System benchmark of CAD-CAM in the area of tool making

In the following thesis a benchmark for CAD/CAM systems in the area of tool making is explained. This benchmark is adapted to the specific requirements existing in a hot-forging company located in the region of Styria (Austria). The mid-sized company demands an improvement of the current software situation to enhance the efficiency of the CAD/CAM processes and its landscape towards future digitalization processes. Due to the broad spectrum of CAD/CAM software systems existing in today’s market, it might be challenging to choose one software system that really fits to the requirements. In order to solve this situation, a benchmark is done. Out of this benchmark, two CAD/CAM software systems were considered as future potential alternatives based on the requirements existing at the company. Then, a decision-making procedure made of five different scenarios and based on certain criteria is proposed. These five different scenarios are the combination of the current software systems existing at the Styrian forging company and the alternative software systems.<br /

AiLingo – A Design Science Approach to Advancing Non-Expert Adults’ AI Literacy

Non-experts struggle in human-AI collaboration due to AI’s differences from more traditional technologies, such as inscrutability. Meanwhile, information systems research on AI education primarily focuses on students in formal learning settings and neglects non-expert adults. Applying a design science research approach, we develop a learning application (“AiLingo”) as an informal learning experience to advance non-expert adults’ AI literacy. Based on self-determination theory, we deduct design principles and features tailored to non-expert adults. Through experimental evaluation (n = 101), we find that a learning experience with our design features present (vs. absent) leads to greater AI literacy advancement. Additionally, we find downstream effects of AI literacy, as it increases AI usage continuance intention and leads to a more positive attitude toward AI. Our study contributes to AI literacy and educational literature with a perspective on non-expert adults, novel design knowledge for AI education, and the discovery of crucial AI literacy consequences

Mehr Leben als Tod in Rom. Josef Winklers römische Novelle «Natura morta»

The essay’s introduction examines the importance of Italy for Josef Winkler and puts the novella «Natura morta» in context with his oeuvre. The  subsequent analysis of the text highlights the technique used by the author, which shows similarities with the process of film shooting. The narrator’s eye follows the main character like a movie camera and is focused on numerous details as if it were zooming on them. In this process, while advancing the novella’s plot, the author paints a colorful portrait of Rome, bringing the city tolife like a baroque still life

Combined Machine Tool for Stepped Shafts

The paper deals with a novel design of a combined machine tool in comparison with known contemporary analogues. It is designed for multifunctional machining of workpieces in one or two setups in collet and centre-to-centre design. Typical of this machine tool is the use of a bed with a trapezoidal cross-section with inclined longitudinal guides on both sides for the slides used for rough, fine and finish machining. With this design, the slides are spatially separated and lightly loaded. The material removal during roughing and finishing is separated from each other. The grinding slide and its guides are not subjected to additional thermal deflections caused by the high-temperature crisps produced during turning, and the slide for roughing and finishing is spatially protected against the influence of grinding powder. The bed meets the requirements for a thermos symmetrical design and allows internal cooling. The advantages of this arrangement from the design, technical and economic points of view are presented

Platform for Monitoring and Comparing Machining Processes in Terms of Energy Efficiency

This paper presents a smart energy consumption monitoring platform for machining processes with a unique electrical energy consumption indicator (EECI) for the evaluation and comparison of machining processes in terms of energy efficiency. The purpose of the developed smart monitoring platform with the integrated EECI and the Industry 4.0 digital technologies is to raise the level of efficiency of the machining process and thus to stimulate more sustainable and environmentally friendly machining. The energy consumption monitoring of a milling process is performed by connecting a machine tool with integrated sensors for measuring electrical power and cutting force to a cloud platform by using resources for signal acquiring and data acquisition. The platform includes applications for energy consumption monitoring and/or analysis. Results of four machining experiments are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed energy consumption monitoring in machining and the applicability of the newly introduced EECI at the engineering and the operational level

Adaptive Smart Assembly Concept in e-Mobility: A Research Direction

Achieving high total volume, high variety batch size production can be quite expensive. In this vision paper, the methodology of achieving this at low costs and the available technologies in the field of e-mobility production are described. The focus of this research lies in high adaptive and cognitive aspects in the assembly. To match the high flexibility of a Flexible Manufacturing System while considering costs, a use case of an e-axle assembly is being done. E-axle is chosen due to the ongoing electrification of mobility as the demand of mass production is low. Hence, a solution for implementing a set of methodologies for an adaptive manufacturing system with respect to assembly and implementation efforts is shown. A LoPA (Level of Practical Application) matrix is presented of all the possible adaptive technologies that are feasible to implement in the e-assembly line

Retinale und chorioidale Veränderungen bei LDL-Rezeptor-knockout Mäusen als Modell für die altersabhängige Makuladegeneration

