Computational intelligence approaches to robotics, automation, and control [Volume guest editors]

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Conformability analysis for the control of quality costs in electronic systems

The variations embodied in the production of electronic systems can cause that system to fail to conform to its specification with respect to Critical to Quality features. As a consequence of such failures the system manufacture may incur significant quality costs ranging from simple warranty returns up to legal liabilities. It can be difficult to determine both the probability that a system will fail to meet its specification and estimate the associated cost of failure. This thesis presents the Electronic Conformability Analysis (eCA) technique a novel methodology and supporting tool set for the assessment and control of quality costs associated with electronic systems. The technique addresses the three main elements of production affecting quality costs associated with electronic systems which are functionality, manufacturability and testability. Electronic Conformability Analysis combines statistical performance exploration with process capability indices, a modified form of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis and a cost mapping procedure. The technique allows the quality costs associated with design and manufacture induced failures to be assessed and the effectiveness of test strategies in reducing these costs to be determined. Through this analysis of costs the technique allows the potential trade-offs between these costs and those associated with design and process modifications to be explored. In support of the Electronic Conformability Analysis technique a number of new analysis tools have been developed. These tools enable the methodology to cope with the specific difficulties associated with the analysis of electronic systems. The technique has been applied to a number of analogue and mixed signal, safety critical circuits from automotive systems. These case studies have included several different levels of system complexity ranging from relatively simple transistor circuits to highly complex mechatronic systems. These case studies have shown that the technique is effective in a commercial design and manufacturing environment

Evaluation of product quality with decibels

U savremenom inženjerstvu kvaliteta, kvalitet rezultata procesa, kvalitet mernih instrumenata i kvalitet završenih procesa razmatraju se prema njihovim karakteristikama kvaliteta. Međutim, u okvirima tradicionalnog inženjeringa samo kvalitet mernih instrumenata i kvalitet završenih procesa (indeksi preciznosti ili tačnosti PCI, PPI) može se uspešno definisati), dok se kvalitet rezultata procesa (poluproizvod, proizvod, softver, usluga) može opisati samo "ima ili nema traženi kvalitet", dobar ili loš kvalitet, bolji ili lošiji kvalitet. U savremenom razmatranju kvaliteta, kvalitet rezultata procesa sada se definiše brojem decibela (dB), prema otkriću genijalnog japanskog naučnika Geničija Tagučija (1924-2012), metodama robusnog razvoja tehnologije i standardnog odnosa (S/N). U ovom radu razmatra se definisanje kvaliteta rezultata procesa sa jednom ulaznom varijablom i kontinuiranim karakteristikama sa tri ilustrativna primera.In modern Quality Engineering, the quality of process results, the quality of measuring instruments, and the quality of completed processes are considered according to their quality characteristics. However, in traditional engineering, only the quality of measuring instruments and the quality of completed processes (precision or accuracy indices PCI, PPI) can be successfully defined, while the quality of process results (semi-finished product, product, software, service) can only be described (has or does not have the required quality), good or bad quality, better or worse quality). In the modern consideration of quality, the quality of process results is now defined by the number of decibels [dB], according to the discovery of the genius Japanese scientist Genichi Taguchi (1924-2012), with the methods of Robust Technology Development and Standard Ratio (S/N). This paper discusses definition of the quality of process results with one input variable and continuous characteristics with three illustrative examples

Evaluation of product quality with decibels

U savremenom inženjerstvu kvaliteta, kvalitet rezultata procesa, kvalitet mernih instrumenata i kvalitet završenih procesa razmatraju se prema njihovim karakteristikama kvaliteta. Međutim, u okvirima tradicionalnog inženjeringa samo kvalitet mernih instrumenata i kvalitet završenih procesa (indeksi preciznosti ili tačnosti PCI, PPI) može se uspešno definisati), dok se kvalitet rezultata procesa (poluproizvod, proizvod, softver, usluga) može opisati samo "ima ili nema traženi kvalitet", dobar ili loš kvalitet, bolji ili lošiji kvalitet. U savremenom razmatranju kvaliteta, kvalitet rezultata procesa sada se definiše brojem decibela (dB), prema otkriću genijalnog japanskog naučnika Geničija Tagučija (1924-2012), metodama robusnog razvoja tehnologije i standardnog odnosa (S/N). U ovom radu razmatra se definisanje kvaliteta rezultata procesa sa jednom ulaznom varijablom i kontinuiranim karakteristikama sa tri ilustrativna primera.In modern Quality Engineering, the quality of process results, the quality of measuring instruments, and the quality of completed processes are considered according to their quality characteristics. However, in traditional engineering, only the quality of measuring instruments and the quality of completed processes (precision or accuracy indices PCI, PPI) can be successfully defined, while the quality of process results (semi-finished product, product, software, service) can only be described (has or does not have the required quality), good or bad quality, better or worse quality). In the modern consideration of quality, the quality of process results is now defined by the number of decibels [dB], according to the discovery of the genius Japanese scientist Genichi Taguchi (1924-2012), with the methods of Robust Technology Development and Standard Ratio (S/N). This paper discusses definition of the quality of process results with one input variable and continuous characteristics with three illustrative examples

