Application of Value Stream Mapping for Reduction of Cycle Time in a Machining Process

AbstractLean manufacturing initiative is being followed by various organizations in the recent years which mainly focuses on improving the efficiency of operations by eliminating and reducing wastes. This paper aimed to explain the implementation of lean manufacturing techniques in the crankshaft manufacturing system at an automotive manufacturing plant located in south India.. A multi criteria decision making model, analytical hierarchy process is applied to analyze the decision making process in the manufacturing system. The objective of the case industry was to increase the export sales. Lean manufacturing system was selected to meet the company“s quality, cost and delivery targets. Crankshaft was manufactured in a single piece flow system with the low cost machines developed indigenously and the results are that the crankshafts have passed the testing, validation and approval by the customer to produce any variant in the company. After implementing lean manufacturing system, the manufacturing lead time reduced by forty percent, defects were reduced, higher process capability achieved, quick response to the customer demand in small lots were achieved

Influence of natural fibers on mechanical, thermal, water absorption and morphological characteristics of Kevlar Hybrid Epoxy composites for shipbuilding application

The present work investigated the influence of natural fibers in Kevlar-reinforced epoxy composite. In this research, fourlayers of Kevlar woven fiber are fabricated by hand layup technique. In each sample, three layers of natural filler are filledbetween the Kevlar fabric layer. Three samples are fabricated, and each sample is added either with eggshell powder,Banana Bract, Human hair, which is reinforced with epoxy resin 10:1 ratio. The characterization of mechanical and thermalbehavior evaluated by tensile, flexural, thermal conductivity, heat deflection, and water absorption is analyzed by ASTMstandards. Mechanical fractured surface and interfacial adhesion layer formation are analyzed in Scanning electronmicroscopy. The result shows that eggshell powder-filled Kevlar epoxy composite exhibits higher mechanical propertiesthan the other two epoxy composite filled with either human hair or banana bract. Human hair-filled Kevlar composite hadbetter mechanical properties than banana bract composite. The study of the morphological structure shows that Eggshellsand human hair-filled composite have less water absorption, high heat resistance, low thermal conductivity. This fabricatedcomposite can be utilized for ship fuel tank covers, valve covers, lining materials of marine constructions

Different experimental approaches in modelling cataractogenesis: An overview of selenite-induced nuclear cataract in rats

Cataract, the opacification of eye lens, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. At present, the only remedy is surgical removal of the cataractous lens and substitution with a lens made of synthetic polymers. However, besides significant costs of operation and possible complications, an artificial lens just does not have the overall optical qualities of a normal one. Hence it remains a significant public health problem, and biochemical solutions or pharmacological interventions that will maintain the transparency of the lens are highly required. Naturally, there is a persistent demand for suitable biological models. The ocular lens would appear to be an ideal organ for maintaining culture conditions because of lacking blood vessels and nerves. The lens in vivo obtains its nutrients and eliminates waste products via diffusion with the surrounding fluids. Lens opacification observed in vivo can be mimicked in vitro by addition of the cataractogenic agent sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) to the culture medium. Moreover, since an overdose of sodium selenite induces also cataract in young rats, it became an extremely rapid and convenient model of nuclear cataract in vivo. The main focus of this review will be on selenium (Se) and its salt sodium selenite, their toxicological characteristics and safety data in relevance of modelling cataractogenesis, either under in vivo or in vitro conditions. The studies revealing the mechanisms of lens opacification induced by selenite are highlighted, the representatives from screening for potential anti-cataract agents are listed

Efficacy of Quasi Agro Binding Fibre on the Hybrid Composite Used in Advance Application

The choice for natural fibre obtained from agricultural products is on the rise due to its solution to eco-friendly, environmental and improved mechanical properties concerns. Its abundant availability, low cost, emission reduction and adaptability to base material for composite make it a prime material for selection. This review explores diverse perspectives to the future trend of agro fibre in terms of the thermo-mechanical properties as it applies to advanced application in building structures. It is important to investigate the ecofriendliness of the products of composites from fibres in agricultural wastes so as to achieve a green and sustainable environment. This will come to fore by the combined efforts of both researchers and feedback from building stakeholders

Influence of natural fibers on mechanical, thermal, water absorption and morphological characteristics of Kevlar hybrid epoxy composites for shipbuilding application

526-533The present work investigated the influence of natural fibers in Kevlar-reinforced epoxy composite. In this research, four layers of Kevlar woven fiber are fabricated by hand layup technique. In each sample, three layers of natural filler are filled between the Kevlar fabric layer. Three samples are fabricated, and each sample is added either with eggshell powder, Banana Bract, Human hair, which is reinforced with epoxy resin 10:1 ratio. The characterization of mechanical and thermal behavior evaluated by tensile, flexural, thermal conductivity, heat deflection, and water absorption is analyzed by ASTM standards. Mechanical fractured surface and interfacial adhesion layer formation are analyzed in Scanning electron microscopy. The result shows that eggshell powder-filled Kevlar epoxy composite exhibits higher mechanical properties than the other two epoxy composite filled with either human hair or banana bract. Human hair-filled Kevlar composite had better mechanical properties than banana bract composite. The study of the morphological structure shows that Eggshells and human hair-filled composite have less water absorption, high heat resistance, low thermal conductivity. This fabricated composite can be utilized for ship fuel tank covers, valve covers, lining materials of marine constructions

Wear evaluation and microstructure analysis of cryogenically treated AISI 440C Bearing steel

In this research work, two types of cryogenic treatment such as deep cryogenic treatment (-196oC) and shallow cryogenic treatment (-80oC) have been adopted for wear resistance to increase in AISI 440C bearing steel. This paper has been focused to increase Wear Resistance (WR) through deep micro structural analyses, and also attention has been made to correlate the microstructure with the wear character of Deep Cryogenic treated (DCT) specimens, Conventional Heat Treated (CHT) specimens and Shallow Cryogenic Treated (SCT) specimens. Micro structural examinations have been carried out in the specimens through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray (EDAX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Wear characteristics of AISI 440C bearing steel has been studied. The outcome of the research disclosed that the DCT specimens have higher wear resistance than SCT and CHT specimens. The effective wear mechanisms recognized were the constitution of white layers and delamination of white layers. The microstructures of the materials have been varied through heat treatment process. The modification of Secondary Carbides (SCs) precipitation characteristics and its reduction of retained austenite in the microstructure have been correlated with wear character and these are the liable mechanism to raise the wear resistance of bearing steels through DCT.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author