Process improvement in BAe Systems and the wider aerospace sector

Purpose: To research the change management processes used to implement ‘world class’ improvements in a major aerospace company, BAE SYSTEMS, and to propose a model for process improvement in the wider aerospace sector. Design/methodology/approach: The research was undertaken as a longitudinal study over a period of five years. A variety of research methodologies were used at various stages of the research including action research and observation. Semi-structured and unstructured interviews were used to gather qualitative data along with documentary evidence of the processes being used. Findings: There are three key findings. Firstly, an understanding of the production stages in the aerospace sector: future project; new product; sustain and return to work. Secondly details of a matrix-based approach and the issues regarding its implementation in a large organisation are discussed. Thirdly, a generic set of principles to aid process improvement in the aerospace sector is proposed. Research limitations/implications: Given that the study is based in one company, there are issues regarding the generalisation of the results. A potential further research project would entail the implementation of the proposed generic principles in another aerospace organisation. Practical implications: For BAE SYSTEMS, this research project aided their understanding of the issues involved in rolling out a process improvement program in a large organisation.Originality/value: Until recently, most of the research into process improvement had either been universalistic or aimed at another type of industry, such as the automotive industry. This research helps to address the specific needs of the aerospace industry

Designing Tech Policy: Instructional Case Studies for Technologists and Policymakers

The UW Tech Policy Instructional Case Studies position students to consider the deeply interactional processes of human values and technology. Within pedagogical bounds, students engage both technical and policy elements and develop design solutions. For instructors, the case studies have been written and formatted so that they can be appropriated for varied educational settings. Each of the tech policy instructional case studies (see Table 1) follow this three-part pattern: 1. Background. The case studies begin with information on the technology and social context at hand. This introduces both the students and the instructor to the technical problem and the social considerations that will be addressed in the design activity. 2. Design activity. The case studies include a suggested design process, beginning with a design prompt. The design prompt invites students to consider an open-ended challenge in which they must find and frame their own problems within a specific tech policy theme. After the prompt, each case study presents students with a step-by-step design process using methods from value sensitive design (Friedman, Hendry, & Borning, 2017; Friedman & Hendry, 2019). The process can be engaged to varying degrees of depth and robustness. 3. Reflections. Each case study includes reflective questions about the solution and about the design process. The reflective questions can be used, for example, to structure classroom discussion or in writing assignments completed outside of class.https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/techlab/1021/thumbnail.jp

Evaluasi Penyimpangan Pondasi Tiang Dari Rencana Awal

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mencari ketepatan dalam pemancangan pondasi tiang dan membandingkan penyimpangan titik tiang pancang yang terjadi di lapangan dengan batasan standar-standar yang ada. Standar-standar yang digunakan untuk batasan toleransi penyimpangan pada tiang pancang adalah British Standard, Canadian Standard, dan Indian Standard. Ke-3 standar di atas menggunakan batas penyimpangan tiang pancang maksimum sebesar 75mm dan 150mm. Data yang menunjukan besarnya penyimpangan tiang pancang ditentukan dari hasil perpindahan tiang secara lateral dari posisi awal rencana tiang pancang tersebut. Hasil penelitian awal terhadap 19 proyek yang menggunakan pondasi tiang dengan dimensi dari 250mm sampai 600mm menunjukan bahwa sekitar 40% tiang dengan diameter 600mm berada dalam batas penyimpangan kurang dari 75mm, sedangkan sekitar 60% tiang dengan diameter 500mm, dan sekitar 65% tiang berdiameter 250mm sampai dengan 450mm. Dengan kata lain dapat disimpulkan bahwa semakin besar dimensi tiang semakin menurun tingkat ketepatan posisi tiang

Can a workspace help to overcome the query formulation problem in image retrieval?

We have proposed a novel image retrieval system that incorporates a workspace where users can organise their search results. A task-oriented and user-centred experiment has been devised involving design professionals and several types of realistic search tasks. We study the workspace’s effect on two aspects: task conceptualisation and query formulation. A traditional relevance feedback system serves as baseline. The results of this study show that the workspace is more useful with respect to both of the above aspects. The proposed approach leads to a more effective and enjoyable search experience

Resilience Grammar: A Value Sensitive Design Method for Resilience Thinking

The resilience grammar is a method for bringing a value sensitive design sensibility to resilience thinking. The method provides a systematic process for researchers, designers, and policymakers to identify and trace resilience pathways in the context of real world responses to stressors and obstacles. The grammar is composed of seven statement types, which bring forward aspects of resilience. Each statement type is composed of a connecting phrase and an element, in the form of “resilience connecting-phrase .” In this report, we define each statement type in the resilience grammar, provide two brief illustrations of the grammar in action, and conclude with six suggestions for use. Taken together, the resilience grammar enables the expression and integration of diverse stakeholders, values, value tensions, and worldview into an account of resilience thinking.https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/techlab/1019/thumbnail.jp

Evaluating a workspace's usefulness for image retrieval

Image searching is a creative process. We have proposed a novel image retrieval system that supports creative search sessions by allowing the user to organise their search results on a workspace. The workspace’s usefulness is evaluated in a task-oriented and user-centred comparative experiment, involving design professionals and several types of realistic search tasks. In particular, we focus on its effect on task conceptualisation and query formulation. A traditional relevance feedback system serves as a baseline. The results of this study show that the workspace is more useful in terms of both of the above aspects and that the proposed approach leads to a more effective and enjoyable search experience. This paper also highlights the influence of tasks on the users’ search and organisation strategy

Non-invasive, near-field terahertz imaging of hidden objects using a single pixel detector

Terahertz (THz) imaging has the ability to see through otherwise opaque materials. However, due to the long wavelengths of THz radiation ({\lambda}=300{\mu}m at 1THz), far-field THz imaging techniques are heavily outperformed by optical imaging in regards to the obtained resolution. In this work we demonstrate near-field THz imaging with a single-pixel detector. We project a time-varying optical mask onto a silicon wafer which is used to spatially modulate a pulse of THz radiation. The far-field transmission corresponding to each mask is recorded by a single element detector and this data is used to reconstruct the image of an object placed on the far side of the silicon wafer. We demonstrate a proof of principal application where we image a printed circuit board on the underside of a 115{\mu}m thick silicon wafer with ~100{\mu}m ({\lambda}/4) resolution. With subwavelength resolution and the inherent sensitivity to local conductivity provided by the THz probe frequencies, we show that it is possible to detect fissures in the circuitry wiring of a few microns in size. Imaging systems of this type could have other uses where non-invasive measurement or imaging of concealed structures with high resolution is necessary, such as in semiconductor manufacturing or in bio-imaging

Finite element analysis applied to redesign of submerged entry nozzles for steelmaking

The production of steel by continuous casting is facilitated by the use of refractory hollow-ware components. A critical component in this process is the submerged entry nozzle (SEN). The normal operating conditions of the SEN are arduous, involving large temperature gradients and exposure to mechanical forces arising from the flow of molten steel; experimental development of the components is challenging in so hazardous an environment. The effects of the thermal stress conditions in relation to a well-tried design were therefore simulated using a finite element analysis approach. It was concluded from analyses that failures of the type being experienced are caused by the large temperature gradient within the nozzle. The analyses pointed towards a supported shoulder area of the nozzle being most vulnerable to failure and practical in-service experience confirmed this. As a direct consequence of the investigation, design modifications, incorporating changes to both the internal geometry and to the nature of the intermediate support material, were implemented, thereby substantially reducing the stresses within the Al2O3/graphite ceramic liner. Industrial trials of this modified design established that the component reliability would be significantly improved and the design has now been implemented in series production