Smartphone enabled design: utilising unique markers for re-imagining Ming vases

The conceptual relationship explored is the comparison between this place “here” (A) and this place “there” (B). Each place has specific characteristics that differentiate it from everywhere else. Perhaps most significantly of all, is geographical position; this place (here) and this (an)other place (here) are, by definition, in different locations. Inspired by research into mobile music, which allows for the creative process to take place anywhere, at any time, this paper explores the use of smartphones as a tool for 3D sketching ideas for ceramic vessels. For “In This Place”, the intention is to employ an innovative approach to design, utilising smartphone devices to gather and process location specific data to create a series of unique, singular forms. The resulting digital models can then be 3D printed. As well as exploring a new design process, this allows for a kind of collaboration, as users in different locations contribute to designing the complete series of vessels. Specifically, the aim is to reimagine a ‘pseudo Ming’ dynasty-era vase form, whereby the vessel has a central, vertical division. One half is redesigned by each user “here”, and becomes a unique redesign of the vessel, subtly different to all others designed in their own “here”

Customizing personal objects: a pilot study using a smartphone to "design" a mini vase

This research tests a prototype design application (app) that uses real time sensor data, captured and processed via a smartphone, to generate a series of unique vase forms. Smartphone technology, with the support of embedded sensors, the app, and 3D printing processes, are applied in the design and instantiation of the vases. The users' feedback on the complete process is also examined. The research found that the described design process could be successfully applied to the design, and ultimately manufacture, of unique vase forms. Users stated that the app was easy to use, and allowed them to create intriguing forms they could not otherwise design. While both designers and non-designers found the app usable, they had different expectations from it. This uncovered areas where future iterations of the app could be improved

Condition monitoring for airport baggage handling in the area of industry 4.0

Purpose: The findings of a recent study are presented, which was conducted with the objective of addressing the problem of the failure of baggage carts within the high-speed baggage tunnel at Heathrow Terminal 5 through the development of an innovative condition-based maintenance system designed to meet the requirements of 21st century airport systems and Industry 4.0. Methodology: An empirical experimental approach to this action research was taken to install a vibration condition monitoring pilot test in the north tunnel at Terminal 5. Vibration data were collected over a 6-month period and analysed to determine the threshold for good quality tyres and those with worn bearings that needed replacing. The results were compared with existing measures to demonstrate that vibration monitoring could be used as a predictive model for condition-based maintenance. Findings: The findings demonstrated a clear trend of increasing vibration velocity with age, with the wheel mass unbalanced inertia of the carts being transmitted to the tracks as vibration. This research demonstrates that a healthy wheel produces a vibration of less than 60mm/s whereas a damaged wheel measures up to 100 mm/s peak to peak velocity, which can be used in real-time condition monitoring to prevent baggage cart failure. It can also run as an autonomous system linked to AI and Industry 4.0 airport logic. Originality/Value: Whilst vibration monitoring has been used to measure movement in static structures, such as bridges, and in rotating machinery, such as railway wheels (Tondon and Choudhury, 1999) this application is unique as it is the first time vibration monitoring has been applied to a stationary structure (tracks) carrying high-speed rotating machinery (baggage cart wheels). This technique has been patented and proven in the pilot study and is in the process of being rolled out across all Heathrow terminal connection tunnels. It has implications for all other airports world-wide, and also to other applications that rely on moving conveyor belts

How did the publication of the book The Machine That Changed The World change management thinking? Exploring 25 years of lean literature

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to take a critical, analytical approach to explore the growth and spread of lean through the academic and practitioner community over the last twenty-five years. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive and systematic review of the extant of literature of lean was undertaken. The review spans from 1988 to 2013. To enable us to effectively manage and understand the diffusion of this set of literature a database, the Lean Publications Database (LPD), was constructed. Findings Lean has evolved to be one of the best-known, yet fiercely debated, process improvement methodologies. It emerged during a proliferation of such methodologies in business and management literature. Lean has developed from a generic description of Toyota Production System (TPS) to a particular type of organizational and management intervention focused on best practice and process improvement methodologies. Research limitations/implications This paper provides the first comprehensive review of the Lean literature, from the perspective of Lean as the unit of analysis. It covers both sides of the academic debate and categories the progression of Lean from its origins as a generic description of TPS to a movement that has change management systems in many and diverse sectors. Practical implications This paper demonstrates how Lean research, application and thinking has evolved over 25 years from its origins in explaining the performance improvements in Japanese auto-manufacturing to a holistic value system that is applicable to all business sectors, both private and public. Originality/value This study is original in that provides a different perspective to that of most previous studies. In most empirical studies on Lean, the unit of analysis is the organisation. However, in this study, the unit of analysis is the Lean phenomenon itself and represents a first step to developing an underpinning theory of Lean by linking it to the theory of swift, even flow (Schmenner and Swink, 1998), as such, it of interest to academics in the field of operations management and contributes to knowledge. It is also likely to be of interest to policy makers. Considerable amounts of public money have been spent, and continue to be spent, on promoting Lean. Taxpayers and policymakers are likely to be interested in whether that expenditure is justifiable. Twenty-five years of publications have been analysed to provide clarity around this popular approach to improvement

