to the UTS and E tensile properties of PLA-FFF components, the model may be extended to other materials or similar additive manufacturing processes.
Practical implications
The new proposed model is able to determine the structural properties of FFF components in any direction, so it can be used during the design process of FFF parts, reducing the need for experimental tests and speeding up the product development process.
Originality/value
Existing models to predict the structural properties of FFF components are limited to orthogonal build orientations (X, Y and Z); however, the new proposed model is able to predict the tensile properties in any direction and infill value. In addition, a new set of experimental data about the structural behaviour of PLA-FFF parts along non-orthogonal build orientations is provided, extending the existing results in the literature.
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Steffany N. Cerda-Avila, Hugo I. Medellín-Castillo and Theodore Lim
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the capability and performance of analytical models to predict the structural mechanical behaviour of parts fabricated by fused deposition…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the capability and performance of analytical models to predict the structural mechanical behaviour of parts fabricated by fused deposition modelling (FDM).
Design/methodology/approach
A total of eight existing and newly proposed analytical models, tailored to satisfy the structural behaviour of FDM parts, are evaluated in terms of their capability to predict the ultimate tensile stress (UTS) and the elastic modulus (E) of parts made of polylactic acid (PLA) by the FDM process. This evaluation is made by comparing the structural properties predicted by these models with the experimental results obtained from tensile tests on FDM specimens fabricated with variable infill percentage, perimeter layers and build orientation.
Findings
Some analytical models are able to predict with high accuracy (prediction errors smaller than 5%) the structural behaviour of FDM and categories of similar additive manufactured parts. The most accurate model is Gibson’s and Ashby, followed by the efficiency model and the two new proposed exponential and variant Duckworth models.
Research limitations/implications
The study has been limited to uniaxial loading conditions along three different build orientations.
Practical implications
The structural properties of FDM parts can be predicted by analytical models based on the process parameters and material properties. Product engineers can use these models during the design for the additive manufacturing process.
Originality/value
Existing methods to estimate the structural properties of FDM parts are based on experimental tests; however, such methods are time-consuming and costly. In this work, the use of analytical models to predict the structural properties of FDM parts is proposed and evaluated.
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Steffany N. Cerda-Avila, Hugo Iván Medellín-Castillo and Theodore Lim
This paper aims to investigate the structural behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA) parts fabricated by fused deposition modelling (FDM) to support the development of analytical and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the structural behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA) parts fabricated by fused deposition modelling (FDM) to support the development of analytical and numerical models to predict the structural performance of FDM components and categories of similar additive manufactured parts.
Design/methodology/approach
A new methodology based on uniaxial tensile tests of filaments and FDM specimens, infill measurement and normalization of the results is proposed and implemented. A total of 396 specimens made of PLA were evaluated by using variable process parameters.
Findings
The infill and the build orientation have a large influence on the elastic modulus and ultimate tensile stress, whereas the layer thickness and the infill pattern have a low influence on these properties. The elongation at break is not influenced by the process parameters except by the build orientation. Furthermore, the infill values measured on the test specimens differ from the nominal values provided by the system.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis of the structural properties of FDM samples is limited to uniaxial loading conditions.
Practical implications
The obtained results are valuable for the structural analysis and numerical simulation of FDM components and for potential studies using machine learning techniques to predict the structural response of FDM parts.
Originality/value
A new experimental methodology that considers the measurement of the real infill percentage and the normalization of the results for inter-comparison with other studies is proposed. Moreover, a new set of experimental results of FDM-PLA parts is presented and extends the existing results in the literature.
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Steffany N. Cerda-Avila, Hugo Iván Medellín-Castillo, José M. Cervántes-Uc, Alejandro May-Pat and Aarón Rivas-Menchi
The purpose of this study is twofold: firstly, to investigate the effect of the infill value and build orientation on the fatigue behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA) specimens made…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is twofold: firstly, to investigate the effect of the infill value and build orientation on the fatigue behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA) specimens made by fused filament fabrication (FFF), also known as fused deposition modelling; and secondly, to model the fatigue behaviour of PLA specimens made by FFF and similar additive manufactured parts.
