Mechanical vibration technique for enhancing mechanical properties of particulate reinforced aluminium alloy matrix composite

The effects of subjecting solidifying particulate reinforced aluminium alloy matrix composite to various sources of vibration on the resulting casting quality, a mechanical vibration technique for inducing vibration resulting in enhanced mechanical properties, such as impact properties is devised. TiC particulate reinforced LM6 alloy matrix composites are fabricated by different particulate weight fraction of titanium dioxide and microstructure studies were conducted to determine the impact strength and density, respectively. Preliminary works show that the mechanical properties have been improved by using vibration mold during solidification compared to gravity castings without vibration

Evaluation of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Tax Evasion

Abstract: The aim of this study is to explain the Value Added Tax and Tax Evasion by Experience Countries. During recent year's world's countries have welcomed using of VAT because of its efficiency at increasing government's income. On this basis, this article will be investigated in two parts. First, investigating features and VAT analysis second, considering relation between VAT and tax evasion by using of several countries experiences. The result's of this study shows that VAT execution don't affect inflation rate and VAT deduction effects on trade deficit depends on change at relative prices of exportable and importable goods. Finally, the results show that there is no positive and significant relationship between VAT rate and the amount of tax evasion

System Interface Design For CAD/CAM-Simulink Data Exchange System Using MATLAB

Integration between advanced control system theory and automation tools and technology brings about advancement in machining technology in tandem with requirement for smart and flexible manufacturing system. The integration takes in the form of seamless and automatic data communication between a CAD/CAM system and the more advanced control systems technology. This paper presents an interface design of a novel CAD/CAM-Simulink Data Exchange System (CS-DES) which links part geometry design using CAD/CAM technology with position controller scheme and algorithm designed in Matlab/Simulink environment. The proposed CS-DES system enhances data automation through formation of the graphical user input reference interface of the machine tools control system using NC manufacturing codes data as the reference input signal. The framework and role of CS-DES are elaborated and described in detail including pseudocodes generation for the CAD drawing graphical data integrated with the controller scheme designed in Simulink. The CS-DES interface was designed using MATLAB graphical user interactive development platform. Functions related to the user interface design are discussed in this paper. Finally, the system interface design of the data exchange system is expected to further enhance versatility of existing control system performance of a machine tool via creation of flexible input reference forms hence improving system accuracy, efficiency and productivity

Customer knowledge management application in Malaysian mobile service providers

In this paper, the aim was to examine the essentially of Customer Knowledge Management (CKM) in Malaysia mobile service providers. In addition, how would customers accept CKM would be discussed. The survey respondents were limited to college students from three main university of Malaysia. It is found in the survey that the current system would not fully satisfy clients, and they need a more enhanced knowledge sharing system. Furthermore, respondents showed their potential and ability to share knowledge through CKM desired channels with mobile service providers to get better and enlarged services

Improvement of tops spinning manufacturing with CNC lathe

This paper presents an increasing demand of Top-Spinning (T-S) has resulted in the production of high quantity of TS. Currently, the production of T-S is very low and not up to the required demand. This is due to the old machine used as well as an old method in the manufacturing of T-S, which lead to the longer time taken compared to the new technology found in this project. The cardinal purpose of this project is to identify the machining sequence with the selection of a suitable tool and reducing machining cycle time with the use of CNC Lathe for manufacturing T-S. In ensuring a successful and optimum result of the project, manufacturing T-S with CNC Lathe will be assisted by Mathematisch Technishe software Entwicklung (MTS) and Master CAM simulation to determine machining sequence, cutting tools, technology parameters and machining cycle time. The data extracted from MTS, and CAD/CAM simulation process will then be used for manufacturing T-S on CNC Lathe technology. This project emphasizes on the importance of determining machining sequence, cutting tools to manufacture T-S in any shape available and also resolving machining cycle time. The result from MTS and CAD/CAM with three analyses of machining sequence, cutting tool and technology parameters will be used to proceed on CNC Lathe. Finally, with the utilization of the data extracted from MTS software, and CAD/CAM simulation has successfully impacted the reduction on overall machining cycle time while producing T-S

Scheduling Operations and SMED: Complementary Ways to Improve Productivity

In most real cases the problem of scheduling operations are sequence de-pendent, that is, the setup time depends on the sequencing of tasks/batches in the ma-chine. Given the current industrial manufacturing trends and requirements such as high variability, customization and reduction of product life cycles, organizations seek to implement new methodologies to adapt and respond with more flexibly to new demands of the global markets. Thus, this work sought to analyse, inspired by a real case of the textile industry, how production scheduling can be understood as a complement to SMED in order to achieve productivity improvement. In the case under analysis we presented the problem of scheduling tasks in uniform parallel machines with sequence-dependent setup times. The main objective of this work was to minimize the total pro-duction time. To this goal, optimization heuristics were used, in this case, simulated annealing algorithm, that demonstrated how the use of heuristics can be an advantage to reduce setup times when associated with other methodologies such as SMED.This work has been supported by the project Centro-01-0145-FEDER-000017 - EMaDeS - Energy, Materials and Sustainable Development, co-financed by the Portugal 2020 Program (PT 2020), within the Regional Operational Program of the Center (CENTRO 2020) and the Euro pean Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).The authors wish to thank the opportunity and financial support that permitted to carry on this project. And C-MAST/ Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies. project UID / EMS / 00151/2013 C-MAST, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007718.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The impact of sofosbuvir/daclatasvir or ribavirin in patients with severe COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: Sofosbuvir and daclatasvir are direct-acting antivirals highly effective against hepatitis C virus. There is some in silico and in vitro evidence that suggests these agents may also be effective against SARS-CoV-2. This trial evaluated the effectiveness of sofosbuvir in combination with daclatasvir in treating patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Patients with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR or bilateral multi-lobar ground-glass opacity on their chest CT and signs of severe COVID-19 were included. Subjects were divided into two arms with one arm receiving ribavirin and the other receiving sofosbuvir/daclatasvir. All participants also received the recommended national standard treatment which, at that time, was lopinavir/ritonavir and single-dose hydroxychloroquine. The primary endpoint was time from starting the medication until discharge from hospital with secondary endpoints of duration of ICU stay and mortality. RESULTS: Sixty-two subjects met the inclusion criteria, with 35 enrolled in the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir arm and 27 in the ribavirin arm. The median duration of stay was 5 days for the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir group and 9 days for the ribavirin group. The mortality in the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir group was 2/35 (6%) and 9/27 (33%) for the ribavirin group. The relative risk of death for patients treated with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir was 0.17 (95% CI 0.04-0.73, P = 0.02) and the number needed to treat for benefit was 3.6 (95% CI 2.1-12.1, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Given these encouraging initial results, and the current lack of treatments proven to decrease mortality in COVID-19, further investigation in larger-scale trials seems warranted