Search results
1 – 10 of over 230000Subhash Chandra Sharma and Doug Hargreaves
Ideally, there is no wear in hydrodynamic lubrication regime. A small amount of wear occurs during start and stop of the machines and the amount of wear is so small that it is…
Abstract
Purpose
Ideally, there is no wear in hydrodynamic lubrication regime. A small amount of wear occurs during start and stop of the machines and the amount of wear is so small that it is difficult to measure with accuracy. Various wear measuring techniques have been used where out-of-roundness was found to be the most reliable method of measuring small wear quantities in journal bearings. This technique was further developed to achieve higher accuracy in measuring small wear quantities. The method proved to be reliable as well as inexpensive. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
In an experimental study, the effect of antiwear additives was studied on journal bearings lubricated with oil containing solid contaminants. The test duration was too long and the wear quantities achieved were too small. To minimise the test duration, short tests of about 90 min duration were conducted and wear was measured recording changes in variety of parameters related to weight, geometry and wear debris. The out-of-roundness was found to be the most effective method. This method was further refined by enlarging the out-of-roundness traces on a photocopier. The method was proved to be reliable and inexpensive.
Findings
Study revealed that the most commonly used wear measurement techniques such as weight loss, roughness changes and change in particle count were not adequate for measuring small wear quantities in journal bearings. Out-of-roundness method with some refinements was found to be one of the most reliable methods for measuring small wear quantities in journal bearings working in hydrodynamic lubrication regime. By enlarging the out-of-roundness traces and determining the worn area of the bearing cross-section, weight loss in bearings was calculated, which was repeatable and reliable.
Research limitations/implications
This research is a basic in nature where a rudimentary solution has been developed for measuring small wear quantities in rotary devices such as journal bearings. The method requires enlarging traces on a photocopier and determining the shape of the worn area on an out-of-roundness trace on a transparency, which is a simple but a crude method. This may require an automated procedure to determine the weight loss from the out-of-roundness traces directly. This method can be very useful in reducing test duration and measuring wear quantities with higher precision in situations where wear quantities are very small.
Practical implications
This research provides a reliable method of measuring wear of circular geometry. The Talyrond equipment used for measuring the change in out-of-roundness due to wear of bearings indicates that this equipment has high potential to be used as a wear measuring device also. Measurement of weight loss from the traces is an enhanced capability of this equipment and this research may lead to the development of a modified version of Talyrond type of equipment for wear measurements in circular machine components.
Originality/value
Wear measurement in hydrodynamic bearings requires long duration tests to achieve adequate wear quantities. Out-of-roundness is one of the geometrical parameters that changes with progression of wear in a circular shape components. Thus, out-of-roundness is found to be an effective wear measuring parameter that relates to change in geometry. Method of increasing the sensitivity and enlargement of out-of-roundness traces is original work through which area of worn cross-section can be determined and weight loss can be derived for materials of known density with higher precision.
Details
Keywords
Nga-wun Li, Chu-po Ho, Kit-lun Yick and Jin-yun Zhou
Net buoyant force is a crucial factor affecting the functional performance of clothing for water safety. This study aims to develop an alternative method for measuring the net…
Abstract
Purpose
Net buoyant force is a crucial factor affecting the functional performance of clothing for water safety. This study aims to develop an alternative method for measuring the net buoyant force of various buoyant materials such as buoyant fabrics, on a small scale in a more accurate and efficient way than the existing method.
Design/methodology/approach
The net buoyant forces of buoyant materials with different thicknesses and forms were determined and compared using three methods. In Method 1, the traditional method involving mathematical calculations was used; Method 2 involved using the buoyancy-measuring device from the study of Jin et al. (2018) and Method 3 involved using an alternative buoyancy-measuring system that simulates the actual situation of using buoyant swimwear by measuring the force needed to submerge the buoyant material in water at a standard depth. The net buoyant forces of 22 buoyant materials were measured and compared to test these three methods. The accuracy, reproducibility, sensitivity and validity of these methods were then statistically compared.
Findings
The results obtained with the alternative buoyancy-measuring system had higher accuracy, reproducibility and validity than the results obtained through mathematical calculations. The sensitivity of the buoyancy-measuring system (Methods 2 and 3) was higher than that of the traditional method involving calculations (Method 1).
