Abalone (Hariltis discus): Seasonal Variations in Chemical Composition and Textural Properties

Seasonal changes in adenosine 5′-triphosphate, total free amino acids, and total oligopeptides in abalone meat were analyzed. Levels were higher in summer and lower in winter. In both seasons, the most abundant free amino acid was taurine followed by arginine, glycine, glutamine, and glutamic acid. The largest peptide-bond amino acid was glutamic acid + glutamine. The collagen content decreased in summer and increased in winter. The breaking stress values of the meat were low in summer and high in winter, indicating that summer abalone would be more tender. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the collagen network was more compact in winter.     

Optimization analysis for recycle-oriented manufacturing systems

Recycling has been recently recognized as one of effective tools for solving environmental problems. In this respect present and future manufacturing systems should take the recycling of materials used into consideration. This paper points out the issues contained in such a recycle-oriented manufacturing system, then the basic parts-flow in the product's life cycle is clarified by taking account of re-use and re-production of the parts contained in the product. A model is constructed to maximize two measures of performance—total profit and recycling rate. This is solved by goal programming. Finally, a numerical example is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model proposed.     

Analysis of optimal machining speeds for automatic manufacturing

Automatic manufacturing like machining centres can replace the worn cutting tool with a new edge in a short time within the setup time of a workpiece. In this situation no minimum-time speed exists as the usual machining. This paper aims to analyse the optimal machining speeds for this case under three kinds of evaluation criteria minimum time (or maximum productivity), minimum cost and maximum profit rate—and to investigate the relationship between the optimal machining speeds obtained. The efficiency speed range is also examined. An example is demonstrated to explain the analytical results.     

MODULATING THE CONDITIONING OF MEAT BY THE USE OF ORYZACYSTATIN, A CYSTEINE PROTEINASE INHIBITOR OF RICE SEED ORIGIN

A new process was developed to regulate the papain-induced overtenderization of meat by using oryzacystatin, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor of rice seed origin. Meat cubes (2 × 2 × 2 cm each), aged 3 days, were treated with a 0.1 fold weight of papain solution and incubated at 8°C. The most favorable degree of tenderization resulted when a 2% papain solution was used for 2 h at 8°C. When the incubation was made for 24 h or longer, overtenderization resulted. The incubation of a meat cube with papain for the first 2 h and then with an adequate amount of added oryzacystatin for the subsequent 22 h was effective in regulating overtenderization. It was also confirmed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis that the use of oryzacystatin under similar incubation conditions regulated the papain-aided hydrolysis of myofibrillar proteins.     

Design and scheduling for flexible manufacturing cells with automatic set-up equipment

A flexible manufacturing cell (FMC) has become of major interest recently as a new machining unit for low-volume, variety production. However, set-up operations for workpieces have not yet been automated in the usual FMC. In this paper, the design and scheduling problems for FMC with automatic set-up equipment are discussed. The FMC consists of a machining centre, an industrial robot, a loading-unloading station and an index-pallet changer. First, the design and control system of the FMC is explained. Then a scheduling algorithm is developed to achieve the minimum total production time in order to operate the FMC effectively. As this FMC has finite buffer spaces on the index-pallet changer, this model can be regarded as a two-machine flow-shop problem with finite buffer spaces. Next, an algorithm for determining the optimum number of buffer spaces is constructed to design the FMC using the results of scheduling. Finally, a numerical example is given for demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.     

Optimal production planning for a multiproduct,multistage production system

A mathematical model of production planning for a multiproduct, multistage produetionaystom (production equation, transition equation and objective function) was constructed in order to derive the optimal decision rule to be adapted to demand fluctuation. With this model the optimal solution and the computational algorithm were determined by functional space approach. With use of this algorithm, a numerical example of optimal production planning was solved.     

Optimization of multistage production systems with variable production times and costs

Introducing a concept of ‘ production speed ’ as a decision variable, a production model with variable (speed-dependent) production time and cost for producing a product item was constructed. Optimization analysis was mode on a single-item, multistage production system in an attempt to determine the optimal production speeds for all stages and the optimal cycle time. For a case of multiple-item production, an optimal job sequence and the optimal production speeds for all jobs were analysed, such that the total flow time was minimized as a primary objective and, in addition, the total production cost was minimized as a secondary objective.     

Design Support Method Based on Analysis of Shape Impression

In recent years,aesthetic design is becoming increasingly important in industrial product development due to the growing maturity of product functions.The designer is required to reflect consumer needs in the aesthetic design while giving consideration to the applications and functions of the product.For this reason,effective techniques enabling design creation based on consumer preference and needs are indispensable.The Taguchi method has been effectively used for the robust design of products.In this study,we proposed a design support method applying the Taguchi Method to robust design in respect to the inconsistencies of human kansei(sensitivity),and specifically applied it for quantitatively analyzing the robustness of design solutions created in accordance with the design concept of a digital camera.     

A study of graphic representation of the working situation of workers in assembly work systems: a theoretical analysis

The work situation in single-stage and multi-stage assembly systems with a belt conveyor was represented graphically. For this purpose, the concept of the ‘work field’ was introduced. In this graphic representation, the service time, the pick-up position of a part and the effects of the work conditions were investigated. The situation of continuous work with no wait for the next part and no missing part was denominated ‘continuity of work’. Decision procedures for the optimal work conditions on single-stage assembly work were developed by using ‘fuzzy set’. Computer programs for the graphic representation of a multi-stage assembly system were developed, and the situation of continuous assembly work was represented on display equipment of the cathode ray tube type.     

Note on ‘ Solution of the aggregate production planning problem in a multi-stage-multi-product manufacturing system using functional space analysis and quadratic programming approaches ’

The recent paper of Teny and Kochhar (1983) concluded that the solution calculated by using the functional space analysis technique presented by Hitomi and Nakamura (1976) is inferior to that rendered by the quadratic programming approach (Bcale 1968). This paper shows the contradiction included in their discussion and denies the above conclusion. Functional space analysis is also developed to obtain a mixed-integer solution.