On Machine Capacitance Dimensional and Surface Profile Measurement System

A program was awarded under the Air Force Machine Tool Sensor Improvements Program Research and Development Announcement to develop and demonstrate the use of a Capacitance Sensor System including Capacitive Non-Contact Analog Probe and a Capacitive Array Dimensional Measurement System to check the dimensions of complex shapes and contours on a machine tool or in an automated inspection cell. The manufacturing of complex shapes and contours and the subsequent verification of those manufactured shapes is fundamental and widespread throughout industry. The critical profile of a gear tooth; the overall shape of a graphite EDM electrode; the contour of a turbine blade in a jet engine; and countless other components in varied applications possess complex shapes that require detailed and complex inspection procedures. Current inspection methods for complex shapes and contours are expensive, time-consuming, and labor intensive

Numerical and experimental investigations of self-piercing riveting

Self-pierce riveting (SPR) is a new high-speed mechanical fastening technique which is suitable for point joining dissimilar sheet materials, as well as coated and pre-painted sheet materials. With increasing application of SPR in different industrial fields, the demand for a better understanding of the knowledge of static and dynamic characteristics of the SPR joints is required. In this paper, the SPR process has been numerically simulated using the commercial finite element (FE) software LS-Dyna. For validating the numerical simulation of the SPR process, experimental tests on specimens made of aluminium alloy have been carried out. The online window monitoring technique was introdu introdu ced in the tests for evaluating the quality of SPR joints. Good agreements between the simulations and the tests have been found, both with respect to the force-travel (time) curves as well as the deformed shape on the cross-section of SPR joint. Monotonic tensile tests were carried out to measure the ultimate tensile strengths for SPR joints with different material combinations. Deformation and failure of the SPR joints under monotonic tensile loading were studied. The normal hypothesis tests were performed to examine the rationality of the test data. This work was also aimed at evaluating experimentally and comparing the strength and energy absorption of SPR joints and SPR-bonded hybrid joints

Development of a model for performance measurement in just-in-time enabled manufacturing environments.

In this era of globalisation and fierce competition amongst businesses, there is a need to improve advanced operations management philosophies such as just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing to enhance business performance. Literature review shows that there is no mechanism so far to identify key JIT drivers relevant to a given organisation and its production processes, and their impact on enterprise performance. The research carried out here therefore involved the development of a generic performance measurement model to identify and capture the influence of JIT practices on enterprise performance. A conceptual performance measurement model, which was designed based on comprehensive literature review and informal interviews/discussions with both academic researchers and industry practitioners describes the link between JIT drivers (Xi) and measurable performance (Y). This mathematically determined model is aimed at assisting managers in the systematic identification of the influence of key JIT drivers on enterprise performance using a multidimensional tool such as the extended balanced scorecard. The case study approach was selected as the most suitable methodology for testing and validating the conceptual model in JIT enabled production plant and was applied to the production process of Denso Manufacturing (UK) Ltd., a global automotive component manufacturer. A novel eight-step implementation procedure was designed to collect data, which were analysed and validated by design of experiments, linear mathematical modelling, computer based dynamic simulation and analytic hierarchy process tool. The performance measurement model was then successfully applied to a non-automotive component production plant (Risane Ltd.). In conclusion, the performance measurement model can now be suitably applied to JIT enabled manufacturing environments using relevant organisation specific JIT drivers and key performance indicators to optimise system performance. The contribution to knowledge is an innovative, user friendly, robust and multidimensional performance measurement model enabling industry practitioners to optimise JIT processes with substantial performance enhancement. The model could also be applied by future researchers to other operations management philosophies and industries, and at a higher level could be developed into a self-optimising software package, which will enable rapid determination of the key control parameters needed to optimise process performance just in time

Structural performance of precast self-compacting concrete beam consisiting banana skin powder and coir fibre under flexural load