Originality/value
An alternative method is proposed to measure the net buoyant force of buoyant materials on a small scale with higher accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to explore the ambiguity and limitations of measuring firm-level multinationality (FLM) using theoretical and empirical comparisons of existing methods. The paper…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the ambiguity and limitations of measuring firm-level multinationality (FLM) using theoretical and empirical comparisons of existing methods. The paper puts forward a list of five key aspects that collectively serve as a tool for researchers to select the most appropriate method for future research and as a basis for the future development of methods.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, the author reviews existing methods of measuring FLM and consolidates findings into five key aspects. Secondly, the author uses the aspects to compare existing methods theoretically, and subsequently, the author groups them into three distinct streams. Thirdly, the author compares existing methods across a sample of the 35 largest European MNEs by sales in 2020 to identify and demonstrate the ambiguity and limitations of these methods.
Findings
The author identifies the five key aspects of measuring FLM: framework, aggregation, segmentation, metrics and indicators. Using empirical comparison, the author empirically confirms the limitations highlighted in the literature and shows the differences and inconsistencies among methods, which cause confusion rather than clarity in the extant literature. Additionally, the author emphasises that three distinct streams further drive the debate on the regional/global nature and present further limitations of methods not mentioned in the literature to date.
Originality/value
This paper provides the most comprehensive review of the existing literature on FLM, resulting in five novel aspects of measuring FLM. The analysis of a sample of 35 European firms demonstrates and identifies the ambiguity and limitations of FLM-measuring methods.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to introduce different methods for measuring the porosity of metal foams, and especially present a new method for conveniently measuring the open…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce different methods for measuring the porosity of metal foams, and especially present a new method for conveniently measuring the open porosity that has a stronger impact on a number of physical properties of the porous product.
Design/methodology/approach
Metal foam is a kind of material that utilizes the function of pores inside the porous body. For such materials, the porosity is an important factor or even a key factor to determine a number of the practical parameters, such as the conductivity, acoustic properties and mechanical performances. Especially, the open porosity has a stronger impact on the sound absorption, electromagnetic shielding, heat transfer of the porous product, as well as the performances of using the internal pore surface. Therefore, it would be meaningful to find the simple and convenient to well measure the open porosity of metal foams.
Findings
In the present new method, the open porosity can be obtained directly by different volume parameters of the porous sample, while it can only by some weight indexes of the porous sample in other measuring methods.
Originality/value
The characteristic of this new method makes the measurement simpler and more convenient in this new method than in the other methods.
Details
Keywords
This paper (which is the first of three) explains how to undertake an anthropometric survey, first, by reviewing previous surveys and size charts to select which measurements to…
Abstract
This paper (which is the first of three) explains how to undertake an anthropometric survey, first, by reviewing previous surveys and size charts to select which measurements to take and the appropriate equipment. The sample of persons to be measured had to be determined, the main constraint being the availability of time. The selection of measurements was made for the end use of constructing garment patterns by both direct and proportional measurement systems. ‘Check’ measurements for accuracy were also built into the procedure. Finally 10 measurements were selected and 100 young women between the ages of 18 and 28 years were measured. It is concluded that measuring the human body is not easy. Hopefully new technology will improve this task. Twenty more body measurements will be brought into use, which will be explained in Part 2.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to present a new method of measuring thermal resistance of power light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Properties of power LEDs strongly depend on their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new method of measuring thermal resistance of power light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Properties of power LEDs strongly depend on their internal temperature. The value of this temperature depends on the cooling conditions characterized by thermal resistance.
Design/methodology/approach
The new method of measuring the value of this parameter belongs to the group of electric methods. In this method, the problem of estimating the value of electrical power converted into light is solved. By comparing the values of the case temperature obtained for the LED operating in the forward mode and the reverse-breakdown mode, the thermal power is estimated. On the basis of the measured value of the thermally sensitive parameter (the LED forward voltage) and the estimated value of the thermal power, thermal resistance is calculated.
Findings
The elaborated method was used to measure thermal resistance of the selected types of power LEDs operating at different cooling conditions. The correctness of the elaborated measurement method was proved by comparing the results of measurements obtained with the use of the new method and the infrared method.
Research limitations/implications
On the basis of the obtained results of measurements and the catalog data of the tested diodes, the dependence of the measurement error of thermal resistance of the LED on its luminous efficiency is discussed.
Originality/value
The new measurement method is easy to use and more accurate than the classical method of thermal resistance measurement of the diode.
Details
Keywords
Yuri W. Ramírez and David A. Nembhard
The structure of the economy continues to change; where once they are dependent on the productivity of a manual workforce, companies increasingly depend on the productivity of…
Abstract
The structure of the economy continues to change; where once they are dependent on the productivity of a manual workforce, companies increasingly depend on the productivity of knowledge workers. Today, knowledge workers account for more than two‐thirds of the workforce, and thus should be the focus of strategic plans to improve productivity. Currently there are no universally accepted methods to measure knowledge worker productivity, or even generally accepted categories. This paper provides a taxonomy of knowledge worker productivity measurements, and identifies a number of productivity dimensions that are used to categorize the findings of previous research. Also describes the relative density of discussions along these dimensions and identifies critical areas for future research.
