Trends in Mechanical Engineering & Technology · Vol. 16, No. 3 (2026)
Bearing Fault Diagnosis, Quadcopter Propellers and Heat Transfer: Trends in Mechanical Engineering & Technology 16(3)
By STM Journals ·
This issue of Trends in Mechanical Engineering and Technology includes four papers spanning condition monitoring, aerodynamics, heat transfer and agricultural machinery. They look at thermal-image preprocessing for diagnosing ball bearing faults with deep learning, the design of quadcopter propellers, and vortex flow generators that improve heat transfer in tubes. Another describes a self-propelled fertilizer spraying mechanism for farmers.
What's in this issue
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Impact of Thermal Image Preprocessing Methods on a ResNet50 Model Baseline Performance for Ball Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Background noise in thermal images can confuse deep learning models. This paper compares the effect of three image preprocessing methods on a baseline ResNet50 model for ball bearing fault diagnosis using infrared thermography, a non-contact monitoring technique.
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A Review on Design and Flow Analysis of Quadcopter Propellers
Small details like blade angle or material can change a quadcopter's thrust, efficiency and stability. This review surveys recent studies of UAV propeller design, covering chord, twist, angle of attack, number of blades and materials, and notes that low Reynolds numbers make full-scale aircraft theories hard to apply.
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A Review on the Design of Vortex Flow Generator to Optimize Heat Transfer Enhancement in a Straight Tube
How can swirling flow improve heat transfer in a tube? This review summarises developments in vortex generators such as twisted strips, winglets, swirl inserts and cone-shaped elements, which thin the thermal boundary layer and increase mixing in a straight circular tube.
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Design and development of easy operated and cost-effective advanced fertilizer spraying mechanism
Applying fertilizer by hand is slow and physically demanding, and backpack sprayers can apply it unevenly. This paper proposes the Advanced Fertiliser Spraying Mechanism, a self-propelled system with a frame, engine, high-pressure triplex pump, steering, fertilizer tank, spray nozzles and a driver seat, aimed at reducing labour and cost.