Anirban Guha

 

Office

Department of Mechanical Engineering

IIT Bombay

Powai, Mumbai - 400076

India

 

Permanent Residence

39B, Dilkhusa Street

Kolkata - 700017

India

Personal Information

Nationality: Indian

Marital Status: Single

Date of Birth: 22nd February, 1972

Contact

E.Mail: anirbanguha1@gmail.com

Phone (Off.): +91-22-25767590

Phone (Res.): +91-22-25768590

Phone (Mob.): +91-9619057590


Current Occupation

Assistant Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay since July 2005.

 

Education

Ph.D. - IIT Delhi

Completed in 2002

Topic: Application of Artificial Neural Networks for Prediction of Yarn Properties and Process Parameters

M.Tech. - IIT Delhi

Requirements completed in December 1995

Topic: Investigation of properties of jute and coir fibres

Application: Biodegradable geotextiles

B.Sc.(Tech.) - Calcutta University

Requirements completed in July 1994

 

Prior Work Experience

Worked in Marketing and Technical Services division of Futura Fibres Division of Indian Organic Chemicals Ltd. from February 1996 to July 1997.

 

Patents

Design of a robotic arm (in the process of being patented)

 

Loom for 3D fabrics (in the process of being patented)

 

Rod cutter (in the process of being patented)

 

 

Book

Chapter titled “Performance evaluation and enhancement of artificial neural networks in prediction modeling” in “Soft computing in textile engineering” edited by A. Majumdar, published by Woodhead Publishing Ltd., (Cambridge, UK), 2011, in association with The Textile Institute.

 

Selected Publications

Predicting Yarn Tenacity: A Comparison of Mechanistic, Statistical and Neural Network Models, Anirban Guha, R. Chattopadhyay and Jayadeva, Journal of The Textile Institute, Vol. 91, Part 1, No. 2, 2001, pp. 139-145.

Investigations into Homogeneity of Coir Fibres, P. K. Banerjee, R. Chattopadhyay and A. Guha, Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, Vol. 27, June 2002, pp. 111-116.

Artificial Neural Networks: Application to Textiles, R. Chattopadhyay and A. Guha, Textile Progress, v35, n 1, 2003.

A Study on Neural Network’s Capability of Ranking Fibre Parameters Having Influence on Yarn Properties, Jayadeva, Anirban Guha and R. Chattopadhyay, Journal of The Textile Institute v 94, part 1, no. 3/4  2003, pp. 186-193.

Performance of Neural Networks for Predicting Yarn Properties Using Principal Component Analysis, R. Chattopadhyay, Anirban Guha and Jayadeva, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, v 91, n 3, Feb 5, 2004, pp. 1746-1751.

A Novel Mechanism for Driving the Sley in a Shuttle Loom, Anirban Guha, C. Amarnath, M. K. Talukdar and Manoj A.G, Journal of The Textile Institute , 97(6), 2006, pp 513-518.

Cloth Roll Doffing Machine for Indian Powerloom Industry, Anirban Guha, N. Ramakrishnan, M. K. Talukdar and Prateek Sharma, Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research, Vol. 33, March 2008, pp 97-100.

A Method for Validation of a Model of Balloon in Ring Frame, Milan Sharma and Anirban Guha, Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research, Vol. 33, December 2008, pp. 383-387.

Measurement of Yarn Hairiness by Digital Image Processing, Anirban Guha, C. Amarnath, S. Pateria and R. Mittal, Journal of The Textile Institute, 25 February 2009, pp 1-9.

Linkage Driven Dobby With Dwell, Anirban Guha, C. Amarnath, K. Kurien Issac, M. K. Talukdar and Shrinivas Joshi, Textile Research Journal, Vol. 79, Issue 9, 2009, pp. 804-809.

Kinematic Analysis and Design Optimization of a Surgical Rod Cutter for Shearing Ti6Al4V Rods, Lohit Dhamija, Anil Kumar, Anirban Guha and Ramesh Kumar Singh, International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, accepted for publication on June 10, 2011.

An Adjustable Mechanism for Walking Robots with Minimum Number of Actuators, Anirban Guha and C. Amarnath, Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, accepted for publication on August 1, 2011.

