The Mechatronics Conference and Workshops will be hosted 2020 Oct 20 - 22 by Oklahoma State University. The conference and workshop are motivated by the demand of the next generation multi-disciplinary workforce in industries. This conference is intended to bring together academic professionals and industry in mechatronics, robotics, and other electromechanical/electrohydraulic fields to provide the participants an opportunity to stay up to date with the incredible dynamic growth in the Mechatronics field. Keynotes from academia and specialized industry professionals, technical sessions, and virtual-conference workshops are designed to benefit a wide range of participants including educators teaching mechatronics, robotics, dynamics, and control courses, graduate and undergraduate students seeking academic careers in mechatronics and robotics, and industry professionals desiring to shape the future workforce. Nevertheless, the conference will provide an excellent opportunity for the participants to develop relationships and network with peers from academia and industry and network with product distributors and manufacturers. Coupled with this conference are several workshops for virtual learning opportunities in the field of mechatronics. Early registration is encouraged to take advantage of workshops.

Theoretical and Experimental Outcomes of Closed-Loop Neuromuscular Control Methods to Yield Human Limb Motion

Absract

• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is prescribed by clinicians to aid in the recovery of strength, size, and function of human skeletal muscles to obtain physiological and functional benefits for impaired individuals. The two primary applications of NMES include: 1) rehabilitation of skeletal muscle size and function via plastic changes in the neuromuscular system, and 2) activation of muscle to elicit movements that result in functional performance (i.e., standing, stepping, reaching, etc.) termed functional electrical stimulation (FES). In both applications, stimulation protocols of appropriate duration and intensity are critical for preferential results. Automated NMES methods hold the potential to maximize the treatment by self-adjusting to the particular individual (facilitating potential in-home use and enabling positive therapeutic outcomes from less experienced clinicians). Yet, the development of automated NMES devices is complicated by the uncertain nonlinear musculoskeletal response to stimulation, including difficult to model disturbances such as fatigue. Unfortunately, NMES dosage (i.e., number of contractions, intensity of contractions) is limited by the onset of fatigue and poor muscle response during fatigue. This talk describes recent advances and experimental outcomes of control methods that seek to compensate for the uncertain nonlinear muscle response to electrical stimulation due to physiological variations, fatigue, and delays.

Speaker

• Prof. Warren Dixon
  University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
  Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

• Prof. Warren Dixon received his Ph.D. in 2000 from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clemson University. After completing his doctoral studies he was selected as an Eugene P. Wigner Fellow at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In 2004, Dr. Dixon joined the University of Florida in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, where he currently holds the Newton C. Ebaugh Professorship. Dr. Dixon's main research interest has been the development and application of Lyapunov-based control techniques for uncertain nonlinear systems. The results from this work have won a number of career contribution and best-paper awards, including being elected as an ASME and IEEE Fellow. Particular to closed-loop muscle control, his team was awarded the 2019 IEEE Control Systems Technology Award, the 2009 and 2015 American Automatic Control Council (AACC) O. Hugo Schuck Best Paper Award, and best student paper awards.

Energy Savings 101: Simple Steps to Improve Energy Efficiency

Dates

• 2020 Oct 20 9:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Registration Cost

• $100

Instructor

• Dr. Hitesh Vora, Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Oklahoma State University

Summary

• Workshop Abstract: Every year, much of the energy the U.S. consumes is wasted through transmission, heat loss and inefficient technology -- costing American families and businesses money and leading to increased carbon pollution. Energy efficiency is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to combat climate change, clean the air we breathe, improve the competitiveness of our businesses and reduce energy costs for consumers. The Department of Energy is working with universities, businesses and the National Labs to develop new, energy-efficient technologies while boosting the efficiency of current technologies on the market. The US Department of Energy (DOE)-funded Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) help U.S. small-and-medium manufacturers to save energy, improve productivity, and reduce waste by providing no-cost energy audits conducted by university-based interdisciplinary teams of engineering students and faculty. The current IAC program at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is funded by DOE for the fiscal years of 2017 to 2021. This workshop specifically showcases the best practices for industrial energy efficiency improvement with special emphasis on saving energy and costs.
  Full Abstract

On-Ramp Merging for Autonomous Driving

Dates

• 2020 Oct 20 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

Registration Cost

• $100

Instructors

• Dr. Yuan Lin, Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Oklahoma State University

Summary

• Workshop Abstract: Merging is a challenging task for both human drivers and automated vehicles. According to the US Department of Transportation, nearly 300,000 merging accidents happen every year with 50,000 being fatal. The pilot vehicles of the leading self-driving car company, Waymo, were reportedly unable to merge autonomously. In the current literature, there are rule-based and optimization-based methods proposed to tackle the automated merging problem. In recent years, there are numerous studies that investigate automated merging using deep reinforcement learning, which is an artificial-intelligence (AI)-based method. This workshop introduces various methodologies for on-ramp merging for automated vehicles and incorporates participant engagement using the open-source driving simulator, Simulation for Urban Mobility (SUMO).
  Full Abstract

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance

Dates

• 2020 Oct 21 1:00 - 5:00pm CDT Part 1
• 2020 Oct 22 1:00 - 5:00pm CDT Part 2

Registration Cost

• $150

Instructors

• Dr. Chulho Yang, Professor and Mechanical Engineering Technology Program Coordinator, Oklahoma State University
• Mr. Greg Turner, GD&T (ASME Y14.5) instructor and industry expert with experience in design, manufacturing, and R&D roles, currently with Triumph in the Dallas-Ft Worth area.

Summary

• Workshop Abstract: Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is a systematic method for defining and communicating engineering tolerances. It uses a symbolic language on engineering drawings and CAD models to define the theoretically perfect geometry of parts and assemblies, to define the allowable variation in form and size of individual features, and to define the allowable variation between features. GD&T can improve quality and reduce cost through enhanced producibility. In the current industry, GD&T is considered as one of the most critical and important skillsets for design, manufacturing, and quality control engineers. However, while a good portion of engineers use GD&T on a regular basis; many others are still unfamiliar with this powerful communications tool. This two-part workshop will cover comprehensive GD&T techniques and their applications to real-world problems based on ASME Y14.5M-2009 & 2018, the commonly used standard in the United States.
  Full Abstract

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