Training in higher education in the Covid-19 context: A case study of operation management training in a Business Innovation and Project Management Master

[EN] The main objective of this paper is to describe the programme followed for the development and acquisition of quality engineering (QE)-related competences in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). In a 100% face-to-face context, different products (such as catapults and paper helicopters) were used to apply the theoretical concepts of Six Sigma in an real environment, which would be impossible in an online or blended context. To overcome the difficulties derived from the Covid-19 pandemic, a new programme has been defined that includes the continuous use of ICT using a simulator of an injection process to generate the necessary data to develop the practice. The changes made to the programme, and the simulator used, have successfully replaced the practices and products previously used in a 100% face-to-face environment, allowing students to acquire QE-related competences in a practical way in a non-face-to-face environment.Unzueta, G.; Eguren, JA. (2021). Training in higher education in the Covid-19 context: A case study of operation management training in a Business Innovation and Project Management Master. En 7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 253-261. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd21.2021.12896OCS25326

Application of a maintenance management system based on a tailored RCM

This paper presents the results of the application of an adapted version of the RCM (Reliability Centered Maintenance) methodology. Through its implementation, three companies of distinct industrial sectors have been capable of establishing customized preventive maintenance program, having done contributions to the autonomous maintenance. Thus, the workload of the maintenance staff has been reduced without altering equipment unavailability. The work has been also useful to establish the bases for the implementation or the improvement of a computerized maintenance management system.En este artículo se presenta el resultado de la aplicación de una versión adaptada de la metodología RCM (Reliability Centered Maintenance), mediante la cual tres empresas de distintos sectores han podido establecer un programa de mantenimiento preventivo a medida de cada caso, realizando aportaciones al mantenimiento autónomo. De esta manera han conseguido reducir la carga de trabajo de mantenimiento sin reducir la disponibilidad de las instalaciones. El trabajo realizado ha servido a dichas empresas para poder establecer las bases de la implementación o mejora de un programa de gestión del mantenimiento asistido por ordenador

Estudio, diseño e implementación de un sistema de monitorización basado en dron

En este trabajo de final de grado se detalla el estudio y desarrollo de un sistema de monitorización basado en dron. El sistema consta de dos partes, un nodo, que permanece estático en la zona de monitorización y se encarga de la adquisición de señales, y un UAV, que se pilota de manera autónoma hasta la ubicación del nodo y obtiene los datos adquiridos de manera inalámbrica

Implementation of project-based learning for design of experiments using 3D printing

Purpose: This paper aims to present how the project-based learning (PBL) methodology was implemented in the Faculty of Engineering of Mondragon Unibertsitatea in the second year of the Engineering in Industrial Organisation degree to help integrate statistical knowledge related to the design of experiments (DOE) and the use of advanced technologies, such as additive manufacturing (AD; also known as 3D printing). Design/methodology/approach: The methodology applied was PBL, which enables learners to apply theoretical concepts to a controlled real-world environment and to make decisions based on practical experience. PBL was applied in a team setting involving 51 students divided into 12 teams. Findings: The improvement in academic results demonstrate an improvement in the acquisition and assimilation of technical knowledge of the use of statistical tools through experimentation in a semi-industrial environment. In addition, the results of the satisfaction surveys show an increase in the motivation and commitment of the students during the project. Originality/value: The value of the work lies in the integration of advanced technologies (AM or 3D printing) and statistical knowledge in DOE through the PBL methodology in a higher education environment

Framework to evaluate continuous improvement process efficacy: a case study of a capital goods company

Purpose: This document describes a continuous improvement process assessment system (CIPAS). A continuous improvement process (CIP) was developed to progress through the levels of continuous improvement (CI) defined by Bessant, Caffyn and Gallagher (2001), and the CIPAS was developed to measure this evolution. The CIP and the CIPAS were tested in a mature industrial small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) cooperative company (Basque Country, Spain) that works in the capital goods sector. Methodology/Approach: The study was developed according to an ‘action research’ strategy (Coughlan and Coghlan, 2002) over a period of two years. The action research team includes the authors and managers of several areas of the studied company. Findings: The assessment identified critical elements and related routines for the effective execution of the CIP in this company. In addition, the evaluation system allowed for a visualisation of the company’s CI maturity level progression. Research Limitation/implication: The assessment system was designed in an ad hoc manner for this CIP and this industrial company, but it may be possible to adapt these to other types of companies by using the steps followed and indicators defined as an example. Originality/Value of paper: The CIPAS is used to identify the key CI elements, to measure the evolution of CI routines, and to identify a CI maturity level of the company in which the CIP is applied. It can be applied to any type of company and serves to define future actions for its evolution. Category: Case stud

Continuous improvement framework to develop cultural change: case study, capital goods company

