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N. Giakoumidis

Case File2016–2017

Ribbon Curler — Automated Research Instrumentation

NYU Abu Dhabi · Panče Naumov research group / Design Studio

A custom programmable apparatus for Panče Naumov's smart-materials group to investigate how controlled pulling conditions produce curling and chiral coiling in ribbon specimens. The system applied controlled linear pulling while varying speed, mounting orientation, geometry, and material parameters — turning an evolving scientific experiment into a repeatable mechatronic test instrument.

System Record

My role
CONTRIBDesignedCONTRIBBuiltCONTRIBSystem IntegrationCONTRIBExperimental Development
Domain
DOMAINLab Automation & InstrumentationDOMAINElectronics & Embedded Systems
Application
APPResearch Infrastructure
Environment
Platforms
Methods
Outcomes
OUTCOMEResearch CapabilityOUTCOMEDeployed Prototype
Period
2016–2017

My Contribution

Designed and integrated the hardware, controller software, and automation for the ribbon-curling apparatus — motion-stage trade study, mechanical integration, fixture-alignment debugging, Newmark motion-control configuration, and operational handover so the group could run structured experiments and publication media.

CONTRIBDesignedCONTRIBBuiltCONTRIBSystem IntegrationCONTRIBExperimental Development

Development & Validation

  • Evaluated commercial linear stages across cost and performance (Thorlabs, Aerotech, Newmark, and lower-cost CNC options) against a ~300 mm travel envelope and experimental pull speeds up to about 100 mm/s.
  • Integrated the stage, puller, and sample-holder assembly and corrected a fixture-height mismatch that had blocked reliable curling — converting a near-complete build into a usable experimental instrument.
  • Enabled structured sample campaigns across pull speed, mounting angle/direction, width, and weight, producing catalogued curl, coil, spiral, and twist sets for analysis and figures.
  • Configured and handed over Newmark motion-control software to follow-on operators, and supported filming plus assembly animation used toward manuscript supplementary material.

Credits & Collaborators

  • Nikolaos Giakoumidis

    NYU Abu Dhabi

    Instrumentation design & integration

  • Panče Naumov

    NYU Abu Dhabi

    Principal Investigator

  • Lidong Zhang

    NYU Abu Dhabi · Naumov group

    Experiment lead · sample campaigns

  • Khulood Alawadi

    NYU Abu Dhabi

    Design Studio · visualization & fabrication support

  • Israel Desta

    NYU Abu Dhabi

    Follow-on operator · measurements

Evidence

  • video

  • video

  • photograph

    July 2016 experiment photographs — curl samples grouped by test condition

Connected Work

Photos

LAB BENCH — FULL SAMPLE CAMPAIGN

CURL SAMPLES — BY TEST CONDITION

MOUNTING ANGLE — LEFT VS RIGHT

SPEED SWEEP — SPIRAL RESPONSE

GEOMETRY — CURL & TWIST STATES