Knowledge-based automatic tolerance analysis system

Tolerance measure is an important part of engineering, however, to date the system of applying this important technology has been left to the assessment of the engineer using appropriate guidelines. This work offers a major departure from the trial and error or random number generation techniques that have been used previously by using a knowledge-based system to ensure the intelligent optimisation within the manufacturing system. A system to optimise manufacturing tolerance allocation to a part known as Knowledge-based Automatic Tolerance Analysis (KATA) has been developed. KATA is a knowledge-based system shell built within AutoCAD. It has the ability for geometry creation in CAD and the capability to optimise the tolerance heuristically as an expert system. Besides the worst-case tolerancing equation to optimise the tolerance allocation, KATA's algorithm is supported by actual production information such as machine capability, types of cutting tools, materials, process capabilities etc. KATA's prototype is currently able to analyse a cylindrical shape workpiece and a simple prismatic part. Analyses of tolerance include dimensional tolerance and geometrical tolerance. KATA is also able to do angular cuts such as tapers and chamfers. The investigation has also led to the significant development of the single tolerance reference technique. This method departs from the common practice of multiple tolerance referencing technique to optimise tolerance allocation. Utilisation of this new technique has eradicated the error of tolerance stackup. The retests have been undertaken, two of which are cylindrical parts meant to test dimensional tolerance and an angular cut. The third is a simple prismatic part to experiment with the geometrical tolerance analysis. The ability to optimise tolerance allocation is based on real production data and not imaginary or random number generation and has improved the accuracy of the expected result after manufacturing. Any failure caused by machining parameters is cautioned at an early stage before an actual production run has commenced. Thus, the manufacturer is assured that the product manufactured will be within the required tolerance limits. Being the central database for all production capability information enables KATA to opt for several approaches and techniques of processing. Hence, giving the user flexibility of selecting the process plan best suited for any required situation

Technology sharing through university industry collaboration: Innovation in Malaysian manufacturing landscape

Innovation has been the key pillar of success for economic growth especially for developing countries. Malaysia is one resorting to both universities and industries to collaborate in a more engaging and concentrated fashion to accelerate innovation growth especially in the manufacturing sector. Despite the high number of university industry collaborations, the return rate of investments is low. This suggest a mismatch between the demands of both the university and industry. On that grounds, it is important to address this research gap, for it will provide insights to help industries and universities understand how academic collaborations can be intensified to spur innovation. The aim of this paper is to establish Technology Sharing as a conduit in University Industry Collaboration to intensifying innovation within the Malaysian Manufacturing Landscape. The paper is based on findings of a quantitative approach through survey questionnaire to determine a strong relationship on Technology Sharing through University Industry Collaboration as a source of innovation in the manufacturing industry. A total of 120 companies within the manufacturing landscape were survey and analysed using paired sample T-test. The mean scores were translated into percentages to amplify the magnitude of knowledge improvement and product development with Technology Sharing in manufacturing against the Business expenditure on R&D (BERD). The findings reveal, Technology Sharing through University Industry Collaboration improves knowledge within the company significantly. This generation of new knowledge is a source of innovation in product development to enhance the product/process/technology of the manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The findings also show that with Technology Sharing, companies’ absorptive capacity of new product development is significant. Improvement of knowledge translates into product development and augments innovation. This further ascertains the relationship of Technology Sharing in intensifying University Industry Collaboration to the growth of innovation within the Malaysian Manufacturing landscape

Hydrotherapy: An innovative treatment for obese Malaysians

Malaysia is ranked as a country with the most obese population in the Southeast Asia region, and placed sixth in the Asia Pacific. Obesity does not only influence the persons’ mobility and quality of health, but could also link to medical leaves and absenteeism affecting the overall workforce productivity and efficiency.Routine physical activity is essential for good health and it is particularly important for those who are trying to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight.However, it is disheartening to note that only 32.6 percent Malaysians above the age of 15 are involved in physical exercise or vigorous sports.There is an emergence of many types of hydrotherapy system, which are either active or passive and these can be at hospital settings, public places or in individual homes. Such hydrotherapy, if properly programmed can promote the physical activity amongst the obese in Malaysia. Current research on the use of active and passive hydrotherapy for obesity treatment was carried out.Subjects of both sexes and diverse age ranges, immersed themselves in a heated pool within hospital setting and in a bath tubs with high energy turbulent movement of medium temperature water. These hydrotherapy sessions provide a form of physical exercise in water as compared to on the land exercise.The findings of the hydrotherapy sessions have shown encouraging results.Quantitative data was analysed, with the help of descriptive statistics and paired sample t-test.Qualitative data was analysed manually with help of thematic analysis and specialized qualitative assessment software.This study reveals that hydrotherapy has improved patient’s mobility, flexibility and exercise capability.Results reveal the reduction in the weight of subjects, with both quantitative and qualitative data results show that Hydrotherapy improved the quality of life in term of body pain reduction and general health improvement.Therefore, it can be concluded that the hydrotherapy can be seen as extensions of exercise and one of the methods in reducing body fat and weight

An integrated method for identifying present status and risk of drought in Bangladesh

