Francisco Rubio

Este trabajo reivindica una parte olvidada de la historia de la ingeniería: el papel pionero de España en el desarrollo de la máquina de vapor durante los siglos XVI y XVII. A finales del siglo XV e inicio del XVI tuvieron lugar dos acontecimientos que cambiaron la historia del mundo conocido: el descubrimiento de América y la primera vuelta al mundo. España fue su impulsor y la nación que lideraba el desarrollo de los acontecimientos en torno a esos eventos. Durante aquel periodo se daba el caldo de cultivo, que solo se da en sociedades avanzadas y solventes, necesario para alcanzar las más altas cotas de desarrollo intelectual y artístico. En pleno Siglo de Oro, España se consolidaba como la mayor potencia mundial, y no solo lideraba la expansión geográfica y el comercio global, sino también los avances tecnológicos. El periodo del Renacimiento español fue cuna de genios en las artes y las ciencias, y proporcionó un entorno ideal para el florecimiento de innovaciones mecánicas y científicas. Una figura clave en este desarrollo fue Jerónimo de Ayanz, un ingeniero visionario que patentó una de las primeras aplicaciones industriales de la máquina de vapor para la extracción de agua en minas. Es necesario resaltar la importancia que la máquina de vapor tuvo como motor de la Revolución Industrial dos siglos más tarde (s. XVIII). Este artículo reivindica el legado español en la evolución de las tecnologías que dieron forma al mundo moderno, con especial énfasis en las contribuciones tempranas de España al desarrollo de la máquina de vapor. Aunque la historia ha otorgado el reconocimiento de la máquina de vapor como precursora de la Revolución Industrial a otros países y personajes, este trabajo reivindica reconsiderar y poner en valor el impacto que tuvo España en el progreso tecnológico de la época, abriendo un espacio para reconocer su influencia en la ingeniería mecánica. A través de una revisión histórica rigurosa y el análisis de fuentes documentales, este artículo ilumina el papel de la España renacentista como precursora en la evolución de las máquinas de vapor, contribuyendo de manera significativa al avance de la ingeniería, mucho antes de que nacieran los personajes hoy acreditados con este logro. De forma específica queremos reconocer el trabajo realizado por Jerónimo de Ayanz, enfatizando su contribución al nacimiento de la máquina de vapor para usos industriales.

La interacción entre el pantógrafo y la catenaria en sistemas ferroviarios es clave para garantizar una captación de corriente eficiente. Los problemas asociados son, por un lado, desgaste excesivo cuando las fuerzas de contacto son demasiado elevadas y, en el lado opuesto, la aparición de despegues cuando el valor de la dicha fuerza es reducido. Estos despegues, además de interrumpir el suministro de corriente, pueden generar arcos eléctricos que aceleran el desgaste de los elementos en contacto. Por esta razón, la normativa ferroviaria emplea la desviación típica de la fuerza de contacto como el principal indicador de calidad del sistema de captación de corriente. La medida de la fuerza de contacto en vía se realiza mediante trenes auscultadores dotados de pantógrafos instrumentados. Sin embargo, esta técnica presenta limitaciones como la influencia en el comportamiento dinámico del pantógrafo de los dispositivos empleados en la medida (acelerómetros o células de carga) o su coste económico, entre otros. Ante esta problemática, surge la necesidad de desarrollar métodos no invasivos, fiables y de bajo coste para un monitoreo continuo y eficiente. En este trabajo propone una metodología no invasiva basada en técnicas de visión artificial para estimar la fuerza de contacto a través del análisis del movimiento del pantógrafo capturado por cámaras de alta resolución. Usando un modelo dinámico lineal del pantógrafo y algoritmos como filtros de Kalman, se busca inferir la fuerza de contacto a partir del desplazamiento, velocidad o aceleración obtenida mediante el procesado de las imágenes. La validación de la metodología se realizará en un banco de ensayos instrumentado, el cual está equipado con cámaras, acelerómetros y células de carga. Los ensayos se gobiernan desde un sistema dotado con un controlador en tiempo real que garantiza la sincronización. La técnica podría ser adaptable a cualquier vehículo ferroviario, permitiría planes de mantenimiento personalizados y la reducción de costes, marcando un avance significativo en la sostenibilidad y eficiencia de los sistemas ferroviarios.

