11,225 research outputs found
Why Reinvent the Wheel? The Efficacy of the Systematic Problem Solving Method 'TRIZ' and it Value for Innovation in Engineering and Implications for Engineering Management
The engineering industry needs to be more innovative. A case study of a recent breakthrough innovative development by Michelin is discussed. The influence of prior training with systematic problem solving method TRIZ, on the innovation team, is assessed using a questionnaire. The questionnaire is based on a company innovation audit model proposed by Mann and influenced by the creativity model of Baille. Results are discussed which show significant innovation development when using TRIZ. The efficacy of training key workers in systematic problem solving and creative methods is discussed and the implications for managers in innovation promotion and workplace environment change are highlighted
CREDIT SCORING, LOAN PRICING, AND FARM BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
In light of recent developments in agricultural credit evaluations, this study employs a multiperiod simulation model that endogenizes farm investment decisions, credit evaluations, and loan pricing based on the credit scoring procedures of agricultural lender. Model results show that credit-scored pricing yields time patterns of performance, credits classifications, and interest rates that parallel the firmÂ’s investment, financing, and debt servicing activities. Moreover, the lenderÂ’s price responses dampen growth incentives as credit worthiness diminished, stimulate growth as credit improves, and lead to similar capital structures over time.Agricultural Finance,
A MICROCOMPUTER ANALYSIS OF FARM FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
This article describes the properties of the Farm Financial Simulation Model (FFSM). FFSM is a tool for analyzing the financial consequences of various managerial strategies and policy options that may be implemented in responding to farm financial stress. Various farm types from different geographical regions having differing enterprises, financial structures, tenure arrangements, and consumption patterns can be analyzed. The emphasis of FFSM is placed on modeling a farm's profitability, liquidity, solvency, and financial position and the model produces a coordinated set of financial statements and an extensive set of financial ratios over a four-year period.Farm Management,
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Controlled Local Properties in the Same Part with Sintaflex A New Elastomer Powder Material for the SLS Process
A new powder material for the SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) process was recently released.
The material is a result of fruitful research programs involving industry and university. The
well known and widely used DuraFom™ (PA12) and theCastForm™ (PS) SLS-materials were
developed by the same team.
In the search for new powder materials many properties of the candidate polymer, e.g. the
pulverization, the laser absorption and sintering parameters have to be tuned carefully. Previous
Elastomer options materials were poor in strength, detailing, and long-term use. The new
product overcomes most of the known deficits. It open completely new practices in many
branches like: automotive, house appliances, office equipment, foot ware, medical, and many
more. The Sintaflex has a Shore hardness variability 45-75 A and Elongation up to around
300%. The attainable yield strength range is 1.3 - 4.2 MPa. The resolution on the SLS part is up
to 0.6 mm. It is positioned in good agreement compared with other commonly used injection
plastics.
Furthermore, the appeal of all SFF process beside geometry and complexity is thought in
varying locally the mechanical properties. Some published patents make suggestions in this
direction. The new material, due to the particular properties range in function of the sintering
parameter, allows first time to realize this wish. The generated part has controlled variable local
properties; a new and unique opportunity opens for the SLS process.
The paper describes the basic material properties. Further the main sintering parameters are
describes and indications on machine settings are given. RP (Rapid Prototyping) applications
and the recent practical experience are illustrated. Distinctive examples of local variable
properties in the same part and given limits are shown. Some conclusions are stated.Mechanical Engineerin
PU(2) monopoles and a conjecture of Marino, Moore, and Peradze
In this article we show that some of the recent results of Marino, Moore, and
Peradze (math.DG/9812042, hep-th/9812055) -- in particular their conjecture
that all closed, smooth four-manifolds with b_2^+ > 1 (and Seiberg-Witten
simple type) are of `superconformal simple type' -- can be understood using a
simple mathematical argument via the PU(2)-monopole cobordism of Pidstrigach
and Tyurin (dg-ga/9507004) and results of the first and third authors
(dg-ga/9712005, dg-ga/9709022).Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure. Improved exposition, typographical slips
corrected, figure and references added. Minor correction on page 2. To appear
in Mathematical Research Letter
High Angular Resolution Stellar Imaging with Occultations from the Cassini Spacecraft II: Kronocyclic Tomography
We present an advance in the use of Cassini observations of stellar
occultations by the rings of Saturn for stellar studies. Stewart et al. (2013)
demonstrated the potential use of such observations for measuring stellar
angular diameters. Here, we use these same observations, and tomographic
imaging reconstruction techniques, to produce two dimensional images of complex
stellar systems. We detail the determination of the basic observational
reference frame. A technique for recovering model-independent brightness
profiles for data from each occulting edge is discussed, along with the
tomographic combination of these profiles to build an image of the source star.
Finally we demonstrate the technique with recovered images of the {\alpha}
Centauri binary system and the circumstellar environment of the evolved
late-type giant star, Mira.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, Accepted by MNRA
Theoretical studies of the phase transition in the anisotropic 2-D square spin lattice
The phase transition occurring in a square 2-D spin lattice governed by an
anisotropic Heisenberg Hamiltonian has been studied according to two recently
proposed methods. The first one, the Dressed Cluster Method, provides excellent
evaluations of the cohesive energy, the discontinuity of its derivative around
the critical (isotropic) value of the anisotropy parameter confirms the
first-order character of the phase transition. Nevertheless the method
introduces two distinct reference functions (either N\'eel or XY) which may in
principle force the discontinuity. The Real Space Renormalization Group with
Effective Interactions does not reach the same numerical accuracy but it does
not introduce a reference function and the phase transition appears
qualitatively as due to the existence of two domains, with specific fixed
points. The method confirms the dependence of the spin gap on the anisotropy
parameter occurring in the Heisenberg-Ising domain
CREDIT SCORING, LOAN PRICING, AND FARM BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
In light of recent developments in agricultural credit evaluations, this study employs a multiperiod simulation model that endogenizes farm investment decisions, credit evaluations, and loan pricing based on the credit scoring procedures of agricultural lender. Model results show that credit-scored pricing yields time patterns of performance, credits classifications, and interest rates that parallel the firm's investment, financing, and debt servicing activities. Moreover, the lender's price responses dampen growth incentives as credit worthiness diminished, stimulate growth as credit improves, and lead to similar capital structures over time
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