With the growing use of feedback controls, "hard" nonlinearities have become ubiquitous in engineering practice despite their rare treatment in academic texts. This book introduces a unified adaptive inverse approach for the control of systems with unknown nonlinearities and settles long-standing engineering problems posed by imperfections of actuators and sensors.

Focusing on dead-zone, backlash, and hysteresis, the authors show how real-time computations can counteract the effects of these nonlinearities. In many applications their approach avoids the need for costly and specialized hardware.

This easy-to-use, self-contained presentation of the entirely new adaptive inverse design is geared towards practicing engineers, researchers, and graduate students.

Adaptive Control of Systems with Actuator and Sensor Nonlinearities features:

• Systematic treatment for actuator and sensor nonlinearities.
• Examples of dead-zone, backlash, and hysteresis models and their inverses.
• Broad coverage that ranges from satellite antennas and piezo-positioners to industrial automation and consumer electronics.
• Step-by-step instructions for adaptive inverse design and implementation.
• Unified continuous- and discrete-time presentation.
• A concise review of model reference adaptive control theory.
• Extensive illustrations of system performance improvement.
• Over ninety figures and design examples.

The engineering objective of high performance control using the tools of optimal control theory, robust control theory, and adaptive control theory is more achiev able now than ever before, and the need has never been greater. Of course, when we use the term high peiformance control we are thinking of achieving this in the real world with all its complexity, uncertainty and variability. Since we do not expect to always achieve our desires, a more complete title for this book could be "Towards High Performance Control." To illustrate our task, consider as an example a disk drive tracking system for a portable computer. The better the controller performance in the presence of eccen tricity uncertainties and external disturbances, such as vibrations when operated in a moving vehicle, the more tracks can be used on the disk and the more memory it has. Many systems today are control system limited and the quest is for high performance in the real world."

Structures that are essential for economy and security such as energy production, transportation and supply, water supply, buildings, are susceptible to failure, because of defects already present in the material, or created at fabrication, or appearing during service. Methods of assesment of the nocivity of these defects are needed, to predict the remaining service life and the eventual emergency of stopping service and repairing, if possible. To reach this objectives, this book presents the last methods derived from the classical linear, non-linear fracture mechanics concepts, including fatigue and notch fracture mechanics. Several examples of structures rehabilitations and repairing are given.

This book gathers the presentation made during the Advanced Research Workshop held in Portoroz (Slovenia) in October 2008, under the auspices of NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. It is edited by Professor Guy Pluvinage from the University Paul Verlaine Metz (France) and Professor Aleksandar Sedmak from the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Both have a long and rich experience in analysis of theoretical and practical cases in safety and reliability of structures. Other contributors are all known as experts in the areas of fatigue, facture and reliability of structures."

Engineering Decisions for Life Quality: How Safe is Safe Enough? provides a foundation and a theoretical basis for managing risk to an acceptable level under the real-world constraint of limited resources. The focus is not on risks as such, but on what can be done to maximize the positive outcomes of risk in terms of improvements to the quality of life.

The principal focus of Engineering Decisions for Life Quality: How Safe is Safe Enough? is on the development of guidance for establishing rational standards of practice. Standards should meet the requirement of utilizing resources to achieve the maximum net overall benefit to society within society's capacity to commit such resources.

The ideas discussed within this book will be of interest to engineers; advanced undergraduate and graduate students; public health officials; and risk specialists.

This book provides the latest research advances in the field of system reliability assurance and engineering. It contains reference material for applications of reliability in system engineering, offering a theoretical sound background with adequate numerical illustrations. Included are concepts pertaining to reliability analysis, assurance techniques and methodologies, tools, and practical applications of system reliability modeling and allocation. The collection discusses various soft computing techniques like artificial intelligence and particle swarm optimization approach for reliability assessment. Importance of differentiating between the optimal release time and testing stop time of the software has been explicitly discussed and presented in the book. Features: Creates understanding of the costs associated with complex systems Covers reliability measurement of engineering systems Incorporates an efficient effort-based expenditure policy incorporating cost and reliability criteria Provides information for optimal testing stop and release time of software system Presents software performance and security layout Addresses reliability prediction and its maintenance through advanced analytics techniques Overall, System Reliability Management: Solutions and Techniques is a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach for better communication of problems and solutions to increase the performance of the system for better utilization and resource management.

