Fast Production Research Articles

Influence of the adjustable EMBr on the asymmetric flow in a thin slab caster with a misaligned SEN

The thin slab casting (TSC) of steel is a type of the continuous casting (CC) with a narrow funnel-shaped mold, characterized by the rapid solidification and fast production rates. A highly turbulent flow impacts on a growing solid shell due to the constant feeding of the fresh hot melt. That strongly affects the solidification profiles and final quality of the TSC slabs. The presented work numerically investigates the solidification inside the TSC mold with the asymmetric flow pattern caused by the misalignment (tilting) of the submerged entry nozzle (SEN). These effects were considered with and without the applied electromagnetic brake (EMBr). The influence of the adjustable EMBr on the asymmetric flow and solidification profiles including turbulent and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects were studied. During consistent series of simulations, the EMBr was varied between the magnetic poles and the time-averaged velocity and temperature fields were collected. The results showed that symmetric EMBr of a local type could partially improve the asymmetry. An optimal braking scenario was found for the casing speed of 5.5 m/min and maximum EMBr value of 180 mT. The solidification and MHD models including turbulence were developed using OpenFOAM®.

Implementasi Pupuk Cair Organik Masaro Terhadap Produktivitas Jagung Manis di Sabah Balau

This community service activity aims to increase corn production in Sabah Balau using POCI (Special Liquid Organic Fertilizer) products from Masaro. POCI is used as an organic fertilizer and its farming produces a higher production number, higher quality product, faster production rate while its production cost is lower. On the other hand, the problem of Indonesia is that national agriculture is stuck in inorganic chemical fertilization that has an impact on accelerating the degradation of agricultural land fertility. This matter can occur due to various problems, especially the culture of using chemical fertilizers that have been going on for too long. The activities carried out include socializing about recycling organic waste with POCI Masaro, conducting outreach activities about the benefits of POCI Masaro and practicing composting for corns. The results showed the enthusiasm of the community in participating to make POCI Masaro and demonstration plots. The output of this activity: Increased corn production, increased of knowledge and skills of community in making and applying POCI Masaro on plant and motivation of farmers to independently develop alternative organic fertilizers that are in accordance with farmers' needs.

3D printing technologies and photopolymer resins used in fixed prosthetic rehabilitation

The utilization of computer-aided design and production has become increasingly prevalent in the dental industry, as in many other fields. Additive manufacturing, a computer-aided production method, has brought about numerous advantages such as fast and precise production, design freedom, and cost and time savings. It is anticipated that 3D printers will become the primary method for digital processing in dentistry in the future. The objective of this article is to offer a comprehensive introduction to the present-day manufacturing methods for fixed prosthetic rehabilitation, focusing on the 3D printing manufacturing and photopolymer resin materials employed in these technologies.

Accelerated Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous Carbons Using Plasma.

Conventional ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) production usually requires long processing times in the carbonization step to achieve desired temperatures through controlled ramps. To enable expedited materials discovery, developing advanced manufacturing capability with significantly improved throughput is highly desired. Current approaches for accelerating the synthesis of OMCs include using microwave and Joule heating. However, both methods rely on the introduction of additional components, such as microwave absorbers and electrically conductive agents, within the bulk materials to impart the ability to reach high carbonization temperatures. This work demonstrates accelerated synthesis and functionalization of OMCs through the use of a dielectric barrier discharge plasma, where carbonization can be accomplished within 15 min using 30 W plasma sources, representing more than an order of magnitude increase in polymer-to-carbon conversion kinetics compared to that of a traditionally pyrolyzed analogue. Particularly, the ability of performing rapid carbonization without the use of additional substrates within the OMC precursor systems is advantageous. A systematic investigation of how plasma power, time, and gas atmosphere impact the resulting OMC pore textures and properties is performed, demonstrating the broad applicability of plasma-enabled carbonization methods. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the plasma treatment strategy can be extended to incorporate heteroatoms into the carbon framework by introducing ammonia gas, resulting in OMCs with a nitrogen content up to 4.7 at %, as well as non-Pluronic templating systems for synthesizing OMC with pore sizes larger than 10 nm. As employing a plasma source for materials pyrolysis is an industrially relevant approach, our system can be extended toward scaled synthesis of OMCs with much faster production rates.