 

Papers Presented in Conference (Selected)

Prediction of Properties of Friction Spun Yarns by Using Artificial Neural Networks, Anirban Guha, Jayadeva and R. Chattopadhyay, 13th National Convention of Textile Engineers, Solapur, Maharashtra, India organised by Textile Engineering Division of The Institutuion of Engineers (India), October 3 - 4, 1998.

 

Simulation of Yarn Manufacturing Process Using Neural Network, R. Chattopadhyay and Anirban Guha, 31st Textile Research Symposium at Mt. Fuji, Susono City, Japan, August 2 - 4, 2002.

 

Simulation of Spinning Process: A Comparative Assessment, R. Chattopadhyay, Anirban Guha and U. Mahapatra, Proceedings of Asian Textile Conference, Delhi, India, December 2003.

 

Double Dwell Linkage Mechanisms for Prolonged Dwells, C. Amarnath and Anirban Guha, 12th IFToMM World Congress on Mechanism and Machine Sciences, Besancon, France, 17th to 21st June, 2007.

 

On Evolution of Textile Machinery, C. Amarnath and Anirban Guha, IFToMM Workshop on History of Machine and Mechanisms Science, Bangalore, India, December 14, 2007.

 

A Simple Adjustable Mechanism for Walking Robots, Anirban Guha and C. Amarnath, The First IFToMM Conference on Mechanism and Machine Science, Taipei, Taiwan, October 21-25, 2010.

 

Synthesis of Bar Linkage Mechanisms to Guide and Drive Rapiers, Anirban Guha and C. Amarnath, 13th World Congress in Mechanism and Machine Science, Guanajuato, Mexico, June 19-25, 2011.

 

Optimization in Radiation Transport Containers, Kuldeep Sharma, D. N. Pawaskar, A. Guha and R. K. Singh, 21st International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SMiRT 21), New Delhi, India, November 6-11, 2011.

 

New Methods of Dual Directional Shedding for 3D Weaving Using TRIZ Concepts, H. P. Dave and A. Guha, International Conference on Invention, Innovation and Technology (ICIIT-2012), Kolkata, India, January 19-21, 2012.

 

Current Research Interest

Design of machines for the textile industry with focus on kinematics.

Application of artificial neural networks in industrial problems.

Impact simulation with finite element analysis.

 

Interaction with Industry

Worked with M/s Aditya Birla Nuvo for development of filament yarn twisting device.

 

Worked with M/s Bond Safety Belts for design of emergency locking retractor for restraining vehicle passengers during accidents.

 

 

Work with Ph.D. students

Design of an economical mechanical face seal.

Student: Shashikant S. Goilkar

Co-supervisor: Prof. Harish Hirani (in IIT Delhi since December 2008)

Degree received in July 2010

Ongoing work with Ph.D. students

 

Modeling of human locomotion.

 

Studies on impact simulation.

 

Structural health monitoring using artificial neural network.

 

Application of plate and beam theory for characterization of components of machines.

 

Modeling of geotextiles.

 

Studies on renewable power generation on mobile platforms.

 

Ongoing work with other students

 

Effect of simulation procedures on impact simulation

 

Design optimization to withstand impact tests

 

Support vector machines for structural health monitoring

 

Fabric waste minimization in garment cutting

 

Modeling power consumption of loom

 

Design of groundnut de-husking machine

 

Earlier projects with students

 

Study of four-wheel independent steer-by-wire system to enhance vehicle stability and handling

In a four wheel independent steer-by-wire system, all the four wheels of a vehicle can be steered independently by actuators responding to computer generated signals. These have a distinct advantage over the other steering systems as control is available over the individual slip angles of the vehicle in steady state conditions. This work proposed a method of handling vehicle performance in both high speed and low speed regimes. Simulations show a significant increase in maximum cornering speed at all turning radii. This also includes some low speed turns a conventional front wheel steered vehicle cannot make. The potential cornering speed increase is of 10-20% during off-limit cornering and as high as 40% during on-limit cornering. The system is also successful in decreasing the average slip angle during cornering by 10%. This not only improves tyre life but also reduces rolling resistance. The percentage utilization of the tyres can attain values of upto 95% as compared to a maximum of 83% in case of conventional steering systems. This allows the maximum cornering speed to improve by 43%.