This volume presents a rigorous account of statistical forecasting efforts that led to the successful resolution of the Johns-Manville asbestos litigation. This case, taking 12 years to reach settlement, is expected to generate nearly 500,000 claims at a total nominal value of over $34 billion. The forecasting task, to project the number, timing, and nature of claims for asbestos-related injuries from a set of exposed persons of unknown size, is a general problem: the models in this volume can be adapted to forecast industry-wide asbestos liability. More generally, because the models are not overly dependent on the U.S. legal system and the role of asbestos as a dangerous/defective product, this volume will be of interest in other product liability cases, as well as similar forecasting situations for a range of insurable or compensable events. The volume stresses the iterative nature of model building and the uncertainty generated by lack of complete knowledge of the injury process. This uncertainty is balanced against the Court's need for a definitive settlement, and the volume addresses how these opposing principles can be reconciled. The volume is written for a broad audience of actuaries, biostatisticians, demographers, economists, epidemiologists, environmental health scientists, financial analysts, industrial-risk analysts, occumpational health analysts, product liability analysts, and statisticians. The modest prerequisites include basic concepts of statistics, calculus, and matrix algebra. Care is taken that readers without specialized knowledge in these areas can understand the rationale for specific applications of advanced methods. As a consequence, this volume will be an indispensable reference for all whose work involves these topics. Eric Stallard, A.S.A., M.A.A.A., is Research Professor and Associate Director of the Center for Demographic Studies at Duke University. He is a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries and an Associate of the Society of Actuaries. He serves on the American Academy of Actuaries Committees on Long Term Care and Social Insurance. He also serves on the society of Actuaries' Long Term Care Experience Committee. His research interests include modelling and forecasting for medical demography and health actuarial practice. He was the 1996 winner of the National Institute on Aging's James A. Shannon Director's Award. Kenneth G. Manton, Ph.D., is Research Professor, Research Director, and Director of the Center for Demographic Studies at Duke University and Medical Research Professor at Duke University Medical Center's Department of Community and Family Medicine. Dr. Manton is also a Senior Fellow of the Duke University Medical Center's Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. His research interests include mathematical models of human aging, mortality, and chronic disease. He was the 1990 recipient of the Mindel C. Sheps Award in Mathematical Demography presented by the Population Association of America; and in 1991 he received the Allied-Signal Inc. Achievement Award in Aging administred by the Johns Hopkins Center on Aging. Joel E. Cohen, Ph.D., Dr. P.H., is Professor of Populations, and Head of the Laboratory of Populations, Rockefeller University. He also is Professor of Populations at Columbia University. His research interests include the demography, ecology, epidemiology, and social organization of human and non-human populations, and related mathematical concepts. In 1981, he was elected Fellow of the MacArthur and Guggenheim Foundations. He was the 1992 recipient of the Mindel C. Sheps Award in Mathematical Demography presented by the Population Association of America; and in 1994, he received the Distinguished Statistical Ecologist Award at the Sixth International Congress of Ecology.

Gets professionals quickly on-line with all the crucial design concepts and skills they need to dramatically improve the maintainability of their products or systems

Maintainability is a practical, step-by-step guide to implementing a comprehensive maintainability program within your organization's design and development function. From program scheduling, organizational interfacing, cost estimating, and supplier activities, to maintainability prediction, task analysis, formal design review, and maintainability tests and demonstrations, it describes all the planning and organizational aspects of maintainability for projects under development and

• Schools readers in state-of-the-art maintainability design techniques
• Demonstrates methods for quantitatively measuring maintainability at every stage of the development process
• Shows how to increase effectiveness while reducing life-cycle costs of already existing systems or products
• Features numerous case studies, sample applications, and practice exercises
• Functions equally well as a professional reference and a classroom text

Independent cost analysis studies indicate that an inordinately large percentage of the overall life-cycle cost of most systems/products is currently taken up by maintenance and support. In fact, for many large-scale systems, maintenance and support have been shown to account for as much as 60% to 75% of overall life-cycle costs. At a time of fierce global competition, long-term cost effectiveness is a major competitive advantage that manufacturers simply cannot afford to underestimate. Clearly then, to remain competitive in today's international marketplace, companies must institute programs for reducing system maintenance and support costs— comprehensive programs that are an integral part of the design and development process from its earliest conceptual stages.

