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Design Engineers (design + engineer)
Selected AbstractsDesign engineers and technical professionals at work: Observing information usage in the workplaceJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Suzie Allard This exploratory study examines how design engineers and technical professionals (hereafter referred to as engineers) in innovative high-tech firms in the United States and India use information in their daily work activities including research, development, and management. The researchers used naturalistic observation to conduct a series of daylong workplace observations with 103 engineers engaged in product design and testing in four U.S.- and two India-based firms. A key finding is that engineers spend about one fourth of their day engaged in some type of information event, which was somewhat lower than the percentage identified in previous research. The explanation may be rooted in the significant change in the information environment and corporate expectations in the last 15 years, which is the time of the original study. Searching technology has improved, making searching less time consuming, and engineers are choosing the Internet as a primary source even though information may not be as focused, as timely, or as authoritative. The study extends our understanding of the engineering workplace, and the information environment in the workplace, and provides information useful for improving methods for accessing and using information, which could ultimately lead to better job performance, facilitate innovation, and encourage economic growth. [source] Constrained closed-loop control of depth of anaesthesia in the operating theatre during surgeryINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 5 2005M. Mahfouf Abstract The constrained version of generalized predictive control (GPC) which employs the quadratic programming (QP) approach is evaluated for on-line administration of an anaesthetic drug in the operating theatre during surgery. In the first instance, a patient simulator was developed using a physiological model of the patient and the necessary control software was validated via a series of extensive simulation experiments. Such a validated system was then transferred into the operating theatre for a series of clinical evaluation trials. The clinical trials, which were performed with little involvement of the design engineer, led to a good regulation of unconsciousness using fixed-parameters as well the adaptive version of the algorithm. Furthermore, the constrained algorithm displayed good robustness properties against disturbances such as high stimulus levels and allowed for safe and economically effective administration of the anaesthetic agent isoflurane. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Design of bilinear hysteretic isolation systemsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 9 2003M. Fragiacomo Abstract This paper concerns the design of passive base isolation systems characterized by a bilinear hysteretic behaviour. The study refers to the case where the structure to be isolated (superstructure) vibrates according to the first mode. In this case the whole isolated structure can be modelled by a two-degree-of-freedom system. The base isolation effectiveness has been evaluated for different characteristics of the device, namely mass, strength, elastic and plastic stiffness, by using mainly energetic quantities. The optimum values for the base device have been obtained by minimizing the input energy and the displacement of the superstructure. Conclusions are drawn for superstructures with a fundamental period of 0.5s, a damping ratio of 5% and for three different kinds of earthquake ground motions. The study showed that the seismic input greatly affects the behaviour of the isolated structure, and therefore the design ground motion must be carefully chosen, dependent on the characteristics of the site. A simple procedure that involves mainly linear dynamic analyses is proposed for the design of base devices used in conjunction with superstructures of any fundamental vibration period. The procedure produces good results in spite of its simplicity, and therefore it is suitable for practical use by design engineers. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Non-smooth structured control design with application to PID loop-shaping of a processINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 14 2007Pierre Apkarian Abstract Feedback controllers with specific structure arise frequently in applications because they are easily apprehended by design engineers and facilitate on-board implementations and re-tuning. This work is dedicated to H, synthesis with structured controllers. In this context, straightforward application of traditional synthesis techniques fails, which explains why only a few ad hoc methods have been developed over the years. In response, we propose a more systematic way to design H, optimal controllers with fixed structure using local optimization techniques. Our approach addresses in principle all those controller structures which can be built into mathematical programming constraints. We apply non-smooth optimization techniques to compute locally optimal solutions, and provide practical tests for descent and optimality. In the experimental part we apply our technique to H, loop-shaping proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers for MIMO systems and demonstrate its use for PID control of a chemical process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Design engineers and technical professionals at work: Observing information usage in the workplaceJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Suzie Allard This exploratory study examines how design engineers and technical professionals (hereafter referred to as engineers) in innovative high-tech firms in the United States and India use information in their daily work activities including research, development, and management. The researchers used naturalistic observation to conduct a series of daylong workplace observations with 103 engineers engaged in product design and testing in four U.S.