 

Simulation of fibre and its interaction with machines

Modeling and simulation of fibres has been attempted with the aim of predicting the interaction of fibres amongst themselves as well as machine parts. Principles of molecular dynamics have been employed to simulate large aspect ratios. The results are promising and a framework for such simulations has been suggested.

 

Modeling of lower human limbs for Indian population

Cross legged sitting posture is very common in Asian cultures. But there are few studies to model the motion of standing up from this posture. This study reports a mathematical model for predicting joints moment during this action. Quasi-static analysis (speed of rising is slow, so accelerations of limbs are assumed to be zero) was done here. Joint angles and ground reaction forces were taken as input parameters. Maximum knee, ankle and hip joint moments during standing up from cross legged sitting posture were found to be close to the moments generated during the motions of squat to stand or standing up from chair. However, high moments occur during internal rotation and abduction at hip joint. This leads to stresses at separate regions of joints and activation of different muscle groups compared to what is observed during squat to stand and sit (on chair) to stand motion.

 

Modeling of a tether for aerostats

The tether for an aerostat has a core of parallel strands and a sheath of braided or twisted fibres. This undergoes cyclic loading during repeated tests on an aerostat. Modeling of the tether for the purpose of predicting its life was attempted in this work. A damage index for predicting the reduction in strength of the components after cyclic loading was experimentally determined. A spring-damper based core-sheath structure was used for modeling the tether which could predict the trend of change in strength correctly.

 

Study of explosion of internally pressurized pipes

Explosion of internally pressurized buried pipe can be stimulated both physically and numerically. In this work, an attempt was made to provide guidelines and parameters for the design of underground pipes to resist the effects of explosion. Numerical simulation was carried out by using FLAC2D (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in 2 dimensions, Itasca 2006) which is based on finite difference method for advanced 2D geotechnical analysis of soil and rock. Principal stresses, principal strains and maximum displacements developed in the model at different locations in pipe were observed. The effect of different parameters on resistance of pipe to the explosion was studied. An experimental explosion triggering arrangement was developed to physically simulate internal explosion of buried pipe. Normal and high gravity tests by using centrifuge were carried to understand the deformation behavior of embedded pipes and consequences of their explosion.

 

Development of saree cutting machine for visually impaired people

An NGO in Latur district of Maharashtra has established a handloom weaving cum training and production center situated at village Budhoda. This centre encourages visually impaired people to produce mattresses by cutting old saris to the size of ribbons and using these ribbons as weft on handlooms for making mattresses. This work aimed at developing manually operated devices for cutting saris into multiple ribbons. Prototypes of two such devices were demonstrated.

 

Predicting hygrothermal stresses in woven fabric composites

Prediction of internal stresses in composites due to changes in moisture and temperature can allow better prediction of overall structural failure. This work establishes a method of modeling woven fabric composites using classical laminate theory which allows internal hogrothermal stresses to be predicted from a knowledge of mechanical properties of the fibres and resins. It was applied on cross ply symmetric and unsymmetric laminates.

 

Development of a multiple ball dropping mechanism in high gravity environment

The objective of this study was to custom design, fabricate and calibrate multiple ball dropping mechanism for simulating vibrations of a moving train in high gravity environment. This instrument can simulate both impact point load and also moving load conditions caused by high speed trains passing through the viaducts. The movement of train was idealized as a set of impact loads dropping with some time interval. The load impacts a strain gage based load cell which measures the impact energy. The load cell was designed based on Morehouse proving ring concept and calibrated. The propagation of the ground waves was recorded using accelerometers. The variation of impact energy with speed was investigated. The time delay in the ball drop was provided using a shaft having stoppers at different angles for energy simulation and having the load cells at different heights and keeping the stoppers at same angle for speed simulation. The instrumented simulated high energy during the tests, which gave the feel of stresses coming on the real structures. The result showed that the impact energy coming on the bridge pier is independent of the train velocity, hence in experiments can be decoupled and analyzed. The acceleration data shows considerable reduction in the acceleration as we move away from the impact point and also gives the spread of vibrations in the ground. The results from the tests show that the proving ring concept load cell can be used to measure the impact loads with good repeatability. This report presents design details and experimental observations of energy and vibrations of the proposed multiple ball dropping mechanism along with the design calculations.