Comprehensive assessment and multiple-response optimization of serpentine channel pouring process for achieving high-quality semi-solid slurry

The convenient serpentine channel pouring (SCP) process is advantageous in broad industrial application. The key technique is the fast and stable production of semi-solid metal (SSM) slurry with non-dendritic microstructure. It is critical to take the whole technological process into consideration so as to achieve the optimal performance of SSM slurry rapidly and steadily. The present study makes an attempt to analyze and evaluate SCP process by comprehensive considering of the microstructure, mechanical property and yields. The established SCP process prediction models adequately approximated the actual values. The dimensional response surface accurately evaluated the interaction effects between process parameters on the characters of SSM slurry. Two kinds of numerical multiple-response optimization criteria were applied to achieve high-quality SSM slurry. The microstructure analysis and phase-field modeling clearly revealed the grain growth and microstructure evolution mechanism for SCP process. The comprehensive assessment concept and multiple-response optimization method in this work may bring positive and directive significance for the mass-scale production and application of SCP process.

Manufacturing a Ceramic Turbine Rotor for a Compact Jet Engine

Abstract Compact military-grade jet engines offer many potential applications, including use in remotely piloted vehicles, but can be expensive to use for research and development purposes. A study aimed at increasing the power and thrust output of an inexpensive commercial compact engine found a material limitation issue in the turbomachinery. To gain the additional power, hotter turbine inlet temperatures were required. This temperature increase exceeded the limit of current uncooled metal turbine rotors but could be achieved through turbine rotors made from ceramics, such as silicon nitride, which would allow an increase in the thrust and power output by a factor of 1.44. Current ceramic turbine manufacturing methods are costly and time-consuming for rapid prototyping, but recent breakthroughs in ceramic additive manufacturing have allowed for cheaper methods and faster production which are beneficial for use in research and development when designs are being rapidly changed and tested. This research demonstrated, through finite element analysis, that a silicon nitride turbine rotor could meet the increased turbine inlet temperature conditions to provide the desired thrust and power increase. Furthermore, as a proof of concept, an additively manufactured drop-in replacement alumina turbine rotor was produced for the JetCat P400 small-scale engine in a manner that was cost-effective, timely, and potentially scalable for production. This compact engine was used to demonstrate that a cost-effective ceramic turbine could be manufactured. At the time of publication, the desired ceramic material, silicon nitride, was not available for additive manufacturing.

Attitude of Consumers towards Healthy Lifestyle & its Influence on Consumption of Fast Food Products

Attitude of Consumers towards Healthy Lifestyle & its Influence on Consumption of Fast Food Products

Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Non-Destructive Estimation of Aboveground Biomass in Short-Rotation Poplar Coppices

Poplar plantations in high-density and short-rotation coppices (SRC) are a suitable way for the fast production of wood that can be transformed into bioproducts or bioenergy. Optimal management of these coppices requires accurate assessment of the total standing biomass. However, traditional field inventory is a challenging task, given the existence of multiple shoots, the difficulty of identifying terminal shoots, and the extreme high density. As an alternative, in this work, we propose to develop individual stool and plot biomass models using metrics derived from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) as predictors. To this aim, we used data from a SRC poplar plantation, including nine plots and 154 individual stools. Every plot was scanned from different positions, and individual stools were felled, weighed, and dried to compute aboveground biomass (AGB). Individual stools were segmented from the cloud point, and different TLS metrics at stool and plot level were derived following processes of bounding box, slicing, and voxelization. These metrics were then used, either alone or combined with field-measured metrics, to fit biomass models. Our results indicate that at individual-stool level, the biomass models combining TLS metrics and easy to measure in field metrics (stool diameter) perform similarly to the traditional allometric models based on field inventories, while at plot scales, TLS-derived models show superiority over traditional models. Our proposed methodology permits accurate and non-destructive estimates of the biomass fixed in SRC plantations.

Multiobjective Optimization of Copper Coil Blanking Based on Niche Genetic Algorithm

The shear process of small batch and multivariety copper strip processing enterprises are the bottleneck of production, which often faces the contradiction between working efficiency (less tool changing) and yield (reducing geometric waste). The high yield of copper strip embryo is the core index of high yield and high benefit for enterprise. Less tool changing is a key step for high efficiency and fast product delivery in shear station. In this paper, we took the cutting production of the production management system as a research example in Hubei Lean High Precision Copper Strip Company when the system is developing. We used the penalty function to deal with the length floating constraint. Then, we established a multiobjective optimization model with the roll weight and the number of tool changing as the weights, which were calculated by an integrated weighting method. Three algorithms, namely, adaptive particle swarm optimization, niche genetic algorithm based on crowding, and niche genetic algorithm based on seed retention (NGA), were used to solve the problem. Through production examples, it was concluded that the solution solved by NGA has the highest utilization rate of the coil when the number of tool changing was as little as possible. This paper provides a new solution combining the efficiency and benefit for shear process in finished product delivery of copper strip processing enterprises.

