Master of Science

Master of Science

Master of Science

Master of Science

<p>The Robotics and Automation Laboratory at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University contains a Flexible Machining and Assembly System (FMAS) and an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS). These systems were developed for educational purposes to emulate a typical flexible manufacturing process in industry. The AS/RS hardware was designed and constructed in a previous project by Mark Eaglesham. His project consisted of hardware development only and did not include control system development.</p> <p> The objective of this project is to design a set of software primitives to control the AS/RS. This set of primitive control sequences for the AS/RS could be used by future students to further develop the AS/RS control system at the device control level or to integrate the AS/RS with the FMAS at the workcell control level. The set of control primitives were developed in Relay Ladder Logic (RLL) on a Texas Instruments 565 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The set of primitives include the following functions: initialize the system, store a pallet, retrieve a pallet, move to a specified location, and shutdown the system.</p> <p> A communications dialog was developed for command and control interaction between the PLC and the workcell control computer. This protocol includes various functions to manage the AS/RS's operations. These functions commands from the workcell controller indicating what operation is needed and response from the AS/RS indicating its status and system error messages.</p> <p> In order to test the AS/RS a program to simulate the workcell controller was developed. This project report includes a description of a test program developed using QuickC. Due to hardware difficulties, this test program was not implemented. The AS/RS primitives were tested using Texas Instrument's TISOFT RLL development and monitoring software package.</p> / Master of Engineering

Traffic congestion has been identified as the one of the most serious problems in urban transportation. Not much can be done in finding solutions to recurring congestion problem. As a part of ITS research in the 90's, a lot of research is being focused on non-recurring congestion which is caused primarily by incidents. Incident Response is a part of Incident Management programs but it has not been researched in depth. In this project, an incident response plan has been formulated on paper. A contact information database and a resource allocation database are the part of the plan. The resource allocation database has been created using expert knowledge and statistical anaJysis on the incident survey conducted in Fairfax County in northern Virginia. This plan is converted to a computer based response plan. It is then implemented using the ARCIINFO GIS software on a Unix Sun Sparc 2000 platform. The response plan is the part of a larger 'Wide Area Incident Management System Software'. / Master of Science

<p>The U.S. Army needs a Heavy Dry Support Bridge (HDSB) that can support the Military Load Class (MLC) 96 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) tractor trailer carrying an M-I Tank. An existing Axial Folding Bridge (AFB), which was originally designed for MLC 70 loading, has been proposed for load upgrade to demonstrate the feasibility of achieving MLC 96 capacity. This report reviews the upgrade, a finite element model of the bridge, and the actual testing of the bridge to verify the model.</p> <p> The bridge was modeled using the Structural Analysis and Design/Integrated Structural Design System (STAAD-III/ISDS) finite element analysis software. The analysis demonstrated that the existing bridge could be upgraded by simply bolting flat, thin plate elen1ents to the bottom chord of the structure using existing pin plate connector bolt holes and longer bolts. These plates effectively stiffen the bridge structure and maintain a stress level for all elements of the bridge that is no higher for the MLC 96 loading than was experienced for the unrein forced MLC 70 base structure. The modification added 208.7 kg per center section, or an increase in weight of 4.6%, for an increase in load capacity of 37%.</p> <p> A working load static test was conducted on a modified bridge. Four hydraulic actuators applied incremental loading on the bridge. Strain gauge and deflection data were recorded and compared to the analytical model. The model proved to be more flexible than the bridge, but the data showed good correlation in terms of stress ratios between various members. Stress levels were acceptable for the given loading, demonstrating that MLC 96 had successfully been achieved on the bridge.</p> / Master of Science

Troubleshooting information for the Iltis Canadian Military Truck is in short supply. The applicable Canadian Forces Technical Orders are limited to one copy for each maintenance workshop and the personnel reductions recently experienced by the Canadian Forces has resulted in a need for greater efficiency in the workplace. The need for a troubleshooting aid for the vehicle was investigated. Since Maintenance Manuals in use are limited in number and time-consuming to update, a computer-based system was considered. A diagnostic software tool was designed that mirrored the function of the existing repair manuals. A programme was developed that could be used as a model for future development of computer-based diagnostic tools within the Canadian Armed Forces. A description of the needs analysis, the expert system shell used to develop the software, and the diagnostic tool are included. / Master of Science

Master of Science

<p[>The Military Tactical Network (MTN) system is an automated satellite communications system designed to provide a near term tactical intelligence dissemination capability to deployed forces. The system was initially developed to address the pressing need for the timely delivery of intelligence information. The primary customers of the MTN system are the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Command, Contro, Communications and Intelligence (C31) and the intelligence community. The user community will include members of these two organizations as well as military personnel.</p> <p>The MTN system was used during a recent military demonstration and it was determined that the MTN Gateway Interface, the mechanism available to users for injecting messages for delivery into the system and for performing additional administrative :functions, needs to be redesigned prior to the system achieving Initial Operating Capability (IOC). The system currently uses a cryptic, menu-driven interface with an all ASCII representation. This project and report addresses the need for an improved Gateway Interface for the MTN System The systems engineering approach is followed in presenting the conceptual and preliminary design of the MTN Gateway Interface. The development of the improved interface will enhance the capabilities and usability of the MTN system.</p> / Master of Science