The optimal schedule to produce a given number of acceptable parts with a specified confidence level

This paper deals with the problem of finding the optimal schedule for producing, with a probability α, a finite number H, of parts which have a diameter within specified tolerance limits. It is assumed that the diameter is a normally distributed variable that exhibits a linear trend in the process mean. The solution involves determining the optimal run size(s), as well as the specific number of runs of each size, required to produce at least H parts, with probability α, at minimum cost. A solution algorithm is provided and computational experience reported.     

Analysis of robot positioning error

Positioning errors of robots used for material handling and assembly can be sufficiently large to cause problems. These errors are due to imperfect repeatability of the robots, and their effects can be ameliorated or exacerbated by tolerances on the workpieces and on the jigs and fixtures. In this paper, a model for characterizing the positioning errors of robots is developed. A statistical analysis of positioning error data is performed to make inferences about the stochastic nature of the robotic system. The basic issue is whether the positioning errors of the robot are state dependent or state invariant.     

Identification of large scale distributed parameter systems—some simplifications in the multidimensional Poisson moment functional (MDPMF) approach

This paper is concerned with two practically important aspects of identification of large scale distributed parameter systems by the multidimensional Poisson moment functional (MDPMF) method (Saha and Prasada Rao 1980). The existing methods of (i) development and diagrammatic representations of the relations among the MDPMFs of partial derivative terms and those of the original multivariable function, and (ii) elimination of the effects of boundary functions and their partial derivatives from the identification equations, become extremely unwieldy as the order and dimensions of the model increase. This paper suggests alternative techniques in these two situations, leading to a simplification of the algorithm and an enormous reduction of the related analytical and computational burden. In the former situation, the suggested alternative uses the concept of separated variables. In the latter, the boundary function effects are estimated and then inserted into the algorithm to simplify it.     

Review and classification of reliability measures for multistate and continuum models

In this paper we examine a variety of customer-centered reliability measures, generalized to multistate and continuum contexts. A classification scheme is proposed for these measures, and a new measure based on customer-usage patterns is defined. In each case, reliability measures are defined such that they are equally valid for binary, multistate, continuum, and mixed systems. Techniques which facilitate the use of continuum models are discussed, and time-dynamic, infinite-time, and partial-information modeling considerations are also addressed.     

Numerical simulation for determination of limit strains of a cold rolled and solution treated Nimonic C-263 alloy sheet

Nimonic alloys are Ni-base superalloys used for several high temperature applications, notable among them are the components in space vehicles, rocket engines, submarines, nuclear reactors, chemical processing vessels and heat exchange tubing as they exhibit excellent mechanical strength and creep resistance at high temperatures. Hence, evaluation of their formability characteristics is of utmost importance to make them into several useful components. Limit strains or forming limit curve is one of the parameters that indicates the formability, especially the drawability of sheet metal for deep drawing applications. In this paper, the limit strains of Nimonic C-263 alloy is investigated and presented using an explicit finite element code LSDYNA 3D. The material properties and the material model are evaluated by conducting tensile tests. The limit strains obtained from the simulation are verified by the analytical equations developed using vertex theory. The results tally within ±10% error.     

Crystallization Kinetics of Lithia-Silica Glasses: Effect of Composition and Nucleating Agent

The kinetics of crystallization of a 25Li₂O · 75SiO₂ (wt%) glass doped with Pt, Cu, Au, TiO₂, and P₂O₅ were studied using nonisothermal techniques. The activation energy, E , and the frequency factor, v , for the overall crystallization process depended directly on the critical cooling rate for the glass formation, R_c , of these glasses. The crystallization kinetics of several other glasses in the lithia-silica system were also studied as a function of composition, critical cooling rate, and liquidus temperature, T_m. E and v for these glasses were more dependent on the liquidus temperature than on R_c .     

Crystallization of Calcia-Gallia-Silica Glasses

The critical cooling rate, R _c, for glass formation and the kinetics of crystallization of the compositions 18.4CaO-(81.6 - X )Ga₂O₃- X SiO₂ (in wt%), with X =3, 6, 9, and 13.8, were studied by using a thermal image furnace. Crystallization was studied nonisothermally and the data were analyzed by using the Avrami equation. The R _c and activation energy for crystallization both decrease with increasing silica content. The results obtained by the present technique agree with those obtained from DTA measurements.     

Glass Formation and Properties in the System Calcia-Gallia-Germania

The critical cooling rate for glass formation, R^c, was measured for four compositions in the system calcia-gallia-germania. The activation energy, E, and frequency factor, u, for the crystallization process were determined by reheating the glasses at varied constant heating rates and measuring the temperature of crystallization. Both E and v increased, with increasing germania content of the glass, whereas R^c decreased. The density, refractive index, and Abbe number were also measured; all decreased with increasing GeO² content. These results are compared with those for calcia-gallia-silica glasses of comparable compositions.     

Theoretical prediction and validation of global horizontal solar irradiance for a tropical climate in India

This paper aims to propose monthly models responsible for the theoretical evaluation of the global horizontal irradiance of a tropical region in India which is Sivagangai situated in Tamilnadu. The actual measured global horizontal irradiance hails from a 5 MW solar power plant station located at Sivagangai in Tamilnadu. The data were monitored from May 2011 to April 2013. The theoretical assessment was conducted differently by employing a programming platform called Microsoft Visual Basic 2010 Express. A graphical user interface was created using Visual Basic 2010 Express, which provided the evaluation of empirical parameters for model formulation such as daily sunshine duration (S), maximum possible sunshine hour duration (S₀), extra terrestrial horizontal global irradiance (H₀) and extra terrestrial direct normal irradiance (G₀). The proposed regression models were validated by the significance of statistical indicators such as mean bias error, root mean square error and mean percentage error from the predicted and the actual values for the region considered. Comparison was made between the proposed monthly models and the existing normalized models for global horizontal irradiance evaluation.     

Analysis of volume expansion data for periclase, lime, corundum and spinel at high temperatures

We have presented an analysis of the volume expansion data for periclase (MgO), lime (CaO), corundum (Al₂O₃) and spinel (MgAl₂O₄) determined experimentally by Fiquet et al (1999) from 300K up to 3000K. The thermal equation of state due to Suzuki et al (1979) and Shanker et al (1997) are used to study the relationships between thermal pressure and volume expansion for the entire range of temperatures starting from room temperature up to the melting temperatures of the solids under study. Comparison of the results obtained in the present study with the corresponding experimental data reveal that the thermal pressure changes with temperature almost linearly up to quite high temperatures. At extremely high temperatures close to the melting temperatures thermal pressure deviates significantly from linearity. This prediction is consistent with other recent investigations. A quantitative analysis based on the theory of anharmonic effects has been presented to account for the nonlinear variation of the thermal pressure at high temperatures.