Mechanically induced conformational changes in proteins such as fibronectin are thought to regulate the assembly of the extracellular matrix and underlie its elasticity and extensibility. Fibronectin contains a region of tandem repeats of up to 15 type III domains that play critical roles in cell binding and self-assembly. Here, we use single-molecule force spectroscopy to examine the mechanica...

Virtual Reality (VR)-based assembly and disassembly analysis systems have been in use for several years. There have also been various efforts at creating bi-directional integration between CAD systems and VR-based assembly systems. The next step in this integration is to provide the capabilities of CAD and the immersive systems under one umbrella. This paper presents an open/extensible architec...

Virtual reality (VR) technology holds promise as a virtual prototyping (VP) tool for mechanical assembly; however, several developmental challenges still need to be addressed before VP applications can successfully be integrated into the product realization process. This paper describes the development of System for Haptic Assembly and Realistic Prototyping (SHARP), a portable virtual assembly ...

Two methods for performing statistical tolerance analysis of mechanical assemblies are compared: the Direct Linearization Method (DLM), and Monte Carlo simulation. A selection of 2-D and 3-D vector models of assemblies were analyzed, including problems with closed loop assembly constraints. Closed vector loops describe the small kinematic adjustments that occur at assembly time. Open loops desc...

This paper presents an integrated system for assembly planning and redesign, based on \Design for Assembly (DFA)" principles. DFA criteria are used in the generation of cost eeective assembly sequences for mechanical products, using a technique known as \Backward Assembly Planning". If the assembly cost can be further reduced by redesign, the system performs \Reverse Engineering", produces a de...

Basement membranes are a dense, sheet-like form of extracellular matrix (ECM) that underlie epithelia and endothelia, and surround muscle, fat and Schwann cells. Basement membranes separate tissues and protect them from mechanical stress. Although traditionally thought of as a static support structure, a growing body of evidence suggests that dynamic basement membrane deposition and modificatio...

This paper proposed a parallel automated assembly line system to produce multiple products having multiple autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs). Several assembly lines are configured to produce multiple products in which the technologies of machines are shared among the assembly lines when required. The transportation between the stations in an assembly line (intra assembly line) and among station...