Infallibility (Poka-Yoke) Fundamentals for Improving Production Processes, Case Study: An Automotive Parts Manufacturing Company

In production processes, quality is defined in terms of defects and sigma level wastes. In order to achieve zero level wastes, it is required that production processes’ sigma levels be increased through improvements in the processes. Utilizing Infallibility Strategy (Poka-Yoke) increases the sigma level of production processes and thus leads the process towards producing parts without fault and with zero defects. In the present study, the researcher has implemented the Infallibility Strategy (Poka-Yoke) in an automotive parts manufacturing company. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher, using a map, first determined the areas in which defects occurred in the production process, then the significance of defects with regard to their frequency of occurrence and their scope were determined, and the proper anti-error system was chosen. Given the number of defects and the annual production capacity, the PPM and the manufacturing process sigma level were calculated. Obtained results demonstrated the significant increase in the manufacturing process sigma level, which in turn implied the successful implementation of the Infallibility Strategy (Poka-Yoke) in the studied company

Infallibility (Poka-Yoke) Fundamentals for Improving Production Processes, Case Study: An Automotive Parts Manufacturing Company

In production processes, quality is defined in terms of defects and sigma level wastes. In order to achieve zero level wastes, it is required that production processes’ sigma levels be increased through improvements in the processes. Utilizing Infallibility Strategy (Poka-Yoke) increases the sigma level of production processes and thus leads the process towards producing parts without fault and with zero defects. In the present study, the researcher has implemented the Infallibility Strategy (Poka-Yoke) in an automotive parts manufacturing company. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher, using a map, first determined the areas in which defects occurred in the production process, then the significance of defects with regard to their frequency of occurrence and their scope were determined, and the proper anti-error system was chosen. Given the number of defects and the annual production capacity, the PPM and the manufacturing process sigma level were calculated. Obtained results demonstrated the significant increase in the manufacturing process sigma level, which in turn implied the successful implementation of the Infallibility Strategy (Poka-Yoke) in the studied company

The Association of Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome Variant) with Coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) in a Child: A Case Report

  Various reports of neurological manifestations of SARS-COV-2 infection after the virus outbreak are available, including anosmia, seizures, acute flaccid myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and encephalitis. Most of the literature has focused on the respiratory manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults, but recent evidence showed that it is not confined to the respiratory tract. This report is about a rare variant of GBS acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) in a child due to COVID-19 infection An 11 years old boy was referred to the hospital with a history of three-day lasting mild fever, and gastroenteritis, two weeks before starting symptoms. He was presented with progressive ascending weakness, paresthesia, and areflexia in four limbs four days ago. Nasopharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive for SARS-CoV-2. The electrodiagnostic finding was compatible with acute generalized axonal motor neuropathy, and imaging revealed thoracolumbar syrinx and nerve root enhancement in lumbosacral MRI. Other lab tests were normal. GBS and its variant are one of the manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 in children. Children with an unexplained neurological process should be tested for SARS-CoV-2

Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Assessment of Bone Thickness in the Mandibular Anterior Region for Application of Orthodontic Mini-Screws

Objective: To determine the proper zones for placement of orthodontic mini-screws, based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) measurements in the anterior mandibular region.Methods: The current cross-sectional study was performed on CBCT images of 77 individuals in the age range of 18-60 years. Axial slices at the levels of 2, 5, and 8 mm from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of the mandibular anterior teeth were selected. Interdental distances were measured in the mesiodistal direction, parallel to the midline of the mandibular arch. Areas with more suitable width were investigated for measuring the minimum interdental space. On the reconstructed cross-sectional images, labiolingual thickness of the bone was measured at the levels of 2, 5, 8, and 11 mm from the CEJ. The Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney test with Bonferroni correction, Welch test, and Tukey’s multiple analogy test were used to analyze the data.Results: Mesiodistal and labiolingual distances between the roots in every measured region had the highest values at the levels of 8 and 11 mm from the CEJ. The highest measured values were related to the interdental region between the lateral incisor and canine teeth on both sides of the arch. There were no statistically significant differences between these values (P < .001).Conclusion: The lateral incisor–canine areas at the level of 8 mm from the CEJ are introduced as the optimal sites for placement of orthodontic mini-screws. In addition, the results recommend the application of mini-screws with 1.3-1.7 mm diameter and 5-7 mm length