- and two India-based firms. A key finding is that engineers spend about one fourth of their day engaged in some type of information event, which was somewhat lower than the percentage identified in previous research. The explanation may be rooted in the significant change in the information environment and corporate expectations in the last 15 years, which is the time of the original study. Searching technology has improved, making searching less time consuming, and engineers are choosing the Internet as a primary source even though information may not be as focused, as timely, or as authoritative. The study extends our understanding of the engineering workplace, and the information environment in the workplace, and provides information useful for improving methods for accessing and using information, which could ultimately lead to better job performance, facilitate innovation, and encourage economic growth. [source] Coating selection and tribological testing for engineering equipment applicationsLUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008S.E. Franklin This paper considers the process of selecting and testing coatings for parts in professional engineering equipment applications in relation to the needs of design engineers in industry and the practical issues encountered. A methodology for pre-selection of potential coating solutions is discussed and consideration is given to the practical implementation of testing strategies in order to obtain results that are pertinent to the application. Two example case studies are described and the results are discussed in terms of their practical relevance and use. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A Model for Cochlear Implant Electrode Insertion and Force Evaluation: Results with a New Electrode Design and Insertion TechniqueTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 8 2005J Thomas Roland Jr Abstract Objectives and Hypothesis: This study has the specific aim of evaluating the insertion characteristics of a new cochlear implant electrode. Techniques for evaluation of fluoroscopic real time mechanical insertion dynamics, histologic electrode position and trauma results, hydraulic force, and mechanical insertion forces are presented. In addition, this study should serve to present a novel model for cochlear implant electrode insertion evaluations. Study Design: Prospective analysis using a series of analytical techniques. Methods: All studies are conducted in fixed cadaveric temporal bones. Real time fluoroscopic insertion evaluations, histologic evaluations for trauma and electrode position in embedded bones, hydraulic measures, and mechanical intracochlear force measurements are conducted with a current and new electrode. Results: The Contour Advance electrode provides a more reliable and less traumatic insertion when deployed with the Advance Off Stylet technique. This is largely because of a reduction in intracochlear outer wall force generation. Fluoroscopic and histologic analysis reveal a smooth insertion without reliance on cochlear outer wall contact. No hydraulic forces were detected when measured from the superior semicircular canal ampulla. Conclusion: The model used for this study provides valuable information to cochlear implant surgeons and design engineers. The Contour Advance electrode, inserted with the Advance Off Stylet technique, represents an improvement over the Contour electrode inserted with the standard insertion technique. [source] Virtuelles Bauen und partnerschaftliche Geschäftsmodelle , eine innovative VerbindungBAUTECHNIK, Issue 7 2006Mike Gralla Univ.-Prof. Durch eine frühe Zusammenarbeit von Bauherrn, Planern und Bauunternehmen können mit partnerschaftlichen Geschäftsmodellen wesentliche Nachteile von herkömmlichen Geschäftsbeziehungen im Bauwesen aufgelöst werden. Die enge Zusammenarbeit in einer frühen Phase eines Bauvorhabens ermöglicht eine fachübergreifende Optimierung hinsichtlich Planung, Bauausführung und Nutzung einer Immobilie. Hierbei sind die Methoden des virtuellen Bauens zweckmäßige Hilfsmittel, um die Koordination des Projekts und die Kommunikation zwischen den an einem Bauvorhaben beteiligten Partnern zu verbessern. Deshalb hat sich insbesondere bei partnerschaftlichen Geschäftsmodellen, die eine Preconstruction-Phase enthalten, die Verwendung von virtuellem Bauen als besonders wirksam erwiesen. Virtuelles Bauen unterstützt die Optimierung eines Bauwerks und hilft bei der anschaulichen Kommunikation von Optimierungsergebnissen durch die Visualisierung mit interaktiven Computermodellen. Virtual Design and Construction (ViCon) führt das virtuelle Bauen in die tägliche Planungs- und Baupraxis ein und ist eine Schlüsseltechnologie des Bauwesens. ViCon wird in der Praxis bei zahlreichen Projekten eingesetzt, die mit dem partnerschaftlichen Geschäftsmodell PreFair durchgeführt werden. In diesem Beitrag werden die Einsatzmöglichkeiten von ViCon an ausgewählten Beispielen dargestellt. Virtual construction and partnership-based business models , an innovative combination. When clients, design engineers and construction companies work together within the framework of partnership-based business models from an early stage, major disadvantages of traditional business relationships in the construction sector can be eliminated. Close cooperation in an early phase of a construction project makes for interdisciplinary optimization with regard to a property's design, construction and utilization. In this context, the methods of virtual construction are useful tools to improve communication between the parties involved in a construction project. Using virtual construction has therefore proved to be particularly effective when working with partnership-based business models that comprise a preconstruction phase. Virtual construction helps to optimize building structures and assists in graphically communicating optimization results by way of visualization with interactive computer models. Virtual Design and Construction (ViCon) introduces virtual construction in the daily design and construction work and is a key technology in the construction industry. In practice, ViCon is employed in numerous projects that are implemented based on the PreFair business model. Using selected examples, this article shows the range of ViCon's possible application. [source] | ||||||||||