Orienting devices for vibratory bowl feeders are still the most widely used system for the automated sorting and feeding of small parts. The design process of these orienting devices has recently been supported by simulation methods. However, this merely shifts the well-known trial-and-error-based adaption of the orienting device's geometry into virtual world. Yet, this does not provide optimal design and, furthermore, requires strong involvement of the developer due to manual shape variation. This paper proposes an optimization algorithm for the automated simulation-based shape optimization of orienting devices for vibratory bowl feeders. First, general formalisms to state the multiobjective optimization problem for arbitrary types of orienting devices and feeding parts are provided. Then, the implementation of the algorithm is described based on Bullet Physics Engine and random search optimization technique. Finally, comparison of simulation results with experimental data point out good accuracy and, thus, great potential of the developed shape optimization software.

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Abstract. Climate change is projected to increase flood risks in western Africa. In the FANFAR project, a pre-operational flood early warning system (FEWS) for western Africa was co-designed in workshops with 50–60 stakeholders from 17 countries, adopting multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). We aimed at (i) designing a FEWS with western African stakeholders using MCDA and (ii) evaluating participatory MCDA as a transdisciplinary process. To achieve the first aim (i), we used MCDA methods for problem structuring and preference elicitation in workshops. Problem structuring included stakeholder analysis, creating 10 objectives to be achieved by the FANFAR FEWS and designing 11 possible FEWS configurations. Experts predicted FEWS configuration performance, which we integrated with stakeholder preferences. We tested MCDA results in sensitivity analyses. Three FEWSs showed good performance, despite uncertainty, and were robust across different preferences. For stakeholders it was most important that the FEWS produces accurate, clear, timely, and accessible flood risk information. To achieve the second aim (ii), we clustered common characteristics of collaborative governance frameworks from the sustainability science and transdisciplinary literature. Our framework emphasizes issues crucial to the earth systems sciences, such as uncertainty and integrating interdisciplinary knowledge. MCDA can address both well. Other strengths of MCDA are co-producing knowledge with stakeholders and providing a consistent methodology with unambiguous, shared results. Participatory MCDA including problem structuring can contribute to co-designing a project but does not achieve later phases of transdisciplinary processes well, such as co-disseminating and evaluating results. We encourage colleagues to use MCDA and the proposed framework for evaluating transdisciplinary hydrology research that engages with stakeholders and society.

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This paper deals with the development of optimal procedures for nondestructive testing (NDT) inspections using shearography. In the new proposed method a parameter is adopted, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), which allows the quantification of the contrast of the defect to the background in the image. During the calibration of the technique, on samples with known defects, the CNR also takes into account the size and location of the identified defects, compared to those expected. The optimal measurement and loading conditions (e.g., excitation temperature level, time between image acquisitions) are determined by experimental parametric analyses aimed at maximizing the CNR on specimens with known defects. In the present work the developed methodology is described and applied to the definition of best practices for the NDT analysis of aeronautical sandwich composites structures (used in the production of helicopters) by shearography inspection with thermal excitation. In this case the attention is focused on optimizing the thermal loading procedures, but it can be clearly extended to other types of excitation methods.