Response of yield and yield components of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to different tillage methods

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Site of Varamin Agricultural Research Center, Varamin, Iran on the sandy loam soils to study the response of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to different tillage methods during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. Tillage treatments in the study included were conventional tillage (CT; moldboard plowing + two passes of disk harrowing), minimum tillage (MT; one pass of disk harrowing) and no-tillage (NT). Yield, yield components (plant population density, PPD; number of fruits per plant, NFPP; fruit weight, FW; fruit length, FL; fruit diameter, FD) and fruit quality parameter (total soluble solids, TSS) were determined for all treatments. Results indicated that tillage methods significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced the yield, yield components and TSS. Results also showed that PPD and NFPP were the most important yield components explaining yield difference under the different tillage methods. The maximum PPD (10025 plants ha-1), NFPP (19.1) and as a result yield (12.2 t ha-1) were observed with the CT, while maximum values of FW (71.2 g),FL (70.0 mm), FD (59.2 mm) and TSS (7.27%) were noted NT plots. On the other hand, minimum PPD (5117 plants ha-1), NFPP (10.2) and hence yield (3.70 t ha-1) were obtained with NT, while the minimum values of FW (63.6 g), FL (61.0 mm),FD (53.6 mm) and TSS (5.81%) were noted in case of the CT treatment. Therefore, one pass of moldboard plow followed by two passes of disk harrow was found to be more appropriate and profitable tillage method in improving yield of tomato in the arid lands of Iran

Generation digital management map for herbicide application in VRA spraying by using GPS

This study was conducted to develop a precision method of application for cyanazine, a pre-emergence herbicide which eventuates to save herbicide and reduce its adverse effects on the environment and agricultural products. For this purpose a digital management map (DMM) using the global positioning system (GPS) for variable rate application (VRA) was generated. Uncultivated field of about 6500 m2 was selected and local and universal transverse mercator (UTM) coordinates of the field were determined using total station surveying equipments and four static GPS receivers. Data processing was performed using a personal computer equipped with COMPASS software. Soil characteristics were determined by sampling and analyzing these samples. By considering manufacture recommendations for herbicide application based on soil organic matter content (OMC) and soil texture, four management zones with four different herbicide application rates as 1.4, 1.7, 2.9 and 3.5 L ha-1 were determined and eventually a DMM was generated. Using the generated DMM and VRA, total required herbicide for the selected field was determined to be 1.6 L. It was concluded that herbicide application can be decreased up to 13% in compared with a uniform herbicide application rate for the entire selected field

Effects of salinity and sand content on liquid limit and hydraulic conductivity

Soil conditions of construction sites have become worse than ever due to the overpopulation in the metropolitan areas throughout the world. Likewise, the prevention of environmental risks due to individual activities is one of the most important subjects in the geo-environmental problems. Saline soils may induce several problems in geotechnical engineering projects such as infrastructure embankments, road construction and clay liners. Effect of the various concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) on several different soils including bentonite, kaolinite and fine sand mixtures has been evaluated. In addition, influence of salinity and the period of submergence on the hydraulic conductivity of soil samples collected from a certain area of east coast of India was investigated. The results show that the liquid limit of the mixtures generally decreases with an increase in the salt concentration. Liquid limit decreased significantly with an increase in NaCl concentration up to a certain level. However, a further increase in the concentration does not induce any significant decrease in liquid limit. Furthermore, the soil hydraulic conductivity increase with the salt concentration and with increase in the period of submergence, the hydraulic conductivity of the soil increases asymptotically