 

Design and fabrication of in-flight sand hopper

The objective of the study was to design and develop In-flight sand hopper for simulating construction process of embankment construction on soft ground. For this purpose, a sand-hopper compatible with existing plane strain container at centrifuge laboratory was custom designed and developed. Various components involved in this hopper were designed for their adequacy at 50 gravities. In order to calibrate the system, several tests were done at normal gravity and some selected tests were done at 50g. Directional vanes were kept at 40 degrees to the vertical to nullify the coriolis effect. However, results showed that this produces heap like embankments. This was corrected to some extent by changing the direction of fall of sand during flight. Further trials are warranted to fine tune the embankment construction process during centrifuge tests .The system can be used to simulate construction of iron ore heaps, and embankments on soft ground.

 

Determination of aerostat shape

The problem of prediction of deformation of the surface of an aerostat can be considered a part of the larger problem of predicting the deformation of a membrane under pressure. The majority of literature available has concentrated on predicting only the maximum deflection and not the complete shape of the deformed membrane. In this work, a 2D model for predicting the complete deformed shape of a circular membrane has been extended to predicting the deformed shape of an arbitrarily shaped membrane. In the process, the membrane deflections in a 3D space have been computed. Comparison of the results with experiments and those predicted by Finite Element Analysis indicates the scope of development of better models for predicting the shape of a deformed membrane.

 

Simulation of displacement and orientation of an aerostat

Mechanism simulators like ADAMS allow displacement of a rigid body to be predicted from a prior knowledge of forces acting on it. CFD allows force on a rigid body to be predicted from knowledge of the nature of fluids flowing past it. However, in real life, the force on the rigid body causes a change in its displacement and orientation which in turn affects the force itself. This two way fluid-structure coupling has been attempted in this work using a dynamic mesh. Numerical experiments using rigid bodies of different shapes and fluids of different Reynolds number gave encouraging results.

 

Optimal loading of boxes into multiple containers

Container loading problems have been studied extensively in the literature and various analytical, heuristic and meta-heuristic methods have been proposed. In this thesis, we present four different variants of a genetic algorithm framework for the three-dimensional container loading problem (3-D CLP) of optimally loading boxes into multiple containers with constraints. The algorithms are designed so as to incorporate various packing constraints found in real life problems. The algorithms are tested on data of standard test cases from literature. The algorithms developed not only compare well with the benchmark algorithms from literature in terms of utilization of containers for standard test cases, but they also have an advantage of implementing a range of practical constraints which cannot be found in other algorithms reported in literature. This greatly improves the effectiveness of the algorithm in solving real life problems which is demonstrated by solving a real industrial problem.

 

Looms for 3D fabrics

Mechanisms have been designed which will allow both interlaced and non-interlaced (noobed) 3D fabrics to be created in the same machine. A few additional elements allow biased yarns to be inserted. The designs are in the process of being patented.

 

Fault Detection in Yarns by Image Analysis

The capacitance based yarn fault detection used by the industry allows fault detection at very high speeds but does not allow any feature of the fault except length and diameter to be measured. Image analysis based yarn fault detection offers the possibility of feature/shape based classification of faults and may also lead to machine defect based classification of faults. Deliberately generated faults in a ring frame were analysed with image analysis techniques and classified with artificial neural networks - both feedforward and Kohonen. The optimum magnification was identified and an accuracy of 70% to 100% was achieved. Shape context based classification techniques were also investigated. The classification was not as good as with feedforward neural networks but it allows rotation and magnification independence.

