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1 – 4 of 4Ryosuke Masuda, Kensuke Hasegawa and Wei‐Ting Gong
Various types of sensors such as tactile, proximity and visual, have been developed to give robots flexibility and adaptability. It is argued that for complex tasks the individual…
Abstract
Various types of sensors such as tactile, proximity and visual, have been developed to give robots flexibility and adaptability. It is argued that for complex tasks the individual sensors need to be integrated into a total system. In this article a variety of sensors developed by the authors are presented as modules and a design approach for a total system is discussed.
Many academic papers were presented at the Symposium in Tokyo, but there was evidence of solid progress in welding and in one or two other areas. John Hartley reports.
Masayuki Kato, Katsuhiro Hirata and Kensuke Fujita
Linear oscillatory actuators have been used in a wide range of applications because they have a lot of advantages. Additionally, multi-degree of freedom resonant actuators have…
Abstract
Purpose
Linear oscillatory actuators have been used in a wide range of applications because they have a lot of advantages. Additionally, multi-degree of freedom resonant actuators have been developed. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel three-degree-of-freedom resonant actuator resonant actuator that is driven in three directions. The dynamic characteristics are clarified through finite element analysis and measurement.
Design/methodology/approach
A novel three-degree-of-freedom resonant actuator resonant actuator consists of a cross-shaped mover, a stator and five excitation coils. The magnetic structure of this actuator is geometrically similar to that of general permanent magnet synchronous motor. Therefore, vector control is applied to this actuator. The dynamic characteristics are analyzed and measured.
Findings
Computed results show that the proposed actuator is able to be independently driven in three directions. However, measured result show that mutual interference is severely observed because of the structure of the mover support mechanism. Therefore, the structure needs to be improved.
Originality/value
The proposed actuator has originality in its structure and operating principle.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the implications of policies, practices and new “non‐equilibrium” management approaches in mobile grassland management.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the implications of policies, practices and new “non‐equilibrium” management approaches in mobile grassland management.
Design/methodology/approach
The author takes an actor‐oriented perspective on the narrative of land‐use practices, notional sustainable stocking rates and the problematic of state policy interventions in local context. The paper is based on two years in the field on a bilateral aid‐funded grassland management project at Xing'an League, Inner Mongolia and follow‐up among selected informants.
Findings
The constitution of grasslands “degradation” is in fact contested by resource users. Most grassland scientists, Party and Government officials in China have tended to associate ethnic “minority” mobile pastoralists with destructive cultural practices that, they argue, have led to ecological decline on the steppes. This argument is integral to the “degradation narrative” that underpins the discourse on grassland science. The conventional bio‐ecology emphasis on species dominance (growth‐form), in fact says little about the extent of anthropogenic impacts on above‐ground biomass and whether these factors have been the cause of degradation. The paper suggests that greater consideration is given to specific changes in human activity, climatic and plant productivity over time and space, based on endogenous, flexible seasonal estimates.
Research limitations/implications
Although presenting challenges to conventional grassland science based on endogenous experiences and herder practices, it may have specific geopolitical limits to more general scaling‐up in different contexts.
Practical implications
The paper discusses new modalities of non‐equilibrium grassland management, inverting normative top‐down approaches to controlling environmental degradation, livestock distribution and stocking rates.
Social implications
The paper suggests rethinking the use of customary practices, vernacular knowledge and the social organisation of herders in the design of sustainable grassland management.
Originality/value
The paper may be valuable to practitioners, rural development planners, funders and researchers interested in the use of integrated, cross‐disciplinary, new ecological knowledge in grassland management.
Details