ASAN, a low cost Automated Teller Machine (ATM) was launched on December 5, 2003. Profs V P Bapat and U A Athavankar of the Industrial Design Centre designed it, based on a survey of current and potential users interviewed for their views on existing ATMs. ASAN has several advantageous features over the currently deployed ATMs to suit the Indian customer and settings.

The attractive new design incorporating elements from traditional Indian architecture departs from the current neutral appearance of ATMs. Banks may further customize it to a limited degree. The small size makes it suitable for deployment in places with space constraints. ASAN's ergonomic design suits the typical Indian body dimensions with respect to the height of the keypad and the inclination of the screen. Additionally, the machine has a provision for keeping one's personal belongings, and protruding wings for ensuring privacy during transactions. A multi-coloured card reader status indicator guides users unfamiliar with new technology like smart DIP card readers.

The machine has NCR-intelligent power-saving hardware and software. An integrated pedestal accommodates a UPS, providing maximum availability during outages. The robust engineering design ensures trouble-free operation in hot, humid and dusty environments. Additionally, a unique airflow system allows deployment at non-air conditioned sites. Such features make it suitable for interior locations. Other features include, 40-column graphics thermal receipt printer, secure encrypting PIN pad and a flat panel screen.

Contact: Prof U A Athavankar, IDC, email: uaa@idc.iitb.ac.in

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Indian manufacturers still use the highly polluting and inefficient 'pit' method for charcoal production from wood and non-wood waste. Sponsored by the National Mission on Bamboo Applications (NMBA), TIFAC, Dept. of Science and Technology, the biomass research group led by Prof Anuradda Ganesh (Energy Systems Engineering), has developed a simple to operate, non-polluting Bio-char Unit (BCU). Although developed for bamboo waste, the unit can be used for other non-powdery biomass with minor modifications. The uniqueness of BCU lies in using the otherwise polluting gases as a thermal energy source. The gases carry 50% of the energy of the biomass used in charcoal making.

Using BCU, a uniform yield of 25% charcoal from bamboo waste, and about 28% charcoal from other woody biomass is obtained, with a consistent calorific value of 28MJ/kg. A batch of 100kg bamboo waste is converted into 25kg charcoal in two and a half hours. A single person can operate the unit, which costs Rs. 35,000. A bio-char unit was set up at an activated carbon manufacturing plant in Hyderabad, where the suitability of bamboo charcoal as raw material was successfully demonstrated. Another BCU sponsored by KVIC is being put up at a bakery unit at Yusuf Mehrauli Centre, Tara Village, Maharashtra to demonstrate the use of thermal energy from gases for generating charcoal as a by-product. Through NMBA, 15 such units at five different locations in Tripura, Meghalaya, Bastar, Amravati and Pune districts are being deployed for training and further dissemination of the technology. A 10 kg batch unit was also demonstrated at the VII World Bamboo Congress, New Delhi. The BCU is expected to help generate rural employment, and ensure village energy security.

Contact: Prof A Ganesh, Energy Systems Engg, email: aganesh@me.iitb.ac.in

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Globalization has posed many challenges for product design and manufacturing due to shorter product life cycles and frequent design revisions. To realize telemanufacturing, collaborative CAD/CAM solutions are needed to enable seamless integration of distributed physical and knowledge resources so as to provide 'anywhere anytime' access. The Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) laboratory at IIT Bombay is actively engaged in designing and developing software solutions in the area of Product Modeling (Palantir), Process Planning (WebCAPP), CNC Machining (WebNC) and Assembly Automation (WebROBOT).

WebROBOT is an Internet based Assembly Planning System for intelligent task level programming of assembly robots. Its Client-Server architecture enables a client to graphically model and synthesize the assembly world. A feature-based CAD modeler enables the user to create and position solid models of parts to be assembled in the virtual world. Unlike the standard robot programming systems that need Teach-in or Joint level information, WebROBOT enables the client to specify tasks at assembly (functional) level in a user-friendly manner. Robust algorithms have been written to 'understand' and process the specified tasks to generate efficient robot control programs. Specific issues addressed include, grasp planning, motion planning, collision avoidance, operation sequencing, and post processing the programs to suit the controller of the robot in shop. Using this technology, robot programs can be automatically transferred by the client to the remote robot site through the server.

WebROBOT implemented in the modular fashion using Object Oriented Programming was linked to the Mitsubishi Movemaster 5 axis robot in the CAM laboratory, and was extensively tested from different locations through the Intranet. Various assembly tasks such as, part placement, single and multipart assemblies, and pattern-based assemblies were tested. WebROBOT was found to provide an efficient web-based solution from client-end virtual assembly modeling to its execution in the real assembly environments. The software can be customized to suit specific robot controllers.

Contact: Prof S S Pande, Mechanical Engg Department, email: sspande@me.iitb.ac.in

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