Solution Properties of Polysaccharides from Anacardium occidentale

The viscosities of fractions of polysaccharide obtained from Anacardium occidentale dissolved in aqueous solutions were measured. Investigation by potentiometric titration and determination of common metal ion contents in the gum indicated that the solubility and viscosity differences of the fractions may be attributable to the difference in the degree of acylation and the content of the divalent cations present in the fractions. The fractions with higher degrees of acylation form a gel, but when partially deacylated disperse in water to form a stable gel dispersion. The higher viscosity exhibited by the soluble fraction is attributable to the higher content of divalent cations

Kano Model approach for design improvement associated with ergonomics issues in CNC machine design

Application of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology in manufacturing industry has been recognized as one of the effective solutions to high productivity, efficiency, and precision. In advancement of CNC machine tool technology development; however, the ergonomic issues related to human-machine design are still less-addressed by scholars. This study was carried out to analyze a CNC machining center based on the operators’ requirements. The functional and dysfunctional questionnaire form developed based on Kano method was applied to determine the operators’ requirements related to technical specifications of the CNC machining center. Another questionnaire form equipped with a diagram of human body parts and ergonomics features was used to acquire information on the CNC machining center design. This study found that there is a significant correlation between the ergonomics problems in the feet towards facilities required for the CNC machining center – an adjustable standing platform. This study concluded that application of Kano model can contribute to operators’ satisfaction in terms of ergonomic design of CNC machining center

Investigation of cutting parameter and machine tool vibration effects using regression analysis to enhance part dimensional accuracy

Dimensional accuracy plays important criteria in producing high quality machined parts. This is a big challenge to manufacturers of precision components to produce good quality parts with minimum manufacturing error. The focus of this paper is to study the influence of the machine tool rigidity and cutting parameters on dimensional accuracy in turning operation. A method was prepared for identifying the factors effecting dimensional accuracy in a turning process. Experimental setup involved computerized numerical control (CNC) lathe machine, with VBMT 160404 carbide insert and mild steel, as cutting tool and workpiece respectively. The statistical analysis was used for analyzing and determining the accuracy of experimental data through Minitab statistical software. The regressions model was developed. The developed regression model could be used to predict the dimensional precision of the parts based on machine tool vibration and machining parameters during turning process. This is the aspect to be seriously considered and be applied in attaining sustainable machine tool development during design and development stage and its usage. This finding provides useful guidelines for manufacturers to produce high quality machined parts at minimum manufacturing cost. It was found that the cutting speed, feed rate, final part length, vibration x and vibration z have significant effects on dimensional accuracy of the machined parts

Investigation of cutting parameter and machine tool vibration effects using regression analysis to enhance part dimensional accuracy

Dimensional accuracy plays important criteria in producing high quality machined parts. This is a big challenge to manufacturers of precision components to produce good quality parts with minimum manufacturing error. The focus of this paper is to study the influence of the machine tool rigidity and cutting parameters on dimensional accuracy in turning operation. A method was prepared for identifying the factors effecting dimensional accuracy in a turning process. Experimental setup involved computerized numerical control (CNC) lathe machine, with VBMT 160404 carbide insert and mild steel, as cutting tool and workpiece respectively. The statistical analysis was used for analyzing and determining the accuracy of experimental data through Minitab statistical software. The regressions model was developed. The developed regression model could be used to predict the dimensional precision of the parts based on machine tool vibration and machining parameters during turning process. This is the aspect to be seriously considered and be applied in attaining sustainable machine tool development during design and development stage and its usage. This finding provides useful guidelines for manufacturers to produce high quality machined parts at minimum manufacturing cost. It was found that the cutting speed, feed rate, final part length, vibration x and vibration z have significant effects on dimensional accuracy of the machined parts

Autonomous Maintenance Program For Job Base In Technical University

This paper discusses the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) program for job base in order to sustain the machine efficiency in Technical University (TU). Grinding machine was selected for case study. In TU, all engineering students especially will use grinding machine for producing very fine finishes or making very light cuts, using an abrasive wheel as the cutting device. As compared with other machining processes, grinding is a costly operation that should be utilised under optimal conditions. The result shows that the AM program had improved responsibility and alertness of the machine users on the machine condition as the standard. In addition, it reduced the total of the problems occurred on the machine and indirectly reduced the cost of breakdown maintenance

Eating culture among ASEAN countries and its implication towards development of regional halal industries

