Extending RDD-100 to Produce Military Standard Specifications

ABSTRACT

RDD-100 is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) automation tool used for systems engineering applications. It is based on a rigorous approach using an element, relationship, attribute (ERA) data base, graphical input and output formats, and built-in engineering data consistency checks. It also includes the capability to expand the definition (schema) of the ERA data base and to create reports to manipulate, format, and print the data base contents. The following describes the process that establishes a new ERA schema and the data extraction reports that are used with the inherent capabilities of RDD-100 to produce deliverable, military-compliant specifications from a systems engineering data base.     

Technology Engineering: The Concurrent Development of Space Transportation Systems and Technology

Abstract:

This article develops and presents a technology engineering framework for the selection, development, and insertion of space transportation technologies concurrent with the systems engineering of the space transportation system(s) in which the technology will eventually be employed. The technology engineering framework developed and presented in this article draws on existing systems engineering processes, tools, and methods; takes into account the differences between systems engineering and technology engineering; and accounts for the high degree of interaction required between the concurrent technology and system development programs. The components of this technology engineering framework are discussed, and the major steps in the technology engineering process are outlined. An investigation is also conducted into facilitating the implementation of key portions of the framework using a state-of-the-art relational computer database referred to as the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Technology Database (RTDB). This database is demonstrated to provide an invaluable tool to collect, manipulate, analyze, document, and disseminate technology-related information, including previous research results, key technical parameters and characteristics, technology readiness levels, relationships to other technologies, costs, and potential barriers and risks.     

Book Reviews

Abstract:

Disruptive technology can be defined as an emerging technology whose arrival in the marketplace signifies the eventual displacement of the dominant technology in that sector. Defining and assessing a set of key metrics for a disruptive technology at its early stages can substantially aid an enterprise to develop requirements, identify, and in turn increase the possibility of the successful launch of a disruptive technology. This article aims at defining a set of key metrics for evaluation of a possible disruptive technology. A case study is subsequently used for demonstrating the metrics identified. The article concludes with its relevance to the engineering management domain and directions for future research.     

The technology of ergonomics

Attempts by the US Air Force, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics in the US, the Harmonization of European Training Programs for the Ergonomics Profession project group in Europe, and the International Ergonomics Association to determine the scope of ergonomics and its technology are reviewed. Based on these data, and the author's own observations of ergonomics internationally, the technology of ergonomics is defined as human-system interface technology (HSIT). HSIT is proposed to have five identifiable components. Each of these components is described, including a brief history of its development. Because it has developed a unique technology, the author concludes that ergonomics has evolved into a unique, stand-alone discipline that can be defined most directly by its technology. Further, that educating the general public about HSIT will increase public understanding of the nature and scope of ergonomics and its potential for enhancing organizational performance and the quality of human life.     

The Late Second Coming of the Automobile

ABSTRACT

The automobile has produced dramatic changes in economy and lifestyles. It has generated a significant technology system and infrastructure, but it is my contention that the latter has become a symbol of yesterday's technology systems similar to tube-based televisions and electronics and the mainframe computer of recent times. Major technology and management systems changes are needed to bring the relative cost/price of an automobile back to the range of being a good value for the money to make it a competitive consumer product.     

COTS技术在声呐装备中的应用

采用商业货架产品(Commercial-Off-The-Shelf,COTS)技术可使声呐系统具有更强的信号处理能力,有效降低声呐研制与更新成本,缩短声呐研制周期。分析了国外先进声呐系统上采用的COTS软硬件技术,对COTS技术在声呐系统中的应用前景进行了分析和展望,提出了我国声呐系统中COTS技术的重点研究方向,以加快发展拥有自主知识产权的COTS软硬件技术,提高我国海军声呐装备水平。     

Improved common weight MCDM model for technology selection

This paper presents an improvement on earlier work on a common weight multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach for technology selection by (Karsak, E.E. and Ahiska, S.S., Practical common weight multi-criteria decision-making approach with an improved discriminating power for technology selection. Int. J. Prod. Res., 2005, 43, 1537–1554.) benefiting from a bisection search algorithm. The proposed algorithm enables to calculate the values of discriminating parameter, k, which appears in the introduced efficiency measure, in a systematic and robust manner rather than requiring the decision analyst to assign an arbitrary step size value. In addition, the paper presents comments on the model proposed by (Amin, G.R., Toloo, M. and Sohrabis, B., An improved MCDM DEA model for technology selection. Int. J. Prod. Res., 2006, 44, 2681–2686.) for technology selection. Finally, the robustness of the proposed decision-making framework is illustrated via several numerical examples taken from the above-mentioned papers.     