 

Optimization of surgical rod cutter

Titanium rods used as spinal implants need to be cut to a suitable length in the operating room. The mechanism used to cut them needs to be entirely manually operated since the interference of electrical and electronic components with the sensitive electronic components cannot be predicted. The mechanism also needs to be as small as possible since it needs to be decontaminated in an autoclave prior to its use. This work explores different options for such a mechanism. In the first part of this work, the best design from a scarce patent literature was optimized to obtain a 56% reduction in dimension. The manual force was verified with a mechanism simulator (ADAMS). A material model in DEFORM allowed the experimentally determined shearing force to be simulated. This led to the prediction of change in the mechanism’s dimensions with change in the rod’s dimensions. In the second part of this work, a hitherto unreported design which allowed torsional shearing, was subjected to a similar optimization exercise. The final mechanism was of half the size as that of the previous mechanism.

 

Kinematic evaluation of four bar models of human knee

The four bar linkage has been suggested as a knee prosthesis in recent years. Studies on the knee mechanism are dominated by stress analysis of different components of knee mechanisms. Optimization of the mechanism from the point of view of its kinematic properties has been attempted to a lesser extent. This work identifies a few kinematic parameters which can be used to evaluate its performance. It then combines them into a single objective function and uses it to evaluate different four bar mechanisms. The method described here can be used to both optimize and evaluate existing four bar knee mechanisms.

 

Optimizing aids for paraplegics

Aids for paraplegic patients allow them to stand from a sitting position with lower effort than what would be otherwise required. A large number of designs for such aids were proposed in an earlier work. These designs were evaluated in this work for the knee torque required. Three design parameters were varied and force needed to be exerted by hand on a cane was considered as a constraint. The best design was identified and optimized. The optimized mechanism resulted in reduction of knee torque to one-third of its original value.

 

Fast Non-Invasive Methods for Yarn Cross Section Imaging

Visualisation of the cross section of a yarn by traditional methods requires 24 to 48 hours of sample preparation. Absence of a faster method has precluded its use as a quality control measure. In this work, two attempts to obtain the cross sectional view of a yarn has been reported – one based on optical coherence tomography and the other based on confocal microscopy. Limited success has been reported for both attempts.

 

Optimum Packaging of Stenter

The large size of the stenter requires individual components to be transported from the manufacturer to the user in multiple containers. A study of this topic revealed that the more general “container loading problem” needs to be solved for improving stenter packaging. This has also been described in literature as “Packing of small boxes in large boxes.” A search of container loading problems reported in literature led to the identification of two promising approaches. These two approaches were evaluated on a number of simulated packaging problems. The better amongst the two was identified. This was further modified by simplification of the solution procedure and addition of other constraints. Evaluation of all the methods revealed the superiority of the method developed in this work particularly in terms of time taken to solve problems involving large number of constraints. This is expected to lead to better algorithms for solving the “multi-container loading problem” which will allow the stenter packaging problem to be addressed.

 

Modification of Cotton Flyer

This study was undertaken to explore the possibility of reduction of material used for manufacture of the cotton flyer while keeping the flyer leg deflection due to centrifugal forces within acceptable levels. Simulation of different designs with the aid of finite element analysis indicated the possibility of 20% reduction without significant ill effects. Increase in air resistance in some of the proposed designs was estimated with the help of computational fluid dynamics. The corresponding increase in total power requirement of the speedframe was estimated to be well within acceptable limits.

 

Energy Optimization of Stenter

The mass and energy flows through a stenter were modeled. A scheme for operating the primary change points of a stenter which minimizes energy consumption was suggested.

 

Novel Design of a Positive Rapier Head

Positive rapier heads can give higher weft transfer efficiency compared to negative rapier heads. However, they may cause damage to warp yarns and have a lower working life because of repeated impact between cam and follower. This work suggests an alternative design in which these deficiencies are removed. A model of the mechanism was made and run at speeds close to loom speeds. Analysis of clamp openings with high speed photography seems to suggest that the proposed design will be easier to work with at high speeds than at low speeds.

 

A Device for Saving Energy of Shuttle Picking

A magnet based device for saving energy of picking the shuttle of a loom has been investigated. Experiments on a shuttle like device indicated the possibility of 50% energy saving. The use of solenoids for energy regeneration has also been investigated.

 

Reducing Energy Required for Running a Loom

As the speed of a loom increases, the power requirement goes up due to losses in deceleration of oscillating links. This power loss is directly proportional to the cube of the operating speed. The current project established the theoretical basis of saving this power in rapier looms with use of springs and inertial elements. The method was demonstrated with simulations.

