A mill-wide system for a paper mill

A mill-wide system has been developed for a paper mill. The system controls and supervises the plant from stock preparation to finishing. The system consists of the duplex control computers, a production scheduling computer, automated roll storage yard, transporting equipments and other related control devices. The functions of the system are (1) production scheduling and operation control; (2) tracking product information; (3) automatic roll and bale handling control, label printing, and roll printing. The system is presently in operation.     

Cabinet: merging designers’ digital and physical collections of visual materials

Designers currently keep both physical and digital collections of visual materials separately. Cabinet is an appliance prototype for merging the collections. Its design was built on a study of current design practice, and explorations in visual and inspirational interaction. The Cabinet provides an effortless interface for adding physical and digital images, organizing them into piles and narrative layouts, and reusing images. The prototype was evaluated in three one-month trials at prominent Dutch design firms.     

Roll assortment optimization in a paper mill: An integer programming approach

Fine paper mills produce a variety of paper grades to satisfy demand for a large number of sheeted products. Huge reels of different paper grades are produced on a cyclical basis on paper machines. These reels are then cut into rolls of smaller size which are then either sold as such, or sheeted into finished products in converting plants. A huge number of roll sizes would be required to cut all finished products without trim loss and they cannot all be inventoried. An assortment of rolls is inventoried with the implication that the sheeting operations may yield trim loss. The selection of the assortment of roll sizes to stock and the assignment of these roll sizes to finished products have a significant impact on performances. This paper presents a model to decide the parent roll assortment and assignments to finished products based on these products demand processes, desired service levels, trim loss and inventory holding costs. Risk pooling economies made by assigning several finished products to a given roll size is a fundamental aspect of the problem. The overall model is a binary non-linear program. Two solution methods are developed: a branch and price algorithm based on column generation and a fast pricing heuristic, and a marginal cost heuristic. The two methods are tested on real data and also on randomly generated problem instances. The approach proposed was implemented by a large pulp and paper company.     

Designing interactive consumer products: utility of paper prototypes and effectiveness of enhanced control labelling

The studies reported here examined differences in user behaviour when presented with a low-fidelity paper prototype compared to fully operational product, and evaluated the effectiveness of different types of enhanced labelling of controls. In the first study with a paper prototype, 30 users of high-pressure washers were asked to choose the settings of the temperature control for different cleaning objects, comparing standard with information-enriched control labelling. In the second study, 34 users operated a real high-pressure washer with different forms of control labelling. The results of both studies provided evidence for some benefits of an information-enriched control labelling over traditional temperature-centred controls labelling. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the data of the two studies suggested that low-fidelity paper prototypes may have to be used with caution. Therefore, designers need to be aware that the behavioural effects induced by different design modifications may be overestimated when using paper prototypes. The implications of the findings are discussed within the framework of an enlarged concept of fidelity.     

From paper to pixels: A comparison of paper and computer formats in psychological assessment

Internet based data collection methods have many advantages for psychological assessment when compared with more traditional paper formats, including, reduced costs, and greater convenience for both the researcher and the participant. However, prior to the wide-spread adoption of these methods, equivalence with paper tests formats must be established. The present study compared questionnaire data from the computer with that from a traditional paper format in a sample of college students both directly and through an opinion survey. Three types of questionnaires that represent distinct areas commonly assessed in psychological research included: quality of life (SF-36), depression (BDI-II) and personality (NEO). A within-subjects design counterbalanced order across the computer and paper formats. Overall the findings showed no differences for the Neuroticism and Extraversion facts of the NEO, for the BDI and for the subscales and composite scores of the SF-36. Significant differences were found between the paper and computer formats for the Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness facets of the NEO. Additionally, the computer was perceived to be convenient, user-friendly, comfortable, and secure. Results suggest that a computerized format is an efficient way to conduct quality of life research, especially for the assessment of distress levels and quality of life.     

数学题库及自动组卷系统的设计与实现

本文介绍的数学题库及自动组卷系统使用了C＋＋/VC课程的基本设计方法,是基于windows平台下的数据库系统,界面有几个模块组成,分别为登录模块,维护模块,浏览模块和出卷模块等模块界面。自动出卷模块和组卷模块为出卷模块包含功能,修改、删除、添加等功能则集合于维护模块。本系统主要运用的后台数据库为Access数据库,选用Visual Basic为开发工具。     

A decision support system for paper making based on simulation and optimization

In this paper a model-driven decision support system related to paper making is introduced. The intention is to emphasize the necessity of coupling different modeling techniques, multiobjective optimization, and software engineering in order to make the end user application realistic, practical and usable. Firstly the paper making process and selected aspects concerning its mathematical modeling, numerical simulation, and multiobjective optimization are introduced, then the related computerized system, called a virtual paper making line, is described. In addition, the associated decision support system, which provides a suitable level of automation to improve the quality of decision making and support the user’s expertise is discussed. Finally, an example presents different ways of using such a software tool.     

Marked-up maps: combining paper maps and electronic information resources

Mobile devices have been used as tools for navigation and geographic information retrieval with some success. However, screen size, glare, and the cognitive demands of the interface are often cited as weaknesses when compared with traditional tools such as paper maps and guidebooks. In this paper, a simple mixed media approach is presented which tries to address some of these concerns by combining paper maps with electronic guide resources. Information about a landmark or region is accessed by waving a handheld computer equipped with an radio frequency identification (RFID) reader above the region of interest on a paper map. We discuss our prototyping efforts, including lessons learned about using RFID for mixed media interfaces. We then present and discuss evaluations conducted in the field and in a comparative, exploratory study. Results indicate that the method is promising for tourism and other activities requiring mobile, geographically-related information access.