In this study, a frame of reference was developed to adapt and execute a continuous improvement process (CIP) for reinforcing a continuous improvement (CI) culture in an organisation. The study was undertaken in a mature capital goods company that did not succeed in institutionalising CI despite deploying many CI tools over the years. The organisation thus needed a model that was adapted to its reality and strengthened the aspects of CI through cultural changes at the organisational level. Action research was used to implement the CIP, and this research method was reinforced using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to analyse the results. The CIP was validated in four units of analysis within the organisation. For the validation, aspects relevant to organisational cultural change and their metrics were identified. The results showed that the main barriers to the development of CI in the case organisation were lack of teamwork and poor assimilation of new CI routines. The study was applied only in one organisation. Therefore, results cannot be generalized, although the process and methodology followed to adapt and implement the CIP could be applied within other organisations The paper presents a CI frame of reference and describes how a CIP applied to a small and medium-sized industrial enterprise generated cultural changes and promoted organisational excellence in the pursuit of CI by using a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology approach

Modelling of an Additive 3D-Printing Process Based on Design of Experiments Methodology

Purpose: The implementation of additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D-printer manufacturing for technical prototyping, preproduction series and short production series can bring benefits in terms of reducing cost and time to market in product development. These technologies are beginning to be applied in different industrial sectors and have a great possibility of development. As these technologies are still in development, there is a need to define the capacity of the 3D machines to establish minimum standards for producing high-quality parts. Methodology/Approach: The proposed methodology is based on a design of experiments (DOE) approach, which serves as a guide for engineers when it comes to executing any experimental study. The following steps were followed (Unzueta et al., 2019): Phase 1: define; Phase 2: measure; Phase 3: plan; Phase 4: execute experimentation; Phase 5: analyse the results; Phase 6: improve via confirmation experiments; Phases 7-8: control and standardise. Findings: The proposed methodology is based on a design of experiments (DOE) approach, which serves as a guide for engineers when it comes to executing any experimental study. The following steps were followed (Unzueta et al., 2019): Phase 1: define; Phase 2: measure; Phase 3: plan; Phase 4: execute experimentation; Phase 5: analyse the results; Phase 6: improve via confirmation experiments; Phases 7-8: control and standardise. Originality/Value of paper: This study uses a methodological approach to demonstrate how the 3D printing technology can be enriched with statistical testing techniques (DOE). It defines numerical prediction models to obtain high-quality parts with a new AM technology, using a planning process with a minimum amount of experimentation

Serum markers improve current prediction of metastasis development in early-stage melanoma patients: a machine learning-based study

Metastasis development represents an important threat for melanoma patients, even when diagnosed at early stages and upon removal of the primary tumor. In this scenario, determination of prognostic biomarkers would be of great interest. Serum contains information about the general status of the organism and therefore represents a valuable source for biomarkers. Thus, we aimed to define serological biomarkers that could be used along with clinical and histopathological features of the disease to predict metastatic events on the early-stage population of patients. We previously demonstrated that in stage II melanoma patients, serum levels of dermcidin (DCD) were associated with metastatic progression. Based on the relevance of the immune response on the cancer progression and the recent association of DCD with local and systemic immune response against cancer cells, serum DCD was analyzed in a new cohort of patients along with interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF- beta), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). We initially recruited 448 melanoma patients, 323 of whom were diagnosed as stages I-II according to AJCC. Levels of selected cytokines were determined by ELISA and Luminex, and obtained data were analyzed employing machine learning and Kaplan-Meier techniques to define an algorithm capable of accurately classifying early-stage melanoma patients with a high and low risk of developing metastasis. The results show that in early-stage melanoma patients, serum levels of the cytokines IL-4, GM-CSF, and DCD together with the Breslow thickness are those that best predict melanoma metastasis. Moreover, resulting algorithm represents a new tool to discriminate subjects with good prognosis from those with high risk for a future metastasis.We are grateful to the Basque Biobank for providing the serum samples. We are also most grateful to Drs Arantza Arrieta and Natalia Maruri (Cruces University Hospital) for their technical support with the serum marker detection. This work was supported by grants from the Basque Government (KK2016-036 and KK2017-041 to MDB), UPV/EHU (GIU17/066 to MDB), H2020-ESCEL JTI (15/01 to MDB), and MINECO (PCIN-2015-241 to MDB

Study of cFS (Core Flight System) to deploy OBC (On Board Computer) software for IoT missions

This thesis exposes the study, development, integration and validation of an OBC software of a satellite, using cFS. The OBC will be in charge of retrieving data from all sensors and subsystems as well as of transmitting it to the desired actuators or even the ground stations. The mission of the satellite is to transmit data from IoT stations to control centres through a constellation. At the current stage of the project, the developments are focused on integration in HitL simulations