Evaluation of laminated structures for sports mouthguards

Most of the past studies have concentrated on the properties of mouthguard materials rather than their ability to protect the underlying substructure. Previous work has indicated that the incorporation of a shook absorbing layer into the sports mouthguard reduces the likelihood of injury to the head, neck and oral cavity of the wearer, The purpose of this study is to develop an optimum laminated structure that protects an easily deformable structure during an impact. Dropweight impact tests were conducted on a series of moulded samples which were circularly clamped and force-time and displacement-time plots obtained, Single thickness specimens of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), 1-5mm thick were compared with laminated structures of EVA, incorporating 1mm thick layers of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and a silicone or synthetic rubber up to a thickness of 5mm. It was observed that the multi-layered structures exhibited less deformation thereby transmitting less of the harmful effects through the laminate. It was concluded that laminated systems for mouthguards using different materials appear to offer better protection to the wearer

A note on accelerating cosmologies from compactifications and S-branes

We give a simple interpretation of the recent solutions for cosmologies with a transient accelerating phase obtained from compactification in hyperbolic manifolds, or from S-brane solutions of string/M-theory. In the four-dimensional picture, these solutions correspond to bouncing the radion field off its exponential potential. Acceleration occurs at the turning point, when the radion stops and the potential energy momentarily dominates. The virtues and limitations of these approaches become quite transparent in this interpretation.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure. References adde

The Change of Production Systems through Consultancy Involved Projects: a Multiple Case Study in Chinese SMEs

Production systems, such as Lean Production System (LPS), have been developed to improve organisational performance. In their application to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), resource constraints mean that business assistance from external agencies, such as management consultants, is often required. Building on organisational learning research associated with knowledge flow across boundaries, this study aims to explore the practical issues associated with consultancy-involved LPS implementation in Chinese SMEs and the possible approaches to deal with them. A multiple case study is conducted focusing on four real-life, consultancy-involved, lean projects in Chinese SMEs. Four key problems that arise from consultancy-involved change of production systems are identified and four relevant approaches to handle these problems are also addressed. The case study implies that to better embed new production systems, such as LPS into SMEs, both consultants and SME clients need to adopt a more proactive approach when engaging with each other

Lean Implementation within SMEs: a literature review

Purpose – Lean business ideology has been one of the recent dominant research areas in operations management. However, there is a dearth of research focusing on Lean in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by systematically reviewing the literature in relation to the implementation of Lean in SMEs. Design/methodology/approach – Tranfield et al.’s (2003) systematic review methodology was employed covering three stages: planning, conducting and reporting/dissemination. Findings – A descriptive analysis of the papers reviewed is provided. From the thematic analysis of the literature four main themes are identified: the scope/type of Lean being adopted by SMEs, how Lean is used in SMEs, the impact of Lean implementation on SMEs and the critical success factors for Lean implementation in SMEs. Key inhibitors and enablers related to firm size when implementing Lean are also identified in the concluding discussion. Research limitations/implications – Nine recommendations for future research are developed associated with Lean implementation in SMEs. Practical implications – The authors suggest SMEs to integrate organisational factors such as employee empowerment and the development of a supportive strategy into their Lean implementation plans. A preliminary “Staircase Road Map” to guide SMEs in implementing Lean is also developed. Originality/value – This paper goes beyond previous literature reviews of Lean by systematically and critically evaluating key themes of Lean implementation within an SME environment. It not only provides a road map for SME owners/managers who intend to implement Lean, but also provides the academic community with an agenda for future research

A lens-coupled scintillation counter in cryogenic environment

In this work we present an elegant solution for a scintillation counter to be integrated into a cryogenic system. Its distinguishing feature is the absence of a continuous light guide coupling the scintillation and the photodetector parts, operating at cryogenic and room temperatures respectively. The prototype detector consists of a plastic scintillator with glued-in wavelength-shifting fiber located inside a cryostat, a Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiode (G-APD) outside the cryostat, and a lens system guiding the scintillation light re-emitted by the fiber to the G-APD through optical windows in the cryostat shields. With a 0.8mm diameter multiclad fiber and a 1mm active area G-APD the coupling efficiency of the "lens light guide" is about 50%. A reliable performance of the detector down to 3K is demonstrated.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figure

Effects of Policies Designed to Keep Firearms from High-Risk Individuals

This article summarizes and critiques available evidence from studies published between 1999 and August 2014 on the effects of policies designed to keep firearms from high-risk individuals in the United States. Some prohibitions for high-risk individuals (e.g., those under domestic violence restraining orders, violent misdemeanants) and procedures for checking for more types of prohibiting conditions are associated with lower rates of violence. Certain laws intended to prevent prohibited persons from accessing firearms -- rigorous permit-to-purchase, comprehensive background checks, strong regulation and oversight of gun dealers, and requiring gun owners to promptly report lost or stolen firearms -- are negatively associated with the diversion of guns to criminals. Future research is needed to examine whether these laws curtail nonlethal gun violence and whether the effects of expanding prohibiting conditions for firearm possession are modified by the presence of policies to prevent diversion