International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

The subject of the article is the planning and comprehensive preparation of an experiment for monitoring the condition of a satellite’s structure under vacuum conditions modelled using a space environment simulator. Simulating the space environment is essential for verifying the performance of materials, structural components and equipment prior to their actual launch. Such testing makes it possible to confirm the correctness of material selection, the accuracy of engineering calculations and the validity of technical decisions made during the design phase. The behaviour of materials under vacuum, extreme temperatures, sharp thermal fluctuations, and exposure to cosmic radiation may differ significantly from their performance under standard operating conditions on Earth.

Article presents the results of research aimed at determining the quality of the weld layers produced during the renovation of the surfaces of molds intended for injection molding of aluminum alloys. Plasma arc transfer (PTA) technology was used. Medium alloy steel X38CrMoV5-1 (H11) was used as the mold material. Three types of additives in powder form were used to create functional layers: two iron-based types with the designation HSS 23 and HSS 30 and one nickel-based type with the designation DEW Nibasit 625-P. The quality of the layers was assessed using non-destructive and destructive tests. The surface integrity of the layers was assessed using visual and capillary tests. Chemical composition of the elements was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis using a SEM microscope and the hardness of individual layers was evaluated also. Since molds are subject to significant frictional wear during operation, friction coefficients

Modal simulations comparing the behaviour of different types of motorcycle suspension in specific conditions are found in the literature. However, there is a lack of sufficient field experiments that can be used both to calibrate the models and to realistically assess the advantages and disadvantages of alternative designs. The aim of this publication is to evaluate the behavior of the authors’ alternative front suspension of a motorcycle in braking mode. To achieve this goal, a series of road tests were conducted on the same motorcycle equipped with a different type of front suspension. Both experiments were conducted with the same equipment using the same methodology. The results were processed in the Matlab environment. The obtained results can be used both to evaluate the designed suspension and to validate simulation models and optimize the suspension according to the same methodology. The results were processed in the Matlab environment. The obtained results can be used to validate simulation models and optimize the suspension

The paper presents the process of automated designing and parametric modeling of fixtures for manufacturing grapple buckets using the CAD system. The presented grapple buckets are designed for bulk materials and they are part of the grapple construction. Grapples are installed on cranes, excavators and other specialized machines. A methodology has been developed that covers all stages of design – from the creation of 3D models of the parts, sub-assemblies and assemblies, to the generation of design documentation through template files. The presented approach allows the development of parametric models with multiple configurations, which cover different variants of the products. Using the presented methodology leads to a reduction in the volume of generated documentation and optimizes the design process. Data management within a PDM system ensures centralized storage, actuality and accessibility of information.

This paper presents a comprehensive concept for the control system of a four-wheeled omnidirectional mobile platform equipped with mecanum wheels, intended for industrial applications under the Industry 4.0 paradigm. The platform is modeled both kinematically and dynamically, with a nonlinear rigid-body formulation that incorporates Coriolis effects and rolling resistance. Particular attention is paid to the challenges arising from strong coupling between translational and rotational motion. To overcome the limitations of conventional control methods in complex and dynamic environments, a reinforcement learning strategy based on an actor–critic architecture is proposed. The agent is trained in a virtual warehouse scenario using simulated lidar data as sensory input, allowing it to learn effective policies for collision-free navigation. The continuous action space is mapped to wheel angular velocities through scaled hyperbolic tangent activations, enabling direct and fine-grained control of the platform. The proposed control system is designed for modularity, robustness, and scalability, making it a promising candidate for autonomous logistics and adaptive robotic applications in smart manufacturing environments.

