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Controlling paint production. Paint users are placing higher demands on the manufacturer. All paint producers should now consider data acquisition — and possibly automated paint manufacturing if the volumes of certain products will justify it.

The paper aims to provide a better understanding of the interrelatedness of customer and service orientations in the organizational structures of capital goods manufacturing companies.

A qualitative, multi‐case research design was employed using 36 European capital goods manufacturing companies.

This article explored four different patterns of how companies move from being product‐focused to service‐focused, and from having an organizational structure that is geographically focused to one that is customer‐focused. The four patterns are termed as follows: emphasizing service orientation, service‐focused organizational structure, emphasizing customer orientation, and customer‐focused organizational structure.

Although the study is based on 36 case studies, the external validity (generalizability) of the findings could not be assessed accurately.

The description of the four organizational approaches offers guidance for managers to restructure their companies towards service and customer orientations.

The article links the relatively independent discussions of service and customer orientations in the context of organizational structures. The four patterns provide a better understanding of how capital goods manufacturers integrate increased customer and service focuses in their organizational structures.

A new, non‐metallic, gold pearlescent luster pigment called Mearlin Mayan Gold, has been introduced by The Mearl Corporation, New York. Exhibiting a rich, gold appearance, this newest pigment is offered in both a regular, as well as an exterior grade for applications requiring long‐term exposure to adverse weathering.

Titanium(IV) oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NP) were deposited to cotton denim fabrics using a self-crosslinking acrylate – a polymer dispersion to extend the lifetime of the products. This study aims to determine the optimum conditions to increase abrasion resistance, to provide self-cleaning properties of denim fabrics and to examine the effects of these applications on other physical properties.

The denim samples were first treated with nonionic surfactant to increase their wettability. Three different amounts of the polymer dispersion and two different pH levels were selected for the experimental design. The finishing process was applied to the fabrics with pad-dry-cure method.

The presence of the coatings and the adhesion of TiO₂ NPs to the surfaces were confirmed by scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. It was ascertained that the most appropriate self-crosslinking acrylate amount and ambient pH level is 10 mL and “2”, respectively, for providing increased abrasion resistance (2,78%) and enhanced self-cleaning properties (363,4%) in the denim samples. The coating reduced the air permeability and softness of the denim samples. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry analysis results showed that the treatments increased the crystallization temperatures and melting enthalpy values of the denim samples. Based on the thermal test results, it is clear that mass loss of the denim samples at 370°C decreased as the amount of self-crosslinking acrylate increased (at pH 3).

This study helped us to find out optimum amount of self-crosslinking acrylate and proper pH level for enhanced self-cleaning and abrasion strength on denim fabrics. With this finishing process, an environmentally friendly and long-life denim fabric was designed.

The purpose of this study is to improve the mechanical property and processing performance and reduce the cost of the polylacticacid/polybutyleneadipate-co-terephthalate(PLA/PBAT) composites, the calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and compatibilizer styrene-maleicanhydride copolymer (SMA-2025) were added to the PLA/PBAT system, and the effect of CaCO₃ and SMA-2025 on the morphology, structure, mechanical property, thermal property, thermalstability and shape memory property of the CaCO₃/PLA/PBAT composites were studied and discussed.

The CaCO₃/PLA/PBAT shape memory composites were prepared via melt-blending and hot-pressing methods, and the effect of CaCO₃ and SMA-2025 on the property of the composites was investigated via scanning electron microscope, universal testing instrument, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and DMA, respectively.

The interface property, mechanical property, thermal stability, shape memory recovery ratios and recovery stresses, and processing performance of the CaCO₃/PLA/PBAT shape memory composites were significantly improved by adding of CaCO₃ and SMA-2025. Moreover, the CaCO₃/PLA/PBAT composites have good blowing film processing performance.

This study will provide a reference for the research, processing and application of the high-performance CaCO₃/PLA/PBAT shape memory composites.

Following the endorsement of the new plans for this year's show at the last AGM, the initial stages of the promotional campaign for CEMEX 94 have been launched. The information packs and booking forms recently circulated to CEMA members have already elicited a good response with some 25 companies making stand reservations. As before, the show will be a mix of open sites and shell scheme. Over the next few weeks members will receive additional information covering show services, special packages and promotional opportunities. The support for the move back to the Pavilion Hall has been welcomed as an ideal opening to give CEMEX a separate ‘home’ at the NEC. In a statement released with the new publicity material for the show, Chairman Fred Thorns expressed his confidence and predicted that “..we will see a stronger economy, a full turnout of CEMA exhibitors showing a broad range of equipment and materials, and greatly increased activity throughout our industry”. Members who may not have seen the CEMEX information or would like to know more should contact: SCS Exhibitions Ltd, 212 London Road, North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO29JE. Telephone: (0705) 665133. Fax: (0705) 670036.

