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Piezo Actuated Flexural Stage for Sub-Micron Precision Measurement
Get PDFThis thesis presents the design of a novel piezo-driven, sub-micron, comparative measurement stage for an automatic high-speed in-process industrial control system. The design features the use of precision solid flexures to transmit motion from a low voltage piezo stack to the measurement tip. This motion is used to determine height differences between a reference standard and a sample ball bearing. The key product diameter dimension is computed from this and is the basis of the feedback for automatic control of the production process.
The aim of the automated measurement system is to precisely control the multiple continuous and repetitive metal reduction stages throughout a ball bearing manufacturing process. This thesis largely concentrates on the design, construction, control and testing of the piezo based measurement instrument, but also discusses the automatic sampling and delivery process, process control and the communication methods between the measurement system and the manufacturing process.
Throughout the initial design stage of the measurement instrument, the focus is on the first two phases of the design: analytical design and finite element analysis (FEA). Design equations developed to predict the behaviour of the stages are used to compute the stiffness, displacement, stress and resonant frequency of the stage; modifications of dimensions enables the control and optimisation of the response of the measurement stage to achieve the desired outcome. Finite element analysis is then used to verify estimations obtained from the analytical design phase.
Testing of the measurement instrument focuses on specifying the in-production system capabilities in terms of trueness and precision of measurements; the tests prove and validate the functionality of the instrument within the production facility
Outdoor-Indoor Wireless Sensor Communications in a modern Building Management System
Get PDFOutdoor environmental monitoring will be used to enhance future BMS performance, from video surveillance
applications and security (UWB wireless sensors), to monitors to respond to cold snaps, daylight monitor-
ing, etc (typically using narrowband ISM sensors). However, the modern buildings also have a strong heat
control requirement, realised using metal-coated insulation in the cavity or building cladding and also using
metal oxide coating on the inner leaf of double glazed windows. The latter has excellent reflection properties
(bi-directional) for electromagnetic wavelengths from Infra Red upwards, which has significant consequences
for communications (reflecting typically more than 90%), but means shorter wavelength radiation (especially
the visible spectrum), passes relatively well. This work presents measurements at frequencies relevant to ISM
band and UWB wireless sensors and highlights the significant losses incurred in communicating to or from
an external sensor. We were recently funded (TSR Strand 1) to carry out further work to examine means of
improving wireless penetration into energy efficient buildings
VIRTUAL LEARNING NETWORKS IN SMALL TOURISM BUSINESSES A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Get PDFMuch of tourism development is predicated on the successful working of organisations and their competitive alignment in the form of partnerships or networks. Specifically, national and international research studies acknowledge the importance of small firm network-centred learning, where an integral part of this learning process is the complete network of relationships of the small firm owner-manager. Despite their importance in the context of small business development, networks, both physical and virtual, have been relatively neglected as an area of academic study, particularly in the tourism context.
This paper focuses on virtual learning networks (VLN) among small tourism businesses, and seeks to establish a conceptual frame within which VLNs can be studied from a small firm perspective. A comprehensive review of the literature on VLNs is presented, drawing from traditional learning theories and their adoption into a virtual standpoint. The review also draws from networking philosophy and relational capital domains. Previous research suggests a number of factors including collaboration, trust, and reciprocity as indicators for the building of social capital in order to increase participation levels among network members. The approach to learning, its theories and behavioural analysis are a predominant focus in the examination of existing literature.
A conceptual framework is presented identifying the elements (trust, commitment and reciprocity) necessary for building social capital as a means for effective collaboration among members within a small firm virtual network. The research goal is to suggest factors for consideration by managers and national support agencies (including Fáilte Ireland in the tourism context) when establishing small business virtual networking operations. Further research includes the operationalisation of this conceptual model in the Irish tourism sector
Foveal Anatomic Associations with the Secondary Peak and the Slope of the Macular Pigment Spatial Profile.
Get PDFPurpose. To investigate the reproducibility of the macular pigment (MP) spatial profile by using heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) and to relate the MP spatial profile to foveal architecture
Carotenoids and co-antioxidants in age-related maculopathy: design and methods.
