Search Results (7)

This study proposes an integrated façade design framework that harmonizes the creative divergence of Generative AI with the economic efficiency of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA). To address low productivity in the construction industry, a stepwise pipeline is developed, synthesizing image generation via Midjourney, automated coding using ChatGPT, and quantitative optimization. Central to this process is the Hamming Distance algorithm, which evaluates image similarity to implement core DfMA principles: standardization and simplification. The study introduces a multidimensional decision-making model utilizing Grid Size (GS), Replacement Rate (RR), and Hamming Threshold (HT) indices to visualize the trade-off between component minimization and design fidelity. This process transforms abstract 2D patterns into manufacturable geometric panels, bridging the gap between conceptual design and constructability. The results demonstrate that algorithmic optimization significantly reduces component count, contributing to potential cost savings and schedule reduction. Ultimately, this research establishes a collaborative model where architects’ qualitative insights complement AI’s quantitative analysis, enabling designers to regain agency over digital tools and realize creative visions within technical constraints. Full article

Efficient simplification of 3D models is essential for mobile and other resource-constrained application scenarios. Industrial 3D assemblies, typically composed of numerous components and dense triangular meshes, often pose significant challenges in rendering and transmission due to their large scale and high complexity. The Quadric Error Metrics (QEM) algorithm offers a practical balance between simplification accuracy and computational efficiency. However, its application to large-scale industrial models remain limited by performance bottlenecks, especially when combined with curvature-based optimization techniques that improve fidelity at the cost of increased computation. Therefore, this paper presents a parallel implementation of the QEM algorithm and its curvature-optimized variant using the OpenMP framework. By identifying key bottlenecks in the serial workflow, this research parallelizes critical processes such as curvature estimation, error metric computation, and data structure manipulation. Experiments on large industrial assembly models at a simplification ratio of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 demonstrate that the proposed parallel algorithms achieve significant speedups, with a maximum observed speedup of 5.5×, while maintaining geometric quality and topological consistency. The proposed approach significantly improves model processing efficiency, particularly for medium- to large-scale industrial models, and provides a scalable and practical solution for real-time loading and interaction in engineering applications. Full article

Interoperability between digital models in the manufacturing and AEC domains is a critical issue in the building design of complex systems. Despite the adoption of well-established standards such as STEP (STandard for the Exchange of Product data, ISO 10303-21) for the industrial domain and IFC (Industry Foundation Classes, ISO 16739-1) for the construction domain, communication between these domains is still limited due to differences in conceptual models, levels of detail, and application purposes. Existing solutions for conversion between these formats are few, often proprietary, and not always suitable to ensure full semantic integration in BIM (Building Information Modeling) flows. This study proposes a methodological framework for structured conversion from STEP to IFC-SPF (STEP Physical File), based on information and geometric simplification and data enrichment. The process includes the elimination of irrelevant components, simplification of geometries, merging assemblies, and integration of data useful to the building context. The experimental implementation, carried out using the Bonsai extension for Blender, demonstrates a substantial reduction in geometric complexity and computational load, while maintaining data consistency required for integration into BIM processes. This approach emerges as a scalable, affordable, and sustainable solution for interoperability between industrial and civil models, even in professional environments lacking advanced software development skills. Full article

Modular construction is emerging into the limelight in the construction industry as one of the front-running modern methods of construction, facilitating multiple benefits, including improved productivity. Meanwhile, Circular Economy (CE) principles are also becoming prominent in the Building Construction Industry (BCI), which is infamous for its prodigious resource consumption and waste generation. In essence, the basic concepts of modular construction and CE share some commonalities in their fundamental design principles, such as standardisation, simplification, prefabrication, and mobility. Hence, exploring ways of synergising circularity and modularity in the design stage with a Whole Life Cycle (WLC) of value creation and retention is beneficial. By conducting a thorough literature review, supported by expert interviews and brainstorming sessions, followed by a case study, the concept of Design for Circular Manufacturing and Assembly (DfCMA) was proposed to deliver circularity and modularity synergistically in circularity-oriented modular construction. This novel conceptualisation of DfCMA is envisaged to be a value-adding original theoretical contribution of this paper. Furthermore, the findings are expected to add value to the BCI by proposing a way forward to synergise circularity and modularity to contribute substantially towards an efficient circular built environment. Full article