A versatile 3D printed multi-electrode cell for determination of three COVID-19 biomarkers

3D-printing has shown an outstanding performance for the production of versatile electrochemical devices. However, there is a lack of studies in the field of 3D-printed miniaturized settings for multiplex biosensing. In this work, we propose a fully 3D-printed micro-volume cell containing six working electrodes (WEs) that operates with 250 μL of sample. A polylactic acid/carbon black conductive filament (PLA/CB) was used to print the WEs and subsequently modified with graphene oxide (GO), to support protein binding. Cyclic voltammetry was employed to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of the novel multi-electrode cell. In the presence of K₃[Fe(CN)₆], PLA/CB/GO showed adequate peak resolution for subsequent label-free immunosensing. The innovative 3D-printed cell was applied for multiplex voltammetric detection of three COVID-19 biomarkers as a proof-of-concept. The multiple sensors showed a wide linear range with detection limits of 5, 1 and 1 pg mL−1 for N-protein, SRBD-protein, and anti-SRBD, respectively. The sensor performance enabled the selective sequential detection of N protein, SRBD protein, and anti-SRBD at biological levels in saliva and serum. In summary, the miniaturized six-electrode cell presents an alternative for the low-cost and fast production of customizable devices for multi-target sensing with promising application in the development of point-of-care sensors.

The development of technology and research of quality indicators of nachos from non-traditional raw materials

Currently, due to lifestyle changes, ready-made snacks are a popular and in-demand food product. The use of a large number of snacks leads to the development of a number of negative changes in human health. According to WHO, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are among the five most common diseases in the world. Most often these diseases affect children, preschool, school age and students. The reason for this may be, first of all, the uncontrolled use of «dry rations», that is, various types of snacks. But snacks can serve as a technological basis for designing innovative food products with excellent consumer characteristics (organoleptic and physico-chemical properties). Therefore, replacing the harmful component of snacks with balanced raw materials, a useful product is obtained. The article describes the technology of nachos obtained by changing the component of the recipe, and with the addition of unconventional raw materials. When preparing nachos, cottage cheese was used to increase its nutritional value. To check the quality indicators of raw materials and finished products, standard visual-sensory and laboratory research methods were used, the results of the studies were described in detail and recorded. To date, the most common fast food product as an alternative to chips has been offered Mexican nachos. Non-traditional raw materials and natural additives were included in the nachos recipe. As an unconventional raw material, cottage cheese was chosen as the main component according to the recipe. Cottage cheese, fat content 4.1%, was obtained from natural cow's milk by fermentation by thermophilic bacteria. The article presents a balanced nachos recipe. According to the calculated recipe, the nachos product was prepared. The organoleptic and qualitative indicators of raw materials and finished products are determined. According to the results of the studies, the lead content in nachos was 0.019 mg/kg, cadmium-0.003 mg/kg, manganese-0.051 mg/kg and iron-0.038 mg/kg. The results obtained comply with the requirements of regulatory documentation. At the same time, the protein content in the finished product was 9.6 g, fat 5 g, carbohydrates 40.9 g, total energy value-249.67 kcal. The results of the study actually showed that there are grounds to recommend nachos on the market as alternates for fast food products.

Design and Geometric Characterization of Three-Dimensional Gradient Heterogeneous Bone Tissue Structures Based on Voronoi

Bone tissue is one of the most transplanted tissues. During transplantation, additive manufacturing enables fast and efficient production and fabrication of shaped external implants, and designing porous interconnected bionic external implants is the focus and difficulty of bone tissue engineering. Based on Voronoi geometry to design a bone tissue structure with hole position gradient—Voronoi gradient structure (VFGM, Voronoi functional gradient materials), the design hole center conforms to the uniform gradient probability spatial distribution, and the boundary in 3D Voronoi is calculated with the hole center as the bone trabecular skeletal. It can be used to design a variety of heterogeneous structures to match with the damaged location. The heteromorphic VFGM structure is highly similar to the human bone structure and can provide geometric design for bone tissue engineering external implants.

A marker-less assembly stage recognition method based on corner feature

Fast and robust product assembly stage recognition is a key step in human–machine cooperative assembly. To solve the recognition problem of similar adjacent assembly stages, a marker-less assembly stage recognition method is proposed based on corner feature between an assembling product and a digital model. Considering the geometric features of mechanical products, a corner identification method is proposed based on the circumferential angle difference (CADF). Then a corner matching method based on distance constraint is studied for ICP registration to realize the point cloud registration between the product and digital model. Based on the registration relationship, a similarity algorithm based on proximity point proportion is used to calculate the similarity between models and the input assembling product. The model with the greatest similarity is taken as the stage recognition result. In experiments on four group assembling products, the average stage recognition accuracy is 96.15%, which indicates that the proposed method can solve the stage recognition problem. The corner identification method based on the CADF outperforms the Harris-3D corner detection method in the efficiency of assembly stage recognition.

