Cristina Miklos

This paper presents a modem and efficient way of designing bolted connection, using the specialized software packages CAD/CAE. We present a case study on assembling using bolted joints, with initial clamping and loaded with transversal forces. The 3D modeling of the studied threaded assembly (parts, screw, nut and washer) and the resistance calculations for a geometric case and data load were made using the Design Accelerator module, which is part of the Autodesk Inventor Professional package. This study was performed in a transparent and easy manageable manner, offering the possibility of viewing the results and modify ing the input parameters at any time. In the final stage, we obtained the tension and deformation state of the threaded assembly components using the finite element method, respectively the Algor program

Circular arcs are machinery falling within the elastic assembly and have the property to deform very little in high load conditions, he have high stiffness. The present study shows aided design of these springs, aided design of a special device to calibrate the spring ring, respectively their stiffness experimental determination and their results in tabular and graphical form.

In the process of preparing tomorrow's engineers and scientists, the universities are facing the challenge of gradually teaching students a reality of modern mechanical engineering, namely the mechanisms that occur from the interaction between different parts of complex technical systems. The use of Internet in the classroom offers the opportunity of efficiently adopting methodologies and advanced learning systems that can help the students to expand their views and explore new frontiers. This paper describes our experience concerning the possibility of using dedicated software (via Internet), for an interactive and collaborative learning in mechanical engineering.

As a result of the application of the tools provided by the digital computer and interactive computer graphics, the reality of modern mechanical engineering design in the current industrial environment is changing. At the same time, customer expectations for the quality and durability of products are continuously increasing and the constraints of cost and lead-time are becoming more and more compelling. This situation poses new challenges in the product-development process and introducing, also, new demands in the preparing process of tomorrow's engineers and scientists, in order to a proper integration in the engineering curricula of the computer aided design, which eliminates the need for costly changes, unnecessary delays or unsatisfactory design releases. Along these lines, the objective of the paper is to present some of our experimented ways of integrating the CAD basics concepts with the use of a specifically design and analysis software. These techniques, very efficient ...

The catenary and the pantograph of an electric locomotive have a dynamic-oscillatory behavior, to which are added a series of turbulences that cannot be approached by a classic calculation method. Experimental observations and reference literature point out the fact that at speeds higher than 180 km/h, the pantograph and the catenary temporarily lose contact and that triggers electric arcs with negative consequences. Some mathematical models have been developed, predicting the dynamic behavior of this assembly and of the contact force, but all of them have some degree of imprecision (disregarding the phenomena difficult to model). They also can not be used in real time to control the contact force between the pantograph and catenary. This paper suggests a new method thereby the system that controls the contact force is divided into two sub-systems: a determinative one and a chaotic one; for each one, appropriate adjustment laws are suggested. The solutions resulting from simulation ...

In the last years, there has been rapid and extensive progress in automotive technologies. These technical advances include devices that provide increased protection for the occupants of the vehicle in case of crash and systems that allow drivers to avoid collisions, or at least to mitigate their severity. Integrated systems for restraining the occupant, used in automotive applications, have shown to improve the safety of the occupant and to decrease the risk of injury during impacts of motor vehicles. Although safety belts and air bags are always been considered among the primary safety devices, today the seat belt system is widely regarded as being the most important element of safety equipment in a vehicle. In the first section of this paper, the most important elements of the safety equipment in a vehicle are described. The second section presents the modeling, analysis and evaluation techniques for the Seat Belt Buckle Assembly strength, used in order to ensure the safety of th...