The influence of the reconditioning by welding processes on the hardness of crankshafts in the automotive industry

One of the aims of our modern society is to reduce the car maintenance costs. The part that most frequently breaks down in the engine block is the crankshaft - in the main journal and crankpin journal areas. This paper presents the effects of welding inert-gas (WIG) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) on the hardness of the material in the zones subject to reconditioning, more specifically the hardness values in the deposited material layer, in the fusion line and the heat-affected zone (HAZ)

Is Materialism All That Bad? Effects on Satisfaction with Material Life, Life Satisfaction, and Economic Motivation

The literature in economic psychology and quality-of-life studies alludes to a negative relationship between materialism and life satisfaction. In contrast, the macroeconomic literature implies a positive relationship between material consumption and economic growth. That is, materialism may be both good and bad. We develop a model that reconciles these two contrasting viewpoints by asserting that materialism may lead to life dissatisfaction when materialistic people evaluate their standard of living using fantasy-based expectations (e. g., ideal expectations), which increases the likelihood that they would evaluate their standard of living negatively. In turn, dissatisfaction with standard of living increases the likelihood that they would evaluate their life negatively. However, materialistic people who evaluate their standard of living using reality-based expectations (e. g., ability expectations) are likely to feel more economically motivated than their non-materialistic counterparts, and this economic motivation is likely to contribute significantly and positively to life satisfaction. Survey data were collected from seven major cities each in a different country (Australia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Germany, Egypt, Korea, Turkey, and the USA) using a probability sample (cluster sampling method involving income stratification). The results provide support for the model. The economic public policy implications concerning how people evaluate their standard of living using ability-based expectations are discussed in the context of the ideals of meritocracy. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

Linking Advertising, Materialism, and Life Satisfaction

This paper develops theory related to advertising, materialism, and life satisfaction by formally testing explanations related to the antecedents and consequences of materialism. Survey data were collected from seven major cities each in a different country (Australia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Germany, Egypt, Korea, Turkey, and the USA) using a probability sample (cluster sampling method involving income stratification). The results showed that the extent to which advertising is perceived to be materialistic contributes to materialism. Materialism, in turn, leads to the frequent use of various standards of comparison in making judgments about standard of living. As judgments about standard of living increase, standard of living is evaluated more negatively. In turn, negative self-evaluations contribute significantly to dissatisfaction with life. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

Modelling firms propensity to continue service exporting: a cross-country analysis

The pivotal role of services in international business is now receiving widespread recognition. Furthermore, the global marketplace is being increasingly characterised by the speed and ease with which such services cross national boundaries. This exploratory study of Australian and Dutch service exporters provides, for the first time, an understanding of the factors that stimulate such exporters to continue on the internationalisation path. Our results confirm that the level of satisfaction/dissatisfaction with recent past export efforts, export revenue as a percentage of total sales (a measure of export commitment), as well as other more traditional motives for exporting, do explain a reasonable proportion of the variance in propensity to continue exporting. However, some interesting variations emerged between Australian and Dutch firms in their motives to continue exporting

Analysis of robotic welding possibilities of a car chassis assembly

Abstract The continuous increase of the requirements regarding the quality of the welded joints (elimination of the influence of the human factor) but also the increase of the productivity of the technological processes imposed the analysis of the possibilities of implementing robotic welding processes. The introduction of robotic production lines is an increasingly common thing in the automotive industry. This paper presents the stages necessary for the realization in welded construction of a crossbeam, part of the chassis of a car. The elaborated welding technology aimed to achieve the transition from semi-mechanized welding of the assembly to robotic welding using the MAG (Metal Activ Gas) welding process. The basic material from which the crossbar is made is S355 MC steel, steel for constructions with high mechanical properties. For the robotic welding of the assembly, the design of the device necessary for the orientation and fixing of the components was made. The welding technology developed was validated by performing standard samples that were subjected to visual examination and penetrant testing but also to destructive examinations which consisted in measuring the hardness in the characteristic points of the welding bead and also by measuring its geometric characteristics. Following the analysis of the initial dimensional values obtained, it resulted that the incorrect positioning of the welding head in relation to the welded components led to the appearance of geometric defects of the welding seams, although the technological parameters of the welding regime were appropriate. After making adjustments on the position of the welding head, accepted characteristics were obtained which led to the decision to validate the welding technology used.</jats:p