Halal industries play important roles in developing Malaysian economy with its halal product export reached RM7768.4 million from January to March this year alone. The main halal exports are food ingredients which valued for RM2521.9 million, followed by food and beverages which valued for RM3140.8 million and fats and oil derivatives account for RM1449.2 million. Malaysia is now leading in development and establishment of halal certification and became center of references for other country’s certification bodies. With broad export market and variety of resources it creates a brighter sight for Malaysia to be one of the biggest halal exporters in ASEAN. Despite the opportunity and the strength that Malaysia has in halal market, several loopholes which badly affect the halal product export need to be addressed. These include the inadequate information on legislation, social and culture of the importing countries that contribute to fewer acceptances of the exported products. Malaysian industries tend produce food products without proper knowledge of consumer acceptance in their respective importing countries. This paper is an attempt to explore the eating cultures among selected ASEAN countries and its implication on the development of the regional halal industries. Several ASEAN countries which include Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand have been targeted as the respondents for this study. Data was collected from both documents and an in-depth interview with experts from respective countries. Findings show that local preferences on food products is related to several factors which include socio-economics, religion, age, education, social class and the place of culture itself. Different culture in different countries creates a different preference in food consumption. The paper concludes that in order to penetrate the halal products into different ASEAN countries both the producers and the exporters need to understand the local preferences and cultures on food products before embarking into the business

Mislabelling of nicotine content in electronic cigarette liquids in Malaysia: implications on public health

Electronic cigarette (e-cig) is a battery-operated device which vaporises nicotine solution into a form of inhalable aerosol. The level of nicotine in the liquid for e-cig (e-liquid) may vary and the typical nicotine concentration reported is between 6 to 24 mg of per ml. Based on the National Electronic Cigarette Survey (NECS) 2016, 83.9% of e-cig adult users in Malaysia preferred eliquid with 6 mg/ml nicotine. In Malaysia, nicotine in products other than tobacco is regulated under the Poisons Act 1952, restricting its sale by licensed health professionals only. However, the sale of e-liquid containing nicotine is widespread and vapers are not assured of the accuracy of content versus that on the label of the e-liquid bottle. OBJECTIVE: To determine the actual nicotine concentration in selected e-liquid brands marketed in Malaysia. Methods: Samples (81 brands) obtained from respondents of the NECS 2016 were analysed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selective ion mode (SIM) at a certified laboratory. Results: 15 samples labelled as no or zero nicotine were found to contain nicotine. Nine samples contained level of nicotine higher than what their labels indicated. Interestingly, 57 samples had nicotine concentrations that were lower than that indicated on the labels. The nicotine concentration percentage difference between labelled and result from analysis was found to be as low as from -99.16% to -1.28% in 64 samples, while in 4 samples the difference was higher; 0.083% to 163.0%, and the remaining 13 samples had no mention of nicotine concentration on their labels. Conclusion: Significant discrepancy was detected in nicotine concentration between the labelled and analysed values among the collected e-liquid samples. Strict regulation and enforcement is needed for e-cig liquids to ensure safety of users and compliance to current regulations on nicotine

The Relationship between Manufacturing System Performance and Green Practices in Supply Chain Management

Green supply chain management is an increasingly recognized practice among companies that are seeking to improve environmental performance. Of particular concern is how to arouse organizational awareness and put green activities into practice in order to enhance manufacturing performances. This paper investigates the correlation of green supply chain practices and manufacturing performances in Malaysian certified MS ISO 14000 manufacturing firms. The findings shows that green supply chain practices which that can be denominated product recycling,environmental compliance and optimization have significant influence to some of the manufacturing performances

Do Manufacturing Performance leads to Green Supply Chain Practices?

The concepts pertaining to greening the operation or supply chain are usually understood by industry as screening suppliers for their environmental performance and then doing business with only those that meet the regulatory standards. The driving forces for implementing the green concept into the company operations are many and comprise a range of reactive regulatory reasons to proactive strategic and competitive advantages reasons. However, if green practices are to be adopted by organizations in Malaysia, a demonstrate link between such measures and improving manufacturing performance is necessary. This paper identifies potential linkages between manufacturing performances that lead to green practices amongst a sample of companies in Malaysia. For this purpose a conceptual model was developed from literature sources and data collected using a structured questionnaire mailed to a sample of MS ISO 14001 certified manufacturing companies in Malaysia followed by structural equation modeling. The analysis identified that manufacturing performance leads to green supply chain practices

Survey Approaches In Green Supply Chain Management Research: An Analysis

Survey is an approved method that has been used by researchers for many years ago. The effectiveness of the method cannot be denied and until today, it is still the best method to identify a population perspective on the particular thing or anything that related to the purpose of a study. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent of the survey approaches in green supply chain management (GSCM) research. The findings show that GSCM survey-based research is mainly conducted in Asian countries regions which focused on the GSCM practice and performance. Postal survey is the most preferred in data collection as well as survey are also distributed in workshops. Analysis methods such structural equation modeling (SEM), conformity factor analysis (CFA), non-parametric test, correlation test, regression analysis, and ANOVA were selected to test the researches hypotheses while SPSS and AMOS are the favourite software that used for the analysis