Get PDFAge-related macular degeneration (AMD), is the leading cause of blind registration in the Western World among individuals 65 years or older. Early AMD, a clinical state without overt functional loss, is said to be present clinically when yellowish deposits known as drusen and/or alterations of fundus pigmentation are seen in the macular retina. Although the etiopathogenesis of AMD remains uncertain, there is a growing body of evidence in support of the view that cumulative oxidative damage plays a causal role. Appropriate dietary antioxidant supplementation is likely to be beneficial in maintaining visual function in patients with AMD, and preventing or delaying the progression of early AMD to late AMD. The Carotenoids in Age-Related Maculopathy (CARMA) Study is a randomized and double-masked clinical trial of antioxidant supplementation versus placebo in 433 participants with either early AMD features of sufficient severity in at least one eye or any level of AMD in one eye with late AMD (neovascular AMD or central geographic atrophy) in the fellow eye. The aim of the CARMA Study is to investigate whether lutein and zeaxanthin, in combination with co-antioxidants (vitamin C, E, and zinc), has a beneficial effect on visual function and/or prevention of progression from early to late stages of disease. The primary outcome is improved or preserved distance visual acuity at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include improved or preserved interferometric acuity, contrast sensitivity, shape discrimination ability, and change in AMD severity as monitored by fundus photography. This article outlines the CARMA Study design and methodology, including its rationale
USERS AS CO-INVENTORS: A MODEL OF INVOLVING USERS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (RIKON Group)
Get PDFDespite the increasing importance attributed to the involvement of lead users in the early stages of product development, there have been only limited attempts that comprehensively detail how the lead user involvement approach is implemented in practice. How to effectively involve these lead users and manage the process remains a central dilemma? Based upon a critical literature review and case research, this paper will make a unique contribution to a very significant gap in the user involvement and innovation literature, by presenting a framework that models the processes that enables a company to successfully involve their lead users in their predevelopment activities and in so doing, will obtain implementable guidelines that can be used by firms to enhance the delivery of innovative and appealing new product concepts
An Analysis of the Learning Relationships Amongst Owner/Managers in a Micro-Firm Learning Network - The RIKON Group
Get PDFLearning networks are clearly cited in contemporary literature as a key means for creating and sustaining competitive advantage in micro-firms. Specifically, national and international research studies acknowledge the importance of micro-firm network-centred learning in the tourism sector, where an integral part of this learning process is the network of relationships participants cultivate through involvement in formal learning programmes of this nature. Despite their importance in the context of small business development, networks have traditionally been relatively neglected as an area of academic study. The paper commences with a comprehensive review of relevant literature while the primary research focuses on the South and South East Tourism Learning Network (TLN) initiative, facilitated by Fáilte Ireland and Waterford Institute of Technology. Each author is directly involved in the TLN programme as research assistant and academic liaison and pursued an optimum research approach in this regard. Adopting an action research methodology, the authors seek to establish, catalogue and analyse the learning relationships amongst owner/managers within a micro-firm learning network. The authors go on to propose a framework of participant learning in a micro-firm network environment, and offer avenues for further research
Towards a New Architectural Framework – The Nth Stratum Concept
Get PDFCurrent architectures and solutions are about to reach the limits of sustainable developments. Over the years, many new requirements have emerged, and there are observations pointing to an ever-increasing diversity in applications, services, devices, types of networks at the edge and the access. Meanwhile, the infrastructures for internetworking, connectivity, and also management remain fairly the same. A new paradigm is needed that can support a continuous high pace of innovations in all the different parts and aspects of a communication system, while at the same time keeping costs of deployment and maintenance down. This new paradigm has to embrace current trends towards increased heterogeneity, but on the other hands provide support for co-existence and interoperability between alternative and various solutions all residing within a global communication system. This paper presents a new architectural framework called the Nth Stratum concept, and which takes a holistic approach to tackle these new needs and requirements on a future communication system
Creating the learning space for insider inquiry: Threshold concepts in observing organisations.
Get PDFThis paper reflects on the experience of creating an appropriate learning space for a threshold concept, namely insider inquiry. The paper defines a threshold concept, outlines pedagogic principles and describes learning activities that seek to enact these principles. The paper is based on an action research project which examines how an undergraduate business course was designed and delivered to enable final year students to learn ‘insider inquiry’ skills by focusing on both organisational dynamics (Coghlan & Rashford, 2006) and the students’ own cognitional operations. The paper is based upon experience of an established final year undergraduate course in a university in Ireland. The development of this paper draws upon output from “Embedding Threshold Concepts”, a project based at Staffordshire University concerned with the application of this approach to teaching and learning.
Keywords: Space of Learning, Insider Inquiry, Threshold Concepts, Action Researc