Details
Keywords
Dubravko Rogale, Igor Petrunić, Zvonko Dragčević and Snježana Firšt Rogale
The equipment for computerised measuring of electrical power and energy is presented, adapted to the needs of investigating processing parameters of garment sewing operations.
Abstract
Purpose
The equipment for computerised measuring of electrical power and energy is presented, adapted to the needs of investigating processing parameters of garment sewing operations.
Design/methodology/approach
The method of measuring the energy necessary to run the sewing‐machine driving electrical motor is also presented, correlated to the stitching speed in joining a straight seam in a single, two, or three, segments. Electrical energy consumption is analysed as dependent on the stitching speed, varying the number of stitches in the seam.
Findings
The investigations described have shown the impact of the method of work applied and the effect of the changes in garment sewing operation in processing parameters on the level of electrical energy consumed by the sewing‐machine drive electrical motor. A new measuring method has been introduced in garment engineering, aimed at predicting electrical energy consumption in garment sewing operations, thus opening a completely new field of investigation in the area of garment technologies.
Originality/value
A method of calculating the energy processing parameters of sewing operations.
Details
Keywords
Miikka Palvalin and Maiju Vuolle
The purpose of this paper is to introduce and evaluate methods for analysing the impacts of work environment changes. New working practices and work environments present the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce and evaluate methods for analysing the impacts of work environment changes. New working practices and work environments present the potential to improve both the productivity and the wellbeing of knowledge workers, and more widely, the performance of organisations and the wider society. The flexibility offered by information and communication technology has influenced changes in the physical environment where activity-based offices are becoming the standard. Research offers some evidence on the impacts of work environment changes, but studies examining methods that could be useful in capturing the overall impacts and how to measure them are lacking.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper concludes research of the last five years and includes data from several organisations. The paper presents and empirically demonstrates the application of three complementary ways to analyse the impacts of knowledge work redesigns. The methods include: interview framework for modelling the potential of new ways of working (NWoW); questionnaire tool for measuring the subjective knowledge work performance in the NWoW context; and multidimensional performance measurement for measuring the performance impacts at the organisational level.
Findings
This paper presents a framework for identifying the productivity potential and measuring the impacts of work environment changes. The paper introduces the empirical examples of three different methods for analysing the impacts of NWoW and discusses the usefulness and challenges of the methods. The results also support the idea of a measurement process and confirm that it suits NWoW context.
Practical implications
The three methods explored in this study can be used in organisations for planning and measuring work environment changes. The paper presents a comprehensive approach to work environment which could help managers to identify and improve the critical points of knowledge work.
Originality/value
Changes in the work environment are huge for knowledge workers, but it is still unclear whether their effects on performance are negative or positive. The value of this paper is that it applies traditional measurement methods to NWoW contexts, and analyses how these could be used in research and management.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to identify the required factors that can be considered necessary in conceptualizing the features of an efficient and effective performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the required factors that can be considered necessary in conceptualizing the features of an efficient and effective performance measurement system (PMS) that is appropriate in the modern organizational setting. The field of PMS is heavily researched and yet certain fundamentals of PMS, in particular the precise meaning and application of the features of PMS: data, measuring attributes consisting of measures, metrics and indicators, and methods of measurement remain unclear.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a systematic approach in reviewing and examining existing PMS and non-PMS articles that focus on the features for measurement from 1990 (January) to 2012 (November). Further, citation analysis was used to support the review as well-cited articles are considered well-read by researchers, and hence they should have sufficient impact in the academic community.
Findings
The outcomes of this review contribute and update existing literature on PMS in three ways: identification of gaps in terms of practical usefulness and academic research; suggestions of solutions in the form of a conceptual framework to improve measurement and performance measurement using the correct features of PMS; and recommendation of a direction for future research with regard to the features of PMS.
Research limitations/implications
Although the proposed concept has many merits, the conceptualized features (as yet) have not reached the stage beyond normative reasoning.
Practical implications
The paper defines a measure, metric and an indicator which relates to the use of accounting and non-accounting data, and suggests some of the non-accounting methods of measurement and performance measurement that can be used generally in various organizations. Using an illustration, this paper suggests appropriate ways to construct and implement the measuring attributes using appropriate measuring methods in a car maker. This paper also warns users to construct and use the features of PMS judiciously as incorrect uses of these attributes can easily be misconstrued, and thus causing incorrect inferences in decision-making.
Originality/value
This is a seminar paper that defines the measuring attributes of PMS for the conceptualization of a workable framework of the features of PMS.
Details