This book shows you how to implement such a program within your organization's design and development function. From program scheduling, organizational interfacing, cost estimating, and supplier activities, to maintainability prediction, task analysis, formal design review, and maintainability tests and demonstrations, it describes all the planning and organizational aspects of maintainability for projects under development while schooling you in the use of the full range of proven design techniques—including methods for quantitatively measuring maintainability at every stage of the development process. The authors also clearly explain how the principles and practices outlined in Maintainability can be applied to the evaluation of systems/products now in use both to increase their effectiveness and reduce long-term costs.

While theoretical aspects of maintainability are discussed, the authors' main purpose in writing this book is to help get professionals quickly on-line with the essential maintainability concepts and skills. Hence, in addition to clarity of presentation and a rational hierarchical format, Maintainability features many case studies and sample applications that help to clarify the points covered, and numerous practice exercises that help engineers to test their mastery of the concepts and techniques covered.

Maintainability is an invaluable professional tool for engineers from all disciplines who are involved with the design, testing, prototyping, manufacturing, and maintenance of products and systems. It also serves as a superior course book for graduate-level programs in those disciplines.

Every technical investigation involving trial-and-error experimentation embodies a strategy for deciding what experiments to perform, when to quit, and how to interpret the data. This handbook presents several statistically derived strategies which are more efficient than any intuitive approach and will get the investigator to their goal with the fewest experiments, give the greatest degree of reliability to their conclusions, and keep the risk of overlooking something of practical importance to a minimum. Features: Provides a comprehensive desk reference on experimental design that will be useful to practitioners without extensive statistical knowledge Features a review of the necessary statistical prerequisites Presents a set of tables that allow readers to quickly access various experimental designs Includes a roadmap for where and when to use various experimental design strategies Shows compelling examples of each method discussed Illustrates how to reproduce results using several popular software packages on a supplementary website Following the outlines and examples in this book should quickly allow a working professional or student to select the appropriate experimental design for a research problem at hand, follow the design to conduct the experiments, and analyze and interpret the resulting data. John Lawson and John Erjavec have a combined 25 years of industrial experience and over 40 years of academic experience. They have taught this material to numerous practicing engineers and scientists as well as undergraduate and graduate students.

Seeking new technologies for the development of industrial control has become a major challenge for the control industry. This book introduces the novel methodologies, architectures and algorithms of intelligent control systems, and their industrial applications. The intelligent systems addressed include: neural networks, fuzzy logic, rule base, and genetic algorithms - each having a strong industrial application. The main features are:
* Introduction to intelligent systems technologies under an industrial control framework
* Application of novel forms of knowledge base and reasoning, such as neural networks
* Review of the concepts and fundamentals of pattern mapping, associative memories, generalization, and learning
* Description of the practical aspects of industrial intelligent control necessary for the design and implementation of a successful intelligent system
* End-of-chapter worked or simulation examples which enable the reader to implement effectively the methods illustrated
Written by an IFAC President-Elect, this book describes how to develop, design, and apply intelligent systems to solve complex industrial control problems. The accessible approach to the intelligent control strategies will appeal to the control engineer working in process industries. Professional engineers, researchers and postgraduate students in electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering, as well as computer science, will also find this text an invaluable reference source.

The definitive guide to the latest tools & techniques for achieving performance excellence in manufacturing, distribution, and planning Now completely revised and expanded, World Class Production and Inventory Management presents the latest information on the unique tools and techniques needed to manage the planning and production of a manufacturing enterprise. Including a completely new chapter on Efficient Consumer Response (ECR), updated case studies, and additional information on manufacturing integration, this comprehensive reference includes:

• Step-by-step implementation techniques in each key area of production and inventory management
• Fresh perspectives on manufacturing integration and multiple demand stream management
• Best-in-class examples from companies such as Abbott Laboratories, Boeing, and Martin Marietta
• Proven guidelines for avoiding the most common problems and for achieving continually higher levels of performance
• Self-assessment questions helpful in measuring the performance of your company in each operating area

Offering a model, an implementing strategy, as well as traditional and nontraditional methods for the successful enhancement and maintenance of quality, this work establishes a rationale for the continuation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in all organizations. It considers leading quality-related topics, such as unusual charts, supplier-organization-customer relationships, customer needs and expectations, instructional design, adult learning, advanced quality planning, and reliability.

A Druid looks at quality control for product and service industries, amplifying from his earlier book Right first time . Some highlights: Quality is a religion, with the same trappings and pitfalls as other religions; humanity can be distorted, but not abolished, by managerial decree and organizatio

Testing of materials and manufactured items is a key element in the process from standard specifications though control and verification during manufacture to trade in actual products. Cooperative agreements and networks are being set up covering reference materials and calibration. This process is becoming more urgent with the development in the European market and other international developments. This book presents international views on this fast changing field, with the main themes of: technical components of test quality; quality assurance in testing laboratories; laboratory accreditation and transnational recognition of test results.

