A novel multi-objective optimization method: Input values effect on responses (IVER)

In this study, a novel multi-objective optimization method based on the best effect of unique input (independent variable) values on responses (dependent variables) was proposed. The proposed method was compared with optimization using Derringer & Suich function that is still the most used. The comparison was made using the response values measured in real experiments and available in the literature. The advantages of the proposed method such as not needing the polynomial model aiming to predict the response values, no parameter selection problem, being able to offer optimum range instead of single optimum value, being suitable for use with existing experimental designs and being simple and interpretable were demonstrated as a result of comparison. It was also suggested how the proposed method will be effective according to experimental designs, and application for the users' application was presented.     

Reactive scheduling in a dynamic and stochastic FMS environment

In this paper, we study the reactive scheduling problems in a dynamic and stochastic manufacturing environment. Specifically, we develop a simulation-based scheduling system for flexible manufacturing systems. We also propose several reactive scheduling policies (i.e. when-to-schedule and how-to-schedule policies) and test their performances under various experimental conditions, processing time variations, and machine breakdowns. Moreover, we compare offline and online scheduling schemes in a dynamic manufacturing environment. The results of extensive simulation experiments indicate that the variable-time-response is better than the fixed-time-response. The full scheduling scheme generally performs better than the partial scheduling. Finally, the online scheduling is more robust to uncertainty and variations in processing times than the optimum-seeking offline scheduling. A comprehensive bibliography is also provided in the paper.     

Effect of molybdenum,niobium, and vanadium on static recovery and recrystallization and on solute strengthening in microalloyed steels

The effect of molybdenum, niobium, and vanadium on the occurrence of static recovery and recrystallization after high temperature deformation was investigated in a series of microalloyed steels. The steels had a base composition of 0.05 pct C and 1.40 pct Mn. To this, single additions of 0.30 pct Mo, 0.035 pct Nb, and 0.115 pct V were made. Interrupted hot compression tests were performed at 900 and 1000 °C, and at a constant true strain rate of 2 s^-1. The load-free time was decreased from 5000 s to 50 ms, and the degree of static softening during this period was determined. Both graphite and glass were used as lubricants. Percent softeningvs delay time curves are presented and the retarding effect of molybdenum, niobium, and vanadium addition on the rate of static recovery and recrystallization is discussed. The greatest solute retardation of static recovery and recrystallization is produced by niobium addition, followed by that of molybdenum, vanadium leading to the smallest delay. Although the rank order of this effect is the same as found under dynamic softening conditions, the relative contribution of niobium is more profound for the static condition. The solute strengthening attributable to each element was also assessed, and found to follow the same order as for the recovery and recrystallization results. At 900 °C, the onset of the static precipitation of Nb (CN) was detected at approximately 10 seconds, somewhat earlier than previously reported. Formerly Graduate Student at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.     

On the importance of path for phase unwrapping in synthetic aperture radar interferometry

Phase unwrapping is a key procedure in interferometric synthetic aperture radar studies, translating ambiguous phase observations to topography, and surface deformation estimates. Some unwrapping algorithms are conducted along specific paths based on different selection criteria. In this study, we analyze six unwrapping paths: line scan, maximum coherence, phase derivative variance, phase derivative variance with branch-cut, second-derivative reliability, and the Fisher distance. The latter is a new path algorithm based on Fisher information theory, which combines the phase derivative with the expected variance to get a more robust path, potentially performing better than others in the case of low image quality. In order to compare only the performance of the paths, the same unwrapping function (phase derivative integral) is used. Results indicate that the Fisher distance algorithm gives better results in most cases.     