The occurrence and severity of agricultural droughts may not be dependent upon climatic variables alone. Rather increasingly, drought is affected by human interventions such as irrigation. Anthropogenic activity has introduced uncertainty in the assessment of current drought and future drought risk in many parts of the world; neither climatic nor remote sensing data alone are able to assess drought conditions effectively. In response, we present a simple approach to assess drought by combining a remote sensing-based drought index, the Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI), climate data (i.e., rainfall and temperature), and field observations to evaluate recent drought conditions in northwestern Bangladesh (NWB). Applying this approach, we gained five insights: (i) the TVDI successfully indicated the drought conditions of NWB and agrees with field observations, (ii) the integrated use of TVDI and climate data (such as rainfall and temperature) provides the best understanding of the difference between meteorological drought and droughts resulting from surface moisture conditions, (iii) the TVDI results agree with rainfall data (r2 = 0.40 in March and r2 = 46 in April) in a part of the study area (NWB) where irrigation is not available, (iv) the TVDI can be used along with climate data to predict the potential risk of drought, and (v) while meteorological drought exists due to low rainfall and high temperature in this NWB in pre-monsoon season, because of widespread irrigation practices, meteorological drought is unable to trigger agricultural drought over most parts of the study area. The findings imply that there is a potential risk of drought in NWB, since any disruption of irrigation water supply could trigger a severe agricultural drought over the whole region. This is similar to what is currently observed over a small part of NW

Kamus Matematika Bergambar

xi, 172 hlm; 21 c

Review on the Prominence of SMEs in Malaysia and Its’ Imprint on University Industry Collaboration

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) represent a very large percentage in the Malaysian economy landscape and has a huge impact on University Industry Collaborations (UIC). In many developed and developing countries, UIC have clearly benefited both the industry and university on a large scale. However, Malaysia faces a different set of challenges to overcome in establishing intensified UIC. The representation of SMEs must be considered and amplified in a collaboration between industries and universities to ensure sustainability in the collaboration and continuous innovative development of both the industry and university. Herein, this paper explores the prominence of SMEs within the Malaysian economic landscape. It further examines the differences in policy direction and supply chain management for SMEs by developed economies. Based on that parameters, this paper also discusses the imprint SMEs has on UIC

University industry collaboration: The role of public universities within the Malaysian manufacturing landscape

In developed countries, universities are reputed as hub of innovation, contrarily to developing countries, universities are intermediary platforms for the diffusion of technology from large manufacturing companies to the value chain. The Malaysian Government through its blueprints emphasize that public universities have an important role in supporting innovation and technology commercialization. Despite myriad initiatives created and executed to help universities in improving their ability to innovate, the outcomes have yet to meet national expectations. This suggests a lack of awareness on the influence of universities especially in University Industry Collaboration (UIC) towards sustainable development in the innovation ecosystem. On that grounds, it is important to address this research gap, for it will provide insights to manufacturing companies and help universities themselves in being instrumental towards the intensification of UIC. The intent of this paper is to determine the role of public universities in UIC within the Malaysian manufacturing landscape. This paper is based on findings of a quantitative approach through survey questionnaire. A total of 20 public universities and 40 large manufacturing companies were surveyed and analysed using Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. For further evidence, registered intellectual property was analysed using One sample T-test. The percentage of expenditure of R&D per export value by large manufacturing companies in Malaysia was used as test value to determine the current role of public universities within the Malaysian manufacturing landscape. The findings reveal, public universities in Malaysia remain as intermediary platforms for large manufacturing companies to share their technology with the value chain. As intermediaries, public universities fortify knowledge and product development for large manufacturing companies. The findings further reveal, registered intellectual property by large manufacturing companies is a significant indicator of UIC outcomes through R&D processes. The findings of this paper add to the dimensions of empirical research on the significance of public universities in intensifying UIC. The importance of public universities in creating relevant and sustainable technology is paramount. Only when universities are solicited as hub of innovation by the manufacturing landscape, Malaysia will move up the value chain in manufacturing

Establishing basis for funnel approach in research: Using ontology to examine electronic payment system from the view of business process reengineering

Researchers are often been confronted with the dilemma of providing a clear linkage among otherwise differing entities, because it has become a general requirement for researchers to view phenomenon from a broader to a narrowed perspective.The objective of this paper is to create connection between Business Process Re engineering (BPR) and Electronic Payment System (EPS) and make way for researchers to build upon this method to make similar connection in the future.Based on comprehensive literature review and use of ontology approach, it was found that people, process, and technology are the basic components of BPR, whereas technology is categorized into soft and hard technology.Within the soft technology there are different types, which include business technology, social technology, military technology etc.Finally, further linkage was provided between business technology and e-payment systems.This paper pioneered the use of ontology approach to provide connections among st those entities

Industry centre of excellence enhancing corporate social responsibility for local small and medium enterprises

The project is the kick-off from the Industry Centre Excellence in Wholesale and Retail championed by Universiti Utara Malaysia. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the commitment of business to contribute economic development, working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their quality of life.The aim of this paper is to report the assessment of the Innovative Collaboration for Knowledge Transfer (ICKT) in the CSR project for Small and Medium Enterprises' (SMEs') performance sustainability and identify the main barriers found in ICKT-CSR model.It was found, the ICKT-CSR is the modus operandi and catalyst for the wave of paradigm shift in the efforts. Furthermore, the findings showed that the project is carried-out to ensure the economic sustainability, which is a pattern of growth in utilizing the resources while nurturing the economy in order to meet both company and SMEs interest for a long-term.It is also to augment the hands-on of the real project among the students and interns who involved in the project. The model is beneficial to be adopted by many businesses to gallop into a global recognition for a CSR excellence of distinction with sustainability