CADDS: an automated die design system for sheet-metal blanking

This article reports on the design and implementation of a Computer-Aided Die Design System (CADDS) for sheet-metal blanks. The system is designed by considering several factors, such as the complexity of blank geometry, reduction in scrap material, production requirements, availability of press equipment and standard parts, punch profile complexity, and tool elements manufacturing method. The interaction among these parameters and how they affect designers' decision patterns is described. The system is implemented by interfacing AutoCAD with the higher level languages FORTRAN 77 and AutoLISP. A database of standard die elements is created by parametric programming, which is an enhanced feature of AutoCAD. The greatest advantage achieved by the system is the rapid generation of the most efficient strip and die layouts, including information about the tool configuration

CASNS - A heuristic algorithm for the nesting of irregular-shaped sheet-metal blanks

This article reports on the design and implementation of a computer-aided sheet nesting system (CASNS) for the nesting of two-dimensional irregular-shaped sheet-metal blanks on a given sheet stock or coil stock. The system is designed by considering several constraints of sheet-metal stamping operations, such as bridge width and grain orientation, and design requirements such as maximizing the strength of the part hen subsequent bending is involved, minimization of scrap, and economic justification for'a single or multiple station operation. Through many practical case studies, the system proves its efficiency, effectiveness and usefulness

Development of a mathematical model for rapid product development using microwave heating

Microwave heating technology is an alternative cost-effective way for assisting the thermosetting process of thin epoxy resin layers of material. With the benefit of existing modelling for computing the electromagnetic field and power density distribution in a cavity, an investigation is conducted about the application of the electromagnetic field and their effects on thin epoxy resin layer. The results of the simulations are used to optimize the design of the microwave heating system for curing thin epoxy resin layer. The investigation leads to a feasibility study to combine the microwave heating process with rapid product development technique, to efficiently build 3-dimensional models through fast curing of thin epoxy resin layers. Numerous configurations are investigated, by changing the design of microwave applicator. A numerical model is used to identify the strength and weakness of each design, leading to an optimized configuration that can be used for microwave heating, fast curing of thin epoxy resin layer. From the present study it can be concluded that a mathematical model can be used to optimize microwave heating devices, which can enable the configuration to deliver a uniform electric field.</p

A multiscale deformation analysis for mono-crystalline copper under dynamic uniaxial tension

This paper presents a concurrent multiscale study for the deformation mechanism of mono-crystalline copper under dynamic uniaxial tension. The multiscale simulation is based on the coupled meshless and molecular dynamic (MD) method. Using it, the size of computational model can be extended to a large dimension (in micrometer) with an atomistic resolution. The pure MD simulation is difficult to reach this microscopic dimension because the number of atoms will be too large. In this study, it has been revealed that the deformation behavior and mechanism of the copper is sensitive to its size, geometry, and loading strain rate. In addition, the Young's modulus is found to be independent of the cross-sectional size and the strain rate range considered in this study. On the other hand, the yield stress decreases with specimen length and increases with the loading strain rate

Assembly line balancing the comparison of COMSOAL and MSNSH technique in Motorcycle manufacturing company

Today’s highly competitive market influences the manufacturing industry to improve their production systems to become the optimal system in the shortest cycle time as possible. One of most common problems in manufacturing systems is the assembly line balancing problem. The assembly line balancing problem involves task assignments to workstations with optimum line efficiency. The line balancing technique, namely “COMSOAL”, is an abbreviation of “Computer Method for Sequencing Operations for Assembly Lines”. Arcus initially developed the COMSOAL technique in 1966 [1], and it has been mainly applied to solve assembly line balancing problems [6]. The most common purposes of COMSOAL are to minimise idle time, optimise production line efficiency, and minimise the number of workstations. Therefore, this project will implement COMSOAL to balance an assembly line in the motorcycle industry. The new solution by COMSOAL will be used to compare with the previous solution that was developed by Multi‐Started Neighborhood Search Heuristic (MSNSH), which will result in five aspects including cycle time, total idle time, line efficiency, average daily productivity rate, and the workload balance. The journal name “Optimising and simulating the assembly line balancing problem in a motorcycle manufacturing company: a case study” will be used as the case study for this project [5]

CASNS - a heuristic algorithm for the nesting of irregular-shaped sheet-metal blanks