This book provides engineers and scientists with a single source introduction to the concepts, models, and case studies for making credible reliability assessments. It satisfies the need for thorough discussions of several fundamental subjects. Section I contains a comprehensive overview of assessing and assuring reliability that is followed by discussions of: * Concept of randomness and its relationship to chaos * Uses and limitations of the binomial and Poisson distributions * Relationship of the chi-square method and Poisson curves * Derivations and applications of the exponential, Weibull, and lognormal models * Examination of the human mortality bathtub curve as a template for components Section II introduces the case study modeling of failure data and is followed by analyses of: * 5 sets of ideal Weibull, lognormal, and normal failure data * 83 sets of actual (real) failure data The intent of the modeling was to find the best descriptions of the failures using statistical life models, principally the Weibull, lognormal, and normal models, for characterizing the failure probability distributions of the times-, cycles-, and miles-to-failure during laboratory or field testing. The statistical model providing the preferred characterization was determined empirically by choosing the two-parameter model that gave the best straight-line fit in the failure probability plots using a combination of visual inspection and three statistical goodness-of-fit (GoF) tests. This book offers practical insight in dealing with single item reliability and illustrates the use of reliability methods to solve industry problems.

Fresh concrete must be produced with the properties required for its intended applications, for example, it must be workable enough to flow into formwork, and to be compacted. This book deals with the measurement of the flow properties of fresh concrete and the factors which affect its workability. Aspects of concrete mixes and control of manufacture to produce optimum properties which relate to workability are covered.

This book is about how to develop future automotive products by applying the latest methodologies based on a systems engineering approach and by taking into account many issues facing the auto industry such as meeting government safety, emissions and fuel economy regulations, incorporating advances in new technology applications in structural materials, power trains, vehicle lighting systems, displays and telematics, and satisfying the very demanding customer. It is financially disastrous for any automotive company to create a vehicle that very few people want. To design an automotive product that will be successful in the marketplace requires carefully orchestrated teamwork of experts from many disciplines, substantial amount of resources, and application of proven techniques at the right time during the product development process. Automotive Product Development: A Systems Engineering Implementation is intended for company management personnel and graduate students in engineering, business management and other disciplines associated with the development of automotive and other complex products.

A solid, rigorous, yet comprehensible analysis of process capability indices, this work bridges the gap between theoretical statisticians and quality control practitioners, showing how an understanding of these indices can lead to process improvement.

Many scientists and technologists would like to carry out their own statistical analyses without reference to a professional statistician. Often, however, they have no knowledge of statistics or otherwise do not know how to apply it to research and development problems. The first edition of Statistics in Research and Development was written for these people. The second edition brings the book up-to-date. The text is divided into two parts; the first introduces basic but very important statistical techniques whilst the second part presents the modern powerful methods of data analysis that are particularly useful in modern research and development. Problems are provided at the end of each chapter with worked solutions provided at the end of the book. A problem-centered approach is used throughout and care has been taken to choose problems with which the scientist or technologist can identify. The results of the statistical analyses are reinterpreted into the language of the scientist. Mathematics is kept to a minimum and the assumptions underlying each technique are clearly explained. All the techniques introduced are powerful and proven, and commercial computer programs are available for many of them.

Illustrates the use of systems such as in-process control, quality auditing, and specifications, stressing a troubleshooting, cost-effective approach to product packaging for maximized early lead time to the customer. Addressing the needs of the pharmaceutical industry, the approaches supplied are l

The manufacturing and service sector needs to resolve a lot of issues relating to products, process and service in everyday operation. Successful resolution depends on the methodology, rigor and systematic implementation techniques. The essential purpose of this book is to impart the necessary knowledge to the reader about concepts in six sigma problem-solving providing sufficient knowledge of problem lifecycle and ways to address the various issues arising therein. The 7 QC tools and A3 strategy are described and analyzed in detail with various examples encompassing a step by step approach a professional must know to address a problem in an industrial engineering set up. Key Features Conceptualizes six sigmas problem-solving providing sufficient knowledge of problem lifecycle and ways to address the various issues for manufacturing industry professionals Enables effective use of 7 QC tools for solving problems Addresses the problem- solving part very specifically in all the contexts of PDCA cycle of improvement, DMAIC methodology of organizational transformation, and TPM & TQM culture of productivity and quality improvement Written with A3 theme throughout enabling each problem-solving tool to follow a structured approach Includes relevant and practical examples and applications