Design/methodology/approach
A new methodology based on filament characterisation, infill measuring, axial fatigue testing and fatigue strength normalisation is proposed and implemented. Sixty fatigue FFF specimens made of PLA were fabricated and evaluated using variable infill percentage and build orientation. On the other hand, fatigue modelling is based on the normalised stress amplitude and the fatigue life in terms of number of cycles. In addition, a probabilistic model was developed to predict the fatigue strength and life of FFF components.
Findings
The infill percentage and build orientation have a great influence on the fatigue behaviour of FFF components. The larger the infill percentage, the greater the fatigue strength and life. Regarding the build orientation, the specimens in the up-right orientation showed a much smaller fatigue strength and life than the specimens in the flat and on-edge orientations. Regarding the fatigue behaviour modelling, the proposed Weibull model can predict with an acceptable reliability the stress-life performance of PLA-FFF components.
Research limitations/implications
This study has been limited to axial fatigue loading conditions along three different build orientations and only one type of material.
Practical implications
The results of this study are valuable to predict the fatigue behaviour of FFF parts that will work under variable loading conditions. The proposed model can help designers and manufacturer to reduce the need of experimental tests when designing and fabricating FFF components for fatigue conditions.
Originality/value
A fatigue study based on a novel experimental methodology that considers the variation of the FFF process parameters, the measurement of the real infill value and the normalisation of the results to be comparable with other studies is proposed. Furthermore, a new fatigue model able to predict the stress-life fatigue behaviour of PLA-FFF components considering variable process parameters is also proposed.
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Hugo Medellin, Jonathan Corney, James Ritchie and Theodore Lim
This paper aims to investigate automatic assembly planning for robot and manual assembly.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate automatic assembly planning for robot and manual assembly.
Design/methodology/approach
The octree decomposition technique is applied to approximate a computer‐aided design model with an octree representation which is then used to generate robot and manual assembly plans. An assembly planning system able to generate assembly plans was developed to build these prototype models.
Findings
Octree decomposition is an effective assembly planning tool. Assembly plans can automatically be generated for robot and manual assembly using octree models.
Research limitations/implications
One disadvantage of the octree decomposition technique is that it approximates a part model with cubes instead of using the actual model. This limits its use and applications when complex assemblies must be planned, but in the context of prototyping can allow a rough component to be formed which can later be finished by hand.
Practical implications
Assembly plans can be generated using octree decomposition, however, new algorithms must be developed to overcome its limitations.
Originality/value
This paper has proved that the octree decomposition technique is an effective assembly planning tool. As a result, an assembly planning system has been developed. Assembly plans for automatic and manual assembly can be generated automatically by the proposed system, which is a novelty since there are no fully automatic assembly planning systems for manual assembly reported in the literature.
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Germanico Gonzalez-Badillo, Hugo Medellin-Castillo, Theodore Lim, James Ritchie and Samir Garbaya
This paper aims to report the development and key features of a novel virtual reality system for assembly planning and evaluation called Haptic Assembly and Manufacturing System…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report the development and key features of a novel virtual reality system for assembly planning and evaluation called Haptic Assembly and Manufacturing System (HAMS). The system is intended to be used as a tool for training, design analysis and path planning.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed system uses the physics-based modelling (PBM) to perform assemblies in virtual environments. Moreover, dynamic assembly constrains have been considered to reduce the degrees of freedom of virtual objects and enhance the virtual assembly performance.
Findings
To evaluate the effectiveness and performance of HAMS, the assembly of various mechanical components has been carried out, and the results have shown that it can be effectively used to simulate, evaluate, plan and automatically formalise the assembly of complex models in a more natural and intuitive way.
Research limitations/implications
The collision detection performance is the bottleneck in any virtual assembly system. New methods of collision shape representation and collision detection algorithms must be considered.
Originality/value
HAMS introduces the use of dynamic assembly constraints to enhance the virtual assembly performance. HAMS also uses features not yet reported by similar systems in the literature. These features include: automatic or manual definition of assembly constraints within the virtual assembly system; the implementation of control panels and widgets to modify simulation parameters during running time to evaluate its influence on simulation performance; assembly data logging such as trajectories, forces and update rates for post-processing, further analysis or its presentation in the form of chronocyclegraphs to graphically analyse the assembly process.