Augmented reality (AR) applications are increasingly being used in various fields (e.g., design, maintenance, assembly, repair, training, etc.), as AR techniques help improve efficiency and reduce costs. Moreover, collaborative AR systems extend applicability, allowing for collaborative environments for different roles. In this paper, we propose a multi-user collaborative AR system (aptly called the “multi-user collaborative system”, or MUCSys); it is composed of three ends—MUCStudio, MUCView, and MUCServer. MUCStudio aims to construct industrial content with CAD model transformation, simplification, database update, marker design, scene editing, and exportation, while MUCView contains sensor data analysis, real-time localization, scene loading, annotation editing, and virtual–real rendering. MUCServer—as the bridge between MUCStudio and MUCView—presents collaborative and database services. To achieve this, we implemented the algorithms of local map establishment, global map registration, optimization, and network synchronization. The system provides AR services for diverse industrial processes via three collaborative ways—remote support, collaborative annotation, and editing. According to the system, applications for cutting machines were presented to improve efficiency and reduce costs, covering cutting head designs, production line sales, and cutting machine inspections. Finally, a user study was performed to prove the usage experience of the system. Full article

Nowadays, every large enterprise is concerned about reducing CO₂ emissions. Along with legislation, management, packaging, and transportation decisions, optimising the operation of automated systems in the industry is important. Overheating processes or large cooling systems of one machine during product assembly may seem minor but at the industry level it is quite significant. Either an optimisation of cooling systems or an intelligent machine control which will prevent heat strokes and allow the transition to passive cooling of the whole system is an important issue for improving machine tools efficiency and contributing therefore to CO₂ reduction in the industry sector. This research is a transitional phase from the creation of a control system to solve the problems of resonance in the control of systems with parallel piezo kinematics, which were designed to automate the iterative process of non-circular drilling with a precise shape and the subsequent research on the implementation of smart control to optimise the cooling of industrial machines. The total dynamics of the example system in this research is unknown and consists of the dynamics of electrical converters, piezo kinematics, and mechanics. The control signal of this system is generated by the model of the system state with assumptions and simplifications in combination with machine learning techniques considering the previous errors of the transient characteristics with the possibility of re-drilling without damaging the workpiece and with possibility of further trainings to eliminate the iterative process in general. Algorithms for further training at different resonances with a drilling depth change for cylinders of internal combustion engines are offered. These algorithms are proposed for accurate transmission of the input signal amplitude even in resonant situations, power optimisation, increase the system efficiency, as well as reducing the carbon footprint when used in industry in specific applications. Full article

The control of metal wettability is a key-factor in the field of brazing or welding-brazing. The present paper deals with the numerical simulation of the whole phenomena occurring during the assembly of dissimilar alloys. The study is realized in the frame of potential applications for the aircraft industry, considering the case of the welding-brazing of aluminum Al5754 and quasi-pure titanium Ti40. The assembly configuration, presented here, is a simplification of the real experiment. We have reduced the three-dimensional overlap configuration to a bi-dimensional case. In the present case, an aluminum cylinder is fused onto a titanium substrate. The main physical phenomena which are considered here are: the heat transfers, the fluid flows with free boundaries and the mass transfer in terms of chemical species diffusion. The numerical problem is implemented with the commercial software Comsol Multiphysics™, by coupling heat equation, Navier-Stokes and continuity equations and the free boundary motion. The latter is treated with the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian method, with a particular focus on the contact angle implementation. The comparison between numerical and experimental results shows a very satisfactory agreement in terms of droplet shape, thermal field and intermetallic layer thickness. The model validates our numerical approach. Full article