In present, environmental pollution is become serious problem. Agricultural products generate waste in huge amount, which creates the disposal and environmental problems such as leachate and odour smell. An initiative is needed to reduce these wastes and utilize the agricultural waste as a construction material like concrete. The agricultural waste widely used as supplementary cementing material, filler and fibre reinforcement. In this research Banana Skin Powder (BSP) and Coir Fibre (CF) utilized as partially cementing material and filler respectively, to reduce the agricultural waste and save the natural recourses which is used in manufacturing of cement and reduces the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) in atmosphere. This research investigated the physical and chemical properties of BSP. The fresh properties (filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance) and hardened properties such as compressive, tensile, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of self-compacting concrete (SCC) consisting BSP and CF were studied experimentally. The ultimate load, crack pattern and load deflection profile of Precast Self-Compacting Concrete containing BSP and CF Beam (PSCC-BSP-CF-B) were analysed under flexural load by experimental work. The results were validated by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using software package Abaqus. The outcomes from XRF test proved that the BSP is the Class F pozzolan which contributes to enhance the strength of SCC. The fresh properties of SCC like filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance were satisfied the EFNARC SCC specifications. The mechanical properties and ultimate bearing capacity were improved with the BSP and CF incorporation in SCC. The crack pattern predicts the PSCC-B were fail in flexural. The deflection became lower when CF and BSP were added in PSCC-B. The optimum percentage which was found through experimental tests are 0.4%BSP and 0.5% for CF. The crack pattern, ultimate load and deflection in PSCC-B using FEA through ABAQUS have 2% to 8% difference compare to experimental studies

Rapid Fabrication of Smart Tooling with Embedded Sensors by Casting in Molds Made by Three Dimensional Printing

This paper is to investigate the feasibility of constructing “smart tooling” by embedding thin film sensors, specifically, thin film thermocouples (TFTC) in castings made by molds formed by 3 Dimensional Printing (3DP). This study investigates whether thin film sensors can effectively be cast into larger metal structures and if the sensors survive the casting process. The investigation includes making 3DP molds to produce cast lap joint test bars of aluminum A356 and electroplated nickel to characterize by mechanical testing to find the best process conditions to maximize bond strength between the embedded thin film sensors and the cast material. Lastly molds were made and embedded sensors were placed inside the mold for casting. Some of the embedded sensors survived the casting process. In-situ monitoring of casting process with the embedded sensors was accomplished.Mechanical Engineerin

The characteristics of the Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) through Moodle: a view on students’ knowledge construction process

Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is based on the pedagogical process of observation where students will learn progressively through active group interaction. CSCL is an emerging branch of the learning sciences concerned with studying on how people can learn together with the help of computers. Thus, this research was conducted to measure the characteristics of the CSCL learning environment through Moodle that assists the process of students’ knowledge construction during the teaching and learning process. The CSCL learning environment is an educational learning system which develops to help the teachers and students in managing School Based Assessment (SBA) in selected secondary school in Malaysia. Samples involved two groups of students and two Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teachers from two different schools. A total of 61 students, who were taught using CSCL approach through Moodle, underwent the process of teaching and learning using their school computer laboratory. The finding shows that the characteristics of the CSCL learning approach that used in this learning environment for the first group are at a high level with overall mean of 4.17 and the second group at moderate level with overall mean of 3.62. The result proves that the characteristics of the CSCL learning environment help students to build their knowledge during teaching and learning process at the high level with an overall mean score of 3.87. The mean of these two groups may vary according to students’ background, as well as learning environment facilities. Although, CSCL leads to students’ self-development, improving learning quality, sharing knowledge and assisting students’ in the process of building their knowledge, implementation of CSCL must first considering the technology relevant facilities, especially computer laboratory and internet accessibility in school. The implication is that designing a good CSCL must also taking into account the targeted users’ cultural background and socioeconomic factor

Modelling the Product Development performance of Colombian Companies

Organised by: Cranfield UniversityThis paper presents the general model of the Product Development Process (PDP) in the Metal mechanics Industry in Barranquilla-Colombia, since this sector contributes significantly to the productivity of this industrial city. This case study counted on a five-company sample. The main goal was to model the current conditions of the PDP according to the Concurrent Engineering philosophy. The companies were selected according to their productive profile, in order to contrast differences regarding the structure of their productive processes, conformation of multidisciplinary teams, integration of different areas, customers and suppliers to the PDP; human resources, information, technology and marketing constraints.Mori Seiki – The Machine Tool Compan

Understanding and managing the manage processes

This paper discusses understanding and managing the manage processes. It was presented at the conference of the Performance Measurement Association in 2004