Improving the Multi-Brand Channel Distribution of a Fashion Retailer

One has seen exponential growth in the number of clients and in the quantities ordered in the fashion retailing multi-brand channel. It has, therefore, become essential to improve the channel’s distribution process in order to meet the customers’ orders in the shortest time, and in a cost-effective manner, thus complying with the delivery terms agreed upon with the market. To this end, one studied aspects such as the mapping of the supply flow process, the occupation of space and the spaghetti-dash diagram of four current distribution process activities. Besides these, one also analyzed the calculation of productivity, cycle times, takt time, as well as the service level designed, with the purpose of preparing a system to evaluate company performance. In addition to these studies, one resorted to the ABC and SWOT customers’ analyses in order to develop the improvement proposal, which was characterized by: (a) changes in the layout, (b) improvements in the supply flow, (c) implementation of gravity carriers, as well as more ergonomic forms of transport, and (d) the use of computer applications developed in Visual Basic language for the distribution process. Based on this proposal, one succeeded in increasing the amount sorted out by the distributor in an eight-hour shift to 294 articles (11,23%). Cycle time was reduced from 0,015 minutes/article to 0,013 minutes/article (13,33%), which allows for the segregation of articles in time for the next collections. In addition, the occupied space was reduced to 47 m2 on average per collection (1,39%), which is translated into a reduction of 1 498 468 meters (23,34%) in the average distance covered per collection. Furthermore, the number of workers was reduced, on average, by five employees (12,82%) per collection. The storage capacity of the finished product was also increased by 535 boxes (11,30%). The total investment needed to achieve these changes is established as being 23 754,42 €; yet, the payback time involved will only be six months, resulting in a cumulative profit of 84 504,23 € by the end of the fall/winter 2020 collection.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparative evaluation of adhesively-bonded single-lap and stepped-lap joints

Several adhesive joint configurations are available, namely butt joints, single-lap joints (SLJ), double-lap joints and scarf joints. Stepped-lap joints, which are not so studied, consist of a finite number of steps in the bonded area, possessing stress concentrations at all step edges instead of only at the bonded length edges. Stepped-lap joints increase the maximum load (Pm) over SLJ. The present study experimentally and numerically evaluates the static tensile strength of SLJ and stepped-lap joints bonded with the moderately ductile adhesive Araldite® 2015, considering varying values of overlap length (LO). A Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis was carried out to compare through-thickness normal (σy) and shear (τxy) stresses in the bondline between joint configurations. Additionally, a Cohesive Zone Modelling (CZM) analysis was considered to study the failure modes and to evaluate the CZM technique’s accuracy. Between SLJ and stepped-lap joints, the improved stress distributions of the stepped-lap joints resulted in higher joint performance, especially for higher LO. The CZM model revealed to be accurate in predicting Pm.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dust in Lacquer, Evidence of Deviation of Process in Production Lines for Spray Painting

This paper concerns work carried with a view to reduce defect occurrence rate in the spray painting lines of MDF (medium density fibre cluster-medium density fibreboard) parts of a multinational mobile manufacturing. The determination of the causes for the excessive rejection values is elusive for the multiplicity of factors and parameters involved and the dispersion of application times, not always sufficiently or properly documented. A process analysis methodology was applied to diagnose possible causes of defect occurrences. Considering that the highest defect rate concerned impurities, data collected over a six months’ period was analysed using SPSS to find the correlation between parameters, to find optimal limits of some parameters and evidence of their influence. Kaizen-Lean actions were discussed and implemented conducing to an effective reduction of the existing impurities defect rate, which decreased ninefold related with initial work values.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Design of a modular solution for an autonomous vehicle for cargo transport and handling

Due to the globalization of markets, the industrial competitiveness has increased significantly in the recent years. Within this scope, the transportation of products inside industrial parks acquires special relevancy. One of the solutions is the use of autonomous guided vehicles. This work presents the design of a modular autonomous vehicle, capable of carrying heavy loads, which will improve the performance of industrial parks. This is a compact vehicle with low associated costs and good transport speeds. A drive system was designed, which will be capable of transporting the proposed loads. This design was carried out using simulations of the transport with loads, either in plane ground or in an industrial park. A structural analysis to the vehicle was also undertaken by the Finite Element Method, showing the points of the structure that require reinforcement for the different load cases. Finally, the required corrections were implemented, giving to the structure the ability to carry the desired loads. The end result was an autonomous vehicle with capacity to safely transport the imposed loads in the most efficient possible manner.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparison of different test configurations for the shear fracture toughness evaluation of a ductile adhesive