The purpose of this study was to characterize fruit properties of pomegranate cultivars grown in South Africa in order to provide information to assist in selecting cultivars for food and industrial purposes, as well as to optimize postharvest handling and processing.

The physical, textural and chemical properties as well as volatile profile and free radical scavenging capacity of eight cultivars (cvs “Acco”, “Arakta”, “Bhagwa”, “Ganesh”, “Herskawitz,” “Molla de Elche”, “Ruby”, and “Wonderful”) were quantified to demonstrate the diversity among the characters of the commercially grown cultivars.

Statistically significant differences were found between cultivars for most of the evaluated characters, primarily highlighting the genetic diversity among the cultivars. The classification of fruit cultivars based on quality traits (such as size, texture, colour, soluble solids, acidity, juiciness and phenolics) showed the great potential of the cultivars for processing and fresh market. The relationship among these quality traits was analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) resulting in the separation of the investigated cultivars into two groups (cluster 1=Ruby, Arakta and Ganesh; Class 2=Bhagwa, Acco and Herskawitz) and two ungrouped cultivars (Molla de Elche and Wonderful). Specific understanding about quality traits of each cultivar was established using the correlation coefficients obtained.

This study provides valuable fundamental information that can be useful for commercial and industrial purposes, as well as the development of optimal postharvest handling and processing parameters for the investigated South African grown pomegranate cultivars.

The purpose of this paper is to review possibilities of implementing ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) into electronic device production, which can enable great new possibilities.

A short introduction into additive techniques is included, as well as primary characterization of structuring capabilities, dielectric performance and applicability in the electronic manufacturing process.

Ceramic stereolithography (SLA) is suitable for microchannel manufacturing, even using a relatively inexpensive system. This method is suitable for implementation into the electronic manufacturing process; however, a search for better materials is desired, especially for improved dielectric parameters, lowered sintering temperature and decreased porosity.

Relatively inexpensive ceramic SLA, which is now available, could make ceramic electronics, currently restricted to specific applications, more available.

Ceramic AM is in the beginning phase of implementation in electronic technology, and only a few reports are currently available, the most significant of which is mentioned in this paper.

There is a rising demand for high-performance 3D printed objects that have established potential applications in the sector of dental, automotive, electronics, aerospace, etc. Thus, to meet the requirements of high-performance 3D printed objects, this study has synthesized, formulated and applied a resorcinol epoxy acrylate (REA) oligomer to a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer.

Different formulations were developed by blending reactive diluents in the concentration of 10%, 15% and 20%, along with the fixed quantity of photo-initiators in the REA oligomer. The structure of synthesized REA oligomer was confirmed using 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and the rheological properties for prepared REA formulations were also evaluated. The ultraviolet (UV)-cured specimens of all REA formulations were thoroughly examined based on physical, chemical, optical, mechanical and thermal properties. The best suitable formulation was selected for SLA 3D printing.

As perceived, UV cured REA specimens exhibit superior mechanical, chemical and thermal properties, portraying the ability to use as a high-performance material. The increase in the concentration of reactive diluents indicated a significant improvement in the properties of REA resin. The 20% diluted formulation achieved excellent compatibility with a SLA 3D printer; thus, 3D objects are cast with good dimensional stability and printability.

Resorcinol-based resins have always been a key additive used to enhance properties in the coating and tire industry. In a new attempt UV, curable REA has been applied to a SLA 3D printer to cast high-performance 3D printed objects.

This study aims to develops a new-type low-alloy corrosion resistant steel containing Sb and investigate the corrosion mechanism of this new-type low-alloy steel.

Energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the rust layers formed on these samples. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the corroded surfaces of the steels.

Results showed that Sb added can consume H⁺ in the solution, thereby preventing the oxygen reaction to slow down the corrosion rate. Meanwhile, a stable and insoluble substance (Sb₂O₃) in the acidic solution would be produced when the reaction of the product of Sb and H⁺ with the enough dissolved oxygen in the solution. Due to the precipitation of Sb₂O₃ and iron oxyhydroxides, the rust layer of Sb-containing steel became more uniform and compact, which resulted in better corrosion resistance in acid environment.

In this study, a new-type acid resistant low-alloy steel containing Sb was developed. Compared with the results, the corrosion mechanism of the new-type low-alloy steel in acid environment was discussed.