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1 – 10 of 12Wiebke M. Roling, Marcus Grum, Norbert Gronau and Annette Kluge
The purpose of this study was to investigate work-related adaptive performance from a longitudinal process perspective. This paper clustered specific behavioral patterns following…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate work-related adaptive performance from a longitudinal process perspective. This paper clustered specific behavioral patterns following the introduction of a change and related them to retentivity as an individual cognitive ability. In addition, this paper investigated whether the occurrence of adaptation errors varied depending on the type of change content.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 35 participants collected in the simulated manufacturing environment of a Research and Application Center Industry 4.0 (RACI) were analyzed. The participants were required to learn and train a manufacturing process in the RACI and through an online training program. At a second measurement point in the RACI, specific manufacturing steps were subject to change and participants had to adapt their task execution. Adaptive performance was evaluated by counting the adaptation errors.
Findings
The participants showed one of the following behavioral patterns: (1) no adaptation errors, (2) few adaptation errors, (3) repeated adaptation errors regarding the same actions, or (4) many adaptation errors distributed over many different actions. The latter ones had a very low retentivity compared to the other groups. Most of the adaptation errors were made when new actions were added to the manufacturing process.
Originality/value
Our study adds empirical research on adaptive performance and its underlying processes. It contributes to a detailed understanding of different behaviors in change situations and derives implications for organizational change management.
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Masayoshi Iwahara, Subhas C. Mukhopadhyay, Sotoshi Yamada and Francis P. Dawson
From the point of view concerned with the development of the information, oriented functions in social activities, recently power consumption has rapidly increased. On the other…
Abstract
From the point of view concerned with the development of the information, oriented functions in social activities, recently power consumption has rapidly increased. On the other hand, ability of power supply has not been increased to follow this increasing consumption, because it is difficult to construct new power generation plants. Therefore, reserve capacity of power supply is going to be decreased and power down has become a serious problem. To prevent the serious power down and to maintain a stable power supply, we had already proposed a passive fault current limiter using a permanent magnet with high coercive force, high remanent magnetic flux density and a ferrite core with high permeability, low saturated flux density compared to that of a permanent magnet. In this paper, the flux distribution of the limiter is investigated using the three dimensional finite element method.
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The selection of lime mortars for masonry structures can be an important component of a repair or new build project. This selection is considered difficult due to the number of…
Abstract
Purpose
The selection of lime mortars for masonry structures can be an important component of a repair or new build project. This selection is considered difficult due to the number of variables to consider during the decision‐making process and the perceived inherent complexity of the materials. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the selection process for determining suitable natural hydraulic lime repair mortars for masonry.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a conceptual and practical framework for the determination of suitable lime mortars for repair and construction of masonry structures, drawing and building on relevant, literature and existing best practice guidance on specification.
Findings
The use of various relatively newly produced data sets pertaining to durability can aid in the appropriate selection of lime mortars. These determinants must however, be correlated with traditional evaluation of exposure levels, building detailing and moisture handling performance. Building condition survey of the existing fabric is essential to enable refinement of the selection process of these mortars. The adjustment of the initially identified mortars highlighted in the best practice guide may potentially benefit from modification based on the aforementioned factors.
Originality/value
Whilst data exist to help the practitioner select hydraulic lime mortars they have never been correlated with the tacit and expressed protocols for survey and the evaluation of the performance of structures.
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Yonghong Fu, Jie Yang, Hao Wang and Yuyang He
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of micro dimple in inhibiting stick-slip phenomenon on the sliding guideway.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of micro dimple in inhibiting stick-slip phenomenon on the sliding guideway.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, micro-dimples were fabricated by laser on surfaces of steel disk and guideway. The disks and guideways were respectively performed pin-on-disk tribological tests and working condition experiments to study differences in lubrication condition and friction stability between textured and untextured surfaces.
Findings
Micro-dimples help reduce critical sliding speed that allows contact surfaces to enter in hydrodynamic lubrication regime. This increases hydrodynamic lubrication range and narrows speed range where stick-slip phenomenon can occur, enhancing sliding guideway’s adaptability for broader working conditions. Furthermore, friction stability on the textured surface improved, lowering the occurrence possibility of stick-slip phenomenon. Finally, difference between static and kinetic frictions on the textured surface is lower relative to the untextured surface, which decreases the critical velocity when the stick-slip phenomenon occurs.
Originality/value
The results indicate that laser-textured micro-dimples are significantly conducive to inhibit stick-slip phenomenon, thus providing smoother movement for the guideway and eventually increasing precision of the machine.
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Magnetic particle flaw detection is one of the longest established and most commonly used methods of non‐destructive testing. It can often be applied in a relatively quick and…
Abstract
Magnetic particle flaw detection is one of the longest established and most commonly used methods of non‐destructive testing. It can often be applied in a relatively quick and simple manner. Because of this, it is frequently treated as the “poor relation” in present day non‐destructive test methods and regarded as a method which can be performed by unskilled labour. While this may sometimes be true in semi‐automatic production line testing there are many applications which require considerable knowledge and experience. The use of magnetic particle flaw detection has increased considerably in the past few years. It is now being recognised as essential to supplement visual examination in many areas of in‐service inspection on all types of plant. This article, to be published in four parts, is directed towards maintenance engineers and inspectors who may wish to use the method themselves or would like to have the basic knowledge to ensure that any such tests requested and performed on their behalf, are carried out correctly.