Pulp,paper and allied industry digital process control systems status and trends

Digital process control applications in the paper industry are now some 17 yr old. During this development, the Process Control Committee of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry has been active in educational programs, defining standards, determining economics and measuring the extent, character, and impact of these systems. Several surveys have been conducted to support these activities. The results of these surveys are summarized in this paper. To provide a more current data base for presentation to the IFAC PRP₃ Conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 24–26, 1976, one of these surveys was updated in February 1976.     

Application and roll-out of infinite horizon MPC employing a nonlinear mechanistic model to paper machines

A mechanistic nonlinear model of the wet end of paper machine 6 (PM6) at Norske Skog Saugbrugs, Norway has been developed, and used in an industrial MPC implementation. The MPC uses an infinite horizon criterion, successive linearization of the model, and estimation of states and parameters by an augmented Kalman filter. Variation in important quality variables and consistencies in the wet end have been reduced substantially, compared to the variation prior to the MPC implementation. The MPC also provides better efficiency through faster grade changes, control during sheet breaks and start ups, and better control during periods of poor measurements. From May 2002 of the MPC has been the preferred controller choice for the process operators at PM6.In this paper we also study if the model can be applied to PM4 at Norske Skog Saugbrugs, and PM3 at Norske Skog Skogn, Norway. No structural changes were necessary in order to fit the model to PM4 and PM3 data. The time spent on fitting the PM6 model to PM4 and PM3 is approximately 1% of the time spent on developing the original model. This should be a strong incentive for focusing on mechanistic modeling in industries were there are many similar production lines or units.     

Information technology and structural change in the paper and pulp industry : Some technological, organizational and managerial implications

The paper and pulp industry has experienced a structural change during the last 15 years. The products have differentiated and completely new paper types have been introduced. The standard and classical products, like news print paper, are often specialized and customized versions from the standard product in order to fulfill the specific needs of different printing processes better. These changes have impacted on the production organization and structures of enterprises. The key companies have acquired more production capacity in different countries and have become really international companies. These trends are likely to continue. One of the technological driving forces has been the applying of information technology. The digital process automation systems as well as the mill wide information systems have been strategic tools and technological corner stones in the structural change. However, it is only technology which matters. Also new organisational forms as well as new implementation methods of systems are needed.     

Reflections and looking ahead for CSCL: digital infrastructures,digital tools,and collaborative learning

International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning -     

A simpler formula for the singular values of a certain Hankel operator

This paper deals with the problem of computing the singular values and vectors of a Hankel operator with symbol m^*W where m ε H^∞ is arbitrary inner and W ε H^∞ is rational. A simplified version of the formula given in [6] is obtained for computing the singular values of the Hankel operator. This result is applied to the (one-block) H^∞ optimal control of SISO stable infinite dimensional plants and rational weights. Using this new formula a simple expression is derived for the H^∞ optimal controller whose structure was observed in [9].     

Repositories and communities at cross-purposes: issues in sharing and reuse of digital learning resources

Abstract   Globally, institutions are setting up digital repositories to support the sharing of resources for teaching and learning. The educational rationale is that a single set of resources can be restructured to support different pedagogical approaches and to achieve economies of scale. A key problem is that these learning object repositories (LORs), like many other learning technology innovations, are often designed to exploit the capabilities of technology rather than to meet learners' needs. The premise of this study is that the nature and organization of a community is likely to impact the way an LOR is used. Key dimensions of repositories and communities are discussed. Three repository systems are analysed to identify how communities use repositories. Guided by Activity Theory, the LORs and user communities are analysed as activity systems. These activity systems are compared and contradictions between them are identified. From the analysis, barriers and enablers for the use of LORs to support learning are discussed and a framework for addressing the key issues in the repository development stage is proposed.     

艺纸成书——艺术纸与创意书装设计

本文阐述了艺术纸在材质性能、品种、制作工艺、艺术表现力、情感多异性、可再生环保性等方面的几大优势及特点,包括它在书装设计创意中的运用及形式语汇,以及在实际设计及印刷中需要解决的问题。     

一种数字陀螺中∑-△ DAC的数字调制器设计和验证

采用单环级联分布式前馈结构(CIFF)设计并实现了一款三阶四比特量化的∑-△数字调制器.噪声传递函数通过局部反馈技术进行了零点优化,并且对各系数进行CSD (Canonical Signed Digit)编码优化.系统建模仿真结果得到SNDR为120.3 dB,有效位数(ENOB)为19.7位.针对多位量化适配问题,采用数据加权平均(DWA)算法对误差进行噪声整形,以减小失配引起的非线性误差.利用增加单元DAC的方法,对DWA算法进行改进,解决了其在直流或低频周期信号下会产生杂波的问题,并对其进行系统建模与仿真.最后利用FPGA验证了IDWA-DAC系统模型的正确性,这种结构能够有效提高动态范围,满足设计要求.     

ECHO: a digital library for historical film archives

Easy access to large information collections is of great importance in many aspects of everyday life. However, limitations in information and communication technologies have so far prevented the average person from taking much advantage of existing resources. Historical documentaries held by national archives constitute some of the most precious yet least accessible cultural information. The ECHO project has facilitated accessibility to this type of precious information by developing a digital library (DL) service for historical films belonging to large national audiovisual archives.