Technology adoption: A study on post-implementation perceptions and acceptance of computerised maintenance management systems

Information and communications systems are increasingly being used to capture, record, store, transmit and retrieve data to manage the maintenance of equipment and physical infrastructure. The justification for the costs incurred in implementing computerised information systems subsumes that acceptance of the associated technology by the users will provide the desired future benefits to the business organisation. The study assumes that the respective organisations were ready for the implied change, and thus applied the premise that perception influences acceptance to assess the implementation of computerised maintenance management software systems in a number of user organisations. Respondents to the study indicated that ease of use, usefulness and system characteristics were strongly dependent on the level of training of the user during the implementation of the computerised maintenance management software system, thus reiterating that user training influences perception which, in turn, influences user acceptance of technology. A model to predict user perception is developed based on data arising from respondent feedback.     

A note on “an improved MCDM DEA model for technology selection”

This paper gives a modification on the improved technology selection DEA model proposed by Amin et al. (Amin, G.R., Toloo, M. and Sohrabi, B., An improved MCDM DEA model for technology selection. Int. J. Prod. Res., 2006, 44, 2681–2686). The paper shows the problem of using the existing model and then introduces a new modified one to obtain a single efficient DMU for the technology selection alternatives.     

Technology assessment for clean energy technologies: The case of the Pacific Northwest

This study presents a technology assessment for clean power generation in the Pacific Northwest. Our goal is to incorporate clean production principles into the evaluation process for power alternatives. Two types of technologies are considered: one is for a renewable energy source (wind) and the other is for a traditional, fossil fuel based energy source (coal). The Analytical Hierarchy Process is used to assess the feasibility of both the wind energy and clean burning coal energy technologies. Criteria such as location, cost, feasibility, and availability are used for evaluations. For the wind energy, cost was determined to be the most important criterion when making a technology decision. For the SO₂ emissions technology, the regenerative process was determined to be the best technology to scrub SO₂ emissions from the air. Additionally, efforts towards renewable energy in Oregon should continue. Both federal and state governments offer tax credits that can help mitigate costs and facilitate the adoption of renewable energy options for power companies.     

An Annotated Bibliography on Concurrent-Engineering-Related Topics

Abstract

This article presents an enterprise method for moving a firm's product content to the Internet. Web-enabled, online content provides a competitive advantage for attracting, selling, and servicing clients globally. Two case studies of large international firms that used the content method are summarized. Findings show that the implementation method explained in this article provided a basic structure and process for meeting client goals. However, technology objectives tended to continually overwhelm enterprise and business strategies. The subordination of enterprise strategy resulted in dysfunctional organizational conflict and unnecessary project delays. Also, unanticipated, disruptive consequences of the changes resulted in confused organizational roles and work practices, which were not adequately addressed. This study recommends: (1) Enterprise and information technology (IT) strategy should be jointly planned before the content change process begins. Project sponsors representing top-down and bottom-up organizational levels should be assigned to coordinate IT and business goals throughout the project life cycle. The primary role of the project sponsors would be to anticipate and solve team and individual work-related needs during the project. (2) Change management interventions should also be incorporated into the enterprise method to commit, involve, and train those affected by the change. These recommendations would strengthen the effectiveness of the enterprise method observed and gain satisfaction of stakeholders involved in the change process.     

Optical Nondestructive Evaluation for Structures

Abstract

This paper presents a new technique for evaluation of engineering structures, using optical measurement and probabilistic advancing cross-diagnosis. Its application is first computersimulated, and then it is tested in the laboratory. With the cooperation of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, a recently developed coherent laser radar system was used to measure structural deformation. The data are treated to reduce noise and used to derive multiple features for reliable diagnosis. Both the simulation and laboratory test results show consistent effectiveness of the proposed technique, indicating a promising direction of nondestructive evaluation combining optical and computer technology.     

Hot syngas gas filtration experience at the power systems development facility

Abstract

High-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) filters are key components in the successful development of advanced coal-based integrated gasification combined cycles. The clean-up stage of current designs cools the syngas close to ambient conditions with much of the heat removed being rejected as it is of insufficient quality for re-use. Carrying out clean up at elevated temperature will reduce the amount of heat rejected and increase generating efficiency. The first step in the warm/hot clean-up stage is to remove the particulate and protect the downstream H₂S, HCl, NH₃ etc. removal steps. The HTHP filters also protect the downstream gas turbine from particle-related damage and clean the process gas to satisfy dust emission standards.

HTHP filter systems have been under development worldwide for over 20 years but their commercialization has been impeded by low overall reliability. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established the Power Systems Development Facility (PSDF) in 1994 to accelerate development of the technology and its associated components.

This paper presents some of the test data collected during HTHP filtration of syngas that relates to materials issues. The results are discussed and used to identify the course of future test work.     

Bringing Engineering Research to Market: How Universities,Industry, and Government are Attempting to Solve the Problem

Abstract:

Significant barriers impede the effective commercialization of new technologies created at universities. We review the nature of these barriers and consider one solution in the form of a collaborative network environment: the National Network for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (N2TEC). This article contributes on two levels to the knowledge of engineering managers who are attempting to rapidly implement technology: (1) it explains an important new tool for facilitating collaboration and commercialization, and (2) it describes the challenges met and overcome in the organization and implementation of a virtual network.     

