:: iNaCoMM 2015

Introduction
The Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, under the aegis of the Association for Machines and Mechanisms (AMM), and International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science (IFToMM) is delighted to host the 2nd International and 17th National Conference on Machines and Mechanisms (iNaCoMM 2015). The convention will be held on campus during December 16th- 19th, 2015.

Introduction

The Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, under the aegis of the Association for Machines and Mechanisms (AMM), and International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science (IFToMM) is delighted to host the 2nd International and 17th National Conference on Machines and Mechanisms (iNaCoMM 2015). The convention will be held on campus during December 16th- 19th, 2015.

Highlights of iNaCoMM 2015

iNaCoMM 2015 is the 17th National and 2nd International in the series of biennial conferences on Machines and Mechanisms organized under the aegis of AMM and IFFToM. The convention aims at bringing together researchers, industry experts and students, working on various aspects of design and analysis of machines and mechanisms, to deliberate via oral and poster presentations on recent, novel advances.
iNaCoMM 2015 will feature eminent researchers from India and overseas, as plenary speakers. The Conference is planned to commence with a plenary on future of automotive industry in India. An introductory lecture on history and evolution of machines and mechanisms is also planned followed by a series of workshops on haptics, static balancing, precision mechanisms, and/or smart material-based mechanisms.
Each day thereafter will commence with a plenary talk by an eminent scientist followed by interesting morning and afternoon presentation/poster sessions on automotive and vehicle dynamics, analysis and design of rigid body and compliant mechanisms, advances in biomedical devices, dynamics/control/vibration analysis of multi-body systems (special session) and machines, health monitoring, applications for rural environment and agriculture, mechatronic, micro- and nano- systems, and numerous other topics.
The day will culminate with another plenary lecture followed by soothing, recreational performances by our students from Music, Dance and Dramatics Clubs. Professional and Classical, music and dance nights are also planned.
Numerous industry representatives will also showcase recent technological advances in hardware and software.

Students Mechanisms Design Contest
Objective: A key objective of the Association for Machines and Mechanisms (AMM) is to promote innovation among students. A mechanism design contest has been made an integral part of the iNaCoMM series of conferences, since 2009. The purpose is to encourage the students to apply their theoretical knowledge in the domain of mechanisms and machines to solve problems relevant to the society.
Award: The Association of Machines and Mechanisms (AMM) has approved 3 prizes for the Student Mechanism Design Contest. The winning entry will receive Rs. 10000 while the 2nd and 3rd prizes are of Rs. 6000 and Rs. 4000 each. The Evaluation Committee (in consultation with AMM) reserves the right to restrict the prizes if it feels entries are not upto the mark and do not meet the required quality. That is, it is not mandatory for all prizes to be awarded. The evaluation committee can recommend only the first prize if it deems so.The Evaluation Committee (in consultation with AMM) reserves the right to restrict the prizes if it feels entries are not upto the mark and do not meet the required quality. That is, it is not mandatory for all prizes to be awarded. The evaluation committee can recommend only the first prize if it deems so.
Who can participate? Participation is restricted to individuals/groups of students (up to three members), ALL registered as full-time students/research scholars/project staff in recognized institutes.
How to participate? Participants are invited to submit proposals for design, construction and operation of mechanisms which are innovative and capable of solving a challenging design problem. The design problem may be chosen from a wide range of application domains - from agricultural and rural technology to automobile and aerospace engineering. Typical examples include: A Tree climbing mechanism. Walking mechanism (with two or more legs). Mars-rover type small vehicle which can climb over significant obstacles. Staircase climbing mechanism. Foldable mechanisms, which can be deployed as useful structures, e.g., space-efficient beds, tables and other furniture, etc. An ergonomic device to help crush manually, to prepare road "aggregate" in rural applications. An economical cable way system to transport materials (level and sloping grounds). Ergonomic design for rod-bending machine, commonly used at construction sites. A foot-operated substitute of the hand-pump. Automatic operation of traditional games, such as table tennis return function. The above listing is only representative. Participants are free to innovate on their own.
Following additional points may also be noted: The mechanism could be manually powered or operated by a small motor or engine. Operational safety of the mechanism/machine and the power source is of utmost importance. Unsafe machines will not be allowed for demonstration. It is suggested that the mechanism be light and compact, and easy to transport, assemble and operate at the venue. Significant modifications/repairs cannot be done at the venue. Machines using significant artificial intelligence (robots) are not allowed. However, some sort of remotecontrol from an operator is allowed. The prototype machine must be operated satisfactorily in front of the judges, and each machine will be given at most three chances, to demonstrate its performance.
Procedure and deadlines: Participants must submit a 2-page proposal by October 1st, 2015 (extended), outlining the design challenge and novelty/innovation of the proposed design. Submissions should be done through emails, with the subject line: Proposal for the Students' Mechanism Design Contest, to the following address: anupams@iitk.ac.in Decisions will be sent out by October 15, 2015, and participants with promising proposals would be requested to proceed towards developing a working prototype.. Participants have to submit details of the prototype by November 10th, 2015, including photographs or video clips. Please e-mail all material as a .zip file attached to an email to anupams@iitk.ac.in with the subject line "Update on SMDC entry". Reviews of the prototypes will be sent out by November 20th, 2015, and successful participants will be requested to participate in the final round, to demonstrate their working prototypes during iNaCoMM at IIT Kanpur. Those invited for final presentation will be provided TA/DA. Finished prototypes are to be demonstrated before a panel of judges. Winners will be adjudicated based on the extent of innovation, difficulty of the design challenge, effectiveness of the proposed solution towards solving the actual problem, etc. In any matter related to the contest, decision of the judges and/or the organisers would be final and binding.