Integration of process planning and scheduling by exploring the flexibility of process planning

A unique method for the integration of process planning and scheduling in a batch-manufacturing environment is reported. This integration is essential for the optimum use of production resources and for the generation of realistic process plans that can be readily executed with little modification. The integration problem is modelled at two levels: process planning and scheduling, which are linked by an intelligent facilitator. The process-planning module employs an optimization approach in which the whole plan solution space in terms of available machines, tools, tool accessibility and precedence constraints is first generated and a search algorithm is then used to find the optimal plan. For a given set of jobs, the scheduling module takes the optimal plans for each job and generates a schedule based on a given criterion, as well as the performance parameters (machine utilization and number of tardy jobs). An unsatisfied performance parameter is fed back to the facilitator, which then identifies a particular job and issues a change to its process plan solution space. The iteration of process Planning -scheduling-solution space modification continues until a schedule is satisfactory or until no further improvement can be made. The uniqueness of this approach is characterized by the flexibility of the process-planning strategy and the intelligent facilitator, which makes full use of the plan solution space intuitively to reach a satisfactory schedule. (It may not be the optimal, though.) The integrated system was implemented in the manufacturing of prismatic parts. The testing results show that the developed integration method can achieve satisfactory process plans and a schedule in an effective and efficient manner.     

Failure Analysis of Radiant Tube Burners in Continuous Annealing Line (CAL) of an Integrated Steel Plant

Failure analysis of radiant tube burners (ACI HK 40 with composition ~25 wt.% Cr, ~20 wt.% Ni) removed from a continuous annealing line (CAL) of a cold rolling mill (CRM) of an integrated steel plant was performed using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and microhardness measurements. Studies revealed that the failures were mainly attributed to combined influences of creep and carburization-assisted localized oxidative attack. A suitable heat-resisting cast austenitic stainless steel was identified as a candidate alloy to replace the previously used ACI HK 40 alloy.     

Influence of Silicon Carbide Reinforcements on Mechanical and Wear Behaviour AA7075/15% wt. Glass fiber Hybrid Composites

Silicon - Aluminium hybrid composites are a new generation of metal matrix composites that have the potential of satisfying the recent demands of advanced applications. Hence, Aluminum alloy AA7075...     

Investigation on the synthesis and quantum confinement effects of pure and Mn added Zn(1−x)CdxS nanocrystals

Zn_(1−x)Cd_xS and Zn_(1−x)Cd_xS:Mn²⁺ semiconductor quantum dots (2-4 nm) have been prepared by a novel solvothermal route assisted microwave heating method. The growth parameters governing the smaller size and higher yield have been optimized. The synthesized QDs exhibit a significant blue shift as compared to their corresponding bulk counterpart in the UV-vis optical absorption spectrum. The dielectric constant value varies from 2.79 to 6.17 (at 40 °C, 1 kHz) depending upon the composition of the alloy; lower value corresponds to Zn_0.75Cd_0.25S:Mn²⁺ and the higher value corresponds to Zn_0.25Cd_0.75S:Mn²⁺. The crystallite size to exciton bohr radius ratio being <1 indicates a strong quantum confinement effect in both CdS and ZnS QDs. The quantum confinement effect exists in the sequence of ZnS:Mn²⁺ < Zn_(1−x)Cd_xS:Mn²⁺ (x < 0.5) < ZnS < Zn_(1−x)Cd_xS < CdS < CdS:Mn²⁺.     

An intervention study in obese mice with astaxanthin, a marine carotenoid--effects on insulin signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines

Astaxanthin (ASX), a xanthophyll carotenoid from the marine algae Hematococcus pluvialis, has anti-obesity and insulin-sensitivity effects. The specific molecular mechanisms of its actions are not yet established. The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the insulin sensitivity effects of ASX in a non-genetic insulin resistant animal model. A group of male Swiss albino mice was divided into two and fed either a starch-based control diet or a high fat-high fructose diet (HFFD). Fifteen days later, mice in each dietary group were divided into two and were treated with either ASX (6 mg kg(-1) per day) in olive oil or olive oil alone. At the end of 60 days, glucose, insulin and pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma, lipids and oxidative stress markers in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue were assessed. Further, post-receptor insulin signaling events in skeletal muscle were analyzed. Increased body weight, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and increased plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 observed in HFFD-fed mice were significantly improved by ASX addition. ASX treatment also reduced lipid levels and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. ASX improved insulin signaling by enhancing the autophosphorylation of insulin receptor-β (IR-β), IRS-1 associated PI3-kinase step, phospho-Akt/Akt ratio and GLUT-4 translocation in skeletal muscle. This study demonstrates for the first time that chronic ASX administration improves insulin sensitivity by activating the post-receptor insulin signaling and by reducing oxidative stress, lipid accumulation and proinflammatory cytokines in obese mice.     

A FACILE SYNTHESIS OF 11,12-DIMETHOXYDIBENZO[def,p]CHRYSENE,A PREFERRED PRECURSOR FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF THE PROXIMATE AND ULTIMATE CARCINOGENS OF DIBENZO[def,p]CHRYSENE (DBC)

A concise, convergent synthesis of 11,12-dimethoxydibenzo[def,p]chrysene (5), a preferred precursor for the synthesis of the carcinogenic metabolites of a highly potent carcinogen dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC, 1) has been described. Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of 5,5-dimethyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-2-formyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborinane (6a) with 7-bromo-5,6-dihydro-4H-benz[de]anthracene (7) afforded 7-(2-formyl-3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)- 5,6-dihydro-4H-benz[de]anthracene (9). Treatment of 9 with an excess of potassium tert-butoxide produced 11,12-dimethoxydibenzo[def,p]chrysene (5) in overall 51% yield based on 6a.     

Influence of triethylamine on the anodic dissolution characteristics of Ni,Cu and their alloys in non-aqueous solvents containing fluoride media: voltammetric and surface morphologic study

Multisweep cyclic voltammetric (CV) responses of nickel, copper, Monel and nickel–copper alloy had been extensively studied and compared in different non-aqueous solvents, such as acetonitrile (AN), propylene carbonate (PC) and sulpholane-containing anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) medium in the absence and the presence of triethylamine (Et₃N). The quantity of dissolution and surface morphological transformation on the electrodes as a result of anodic polarisation were investigated by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The CV study indicates that Ni, Cu and their alloys are highly unstable in AN/AHF medium. Surface morphology of Ni after polarisation in this medium reveals the generation of number of pits, whereas the evolution of small crystallites of CuF₂ is noted on the polarised alloy material, as evidenced by SEM pictures. The dissolution characteristics decrease significantly in PC/AHF medium and become low in sulpholane-containing fluoride medium on the four electrodes. The relative solubility of metal fluoride film in the three solvents increases in the order: sulpholane < PC < AN. The voltammograms suggest that addition of Et₃N (0.5 M) to AN- and PC-containing AHF medium helps both in maintaining uniform dissolution and generating compact fluoride film on the electrode surface. The addition of Et₃N to AHF/sulpholane medium shows only little influence in improving the electrocatalytic oxidation process.     

Biofiltration of volatile organic compound using two packing materials: Kinetics and modelling

The performance of two laboratory scale biofilters, packed with pressmud (BF1) and sugarcane bagasse (BF2), was evaluated for gas phase ethylacetate removal under various operating conditions. Biofilters were inoculated with mixed culture obtained from pharmaceutical wastewater sludge. Experiments were carried out at different flow rates (0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12 m³ h^?1) and inlet ethylacetate concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 1.2 gm^?3). Maximum removal efficiency (RE) of 100% and 98% was achieved at an inlet concentration of 0.2 gm^?3 and gas flow rate of 0.03 m³ h^?1 in BF1 and BF2, respectively. A maximum elimination capacity (EC) of 66.6 gm^?3 h^?1 and 64.1 gm^?3 h^?1 was obtained in BF1 and BF2, respectively, at an inlet concentration of 0.8 gm^?3 and a gas flow rate of 0.12 m³ h^?1. The kinetics of biofiltration of ethylacetate was studied by using Ottengraf and van den Oever model. The kinetic modelling gives an insight into the mechanism of biofiltration. The modified Ottengraf model, which was also tested, demonstrated good agreement between calculated and experimental data.     

Optimization of SiC Abrasive Parameters on Machining of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy in AJM Using Taguchi-Grey Relational Method

Silicon - In this research, multi response Taguchi-grey relational approach was employed to optimize the machining parameters of Ti-6Al-4V alloy in abrasive water jet process. The main aim of this...     

Simulation studies on gax based Kalina cycle for both power and cooling applications

A detailed parametric analysis is carried out on both simple and GAX based combined power and cooling cycle. The effect of various parameters such as heat source temperature, refrigeration temperature, sink temperature, split ratio (refrigerant flow ratio between power and cooling systems), split factor (solution flow ratio between absorber and GAX heat exchanger) on the performance of the cycle is studied. The results of the analysis show that using the GAX heat exchanger about 20% of internal heat is recovered within the cycle. The optimum split factor is 0.8–0.9 and the split ratio is 0.5:0.5. The maximum combined thermal efficiency of 35–45% and coefficient of performance of about 0.35 is attained at the optimum conditions.