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Germanico Gonzalez-Badillo, Hugo I. Medellin-Castillo, Theodore Lim, James M. Ritchie, Raymond C.W. Sung and Samir Garbaya
In this study, a new methodology to evaluate the performance of physics simulation engines (PSEs) when used in haptic virtual assembly applications is proposed. This methodology…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, a new methodology to evaluate the performance of physics simulation engines (PSEs) when used in haptic virtual assembly applications is proposed. This methodology can be used to assess the performance of any physics engine. To prove the feasibility of the proposed methodology, two-third party PSEs – Bullet and PhysXtm – were evaluated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight assembly tests comprising variable geometric and dynamic complexity were conducted. The strengths and weaknesses of each simulation engine for haptic virtual assembly were identified by measuring different parameters such as task completion time, influence of weight perception and force feedback.
Findings
The proposed tests have led to the development of a standard methodology by which physics engines can be compared and evaluated. The results have shown that when the assembly comprises complex shapes, Bullet has better performance than PhysX. It was also observed that the assembly time is directly affected by the weight of virtual objects.
Research limitations/implications
A more comprehensive study must be carried out in order to evaluate and compare the performance of more PSEs. The influence of collision shape representation algorithms on the performance of haptic assembly must be considered in future analysis.
Originality/value
The performance of PSEs in haptic-enabled VR applications had been remained as an unknown issue. The main parameters of physics engines that affect the haptic virtual assembly process have been identified. All the tests performed in this study were carried out with the haptic rendering loop active and the objects manipulated through the haptic device.
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Hugo A. Macias and Angelica Farfan-Lievano
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implementation of the integrated reporting (IR) framework in a group of Colombian enterprises.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implementation of the integrated reporting (IR) framework in a group of Colombian enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a multiple-case study in six enterprises that use the IR framework. The selected enterprises, all of which were located in either Bogota or Medellin, were Argos, EEB, EPM, ISA, Nutresa and Ocensa. The authors conducted individual interviews of reporters and performed a documentary analysis.
Findings
The few Colombian firms that use the IR framework all have ambitious expansion goals in the medium term. The main reason for the adoption of the IR framework in these firms is that it facilitates access to resources from new foreign investors.
Research limitations/implications
Since the framework was published recently, only a few Colombian firms follow it, and several of them do not apply all of its components. In the future, there will be more reports and a higher level of framework application.
Practical implications
In the firms studied, the IR framework is an important tool to support the search strategies of new sources of financial capital.
Social implications
If the use of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) framework were to diminish the application of the GRI, firms would be less likely to evaluate the impact of their activities on numerous stakeholders (other than shareholders).
Originality/value
This is the first Colombian study of IR to include both documentary analysis and personal interviews.
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Hugo A. Macias, Ruth Alejandra Patiño-Jacinto and Maria-Fanny Castro
This paper aims to contribute to the emerging literature on accounting education in the COVID-19 context. It proposes expanding the literature in its methodological, geographical…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contribute to the emerging literature on accounting education in the COVID-19 context. It proposes expanding the literature in its methodological, geographical and conceptual components.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a qualitative study that used a survey as the method. A total of 122 instructors answered the survey from 22 accounting programmes offered in 11 Colombian cities. The dialogic education model of Paulo Freire is the framework for analysis.
Findings
The accounting instructors’ response was to move from face-to-face classrooms to online classrooms, using widely known platforms. The instructors quickly learned to use tools that enabled new dialogue mechanisms with the students. The result was, paradoxically, closer communication at a distance.
Research limitations/implications
The COVID-19 lockdown accelerated the changes in teaching, learning, contextualisation, use of “new” technologies and, above all, practising Freirian dialogue. There is a need to research longer periods and use more data collection and analysis tools.
Practical implications
Evidence of how to teach accounting en masse from online classrooms in a developing country could accelerate the expansion of virtual accounting programmes.
Social implications
The new context allows increasing the number of students because it does not require travel to large cities.
Originality/value
This paper makes three contributions to the literature on accounting education in the COVID-19 context as follows: it describes the phenomenon in Colombia, a context little studied in the international accounting literature; transcends autoethnographic studies, as it is based on a qualitative survey of national scope and analyses the phenomenon based on Paulo Freire’s complete model, which includes context, educational process design and action process.