Modeling and Measuring All the Elements of an Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation System I: Modeling Foundations

Abstract

A comprehensive model of an ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) flaw measurement system is developed that combines models for the electrical components (pulser/receiver, cabling), electromechanical components [transducer(s)], and the acoustic/elastic processes present in the materials being inspected, including the scattering of ultrasonic waves from a flaw. This model is called the electroacoustic measurement (EAM) model. Here, in Part I, the underlying modeling foundations of the EAM model are described in detail and the use of the EAM model is demonstrated in a transducer design study. This EAM model provides a new, powerful tool for analyzing virtually any element in the measurement process. In Part II it will be shown that this power can be extended to characterizing typical commercial measurement systems through the use of models and purely electrical measurements of the system components.     

Novel data structure and visualization tool for studying technology evolution based on patent information: The DTFootprint and the TechSpectrogram

We introduce a new, bespoke data structure to analyze and visualize the evolution of a technology. The technology under analysis is defined by a set of patents corresponding to a technical field, owned by a company or invented by a team of research. Our data structure, the Dynamic Technology Footprint –DTFootprint–, facilitates the analysis and visualization of trends and dynamics of a given technology, and therefore the evolution of a technical field, a company, or a team of people. A graphical tool based on our data structure is defined, it is named Technology Spectrogram –TechSpectrogram–, because it is inspired by the acoustic frequency spectrograms: as the acoustic frequency spectrograms visualize the dynamics of an acoustic wave showing the evolution of its frequency components our tool shows the dynamics of a technology showing the evolution of its technological components, which are represented by the whole set of IPC-codes. Our graphical tool, the TechSpectrogram is shown for some study cases, and its application to the history of technology and technology management are disclosed.     

Anticipating the effects of technological change: A new era of dynamics for human factors

Human factors studies the intersection between people, technology and work, with the major aim to find areas where design and working conditions produce human error. It relies on the knowledge base and research results of multiple fields of inquiry (ranging from computer science to anthropology) to do so. Technological change at this intersection (1) redefines the relationship between various players (both humans and machines), (2) transforms practice and shifts sources of error and excellence, and (3) often drives up operational requirements and pressures on operators. Human factors needs to predict these reverberations of technological change before a mature system has been built in order to steer design into the direction of cooperative human-machine architectures. The quickening tempo of technology change and the expansion of technological possibilities has largely converted the traditional shortcuts for access to a design process (task analysis, guidelines, verification and validation studies, etc.) into oversimplification fallacies that retard understanding, innovation, and, ultimately, human factors' credibility. There is an enormous need for the development of techniques that gain empirical access to the future-that generate human performance data about systems which have yet to be built.     

Welding repair by linear friction in titanium alloys

Abstract

Gas turbines for aeroengines are generally manufactured by attaching individual blades into slots in the disk. However, an alternative design consists in producing bladed disks, where disk and blades are a single piece. Previous studies have shown that linear friction welding is a technology which fits well for this application. On the other hand, bladed disks can experience in service damages and therefore affordable repair technology must be available. The present paper presents the microstructural and mechanical evaluation of double and triple welds produced to simulate replacements of damaged blades. The results show that, even though the successive welds induce a small strength decrease, both tensile and fatigue failures always initiated far away of the weld zone.     

A note on DEA models in technology selection: an improvement of Karsak and Ahiska's approach

This paper introduces a compact form for the maximum value of the non-Archimedean in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models applied for the technology selection, without the need to solve a linear programming (LP). Using this method the computational performance the common weight multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) DEA model proposed by Karsak and Ahiska (International Journal of Production Research, 2005, 43(8), 1537–1554) is improved. This improvement is significant when computational issues and complexity analysis are a concern.     

Dual phase versus CMn strip steels: comparison of quasi-static and dynamic connection properties for road safety barriers

Abstract

The use of high strength steel grades in automotive applications has been widely recorded. This is due largely to vehicle weight reduction programmes as well as increases in vehicle crash safety legislation. This represents the steel industry’s response to the challenge that vehicle components manufactured from steel could get replaced with alternative materials, such as aluminium and polymers. Consequently, new high strength steel grades have been developed to offer credible alternatives. Recently, the UK government has released a new specification, BS EN 1317-1-2-3-4: Road Restraint Systems, to which all new safety barrier designs have to comply. However, much of this development and subsequent usage has been targeted at automotive manufacturers. Road safety barrier technology has not evolved in the same way when compared to vehicle technology. Therefore, a study has been undertaken to assess the outcome of using some of these novel high strength steel grades for the manufacture of road safety barrier components. Quasi-static and dynamic tensile testing at different velocities was undertaken. Representative connection coupons were used to understand the energy absorbing properties of a dual phase steel grade when compared to the current CMn steel grade. The present study presents some initial results as to the increased performance that could be gained from utilising new high strength steel grades for the production of road safety barrier systems.