Age-related Macular degeneration (AMD) is a common reason for blindness among eldery people in the western world. Changes in retina and chorioidea cause loss of function in the central sight. AMD occurs in two forms: the common dry form and the aggressive wet form. First the dry form affects the metabolism of the retina, so that the photoreceptor cells slowly degenerate. The aimless growth of blood vessels, neovascularisation or wet form of the AMD, can cause severe complications. Until now the complete pathogenesis of this disease is not known. No reliable animal model exists at the moment. Some studies showed similarities between AMD and arteriosclerosis. The aim of this study was to proclaim the LDL-receptor-knockout mouse as a possible animal model for AMD. This mouse mutant is an animal model for arteriosclerosis. We studied retina and chorioidea of 16 LDL receptor knockout mutants and 17 Bl/6J wildtype animals. Groups were divided in young and adult animals, the adults were fed with two diets, containing normal or enriched amount of fat. Elektron microscopic and histochemical techniques showed that the mutants develop alterations of the choriocapillaris, lipid deposits in Bruchs membrane and RPE and show degenerated photoreceptor segments. These changes depended on age and fat content of the diet. The same changes were seen in the wildtype mice on high fat diet, but the expression was less significant. Young mice and Bl/6J mice on a low fat diet did not show these changes. As the results show similarities with the changes in AMD, allthough no neovascular development was seen, the LDL-receptor-knockout mutant could be used as an animal model for the early stages and the dry form of AMD.Die altersabhängige Makuladegeneration (kurz: AMD) ist die häufigste Erblindungsursache der älteren Menschen in der westlichen Welt. Bisher lassen sich die genauen Vorgänge der Krankheitsentstehung und des Fortschreitens noch nicht vollständig erklären. Vielfach wurden aber durch Studien Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen der AMD und der Arteriosklerose aufgedeckt. Da die existierenden Tiermodelle nur einzelne Teilaspekte des Krankheitsgeschehens widerspiegeln, kann derzeit noch nicht auf ein etabliertes Tiermodell für diese komplexe Erkrankung zurückgegriffen werden. Als Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit galt es, die Eignung der LDL-Rezeptor-knockout Mutante des Bl/6J-Mäusestammes als Modell für die AMD zu überprüfen, da diese Maus, durch die Ausbildung von Gefäßschäden, bereits ein etabliertes Arteriosklerose-Tiermodell ist. Im Detail beschäftigt sich diese Untersuchung mit der Netzhaut und der Aderhaut von 16 LDL-Rezeptor-knockout Mäusemutanten und 17 Wildtypmäusen als Kontrolltiere. Aus jeder Gruppe wurden junge und erwachsene Tiere untersucht. Die adulten Mäuse erhielten entweder fettarmes oder fettreiches Futter. Die Untersuchung führte zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Mäusemutanten altersabhängig und durch den Fettgehalt der Ernährung beeinflusst, Veränderungen in den Kapillaren der Aderhaut, Lipideinlagerungen in der Bruchschen Membran und im retinalem Pigmentepithel der Netzhaut entwickelten und dass Photorezeptoren degenerierten. Ähnliche Veränderungen konnten, allerdings in gradueller Abstufung, auch bei den Wildtypmäusen mit fettreicher Fütterung beobachtet werden. Die jungen Wildtypmäuse und die Adulten unter fettarmer Diät zeigten diese pathologischen Befunde nicht. Aufgrund der histopathologischen Ähnlichkeit der Befunde mit den Veränderungen bei der AMD und aufgrund des Fehlens von Neovaskularisationen, eignet sich die LDL-Rezeptor-knockout Mausmutante als Tiermodell für die Initialstadien und die trockene Form der AMD, da gegenüber der Wildtyp-Maus eine gesteigerte Disposition, AMD-ähnliche Symptome zu entwickeln, vorliegt

CONTROLLING IM WISSENSMANAGEMENT – KONZEPTION EINES ALLGEMEINEN ANSATZES ZUR ERFOLGSBEWERTUNG IM WISSENSMANAGEMENT

Es ist allgemein akzeptiert, dass Wissensversorgung und interne Wissensweitergabe unverzichtbare Erfolgsfaktoren für Unternehmen im Wettbewerb sind. Offen ist allerdings wie man den diesbezüglichen Status eines Unternehmens messen oder diagnostizieren kann, um daraus konkrete und wirksame Maßnahmen für die Verbesserung des Wissensmanagements abzuleiten. Da es bisher keine methodisch zufrieden stellende Unterstützung dafür gibt, ist das Ziel des Beitrags eine Bestandsaufnahme und kritische Reflexion der bisherigen Ansätze zur Erfolgsmessung im Wissensmanagement sowie ein Beitrag für die Entwicklung einer konzeptionellen Grundlage