Expanding the Horizons of Manufacturing: Towards Wide Integration, Smart Systems and Tools

This research topic aims at enterprise-wide modeling and optimization (EWMO) through the development and application of integrated modeling, simulation and optimization methodologies, and computer-aided tools for reliable and sustainable improvement opportunities within the entire manufacturing network (raw materials, production plants, distribution, retailers, and customers) and its components. This integrated approach incorporates information from the local primary control and supervisory modules into the scheduling/planning formulation. That makes it possible to dynamically react to incidents that occur in the network components at the appropriate decision-making level, requiring fewer resources, emitting less waste, and allowing for better responsiveness in changing market requirements and operational variations, reducing cost, waste, energy consumption and environmental impact, and increasing the benefits. More recently, the exploitation of new technology integration, such as through semantic models in formal knowledge models, allows for the capture and utilization of domain knowledge, human knowledge, and expert knowledge toward comprehensive intelligent management. Otherwise, the development of advanced technologies and tools, such as cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, the Industrial Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, etc., have captured the attention of manufacturing enterprises toward intelligent manufacturing systems

Foundations of Trusted Autonomy

Trusted Autonomy; Automation Technology; Autonomous Systems; Self-Governance; Trusted Autonomous Systems; Design of Algorithms and Methodologie

Exploratory research into supply chain voids within Welsh priority business sectors

The paper reports the findings resulting from the initial stages of an exploratory investigation into Supply Chain Voids (SCV) in Wales. The research forms the foundations of a PhD thesis which is framed within the sectors designated as important by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and indicates local supplier capability voids within their supply chains. This paper covers the stages of initial data gathering, analysis and results identified between June 2006 and April 2007, whilst addressing the first of four research questions. Finally, the approach to address future research is identified in order to explain how the PhD is to progress

12th EASN International Conference on "Innovation in Aviation & Space for opening New Horizons"

Epoxy resins show a combination of thermal stability, good mechanical performance, and durability, which make these materials suitable for many applications in the Aerospace industry. Different types of curing agents can be utilized for curing epoxy systems. The use of aliphatic amines as curing agent is preferable over the toxic aromatic ones, though their incorporation increases the flammability of the resin. Recently, we have developed different hybrid strategies, where the sol-gel technique has been exploited in combination with two DOPO-based flame retardants and other synergists or the use of humic acid and ammonium polyphosphate to achieve non-dripping V-0 classification in UL 94 vertical flame spread tests, with low phosphorous loadings (e.g., 1-2 wt%). These strategies improved the flame retardancy of the epoxy matrix, without any detrimental impact on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. Finally, the formation of a hybrid silica-epoxy network accounted for the establishment of tailored interphases, due to a better dispersion of more polar additives in the hydrophobic resin

The impact of commodity price volatility on stock prices: a case study from the exhaust gas treatment industry within the stainless steel value chain

Commodity price volatility (CPV), its impacts and potential price mitigation strategies along the stainless steel value chain are the subject of this research. The phenomena of price fluctuation attract increasing attention in literature, academia, manufacturing, and none manufacturing in-dustries like the banking industry. CPV has the potential to influence the prospects and the prosperity of companies, expressed in the share price. The share price is deployed as it con-denses these business prospects; hence, it is a gauge of the economic state of the company and future business expectations of the industry. The manufacturing industry faces an increasingly unstable business environment and a rising complexity. The recent pandemic outbreak (COVID-19) illustrates the vulnerability of the industry and the necessity of mitigation scenari-os. The term Volatility-Uncertainty-Complexity & Ambiguity (VUCA) describes this combina-tion in literature. The stainless steel value chain experiences price fluctuations and its impacts from the mining industry to the customers, like the exhaust gas treatment system producer. The competitiveness of the industry is determined by a high level of fixed costs, which is evident in steel production sites; and among others, is affected by raw material price fluctuations. The raw material may account for up to 70% of the product price. This commercial and hence financial situation challenges the stainless steel business. This research sheds light on the particularities of the industry with the means of statistics (i.e., Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heter-oscedasticity (GARCH) and an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modelling). These statistic models help to gauge the time varying impact of the price variations and study the im-pact of CPV on share prices. These findings contribute to the risk management in the stainless steel industry by offering a forecast method and a selection of mitigation approaches. This re-search deploys times series models with multiple variables and hypotheses testing. These find-ings are transferrable to other industries.The investigation centred on an industry survey (questionnaire) and five in-depth interviews with stainless steel producers’ executives. This research will carve out the differences between the stainless steel producers while coping with commodity price volatility. Also, it addresses the existence of price mitigation strategies and the ability of companies to mitigate commodity price fluctuations. The experience and knowledge of commodity price volatility determines the selection of the mitigation scenarios to defend the financial stability of the manufacturing indus-try (e.g., automotive). The goal of this research is to study and measure the commodity price volatility, to help compa-nies to discover new opportunities and competition. However, this thesis will although assist companies in deploying mitigation strategies in case of disruptive phenomena and understand the risks associated to political and financial instability

Fabricate 2014

FABRICATE is an international peer reviewed conference that takes place every three years with a supporting publication on the theme of Digital Fabrication. Discussing the progressive integration of digital design with manufacturing processes, and its impact on design and making in the 21st century, FABRICATE brings together pioneers in design and making within architecture, construction, engineering, manufacturing, materials technology and computation. Discussion on key themes includes: how digital fabrication technologies are enabling new creative and construction opportunities from component to building scales, the difficult gap that exists between digital modelling and its realisation, material performance and manipulation, off-site and on-site construction, interdisciplinary education, economic and sustainable contexts. FABRICATE features cutting-edge built work from both academia and practice, making it a unique event that attracts delegates from all over the worl

Fabricate 2020

Fabricate 2020 is the fourth title in the FABRICATE series on the theme of digital fabrication and published in conjunction with a triennial conference (London, April 2020). The book features cutting-edge built projects and work-in-progress from both academia and practice. It brings together pioneers in design and making from across the fields of architecture, construction, engineering, manufacturing, materials technology and computation. Fabricate 2020 includes 32 illustrated articles punctuated by four conversations between world-leading experts from design to engineering, discussing themes such as drawing-to-production, behavioural composites, robotic assembly, and digital craft