Application of lean approaches and techniques in an automotive company

In this paper are applied lean approaches and techniques in an industrial environment at Preh Portugal, Lda., a Company involved in the automotive sector located in Trofa, Portugal. This work makes use of the action-research methodology, aiming to diagnose the production system and to implement lean production procedures in order to optimize the Mizusumashi that supplies several production sections, about plastic Injection, cutting and painting. The results obtained enabled to obtain significant improvements on this Company at several factory management and operational levels.This work was supported by FCT “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” under the program: PEst20152020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reversible inhibition of reproduction during regeneration of cerebral ganglia and celomocytes in the earthworm Dendrobaena veneta

Earthworms may be subjected to mechanical/chemical stimuli and/or sub-lethal predator attacks leading to the extrusion of celomocytes and/or loss of body parts; thus, regeneration of cells, tissues and organs has adaptive value. The aim of present study on the lumbricid earthworm Dendrobaena veneta was to determine the interactive effects of celomocytes and the brain on the regeneration of either system after experimental depletion or extirpation, and to assess the effects of such treatments on reproductive performance. Decerebration was achieved either by amputating the first six anterior segments, or by surgery; celomocyte depletion was achieved by a standard electro-stimulation procedure. Celomocytes (amebocyte and eleocytes, respectively) were counted by hemocytometry, and riboflavin content in celomocyte lysates measured by spectrofluorimetry. The main findings were: (i) D. veneta regenerated anatomically intact brain, including neurosecretory cells, within 10 - 18 weeks after its removal plus celomocyte depletion (i.e. dual treatment); (ii) amoebocyte counts recovered to control levels by 10 weeks after extrusion treatment alone, but were still lower (60 %) than in controls at 18 weeks after dual treatment; eleocyte recovery after electro-stimulation alone was slow, reaching control levels only after 18 weeks, and was further retarded (31 % of controls at 18 weeks) by brain extirpation; (iii) riboflavin content was lower than controls only in the dual-treatment worms at 5 weeks; riboflavin content relative to eleocyte numbers was initially higher than controls in both treatment groups; this index was restored to control levels by 18 weeks in the electro-stimulation only treatment whilst recovery was somewhat retarded in the brain-extirpated group; (iv) celomocyte depletion treatment alone slightly impaired reproductive output, whilst brain removal had pronounced and protracted inhibitory effects. The observations engender the hypothesis that brain-derived neurosecretions and immune-competent celomocytes act in tandem to modulate neural regeneration and reproduction

Integrated platform for real-time control and production and productivity monitoring and analysis

In this paper is proposed the IndustSystems, which is an integrated platform that aims at controlling and monitoring of production and evaluation of productivity in real time, via web access, using hybrid and scheduling algorithms that allow management and optimized use of production resources and perfect synchronization of production flows.This work was supported by FCT “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” under the program: PEst20152020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

PPAR? Downregulation by TGF in Fibroblast and Impaired Expression and Function in Systemic Sclerosis: A Novel Mechanism for Progressive Fibrogenesis

The nuclear orphan receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) is expressed in multiple cell types in addition to adipocytes. Upon its activation by natural ligands such as fatty acids and eicosanoids, or by synthetic agonists such as rosiglitazone, PPAR-γ regulates adipogenesis, glucose uptake and inflammatory responses. Recent studies establish a novel role for PPAR-γ signaling as an endogenous mechanism for regulating transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß)- dependent fibrogenesis. Here, we sought to characterize PPAR-γ function in the prototypic fibrosing disorder systemic sclerosis (SSc), and delineate the factors governing PPAR-γ expression. We report that PPAR-γ levels were markedly diminished in skin and lung biopsies from patients with SSc, and in fibroblasts explanted from the lesional skin. In normal fibroblasts, treatment with TGF-ß resulted in a time- and dose-dependent down-regulation of PPAR-γ expression. Inhibition occurred at the transcriptional level and was mediated via canonical Smad signal transduction. Genome-wide expression profiling of SSc skin biopsies revealed a marked attenuation of PPAR-γ levels and transcriptional activity in a subset of patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc, which was correlated with the presence of a ''TGF-ß responsive gene signature'' in these biopsies. Together, these results demonstrate that the expression and function of PPAR-γ are impaired in SSc, and reveal the existence of a reciprocal inhibitory cross-talk between TGF-ß activation and PPAR-γ signaling in the context of fibrogenesis. In light of the potent anti-fibrotic effects attributed to PPAR-γ, these observations lead us to propose that excessive TGF-ß activity in SSc accounts for impaired PPAR-γ function, which in turn contributes to unchecked fibroblast activation and progressive fibrosis. © 2010 Wei et al

Application of FMEA for assessment of the polymer composite materials quality

The paper is devoted to developing a methodology for failure mode and effects analysis on the example of assessment of defects that occur during production and operation of polymer composite materials and industrial products from them. The paper uses the Ishikawa method to illustrate and further analyze the cause of defects in reinforced polymer composite material. The Ishikawa diagram was constructed and analyzed using the method of causal analysis. The types and consequences of failures and defects for polymer composite materials are analyzed. For each type of defect, the value of the priority number of risks is calculated. For the most critical defect, measures to reduce potential defects are proposed. Suggestions for improving the detected defective zones in the structures of polymer composites in the analysis process are given

Parameter Identification of Cutting Forces in Crankshaft Grinding Using Artificial Neural Networks

