Application of the Advanced Quality Improvement Techniques: Case Study

Part 1: Production ProcessInternational audienceImplementation of the advanced cost-effective methodologies for product and/or process quality improvement is an effective mean to fulfil or exceeds customer’s expectations. This paper presents the analysis of a performance of automatic enamelling process for a non-normal data distribution, conducted within the six sigma project implemented in a production system. Drawing on the process analysis results, process optimisation was performed using location and dispersion modelling. It proved its effectiveness in determining the significant effects of process factors on the response mean and variation, and in obtaining the optimal factors setting of the observed single-response process

Ants Colony Optimisation of a Measuring Path of Prismatic Parts on a CMM

This paper presents optimisation of a measuring probe path in inspecting the prismatic parts on a CMM. The optimisation model is based on: (i) the mathematical model that establishes an initial collision-free path presented by a set of points, and (ii) the solution of Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) obtained with Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO). In order to solve TSP, an ACO algorithm that aims to find the shortest path of ant colony movement (i.e. the optimised path) is applied. Then, the optimised path is compared with the measuring path obtained with online programming on CMM ZEISS UMM500 and with the measuring path obtained in the CMM inspection module of Pro/ENGINEER® software. The results of comparing the optimised path with the other two generated paths show that the optimised path is at least 20% shorter than the path obtained by on-line programming on CMM ZEISS UMM500, and at least 10% shorter than the path obtained by using the CMM module in Pro/ENGINEER®

Geometric inspection planning as a key element in industry 4.0

In the context of Industry 4.0, inspection is fundamental: if manufacturing opens the loop by converting digital parts into physical parts, inspection closes the loop by turning physical parts into information. The difference between an effective and a useless inspection is its planning. A well-planned inspection will provide the required data and information without wasting time and money. In this work, we discuss the current role of geometric inspection planning, showing that not only it is a must for Industry 4.0, in order to guarantee a good link between the physical and digital world, but it can take advantage of this framework to improve itself. Methodologies for optimal inspection planning have been already conceptually proved and are just waiting for the required amount of data and information to be available, and Industry 4.0 will be the enabler to fill this gap

Timing of Immigration Effects Asset Change Among Hispanic Caregivers of Older Family Members

Given the cultural value of family in Hispanic culture, older Hispanic immigrants are likely to have family caregivers. This study examined the economic implications of caring for older Hispanic adults regarding non-housing financial wealth over time. Using the 2008, 2010, and 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and RAND HRS data files, this study compares changes in the non-housing financial wealth between 2008 and 2012 by caregiving and immigration status among Hispanics. This study examined differences in assets between Hispanic caregivers and non-caregivers and more specifically examined the subpopulation of Hispanic caregivers who immigrated prior to and after 1968 as compared to U.S.-born caregivers to better understand the effect of the Immigration and Nationality Amendment Act of 1965 on asset change. Results indicate that caregiving itself did not have a statistically significant association with wealth, but the timing of immigration to the US had a statistically significant correlation (p \u3c.05) with changes in the financial wealth. The findings of this study have implications for policy and program development targeting older adults and caregiving for this population