Modern methods to retrieve innovative material solutions for tribosystems
A numerical, tribological data collection system with 12,100 data records was developed to find materials for tribological operations. The databse enables the user to search, retrieve and display information and data about the appropriate material couples in a fast and conventient way. The database is intended to be used by researchers, engineers, consultants and developers. All tribological characteristics of the listed materials are directly comparable; the data has been compiled and put into a standardized form, which covers the specific properties of nearly all tribometers used. The structure and the precisely defined formats may help guide future scientists and engineers to organize, archive and publish their tribological tests and results in a complete and comprehensive way.
Computer support in tribology - experiments and database
As in all other areas of research today, so in tribology, computers play an important role. The exact analysis of tribological systems needs finite element methods (FEM) for calculation. Analysis of worn surfaces by SEM, AUGER, ESCA, XRS and the interpretation and documentation of measurements is performed with computers. The new approach to the basis of tribology by the use of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and lateral force microscopy (LFM) would not be possible without computers. This paper points out the opportune tasks for computers in tribological simulation tests, such as complex test cycles, long time runs, automatic sensor calibration, measurements of fast varying signals, control and correction of mutual influences, and mentions the databases TRIBO (Tribology Index) for literature and Tribocollect for tribological data.
Economics of General-Purpose Assembly Robots
Summary A study of the comparative economics of various automatic assembly systems using general-purpose assembly robots is described. In the study, use is made of a “typical” candidate assembly whose profile is obtained from statistical analysis of actual products submitted by interested companies. It is shown that the choice of assembly system and the various parts presentation methods depends on three main factors, namely: the annual production volume per shift, the number of parts in the product and the equipment payback period.