D‐D reaction paints and varnishes. The term ‘D‐D’ is an abbreviation used for materials that have a base of Desmophen (polyester) and Desmodur (di‐isocyanate). The use of D‐D…
Abstract
D‐D reaction paints and varnishes. The term ‘D‐D’ is an abbreviation used for materials that have a base of Desmophen (polyester) and Desmodur (di‐isocyanate). The use of D‐D paints and varnishes produces a film which has remarkable properties of resistance to physical and chemical action. The article deals with the limits and possibilities of the application of these materials and is based on the results of many years of laboratory research, as well as practical experience.
Introduction This paper, which considers the composition, specification and use of ready‐to‐use mortars, is concerned only with those delivered in bulk in the wet state and…
Abstract
Introduction This paper, which considers the composition, specification and use of ready‐to‐use mortars, is concerned only with those delivered in bulk in the wet state and entirely ready‐to‐use, as opposed to dried material, generally supplied in bags. The latter, of course, requires the addition of water and subsequent mixing prior to use so that it might be said that the terminology ‘ready‐mixed’ is a misnomer when used in that context.
Shimpei Iwasaki and Rajib Shaw
In line with climate variability such as extreme floods and cyclones, siltation is identified as among the most serious environmental problems posed to Chilika Lagoon fisheries…
Abstract
In line with climate variability such as extreme floods and cyclones, siltation is identified as among the most serious environmental problems posed to Chilika Lagoon fisheries. Exposure to silt accumulation reduced the water spread area and hindered the exchange of water between the sea and river, resulted in decreased salinity level and subsequent prolific growth of freshwater invasive species. As a result, fish landing quantities in Chilika Lagoon rapidly decreased until the year 2000, thereby leading to the poorer people not being effectively able to adapt to the ecological-social-economic system. The weed invasion also obstructed passages from boat jetties to fishing grounds, sometimes leading to boat clashes and the subsequent disputes among fishers.
Walid S. Abdel-Wakil, Tarek M. Salama, Elbadawy A. Kamoun, Farag Abd El Hai Ahmed, Wassem Hassan, Yaser A. El-Badry and Alaa Fahmy
This paper aims to synthesize new terpolymers by the emulsion polymerization technique composed of acrylamide-based polyurethane monomers (TPM and MPM) with different vinyl…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to synthesize new terpolymers by the emulsion polymerization technique composed of acrylamide-based polyurethane monomers (TPM and MPM) with different vinyl acetate copolymer systems, such as vinyl acetate/butyl acrylate (VAc/BA), vinyl acetate/ethylhexyl acrylate (VAc/2-EHA) and vinyl acetate/vinyl ester of versatic acid (VAc/VEOVA 10) systems. The performance of the prepared terpolymers as binders in emulsion coatings and textile industries was investigated and compared with the analogous commercial ones.
Design/methodology/approach
New waterborne polyurethane-vinyl ester-vinyl acetate terpolymers with high solid content and nano-scale emulsions have been successfully synthesized in two steps. The polyurethane oligomers were prepared by the prepolymer method as the first step. The second step involved polymerization with different vinyl monomers. The synthesized terpolymers were characterized using FTIR, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, minimum film forming temperature and particle size analyzer methods.
Findings
The synthesized emulsion terpolymers have shown small particle sizes averaged of 70 nm and a narrow distribution range, along with good mechanical, thermal and chemical stabilities. The surface coating layers of the terpolymers also have some important in terms of smoothness, clarity and binding ability in water-based coating for up to 4425 scrub cycles at 30 GU. Further, a high potential application textile printing was achieved at high solid content of 47–50%.
Originality/value
The effects of different isocyanates and vinyl monomers on the properties of obtained emulsion coatings have been studied. The improvement consequences of the coating evaluation of the waterborne binders for emulsion paints have been described. The properties of polyester/cotton fabric print pigment printing of textiles appear to be most promising enhancements by using the prepared nanocomposites of PU-co-vinyl acetate-co-vinyl ester as waterborne binders. So that the prepared emulsions have the potential to replace solvent-based coatings as waterborne binders for both emulsion coating and textile printing applications.
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Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) that operate with modest financial investments and commodities face numerous challenges to remain in business. One major philosophy used…
Abstract
Purpose
Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) that operate with modest financial investments and commodities face numerous challenges to remain in business. One major philosophy used by SMEs these days is the implementation of lean manufacturing to get solutions for various issues they encounter. But is lean getting sustained over time? The purpose of this research is to design a Sustainable Lean Performance Index (SLPI) to assess the sustainability of lean systems and to pinpoint the variables that might be present as potential lean system inhibitors which hinder the sustainability of leanness.
Design/methodology/approach
A multi-level sustainable lean performance model is constructed and presented based on the literature research, field investigation and survey conducted by administering a questionnaire. Fuzzy logic approach is used to analyse the multi-level model.
Findings
SLPI for the SMEs is found using fuzzy logic approach. Additionally, the ranking score system is applied to categorise attributes into weak and strong categories. The performance of the current lean system is determined to be “fair” based on the Euclidean distance approach and the SLPI for SMEs.
Research limitations/implications
This work is concentrated only in South India because of the country’s vast geographical area and rich and wide diversity in industrial culture of the nation. Hence, more work can be done incorporating the other parts of the country and can analyse the lean behaviour in a comparative manner.
Practical implications
The generalised sustainable lean model analysed using fuzzy logic identifies the inhibitors and level of performance of SMEs in South India. This can be implemented to find out the level of performance in the SMEs after a deeper study and analysis around the SMEs of the country.
Originality
The sustainable assessment of lean parameters in the SMEs of India is found to be very less in literature, and it lacks profundity. The model established in this study assesses the sustainability of the lean methodology adopted in SMEs by considering the lean and sustainability attributes along with enablers like technology, ethics, customer satisfaction and innovation with the aid of fuzzy logic.
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