This research presents a successful implementation of a Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology to foster the acquisition of Transversal Competencies (TCs) and incorporate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into higher education curricula. This was carried out in the framework of an Educational Innovation and Improvement Project (EIIP) carried out at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain during the academic years that span from 2023 to 2025. Specifically, it was conducted within the “Dynamics of Mechanical Systems” course of the “Mechatronic Engineering” master’s program of the at the Higher School of Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design (HSAEID), which involves an average of 40 students. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to collect evidence regarding the successful implementation of the PBL methodology. The EIIP project offers practical insights and strategies for efficiently integrating global competencies and sustainability into technical education. In this sense, the positive outcomes indicate that PBL not only enhances technical competencies and motivation but also cultivates critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving abilities, acquisition of learning goals, and preparing students to address complex global challenges of the labor market and. However, ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement processes, supported by robust feedback mechanisms, are crucial for sustaining and enhancing these educational innovations.

The contemporary university has evolved into a multifaceted institution, serving not only as a hub for research, professional training, and knowledge dissemination, but also as a pivotal component of economic machinery and societal advancement, especially within the context of globalization and intense competition. These institutions are now expected to significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of their surroundings, striving for excellence and competing within an increasingly interconnected global framework. To meet these heightened expectations, universities have undergone profound transformations over recent decades. This period of change is particularly notable within the Spanish context, mirroring the broader societal shifts since the onset of the democratic transition in 1975 through to the present day in 2024. This era has necessitated substantial reforms in university governance, equipping these institutions with the requisite tools to navigate and address emerging challenges effectively. A pivotal moment in this transformative journey was the enactment of the University Reform Law of 1983. Grounded in constitutional principles, this law marked a significant milestone in updating and revitalizing university education in Spain. After this, the Organic Law on Universities of 2001 further aligned the Spanish university framework with the broader European educational landscape, reinforcing the integration and competitiveness of Spanish institutions on a continental scale. However, to comprehensively grasp the magnitude and implications of these changes, it is essential to extend our analysis beyond the immediate past and explore the historical trajectory of Spanish universities over previous centuries. By examining this extensive historical context, we can better understand the foundational elements that have shaped the current state of higher education. This article aims to meticulously analyze the evolution of the Spanish university system, delineating the chronological progress, identifying persistent challenges, and engaging in a critical discourse on potential solutions. Through this examination, the article seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the interplay between historical legacies and contemporary reforms, offering insights that are essential for shaping the future trajectory of higher education in Spain.

Este artículo se enmarca en un Proyecto de Innovación y Mejora Educativa (PIME) de dos años de duración que se llevará a cabo en la Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) durante los años 2024 y 2025. El proyecto tiene como objetivo diseñar y aplicar una metodología de Aprendizaje Basado en Proyectos (ABP) para una adecuada adquisición de Competencias Transversales (CT) e integración de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), el cual, se implementará en la asignatura de “Dinámica de Sistemas Mecánicos” del primer año del Máster en Ingeniería Mecatrónica de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería del Diseño (ETSID). Para ello, se recogen evidencias a través de técnicas tanto cuantitativas como cualitativas (tales como encuestas, discusiones grupales con los estudiantes, etc.) sobre su percepción y satisfacción con la metodología y su afinidad y nivel de conocimiento sobre las CT y los ODS que se trabajan durante el curso. Los resultados muestran un respaldo mayoritario de los estudiantes y profesorado respecto al planteamiento general de la asignatura y la validez de aplicar técnicas de enseñanza activa, como el ABP, para los fines propuestos. Sin embargo, se ha detectado la necesidad de continuar trabajando en su mejora e implementación práctica para lograr una asignatura más viable en el tiempo, atractiva, motivadora y cercana al mercado laboral y a una sociedad sostenible.

