Design of Floating Terminals as Integrated Project for Multi-machine Systems

Design of floating terminals requires integrated approach as it requires multi-machine systems. Master students in mechanical engineering from Multi-machine engineering track at TU Delft were assigned design of floating terminals as part of their Integration Project course. Each of seven student groups designed a specific piece of port...

AI supported noise analyses for structure design requirements definition

The artificial intelligence (AI) field has encountered a turning point mainly due to advancements in machine learning, which allows systems to learn, improve, and perform a specific task through data without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning can be utilized with machining processes to improve product quality levels and...

Design of a bio-inspired soft robot for break bulk manipulation in transport engineering

This research explores the possibility of upscaling bio-inspired designed soft robots in transport engineering application with the focus on grabbing and manipulating break bulk such as windmill blades or rolls of steel. Upscaling current state soft robotic systems includes challenges regarding the structural strength of the robot. Also...

Virtual reality supported design of smart grasper

Smart material graspers have shown potential for different applications in terms of functionality and actuation, especially in handling arbitrary shapes, fragile objects and complex 3D geometries. However, to take these initial designs further towards real applications, the challenge remains to determine the optimal size, shape, and passive...

Human Acceptance As Part of the Soft Robot Design

As machines and robots become a increasingly larger part of society, it is important that they are fully accepted. If the machines are not utilized as intended, it is not only a waste of time and energy, but also of valuable resources. This acceptance by humans of robots is based on how well the interaction with robots is trusted. Trust of...

Active heave compensation of a floating crane using electric drive

Floating cranes have shown their benefits in port operations and in offshore tasks. With the increase of offshore wind farms, installation and maintenance of the wind turbines require crane vessels for multiple tasks. In order to operate in open sea regardless the ocean waves, active heave compensation system is necessary to be installed. In...

Introducing adaptive mechatronic designs in bulk handling industry

The advances of mechatronic system design and system integration have shown improvements in functionality, performance and energy efficiency in many applications across industries, from autonomous ground vehicles and drones to conveyor belts. This trend has been adopted in some industries more than others. The design of equipment to handle...

Design of floating terminals as integrated project for multi-machine systems

Design of floating terminals requires integrated approach as it requires multi-machine systems. Master students in mechanical engineering from Multi-ma-chine engineering track at TU Delft were assigned design of floating terminals as part of their Integration Project course. Each of seven student groups designed a specific piece of port...

Design of compliant joints for large scale structures

Large scale structures can benefit from the design of compliant joints that can provide flexibility and adaptability. A high level of deformation is achieved locally with the design of flexures in compliant mechanisms. Additionally, by introducing contact-aided compliant mechanisms, nonlinear bending stiffness is achieved to make the joints...