Dynamic Weighing of Non-Singulated Objects Using a Grid of Decoupled Platforms

Weighing systems exist in various sizes and forms to meet the persistent demand for measuring the mass of objects. Current solutions do not offer a system that can dynamically weigh packages moving in a non-singulated and non-spaced fashion, common in automated settings. In such environments, currently items are singulated which results in a slower flow, increased cost and space requirements. In this work, we propose a design in which small-sized conveyors are mounted on load cells in a grid formation to dynamically weigh non-singulated objects that meet some minimal spacing requirements between them. In the design, moving packages are tracked with a vision system, and an algorithm is formulated to estimate mass based on filtered load cell outputs. Each element of the grid is modelled as a mass-spring-damper system in order to simulate the expected load cell output for the moving objects. A discrete time-variant low-pass filter is adopted from literature to filter the signal and an algorithm is devised to produce a mass estimate. A parameter estimation technique and a simple averaging method which ignore transients are implemented as well for performance comparison. The results are verified experimentally in two proof-of-concept experiments for a full scale prototype. When tuned properly, the time-variant filter succeeds in giving an estimate within a mean of 0.02% error of the rated load cell capacity at speeds up to 0.6 m/s. This is good performance since it does not exceed the rated error for the load cells. The other two estimation methods fail to meet the accuracy requirement at speeds above 0.4 m/s. Potential design considerations and concerns are discussed. Further development and testing is required before the machine can become legal-for-trade

From Weight Checking to Wage Checking: Arming Workers To Combat Wage Theft

Wage theft refers to employer practices that result in employees taking home less than they are legally entitled to under federal and state law: paying below the legal minimum; not paying for time worked by having workers work “off the clock” before checking in, after clocking out, or by requiring work during unpaid break time; not paying for overtime work at the statutory overtime rate; for tipped employees, expropriating tips that should be the employee’s; or just not paying at all. In tandem with the massive shift in the economy from well-paid manufacturing jobs to low-wage service jobs, wage theft has emerged in the public forum as a significant economic and social problem. (first paragraph) Delivered as the William R. Stewart Lecture, March 5, 201

Ambition, Influence and Status in a Small Borough: Local Government in Aberavon 1830 – 1921

This thesis examines the urban and municipal development of the small coastal town and incorporated borough of Aberavon between 1830 and 1921. Aberavon’s importance to the study of urban history lies in its transition from ancient to incorporated borough in 1861 and subsequent sublimation into a new Borough of Port Talbot in 1921. The research assesses how local and national factors affected outcomes in Aberavon and culminated in submission of a borough extension which surrendered the ancient name. Contributions and characteristics of individuals and groups are assessed throughout, particularly those of the corporation members, councillors, salaried officials, landowners and industrialists whose decisions impacted upon the future status of the borough. Industrialisation and urban development provide important historical context throughout the thesis and in the later years of the study period it is apparent that the ambitions of the local Labour party played a significant role in encouraging moves towards amalgamation. An extensive historiography offers examples of municipal development which compare and contrast with that of Aberavon but Welsh studies are limited. The broader historiography reveals that a weakening of local identity due to inward migration influenced attitudes to both incorporation and amalgamation, a phenomenon which was also evident in Aberavon. The impact of central government reforms and interventions from 1835 to 1919 is shown to be a motivating factor in expanding local government ambitions and boundaries, bringing into question the value of incorporation as either an ultimate objective or an enduring status. Contemporary sources including correspondence, Acts of Parliament, newspapers, census material and minute books are employed to examine how industrialisation and urban growth influenced municipal ambitions in and around Aberavon. The thesis contributes to studies of municipal history by providing a new Welsh perspective which gives wider relevance to urban history research in this period

From culture to tradition: The political landscape of Monmouthshire, 1918- 1929

This thesis explores the transition from political cultures to political traditions in relation to the political landscape of Monmouthshire between 1918 and 1929. It examines the first decade of mass democracy through a county-wide focus, using the six interconnected constituencies of Monmouthshire as a gateway to uncovering the crucial nexus between people, place and political expression in the contemporaneous contexts of South Wales and Britain. It highlights the interplay between and within political cultures, and the evolution of practices into enduring political traditions through a constant process of recognition, assimilation and reinvention. The socio-economic challenges raised by war and wider enfranchisement precipitated initial apprehension from political parties, but eventually generated experimentation and differentiation, with both parties and non-party organisations attempting to respond to the revised political environment after 1918. Shifts in tactical outlook were intricately customised at a local level and broader issues were addressed, granted validity, or rejected, depending on the antecedent conditions of specific localities, the demands of the expanded electorate and the perceived stability of each political machine. The art of adaptation was not uniform or linear, and the agency of individuals and political communities not only led to the crafting of persistent traditions but the suppression and decline of competing cultures. With a focus on all three major political parties, this thesis therefore emphasises the reciprocity and interdependence of interwar Welsh and British political culture. In the process, it enhances our understanding of the relationships between the individual, the local, and the national, in the construction of political identities, networks and traditions. This thesis ultimately makes a nuanced contribution to the rich field of Welsh and British labour history, as well as pointing to new directions with the neglected histories of the Liberal Party in industrial constituencies and the Conservative Party in Wales