This article reports on the design and implementation of a computer-aided sheet nesting system (CASNS) for the nesting of two-dimensional irregular-shaped sheet-metal blanks on a given sheet stock or coil stock. The system is designed by considering several constraints of sheet-metal stamping operations, such as bridge width and grain orientation, and design requirements such as maximising the strength of the part when subsequent bending is involved, minimisation of scrap, and economic justification for a single or multiple station operation. Through many practical case studies, the system proves its efficiency, effectiveness and usefulness.</p

Women in Engineering: Myths, Measures and Policies

Quality Education and Gender Equality are among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. Girls and women are the greatest untapped population who would contribute enormously to the growth of innovation. With evolving policies and institutional efforts to promote women scientists globally, there is a significant gap still lies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. A recent ground-breaking report of UNESCO reveals that only 35% of STEM students in higher education are women who result in 28% of the STEM workforce across all the world’s researchers. Differences are observed much wider in the hard sciences like mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science. Other international research also shows that women make up just 12–15% of all engineers around the world. However, a recent survey report by the Royal Academy of Engineering revealed that over 80% of female engineers are happy in their job and 98% of women engineers find their job rewarding. Despite these facts, most of the nations are losing potential women engineers at every stage of life, and it starts from a young age because of bias and misconceptions in media. There are societal, cultural, institutional factors, and belief systems which are impediments to women in STEM. Gender stereotypes are part of societal belief and govern the attitudes towards female and male roles, their occupations, and their perception of masculine and feminine work. There are many myths and stereotype in a society which push women back in engineering career like girls are bad in Mathematics, engineering is ‘too difficult’ and require physical strength. Divergent attitudes formed by girls and boys in childhood and systemic biases limit the range of career options and opportunities available to them in adulthood. This study engages with women engineers to record the impact of available myths, unconscious biases, stereotypes, ongoing policies &amp; programs and compare the findings to unfold some of their struggles which is linked to retaining women in engineering professions. Though no single strategy can entirely plug the leak, there is a need for a multi-faceted approach for debunking the myths and spreading the facts. Strengthen the capacity of countries to deliver gender-responsive education, including through the involvement of women role models, their photographs in textbooks, teachers’ training, and enhance awareness of the importance of engineering education for girls and women. To achieve all targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and future wellbeing, the engineering workforce must equally represent by women.</p

A Review of Satisfaction Theories and Implications for STEM Teaching

This paper reviews the existing literature to understand the correlation between job satisfaction and STEM teaching, by adopting a best evidence review methodology. Four key job satisfaction theories are elaborated, namely Herzberg’s motivator-hygiene theory, Maslow’s needs hierarchy theory, job characteristics model, and the dispositional approach to job satisfaction. Considering the limited amount of research conducted in examining job satisfaction theories in relation to teachers, these theories are utilized in this paper to draw parallels between school teachers and STEM education delivery, through description and interpretation. This review presents the possible implications for STEM teaching and the need for further research assessing teachers’ satisfaction and the impact it has on STEM delivery.</p

The role of knowledge in the project management office

Both Knowledge Management (KM) and Project Management (PM) are known as crucial factors to develop competitive advantage(CA). PM Office (PMO) is recognized as a strong solution to institutionalize PM practices in organization. However, according to the literature there is a significant gap in addressing KM practices in the PMO. In other words, existing PMO maturity models has not been addressed from KM perceptive. This paper discusses undertaken investigations of both KM and PM as an initial part of PhD research on the role of knowledge in PM

Fabrication and Applications of Antibacterial Surfaces and Nano Biosensing Platforms

The development of antibiotic resistant superbugs poses significant threat to global healthcare. With the overuse of antibiotic medication over time, these superbugs have evolved to fight the effects of pharmacological therapies causing death to patients with easily treatable infections. For this reason, research has shifted towards investigating ways in which infection can be cured without antibiotic medication. Research has found that some nanostructured materials have been found to exhibit antibacterial behaviours either through antibiofouling or bactericidal (killing) mechanisms. These nanostructures have an inherent property which repels or kills bacteria upon physical contact, without the need for chemical therapy. This review gives a perspective on the current state of research which uses nanotechnology to fabricate antibacterial surfaces. In addition, this review presents various biosensing techniques for human biosensing and bacteria sensing, particularly for food and water borne pathogens. This review also discusses future directions for ways in which these two research areas can be combined to develop a nanosensing platform which detects bacteria in hospital environments, helping to reduce waiting times between sampling and detection, length of patient hospital stays, patient discomfort and burdens to the healthcare system, as well as control and contain the spread of infection in hospital environments.</p