Time-pressed, professionals looking for practical guidance to shape their current or future safety programs should use this book. Pre-Accident Investigations: An Introduction to Organizational Safety helps to identify complex potential incidents before they take place. Based around the ’New View’ of human error, it offers established human performance theory in a highly practical context. Written in an engaging, conversational style, around several case studies, the book is grounded in reality, with examples with which anyone can identify. It is an ideal aid for senior safety executives who want to spread the safety message among their colleagues. It is also an excellent choice for course tutors looking for a narrative-led primer.

Table of Contents

A story of failure. Why think about failure at all? Case study: the Titanic: a story to help you rethink how you think about failure. Change the way your organization reacts to failure . Pre-accident investigation tool. Case study: aviation accidents are the unexpected combination of normal aviation variability. Workers don't cause failure, workers trigger failure. Change is better when you manage change - and change needs to be managed. Case study: nine senior managers: a million different opinions on how to handle a problem...and nobody willing to change. Thinking about where failure will happen. Case study: a crashing limb: thinking about where failure will happen. Fundamentals training: introducing the ’new view’ to your old crew. Case study: how to win friends and influence workers. Starting the journey - the first steps. The four things that matter. Conclusion. Basic reading list for human performance.

Wavelets: Theory and Applications for Manufacturing presents a systematic description of the fundamentals of wavelet transform and its applications. Given the widespread utilization of rotating machines in modern manufacturing and the increasing need for condition-based, as opposed to fix-interval, intelligent maintenance to minimize machine down time and ensure reliable production, it is of critical importance to advance the science base of signal processing in manufacturing. This volume also deals with condition monitoring and health diagnosis of rotating machine components and systems, such as bearings, spindles, and gearboxes, while also: -Providing a comprehensive survey on wavelets specifically related to problems encountered in manufacturing -Discussing the integration of wavelet transforms with other soft computing techniques such as fuzzy logic, for machine defect and severity classification -Showing how to custom design wavelets for improved performance in signal analysis Focusing on wavelet transform as a tool specifically applied and designed for applications in manufacturing, Wavelets: Theory and Applications for Manufacturing presents material appropriate for both academic researchers and practicing engineers working in the field of manufacturing.

Electrical Engineering Accelerated Stress Testing Handbook Guide for Achieving Quality Products As we move closer to a genuinely global economy, the pressure to develop highly reliable products on ever-tighter schedules will increase. Part of a designer's "toolbox" for achieving product reliability in a compressed time frame should be a set of best practices for utilizing accelerated stress testing (AST). The Accelerated Stress Testing Handbook delineates a core set of AST practices as part of an overall methodology for enhancing hardware product reliability. The techniques presented will teach readers to identify design deficiencies and problems with component quality or manufacturing processes early in the product's life, and then to take corrective action as quickly as possible. A wide array of case studies gleaned from leading practitioners of AST supplement the theory and methodology, which will provide the reader with a more concrete idea of how AST truly enhances quality in a reduced time frame. Important topics covered include:
* Theoretical basis for AST
* General AST best practices
* AST design and manufacturing processes
* AST equipment and techniques
* AST process safety qualification
In this handbook, AST cases studies demonstrate thermal, vibration, electrical, and liquid stress application; failure mode analysis; and corrective action techniques. Individuals who would be interested in this book include: reliability engineers and researchers, mechanical and electrical engineers, those involved with all facets of electronics and telecommunications product design and manufacturing, and people responsible for implementing quality and processimprovement programs.

Einstein said that insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Yet that is exactly what is happening in maintenance organizations. How many times have clients told consultants, "But we've always done it this way?!" In many companies, especially the large ones, we fail to talk to each other enough to know what needs to change to drive continual improvements and reduce waste. This work will guide any size plant or organization to improve how they do maintenance, how to keep their equipment running longer, and create a more efficient and streamlined structure so they can be competitive in today's market. The practical solutions offered in this work present the perfect antidote for maintenance insanity. The book is chock-full of useful checklists, flowcharts, templates and other helpful documents that readers can customize for their own needs. These are available in black and white in the book, and in full-color versions on an affiliated website, www.maintenanceinsanitv.com.