Working class politics in Lancashire 1885-1906: a regional study in the origins of the Labour Party

Chapter 1: examines the economic, social and religious characteristics of the Lancashire industrial region. Heavy industry and extensive urbanisation favoured the development of large scale trades unionism. Industrial specialisation prevented the segregation of social classes except in the conurbations of Manchester and Merseyside. Chapter 2: the industrial growth of the cotton unions determined their political outlook and policy. Comparative industrial success produced only an inconsistent programme of political action. Chapter 3: the mining unions were weaker than the cotton unions in industrial matters, yet achieved strength through co-operation with the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, a national union, and accepted the parliamentary programme of this union. Chapter 4: the new unions formed during the later 1880s exhibited many of the techniques of the older established unions, though affected a more revolutionary political outlook. Yet their links with socialism were often tenuous. Chapter 5: examines the issues and events of parliamentary politics, 1885-1906, drawing the conclusion that electoral issues unfavourable to the Liberal party tipped the political balance towards the Conservatives until 1906. Chapter 6: the religious influences in politics are examined against the background of denominational rivalry. Toryism appears to have been the product of a xenophobic, nationalist reaction to Irish Catholic immigrants. Social leadership was a further important! influence in shaping the political make up of the region. Chapter 7: looks at the earliest forms of labour representation in local elections, inspired by trades councils. None of these local movements was particularly successful in establishing a significant labour movement. Chapter 8: traces the development of political policies in general among the cotton and mining federations. The United Textile Factory Workers' Association concentrated on piecemeal factory reform whilst the miners engaged in direct parliamentary campaigning at Wigan and Ince in 1892 and 1895. Chapter 9: examines the work of the socialist organisations - the S D F and the I L P - in attempting to bring together working class political action under socialist leadership. The S D F success as a working class group at Burnley is contrasted with its lack of success elsewhere. The I L P, until the 1895 General Election, was also largely unsuccessful in winning support for its parliamentary policy. Chapter 10: continues the discussion of the two socialist parties from 1895 to 1905. During this period socialist unity failed in general, despite its being attempted at local level. The relationship with, and the contribution to, the new Labour Representation Committee is examined. Chapter 11: the reasons for the increased trade union interest in politics at the turn of the century, with special reference to the cotton and mining unions. The local labour parties that subsequently developed are analysed to assess their political composition and outlook. Chapter 12: a survey of the 1906 General Election, especially the Labour campaigns, to show the issues on which Labour candidates depended for votes. A brief, explanatory survey of Labour party development after 1906 is included to place the period 1885 to 1906 in perspective

Labour relations in the Saskatchewan coal mines during the 1930s

Labour relations are concerned with the dynamic interactions among workers, unions, employers, and government. These groups are engaged in a struggle for power; that is, the ability to achieve one's objectives despite resistance. This struggle usually results in a power conflict. The power conflict mayor may not create 'good' labour relations; that is, the establishment of mutual cooperation among the groups. The power conflict usually results in 'poor' labour relations as expressed by strikes. Strikes seem to be the main feature of labour relations. Practi­cally all the evidence accumulated on labour relations is concerned with strikes or the threat of strikes. Consequently, the evidence used in this thesis is concerned with the ten strikes which occurred in the coal mines of the Estevan-Bienfait area of Saskatchewan during the 1930s. The ten strikes were concerned with different issues. Strikes on September 8, 1931, October 3, 7, 17, 1938, and October 16, 1939, primarily involved wages, working conditions, and union recognition. The January 28 and February 23, 1932 strikes were caused by the refusal of some miners to join the Mine Workers Union of Canada and pay their dues. The strikes on February 22, 1932 and November l0, 1937 were concerned with the rein­ statement of a dismissed miner. The February 24, 1932 strike involved a sympathy display for the miners striking because their checkweighman was dismissed. These strikes occurred during the depression when both operators and miners found themselves in very difficult situations. There was little cooperation between management and labour as each group sought, in its own way, to increase its power, and to improve its economic position. Government attempts to restore peace and harmony to the troubled coal industry were also fraught with frustration. Labour relations in the Saskatchewan coal mines during the 1930s were characterized by conflict, frustration, and frequent work disruptions. This thesis examines the labour relations of that troubled industry