 

Warp Breakage Detection Mechanism

A wide range of options were explored for designing a warp breakage detection mechanism which would have some advantage over the drop-wire based system. An image analysis based system was demonstrated on a set of parallel threads which was assumed to simulate a warp sheet. The accompanying algorithm was also developed.

 

Design of a Novel Drive for Rapiers

Most of the current mechanisms used to drive rapiers use prismatic pairs or a rack and pinion mechanism, none of which are suitable for high speed operation. The current project explored different design solutions which can eliminate these problems. The best possible straight line approximation of the coupler curve of a crank rocker mechanism was obtained and was suggested as a rapier drive.

 

Modelling Yarn Balloon During Ring Spinning

In this project, the image of a yarn as it forms a balloon during ring spinning was captured. This was used to validate the currently accepted models of yarn balloon using a new procedure. The effect of changing the spinning parameters on yarn balloon was also observed. This may lead to a better way of positioning the balloon control ring.

 

Design of a Yarn Hairiness Tester Working on the Principle of Image Analysis

 

The current generation of yarn hairiness testers aim to conduct the test at higher and higher speeds. As a result, the hairs have to be detected by indirect methods and some information about hairiness is lost. The aim of this work was to explore advance techniques of Digital Image Processing (DIP) for hairiness measurement to extract all possible information about hairiness from static yarn images. Various issues related to hairiness measurement with reference to DIP such as selection of appropriate optics, mathematical formulation, and use of appropriate DIP tools were analysed. Existing hairiness measurement techniques and their drawbacks were also studied. The possibility of capturing images of moving yarn and extracting complete information about hairiness was explored. Improvement in hardware necessary for image capturing is likely to make this technique viable in future.

 

Development of Novel Mechanisms for Dobby

A mechanism has been designed to provide dwells to the knives of a dobby at their extreme positions without using cams. This will allow the maximum shed depth to be reduced, leading to less strain on warp sheets compared to current linkage driven dobbies.

 

Programmable Ring Traversing Device for Ring Spinning

Raising and lowering of the ring rail of a ring frame is usually done with a cam. This precludes the possibility of changing the building mechanism in a ring frame. A microprocessor based programmable traversing system was designed and fabricated. The capability of the system to perform for an extended period was demonstrated by building full cops. This will give the spinner the option of changing the build from cop build to roving or combination build.

 

Design and Fabrication of a Machine for Making Prefabricated Vertical Drains

The most widely used prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) use a corrugated (or suitably shaped) polymer sheet as the core and nonwoven material as sheath. Both of these are manufactured in India. But there is no company in India which combines these to make the PVD. As a result, the PVDs, which are being used in increasing numbers, have to be imported at a very high cost. Such a machine was designed and fabricated under this project.

 

Automatic Doffing of a Cloth Roller on a Loom

A hand operated wheel mounted device was designed for loom auto-doffing. All the operations, disengaging the cloth roller from the loom, removing it from the loom, loading an empty cloth roller and carrying away the full cloth roller can be done by a single operator by operating the mechanism manually. Three different designs were studied. The final design was can pass through narrow aisles between rows of looms.

 

Study of Existing Sley Drive and Development of Novel Devices

A linkage based mechanism which will give a dwell to the sley near its backmost position was designed. This is expected to be cheaper to incorporate into a loom compared to cam based sley drives. It will give lower abrasion between warp threads and shuttle during weaving.

 

Automation in Garment Cutting

This project, apart from automation of the cutting process, investigated an alternative cutting tool for fabrics namely laser. Software has been developed which takes the essential dimensions to generate a shirt as input and gives the CNC code to cut the pieces in a particular fashion, to minimize waste under the given constraints, as the output. A design has also been proposed for an automatic laser cloth cutter which read the CNC code generated by the software and cut the fabric in that fashion using laser as the cutting tool.

 

Core yarn attachment for ring frames

An attachment for spinning core yarn was retrofitted on an LMW G5/1 ring frame. A yarn tension measuring device was designed to continuously monitor the tension in the core yarn. Effect of different factors including tension and manner of feeding on the quality of core yarn was studied.