Cohesive zone modelling (CZM) is widely used for predicting the strength of adhesive joints. The key variable for crack path modelling is the critical strain energy release rate (GC), which can be separated into the tensile (GIC) and shear (GIIC) components. In shear, the End Notched Flexure (ENF) test is widespread. However, other test methods exist and could be a viable replacement. This work aims to make a numerical evaluation between the ENF and Four-Point End Notched Flexure (4ENF) tests to determine GIIC of a ductile adhesive (SikaForce® 7752) and to provide shear CZM laws for further application in design. An inverse technique was used to obtain the shear CZM laws of the adhesive. It was concluded that the GIIC values obtained by the ENF and 4ENF tests are in good agreement. The numerical analysis led to unique shear CZM laws for both tests, with similar results.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fracture envelope estimation of a structural adhesive by dedicated fracture tests

Cohesive zone modelling (CZM) is widespread for the strength analysis of bonded joints. The fracture toughness (GC) is required to use CZM. A scarcely studied mixed-mode test is the Asymmetric Tapered Double-Cantilever Beam (ATDCB), which merges a Tapered Double-Cantilever Beam (TDCB) adherend with a Double-Cantilever Beam (DCB) adherend. This work addresses the ATDCB test to estimate the fracture envelope of a structural adhesive. TDCB and End-Notched Flexure (ENF) tests were also performed to acquire the tensile (GIC) and shear fracture toughness (GIIC), respectively. Numerically, mixed-mode CZM laws were constructed based on the obtained data, and the results were compared with experiments, to validate the CZM laws and the mixed mode propagation criterion. As a result, the best damage propagation criterion for mixed mode was estimated and validated.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rheological Behaviour of PP Nanocomposites by Extrusion Process

The effect of organophilic clay (C15A) in PP compatibilized polymer (PP/PP-g-MA) through rheological experimental results is presented. This study focusses on the description of the rheological behaviour of the organophilic layers along the screws of a twin screw extruder by melting process, varying the screw profile as well as the processing conditions, namely screw speed, temperature and feed rate. Different levels of dispersion were found along the screws for all conditions and positions analyzed by rheology. The qualitative analysis of the images obtained by transmission electron microscopy, reinforced the results. Furthermore, the effects of the processing conditions on dispersion of C15A layers along the screw profile are analyzed using multiple linear regression techniques. The results show statistically significant differences of all rheology measures for all the processing conditions and positions along the extruder.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Key settings for successful Open Innovation Arena

The purpose of this paper is to examine settings for the Open Innovation Arena. In greater depth, this paper aims to analyse and reveal which factors influence the formation of an appropriate arena for doing open innovation and furthermore to prescribe how a firm can create an effective arena to gain access to external knowledge. This paper presents a review on open innovation literature with the purpose of examining the current understanding of factors influencing a firm’s capacity to embrace and practice open innovation as well as understanding what is critical when fitting outside systems. It presents the results of a survey conducted among 25 researchers from INESC TEC, the Portuguese Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology, and Science. The study concludes that conditions, namely culture, leadership and strategy, are the main drivers to an open innovation arena, highlighting culture as the most important one.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Guidelines for Machine Tool Sensing and Smart Manufacturing Integration

Nowadays the Industry is becoming increasingly competitive with the emergence of even more advanced technologies. This environment leads the companies to look for a bigger availability of the assets, a higher quality of the products and consequently less costs. Thus, is because of this purpose that Maintenance is becoming even more fundamental. The focus of this paper was to develop a strategy of Predictive Maintenance on a Machine Tool with the aim of reducing the unplanned stops, increasing the productivity and creating the bases for an Industry 4.0 environment in the short term. Thus, a model has been created in order to fulfil this goal. The first step was the selection of the critical component of the machine tool that would be studied. In the next phase the variables that will be monitored were selected and their trigger limits. Finally, the necessary components to monitor this system were chosen. In order to reach the objective, a system of condition-based maintenance where the acoustic emissions and vibration of the bearing of a machine tool were monitor was proposed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Solving Quality Problems in Tyre Production Preparation Process: A Practical Approach

This work was carried out at Continental tyre factory in Portugal, regarding the APEX machines production process, with the main goal of improving of their performance and product quality rate. Main possible causes of defect generation were identified and proposals to enhance the functioning of the bead APEX production process were also carried out. By applying Six Sigma, variables that influence the quality of the production were identified. DMAIC cycle (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) was applied in the process analysis, enabling a structured analysis and the identification of different causes that negatively affect the process studied and consequently allowed the identification of opportunities for improvement. With the help of the DMAIC method, a series of experiments were developed in order to achieve improvements in product quality rate and process control and stabilization.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio