Ergonomic criteria in large-scale engineering design--I. Management by documentation only? Formal organization vs. designers' perceptions.

In engineering design projects ergonomics criteria may be supplied to project members along with other design requirements. A formal organization for human factors (HF) is set up where responsibilities pertaining to HF are specified. It is then assumed that the project functions according to this, and that the ergonomics criteria are known among project members. We have investigated the management of human factors in two large-scale offshore development projects. Our study shows that neither organization of HF nor ergonomics criteria were well known among project members. To be effective, the criteria have to be supported by one or more HF specialists who engage themselves actively in design.     

Intermetallic growth in gold ball bonds aged at 175°C: comparison between two 4N wires of different chemistry

Gold wires of different chemistry (denoted as Types A and B) are ballbonded on identical metallization and isothermally aged at 175°C. In both wire types the same intermetallic compounds Au₄Al and Au₈Al₃ grow with parabolic time dependence as long as there is a supply of Al from the bondpad. After Al is completely reacted, composition of intermetallics in Type A wire remains unchanged but in Type B wire, the Au₈Al₃ compound undergoes a phase transformation into a second layer of Au Al. The phase transformation does not affect mechanical reliability of the ballbonds. Intermetallic growth kinetics, growth sequence and the possible origins of the phase transformation are discussed.     

Thermal anti-oxidation treatment of CrNi-steels as studied by EXAFS in reflection mode: the influence of monosilane additions in the gas atmosphere of a continuous annealing furnace

Surface sensitive, reflection mode EXAFS spectroscopy at the Cr and Fe K-edges was used to study the surfaces of stainless steel (EU alloy grade 1.4301 X5CrNi18-10) after different heat treatments. The thermal treatments were performed in a conveyor belt furnace at temperatures between 600 and 900 °C in different gas atmospheres containing inert carrier gases (N₂ or Ar) and different additives such as hydrogen (H₂) and monosilane (SiH₄). The ex-situ EXAFS results show that the iron and chromium in the steel can only be reduced to a metallic state, if SiH₄ was used as a reducing additive for temperatures of 900 °C. Lower temperatures and process atmospheres without silane always result in strongly oxidized steel surfaces.     

Application of fractional scaling analysis (FSA) to loss of coolant accidents (LOCA): Methodology development

A quantitative methodology is developed to

(a) scale time-dependent evolution processes involving an aggregate of interacting modules and processes (such as a NPP) and

(b) integrate and organize information and data of interest to NPP design and safety analyses.

The methodology is based on two concepts: fractional scaling and hierarchy. Fractional scaling is used to provide a synthesis of experimental data to generate quantitative criteria for assessing the effects of various design and operating parameters on thermo-hydraulic processes in a NPP. The synthesis via fractional scaling is carried out at three hierarchical levels: process, component and system. The methodology is demonstrated by applying it to a LOCA.The fractional scaling analysis (FSA) identifies dominant processes, ranks them quantitatively according to their importance and provides thereby an objective basis for establishing phenomena identification and ranking tables (PIRT) as well as a basis for conducting uncertainty analyses.The paper also discusses the benefits to be realized by applying the methodology to presently operating NPP as well as to future design of NPP.     

Serviceorientierte Produktplattform für das Energiemanagementsystem der Zukunft

Almost all core processes in energy supply companies are currently affected by dramatic changes of the basic parameters in the utilities sector. Future challenges are discussed by the example of energy management which forms a main business task in the energy supply industry. The concept of a new energy management system (EMS) with a service-oriented architecture is presented. Within the solution, requirements of both time-critical product development and long-term research on new functional components are taken into account. A key factor is standardization of the communication between the solution components via a service-bus based on web services and the IEC norm family around CIM, the ‘common information model’ for utilities.     

On the 45° -Region and the uniform asymptotic stability of classes of second order parameter-varying and switched systems

In this paper we present sufficient conditions for the stability of a number of classes of time-varying systems. These results are of interest for two reasons. Firstly, the conditions presented take the form of matrix pencil eigenvalue criteria, and are therefore co-ordinate independent and easily verifiable. Secondly, we show a direct relationship between the form of our criteria, and the choice of Lyapunov function used to demonstrate stability (quadratic or unic). These results indicate the importance of the region of the complex plane known as the 45°-Region.     

Interactive approach to optical tweezers control

We have developed software with an interactive user interface that can be used to generate phase holograms for use with spatial light modulators. The program utilizes different hologram design techniques, allowing the user to select an appropriate algorithm. The program can be used to generate multiple beams and can be used for beam steering. We see a major application of the program to be in optical tweezers to control the position, number, and type of optical traps.     

Marketing advantages via new manufacturing technologies

Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is generally seen as the manufacturing technology of the future. Within the scope of discussion concerning the chances and risks of CIM it is always pointed out that a company can also strengthen its market position by the improvements following the implementation of CIM at the factory floor. These competitive advantages do not arise automatically. It rather requires an effective marketing orientation to transform those technological innovations into competitive advantages.