ON THE USE OF BUFFER INVENTORIES TO MINIMIZE COSTS WITH AN UNRELIABLE MACHINE

In this paper, we discuss the problem of quality control with an unreliable machine which produces defects at a rate of Λ₀, per unit when in-control and a rate of Lambda; ₁, when out-of-control (where Λ₁ Λ ₀). Every h time periods, we sample n units, count the number of defects, and (using a process based on a Shewart c-chart) test the hypothesis that the machine is in control by comparing the total number of defects to an upper control limit (UCL). More important, we introduce the concept that a buffer inventory which immediately follows the unreliable machine may reduce expected total costs. This buffer serves to delay the movement of items from the unreliable machine to the next stage of the production process. In this way, we can isolate and repair most defective items before they are embedded in a product downstream or sold to customers where repair is more costly. To search for the optimal control policy, we find bounds for n, h, and UCL; given values for these variables, we show how the optimal buffer size can be determined directly. Numerical results illustrate the magnitude of potential savings.     

Fuzzy reliability analysis of nanocomposite ZnO beams using hybrid analytical-intelligent method

A hybrid analytical-intelligent approach is proposed for fuzzy reliability analysis of the composite beams reinforced by zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle. The fuzzy reliability index corresponding to buckling failure mode of nanocomposite beam under thickness-direction external voltage is computed based on three-levels: (1) fuzzy analysis, (2) reliability analysis and (3) analytical buckling analysis. In fuzzy analysis level, an improved gravitational search algorithm has been applied to determine uncertainty interval for membership levels of reliability index. The adaptive formulation with a dynamical self-adjusting process is used for reliability analysis level based on conjugate first-order reliability method (FORM). The self-adjusting term in conjugate sensitivity vector is used to satisfy the sufficient descent condition for controlling instability of FORM formula while the proposed conjugate scalar factor is computed less than the original conjugate FORM, thus it may be provided with the efficient results for the convex problem. The new and previous sensitivity vectors obtained by conjugate and steepest descent vectors dynamically adjusted the proposed conjugate factor. In the buckling analysis level, an exponential theory in conjunction with the method of energy is utilized. Fuzzy random variables including applied voltage, the volume fraction of ZnO, thickness of beam, spring constant and shear constant of the foundation are considered in studied nanocomposite beam. Survey results indicated that the proposed method can provide stable and acceptable fuzzy membership functions for parametric study. Moreover, the ratio of length to thickness and spring constant of foundation are the more sensitive parameters which affect fuzzy reliability index significantly.

     

Use of surface modified recycled rubber particles for toughening of epoxy polymers

The objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of using surface treated recycled rubber particles for toughening of epoxy polymers. These particles are obtained through grinding of scrap tires followed by oxidizing the surface of the particles in a reactive gas atmosphere. Surface treated recycled rubber particles with a nominal particle size of approximately 75 μm and a commonly used reactive liquid elastomer, CTBN, have been incorporated in a DGEBA epoxy resin. It has been shown that the recycled rubber particles are not as effective as CTBN in toughening of the epoxy matrix. However, blending of the two modifiers results in a synergistic toughening. Microscopy reveals that, when used alone, recycled rubber particles simply act as large stress concentrators and modestly contribute to toughening via crack deflection and microcracking. In the presence of micron size CTBN particles, which cavitate and induce massive shear yielding in the matrix, however, the recycled particles “stretch” the plastic deformation to distances far from the crack tip. This mechanism causes plastic zone branching and provides an unexpectedly high fracture toughness value. This study, therefore, provides a practical approach for manufacturing engineering polymer blends utilizing the surface modified recycled rubber particles.     

Applying gravitational search algorithm in the QoS-based Web service selection problem

With the growing use of service-oriented architecture for designing next generation software systems,the service composition problem and its execution complexity have become even more important in resp...     

Characterization of minocycline loaded chitosan/polyethylene glycol/glycerol blend films as antibacterial wound dressings

Wound care has been a challenging subject for medical teams and researchers. Bacterial infections are one of the most serious complications in injured skins that often affect healing process. Antibacterial wound dressings can be used to facilitate wound healing process. The purpose of this study is to fabricate chitosan (Chito)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) antibacterial wound dressing doped with minocycline, and to evaluate the influence of composition ratio on the blending properties of the films. To improve the mechanical properties of these films, we examined various amounts of glycerol as a plasticizer. Moreover, we investigated morphological and mechanical aspects, water uptake, degradation, water vapor transmission and wettability properties of the films prepared with various ratios of Chito/PEG/Gly. Assessment of mechanical properties revealed that film containing 80:20 ratio Chito/PEG with 40 PHR Gly content exhibits the highest ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break (9.74 MPa and 45.73% respectively). Furthermore, results demonstrated that upon increasing PEG and Gly contents, degradability and hydrophilicity of the films increased whereas water uptake decreased. Water vapor transmission rate of the films was close to the range of 530–1200 g/m²d, indicating that the as formed films are possible candidates for dressing low exudate wounds or burns. Minocycline loaded films exhibited a biphasic drug release profile and it was more effective on gram-positive bacteria than on gram-negative bacteria. The polymeric film with the highest amount of loaded drug (2%) exhibited insignificant cytotoxicity (88%) against normal fibroblast cell line.     

单翼迷宫式滴灌带抗热氧老化性能的影响研究

单翼迷宫式滴灌带产品新国家标准中增加了氧化诱导时间（OIT）,这对产品的抗热氧老化性能提出了要求。本文从滴灌带配方出发,讨论了产品原料与其OIT的料效关系,结果表明,防老化母料的加入比例对滴灌带的OIT影响最大,增加其比例可增大滴灌带的OIT;高密度聚乙烯（PE?HD）的加入比例对滴灌带的OIT影响大于线性低密度聚乙烯（PE?LLD）和低密度聚乙烯（PE?LD）的加入比例,增加PE?HD比例、减小PE?LLD和PE?LD比例可增大滴灌带的OIT;PE?LD的加入比例对滴灌带OIT的影响最小,在配方设计时应综合使用比例合理的PE?HD、PE?LLD、PE?LD以满足滴灌带良好的加工和其他性能要求;防老化母料中稳定剂比例不应随成本而减少,稳定剂比例增大时,滴灌带的OIT增大;通过对滴灌带的熔体质量流动速率（MFR）、炭黑含量及OIT指标测试,得出滴灌带MFR和炭黑含量与其OIT无明显的相互变化关系。