Multi-objective optimization in machining of GFRP and MMC composites: two case experimental research

Composite materials like GFRP and MMCs having more importance in various manufacturing industries mainly in aerospace and automotive industries and many engineering application, because of their unique mechanical properties as compare to the conventional material. Drilling is the most common machining process in manufacturing industries for assembly of components but drilling of composite may possesses many difficulties such as fiber pull out, delamination and circularity etc. which affects the quality of drilled hole. To overcome these difficulties the effect of machining parameters on different machining responses should be investigated for attaining high product quality as well as satisfactory machining process performance. Therefore, the main objective of this dissertation is to investigate the various machining performance characteristics with different machining condition in drilling of GFRP and MMCs composites by using various integrated multi objective optimization methodologies. In this presented thesis, Deng’s similarity method integrated with Taguchi, TOPSIS integrated with Taguchi method (in drilling of GFRP composite) and PCA-Grey method integrated with Taguchi, Grey-TOPSIS Integrated with Taguchi method (in drilling of MMCs), have been implemented for obtaining the optimal machining conditions

Continual improvement: A bibliography with indexes, 1992-1993

This bibliography lists 606 references to reports and journal articles entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database during 1992 to 1993. Topics cover the philosophy and history of Continual Improvement (CI), basic approaches and strategies for implementation, and lessons learned from public and private sector models. Entries are arranged according to the following categories: Leadership for Quality, Information and Analysis, Strategic Planning for CI, Human Resources Utilization, Management of Process Quality, Supplier Quality, Assessing Results, Customer Focus and Satisfaction, TQM Tools and Philosophies, and Applications. Indexes include subject, personal author, corporate source, contract number, report number, and accession number

Information-theoretic and stochastic methods for managing the quality of service and satisfaction in healthcare systems

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This research investigates and develops a new approach to the management of service quality with the emphasis on patient and staff satisfaction in the healthcare sector. The challenge of measuring the quality of service in healthcare requires us to view the problem from multiple perspectives. At the philosophical level, the true nature of quality is still debated; at the psychological level, an accurate conceptual representation is problematic; whilst at the physical level, an accurate measurement of the concept still remains elusive to practitioners and academics. This research focuses on the problem of quality measurement in the healthcare sector. The contributions of this research are fourfold: Firstly, it argues that from the technological point of view the research to date into quality of service in healthcare has not considered methods of real-time measurement and monitoring. This research identifies the key elements that are necessary for developing a real-time quality monitoring system for the healthcare environment.Secondly, a unique index is proposed for the monitoring and improvement of healthcare performance using information-theoretic entropy formalism. The index is formulated based on five key performance indicators and was tested as a Healthcare Quality Index (HQI) based on three key quality indicators of dignity, confidence and communication in an Accident and Emergency department. Thirdly, using an M/G/1 queuing model and its underlying Little’s Law, the concept of Effective Satisfaction in healthcare has been proposed. The concept is based on a Staff-Patient Satisfaction Relation Model (S-PSRM) developed using a patient satisfaction model and an empirically tested model developed for measuring staff satisfaction with workload (service time). The argument is presented that a synergy between patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction is the key to sustainable improvement in healthcare quality. The final contribution is the proposal of a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) modelling platform as a descriptive model that captures the random and stochastic nature of healthcare service provision process to prove the applicability of the proposed quality measurement models

Condition monitoring of helical gears using automated selection of features and sensors

The selection of most sensitive sensors and signal processing methods is essential process for the design of condition monitoring and intelligent fault diagnosis and prognostic systems. Normally, sensory data includes high level of noise and irrelevant or red undant information which makes the selection of the most sensitive sensor and signal processing method a difficult task. This paper introduces a new application of the Automated Sensor and Signal Processing Approach (ASPS), for the design of condition monitoring systems for developing an effective monitoring system for gearbox fault diagnosis. The approach is based on using Taguchi's orthogonal arrays, combined with automated selection of sensory characteristic features, to provide economically effective and optimal selection of sensors and signal processing methods with reduced experimental work. Multi-sensory signals such as acoustic emission, vibration, speed and torque are collected from the gearbox test rig under different health and operating conditions. Time and frequency domain signal processing methods are utilised to assess the suggested approach. The experiments investigate a single stage gearbox system with three level of damage in a helical gear to evaluate the proposed approach. Two different classification models are employed using neural networks to evaluate the methodology. The results have shown that the suggested approach can be applied to the design of condition monitoring systems of gearbox monitoring without the need for implementing pattern recognition tools during the design phase; where the pattern recognition can be implemented as part of decision making for diagnostics. The suggested system has a wide range of applications including industrial machinery as well as wind turbines for renewable energy applications