Wind turbines (WT) are a clean renewable energy source that have gained popularity in recent years. Gearboxes are complex, expensive, and critical components of WT, which are subject to high maintenance costs and several stresses, including high loads and harsh environments, that can lead to failure with significant downtime and financial losses. This paper focuses on the development of a digital twin-based approach for the modelling and simulation of WT gearboxes with the aim to improve their design, diagnosis, operation, and maintenance by providing insights into their behavior under different operating conditions. Powerful commercial computer-aided design tools (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software are embedded into a computationally efficient multi-objective optimization framework (modeFrontier) with the purpose of maximizing the power density, compactness, performance, and reliability of the WT gearbox. High-fidelity models are used to minimize the WT weight, volume, and maximum stresses and strains achieved without compromising its efficiency. The 3D CAD model of the WT gearbox is carried out using SolidWorks (version 2023 SP5.0), the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to obtain the stresses and strains, fields are modelled using Ansys Workbench (version 2024R1), while the multibody kinematic and dynamic system is analyzed using Adams Machinery (version 2023.3, Hexagon). The method has been successfully applied to different case studies to find the optimal design and analyze the performance of the WT gearboxes. The simulation results can be used to determine safety factors, predict fatigue life, identify potential failure modes, and extend service life and reliability, thereby ensuring proper operation over its lifetime and reducing maintenance costs.

This research is carried out within the framework of a two-year Educational Innovation and Improvement Project (EIIP) to be implemented at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) during the academic years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The project aims to design and apply a Project-Based Learning methodology (PBL) for a proper acquisition of Transversal Competences (TCs) and integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a mechanical engineering subject that is taught in the first year of the master’s degree in Mechatronic Engineering from the School of Design Engineering. Based on an assessment by the teaching staff of the current situation and the aspects to be improved, this article explains how the PBL methodology will be applied and performs an analysis through surveys and personal interviews with the students of their level of knowledge regarding the TCs and the SDGs that are worked on in the subject at the beginning of the academic year. The results show the need to continue working in the project and implementing active teaching techniques, such as PBL methodologies, to achieve a more attractive and motivating subject, closer to the labour market and a sustainable society.

Wind turbines (WTs) are clean a renewable energy source that has been growing in popularity in recent years. Gearboxes are complex, expensive, and critical components of WT, which are subject to high maintenance costs and several stresses including high loads and harsh environments that can lead to failure with significant downtime and financial losses. This paper focuses on the development of a digital twin-based approach for the modelling and simulation of WT gearboxes with the aim to improve their design, diagnosis, operation, and maintenance by providing insights into their behavior under different operating conditions. Pow-erful commercial computer-aided design tools (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software are embedded into a computationally efficient multi-objective optimization framework (modeFrontier) with the aim of maximizing the power density, compactness, performance, and reliability of the WT gearbox. This entails minimizing its weight, volume, and maximum stresses and strains achieved without compromising efficiency. The 3D CAD model of the WT gearbox is carried out using SolidWorks, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to obtain the stresses and strains fields are modelled using Ansys Workbench, while the multibody kinematic and dynamic system is analyzed using MSC Adams. The method has been successfully applied to different case studies to find the optimal design and analyze the performance of the WT gearboxes. Simulation results can be used to identify potential failure modes and optimize gearbox design to improve performance, extend service life and relia-bility, thereby ensuring proper operation over its lifetime and reducing maintenance costs.

Vehicle handling and stability performance and ride comfort is normally assessed through standard field test procedures, which are time consuming and expensive. However, the rapid development of digital technologies in the automotive industry have enabled to properly model and simulate the full-vehicle dynamics, thus drastically reducing design and manufacturing times and costs while enhancing the performance, safety, and longevity of vehicle systems. This paper focus on a computationally efficient multi-objective optimization framework for developing an optimal design of a vehicle steering system, which is carried out by coupling certain computer-aided design tools (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. The 3D CAD model of the steering system is made using SolidWorks, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is modelled using Ansys Workbench, while the multibody kinematic and dynamic is analysed using Adams/Car. They are embedded in a multidisciplinary optimization design framework (modeFrontier) with the aim of determining the optimal hardpoint locations of the suspension and steering systems. This is achieved by minimizing the Ackermann error and toe angle deviations, together with the volume, mass, and maximum stresses of the rack-and-pinion steering mechanism. This enhances the vehicle stability, safety, manoeuvrability, and passengers’ comfort, extends the vehicle systems reliability and fatigue life, while reducing the tire wear. The method has been successfully applied to different driving scenarios and vehicle maneuvers to find the optimal Pareto front and analyse the performance and behaviour of the steering system. Results show that the design of the steering system can be significantly improved using this approach.