Morphological and dielectric properties of barium chloride‐filled poly(vinylidene fluoride) films

Morphological characteristics of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films, filled with mass fractions (w ≤ 20%) of Barium Chloride (BaCl₂), were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectra and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The dielectric properties of films were measured from 250 Hz to 1 MHz range between 100 and 400 K as a function of frequency and temperature. Spectroscopic data revealed that the filled and unfilled films include α‐, β‐, and γ‐crystalline phases. By a 20% filling, 73% increase was obtained in the total degree of crystallinity. Since the BaCl₂ formed fluorine bridges over the chain segments on the crystal lamellar surface, the γ‐crystalline phase decreased, whereas the total degree of crystallinity increased. Dielectric measurements showed that maximum of the dielectric loss factor belonging to β‐relaxation transition decreased linearly with filling level. The filling process did not have any effect on the real dielectric constant till α‐relaxation transition region. However, in the α‐relaxation transition region, it was determined that the real dielectric constant increased linearly with filling level. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1782–1789, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

A quantitative approach for measuring process innovation: a case study in a manufacturing company

Process management and innovation arguably remain among the concepts under focus of recent researches since there is no significantly outstanding method to measure and monitor the level of innovation in the manufacturing processes over a particular time period taking the fundamental activities of manufacturing processes into account. Although there are various studies relevant to process improvement, manufacturing processes are not focused on in the literature. This paper presents a novel performance indicator, called degree of process innovation, for monitoring and measuring innovation in manufacturing processes based on the four most important components among the fundamental activities of a manufacturing system. The components are namely Average Labour Utilisation, Cumulative Bottleneck Ratio, Unit Production Time and Unit Production Cost. The idea behind this approach has flourished on the basis of an indicator proposed in the literature to measure the general organisational improvements. The scope of that indicator has been narrowed down to manufacturing processes to accurately reflect the state of the manufacturing processes. The proposed approach has been verified with a case study in manufacturing industry, where each of the four sub-indicators was calculated based on the data provided and aggregated into the degree of process innovation. The innovation degree is successfully indicated.     

Experimental study of gasoline-ethanol-hydrogen blends combustion in an SI engine

This study presents experimental results of engine performance, combustion and emissions in an SI engine fueled by gasoline-ethanol-hydrogen blends. In the experimental studies, engine performance and emission values were analyzed fueled by gasoline, gasoline-ethanol and gasoline-ethanol-hydrogen blends, respectively. When ethanol has been added volumetrically to gasoline 20% of ethanol (G80E20), engine performance and emissions have been worsened. However, the engine performance and emission values have been improved with the adding of hydrogen to blend. The results showed that the addition of hydrogen to the gasoline-ethanol blend improved the combustion process and improved the combustion efficiency, expanded the combustibility range of the gasoline-ethanol blend, reduced emissions. But, nitrogen oxide emission values increased with the adding of hydrogen.     

A multi-agent based approach for change management in manufacturing enterprises

Change management becomes an unavoidable necessity for manufacturing enterprises. Since change in business processes carries significant impact on the performance of manufacturing companies, a change management model is definitely required to remain competitive. Moreover, utilizing agent based systems will provide computational provision and integrity to manage and measure the capabilities to follow the change in a progressive approach by employing the cooperation and collaboration properties of various agents helping for retrieval of the required information in a rapid way. Therefore, in this paper, a multi-agent based change management model is proposed to handle the changes in manufacturing enterprises. The model is validated through a case study done to measure the performance of change management capabilities in a manufacturing company. A sensitivity analysis on the results of this case study is also conducted to reveal the system reactivity to various parameters.     

Effects of solution mixing temperature on dielectric properties of PMMA/Pristine bentonite nanocomposites

We examined the effects of mixing temperature on the dielectric properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)‐pristine bentonite nanocomposites by using X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR and dielectric spectroscopies. The samples were prepared during 8 hours at temperatures 265 K, 273 K, 281 K, 289 K and 298 K without any intercalative agent and the PMMA to pristine bentonite weight ratio was chosen as 1 : 10. It was observed that with decreasing the mixing temperatures, the permittivity decreases and the dielectric relaxation displaces towards the lower frequencies with the decrease of mixing temperatures. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39907.