The intensifying of the manufacturing process and increasing the efficiency of production planning of precise and non-rigid parts, mainly crankshafts, are the first-priority task in modern manufacturing. The use of various methods for controlling the cutting force under cylindrical infeed grinding and studying its impact on crankpin machining quality and accuracy can improve machining efficiency. The paper deals with developing a comprehensive scientific and methodological approach for determining the experimental dependence parameters’ quantitative values for cutting-force calculation in cylindrical infeed grinding. The main stages of creating a method for conducting a virtual experiment to determine the cutting force depending on the array of defining parameters obtained from experimental studies are outlined. It will make it possible to get recommendations for the formation of a valid route for crankpin machining. The research’s scientific novelty lies in the developed scientific and methodological approach for determining the cutting force, based on the integrated application of an artificial neural network (ANN) and multi-parametric quasi-linear regression analysis. In particular, on production conditions, the proposed method allows the rapid and accurate assessment of the technological parameters’ influence on the power characteristics for the cutting process. A numerical experiment was conducted to study the cutting force and evaluate its value’s primary indicators based on the proposed method. The study’s practical value lies in studying how to improve the grinding performance of the main bearing and connecting rod journals by intensifying cutting modes and optimizing the structure of machining cycles

Development of Flexible Fixtures with Incomplete Locating: Connecting Rods Machining Case Study

The rapid development of manufacturing in recent years has led to a significant expansion of the technological capabilities of modern metal-cutting equipment. Therefore, the modern approach to intensifying production requires an advanced fixture design. Design and manufacture of flexible fixtures capable of machining similar shapes and sizes of complex geometry parts reduce setup time. The article aims to design flexible fixtures for parts such as one-piece connecting rods under incomplete locating conditions. The advantages are the minimum number of parts and tool availability for multi-axis machining connecting rods in one setup. This approach, combined with up-to-date machining centers and industrial robots, can increase the production efficiency of manufacturing non-removable connecting rods. This effectiveness is in a decrease in the number of operations by 5–7 times, fixtures—by 3–4 times, and machine tools—by 3–5 times, depending on the type of a non-removable connecting rod and its design features. The numerical simulation results of the proposed fixture design confirmed the comprehensive technological capabilities and dynamic characteristics. Particularly, a decrease in displacements and oscillation amplitudes up to 7% compared to the full-basing locating chart was provided. It is determined that the system “fixture–workpiece” entirely meets all the strength, accuracy, and rigidity parameters, which allows you to perform machining with intensive cutting modes. The amplitudes of oscillations do not exceed the tolerances on the dimensions of these surfaces, established by requirements for non-removable connecting rods, and all displacements are elastic. During numerical simulation, the workpiece position remained stable at all machining steps

Towards an anti-fibrotic therapy for scleroderma: targeting myofibroblast differentiation and recruitment

BACKGROUND: In response to normal tissue injury, fibroblasts migrate into the wound where they synthesize and remodel new extracellular matrix. The fibroblast responsible for this process is called the myofibroblast, which expresses the highly contractile protein alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA). In normal tissue repair, the myofibroblast disappears. Conversely, abnormal myofibroblast persistence is a key feature of fibrotic dieases, including scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc). Myofibroblasts can be derived from differentiation of local resident fibroblasts or by recruitment of microvascular pericytes. CLINICAL PROBLEM ADDRESSED: Controlling myofibroblast differentiation and persistence is crucial for developing anti-fibrotic therapies targeting SSc. BASIC SCIENCE ADVANCES: Insights have been recently generated into how the proteins transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), endothelin-1 (ET-1), connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) contribute to myofibroblast differentiation and pericyte recruitment in general and to the persistent myofibroblast phenotype of lesional SSc fibroblast, specifically. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL CARE: This minireview summarizes recent findings pertinent to the origin of myofibroblasts in SSc and how this knowledge might be used to control the fibrosis in this disease. CONCLUSIONS: TGFbeta, ET-1, CCN2 and PDGF are likely to cooperate in driving tissue repair and fibrogenic responses in fibroblasts. TGFbeta, ET-1 and CCN2 appear to contribute to myofibroblast differentiation; PDGF appears to be involved with pericyte recruitment. Thus, different therapeutic strategies may exist for targeting the multisystem fibrotic disorder SSc

Rac Inhibition Reverses the Phenotype of Fibrotic Fibroblasts

Background: Fibrosis, the excessive deposition of scar tissue by fibroblasts, is one of the largest groups of diseases for which there is no therapy. Fibroblasts from lesional areas of scleroderma patients possess elevated abilities to contract matrix and produce alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), type I collagen and CCN2 (connective tissue growth factor, CTGF). The basis for this phenomenon is poorly understood, and is a necessary prerequisite for developing novel, rational anti-fibrotic strategies.Methods and Findings: Compared to healthy skin fibroblasts, dermal fibroblasts cultured from lesional areas of scleroderma (SSc) patients possess elevated Rac activity. NSC23766, a Rac inhibitor, suppressed the persistent fibrotic phenotype of lesional SSc fibroblasts. NSC23766 caused a decrease in migration on and contraction of matrix, and alpha-SMA, type I collagen and CCN2 mRNA and protein expression. SSc fibroblasts possessed elevated Akt phosphorylation, which was also blocked by NSC23766. Overexpression of rac1 in normal fibroblasts induced matrix contraction and alpha-SMA, type I collagen and CCN2 mRNA and protein expression. Rac1 activity was blocked by PI3kinase/Akt inhibition. Basal fibroblast activity was not affected by NSC23766.Conclusion: Rac inhibition may be considered as a novel treatment for the fibrosis observed in SSc