The article presents a comprehensive study on the enhancement of ballistic protection for the consumption fuel tank of the Mi-171 transport helicopter, which is deployed in conflict zones across various countries. The study examines the helicopter’s critical areas, evaluates the levels of ballistic protection, and proposes solutions for augmenting the consumption fuel tank’s protection against firing. Three variants of potential ballistic protection are suggested, utilizing commercially available armours: steel Hardox 450, aluminium alloy Al 7039, and titanium alloy Ti-6AL-4V. The analysis is conducted using the Ansys Workbench software, aiming to determine the required thickness of homogeneous armour to achieve ballistic level 2 according STANAG 4569, capable of withstanding penetration by 7.62 39 API BZ ammunition. The study estimates the ballistic limit thickness necessary to prevent perforation of the ballistic protection panel. The simulation procedure and the material models of the armours employed are thoroughly described. Additionally, the study evaluates the weight of the protection system to identify the material with the minimum weight, thereby preserving aircraft performance. Notably, the use of titanium alloy and steel results in the greatest reduction in the weight of the protective system, with their masses being nearly identical. In contrast, the aluminum alloy exhibits a mass that is approximately 11% higher. A method for installing the armours on the helicopter is also proposed. The findings of this study are valuable for analysing airframe structures that face ballistic threats during military operations or terrorist attacks. Proposals for further refinement and a shooting experiment are discussed to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of the protection solutions.

This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation of the interior thermal comfort conditions of a typical passenger vehicle using computational fluid dynamics tools embedded in the full-cloud CAE simulation software SimScale. The analysis evaluates airflow patterns, temperature distributions, and thermal comfort indices under constant summer conditions. A 3D model of the vehicle is utilized and appropriate boundary conditions are defined to simulate realistic operation of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems. To assess passenger satisfaction with the thermal conditions inside the vehicle, the Predicted Mean Vote parameter, which is embedded in the software, is employed. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of accessible, cloud-based CFD platforms for optimizing thermal comfort in the early stages of vehicle interior design, allowing for simulations under specific and realistic conditions.

The European railway network is undergoing modernization through investments in interoperable and signalling systems such as ETCS. At the same time, the simplification of infrastructure introduces new risks concerning its availability. This paper focuses on the reliability and resilience of the railway system in the face of extraordinary events such as natural disasters, accidents, cyber threats, or planned closures. It highlights how even a small number of outages can completely paralyze the network. The authors explore the railway’s ability to respond swiftly, reroute traffic effectively, and maintain uninterrupted transport. The aim is to ensure that railways can continue to serve as the backbone of the transport system even under crisis conditions.

The article presents a scheme of a new combined screw conveyor, which makes it possible to improve the performance of conveyors. To eliminate the identified disadvantages in the operation of flexible screw conveyors, new types of sectional working bodies hinged to each other have been developed, which will increase the reliability and durability of conveyors.

This paper presents the results of scanning fiber continuity in the joints of thin sheets made of aluminum and magnesium alloys with bi-directionally glass and carbon fiber-reinforced composites formed by thermal drilling technology using computed tomography. The scans show the progression of the bushing forming and the closure of the fibres in the hem joint. Little delamination, but no fiber fracture are visible in metal-composite joints.

Accurate estimation of predictive maintenance is important for effective electric vehicle fleet management. Existing approaches often fail to account for the complex relationships between diverse influencing factors. In this study, we propose a multi-method statistical analysis framework that integrates Spearman correlation, Mutual Information, and ElasticNet regression to quantify these relationships. The findings show that charge cycles and load weight exhibit the strongest positive correlations with Remaining Useful Life (RUL), while route roughness and battery temperature demonstrate significant negative impacts. Additionally, the Mutual Information analysis identified battery temperature as having the strongest non-linear relationship with RUL, underscoring its unique predictive relevance. Interestingly, maintenance records were found to have small predictive value across all analytical methods. The ElasticNet regression also refined the analysis by identifying 11 critical predictive factors, successfully eliminating redundant variables, and showing how corresponding statistical methods can improve predictive maintenance. These results can help the fleet operators to prioritize monitoring efforts on the most impactful factors and develop more precise RUL prediction models.

The objective of this study is to develop a system for recording and processing acoustic emission signals. The research focuses on designing cost-effective experimental equipment for investigating acoustic emission processes under laboratory conditions, with the capability of being reconfigured for specific applications depending on loading conditions and methods, material properties, environmental conditions, etc. A laboratory rig for recording and analysing acoustic emission data has been developed and experimentally tested. This paper presents the system’s block diagram and its operational algorithm. Furthermore, the correlation between the results of statistical processing of the recorded data and the physical characteristics of the input signals is demonstrated using model acoustic signals, incorporating various components of the developed rig.