Perencanaan Usaha Makanan Chick Me Up

Population growth in Indonesia has increased every year, seen from 2020 to 2021 Indonesia's population has increased by 1.22%. The increase in population is accompanied by an increase in public consumption. Kedai Chick Me Up is a chicken-based fast food product designed to meet people's consumption needs. The objective of this research is to find answers regarding how to plan a Chick Me Up Shop business and how to set a strategy so that you can achieve success in building a Start Up business. The research method used in this study is a qualitative descriptive analysis method with a case study approach. While the data collection technique used is to use primary and secondary data. The operationalization of the variables used is the entrepreneurship criteria method from Timmons. The results of this study succeeded in formulating a statement that the Chick Me Up Kedai business meets the eligibility standards for executing its business activities as a form of business by looking at and assessing the NPV, ROI, and the resulting payback period.

Assessment of pine wood biomass wastes valorization by pyrolysis with focus on fast pyrolysis biochar production

Assessment of pine wood biomass wastes valorization by pyrolysis with focus on fast pyrolysis biochar production

Fast production of silica aerogel using methyltrimethoxysilane by ambient drying process for superior chemical adsorption properties

Fast production of silica aerogel using methyltrimethoxysilane by ambient drying process for superior chemical adsorption properties

Investigation of the mechanical properties, shielding parameters and flux distribution in borate - Based glass system using PHITS code; a simulation study

A descriptive method for the attenuation and spatial distribution of flux of photons and fast neutrons for 20Bi2O3 − xPbO − (80 − 2x) B2O3 − xGeO2 (x = 5, 10, 20 and 30 mol %) glass systems (coded as S1, S2, S3, S4 respectively) were performed using PHITS code. The calculated elastic moduli, Young modulus, EM was ranged between 32.58 and 33.81 GPa, while bulk KM and shear GM moduli were in the range of 23.36–30.45 and 12.32–13.15 GPa, respectively. However longitudinal modulus LM was between 40.89 and 46.89 GPa. The spatial distribution of the transmitted photon flux showed a decrease with increasing Pb and Ge concentrations. The mass attenuation coefficients, μm were found to be 70.755–0.042, 76.160–0.043, 83.378–0.046 and 91.895–0.047 cm2/g for S1, S2, S3 and S4 respectively in the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV. The Half Value Layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) values were registered in the order of S4 < S3 < S2 < S1. At low energy, the exposure buildup factor EBF of the glasses recorded decrease by the substitution of B2O3 by PbO and GeO2 contents. At energy 0.15 MeV, a crossed behavior was noticed. However, at high energy the inverse behavior of EBF was observed. The neutron transmitted flux percentages, at thickness 10 cm were in the range of 10.26–15.51% at all the selected energies. The linear absorption coefficients ΣT, ranged between 0.220 and 0.278 cm−1 which indicated that S4 represents the best shielding capacity among all. The overall results of this work assessed the selected glasses potential for use as gamma and fast neutron radiation shielding products.

Mapping environmental sustainability of knitted textile production facilities

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, it is important to investigate the sustainability of both products and manufacturing facilities to identify the areas to improve. The number of published research works on measuring the eco-indices of fashion products are plenty, while ignoring the measurement of the eco-indices of fashion production facilities. Therefore, this study investigated the environmental sustainability of knit-dyeing facilities linked to fast fashion production in Bangladesh. The Facility Environment Module (FEM) of the Higg index tool 2.0 from Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) was applied to detect the sustainability scores. Multiple case study approach was adopted for this study. Seven tools of FEM related to the environmental management system, energy use, GHG emissions, water use, wastewater, air emissions, waste management, and chemical management were applied to collect data. Scores of these categories were calculated using the FEM tool. Qualitative data was collected through short interviews using a questionnaire. A varying range of scores (from low to high) was found for all the categories. The scores reveal the technical, managerial, and resource limitations on practicing sustainable production approaches in knit-textiles facilities. The overall finding urges all stakeholders, including manufacturers, researchers, buyers, and policymakers, to pay serious attention and reformulate strategies and resources to reduce the negative impact of knit manufacturing on the environment.

An Enhanced Simulation-Based Multi-Objective Optimization Approach with Knowledge Discovery for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems

In today’s uncertain and competitive market, where manufacturing enterprises are subjected to increasingly shortened product lifecycles and frequent volume changes, reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) applications play significant roles in the success of the manufacturing industry. Despite the advantages offered by RMSs, achieving high efficiency constitutes a challenging task for stakeholders and decision makers when they face the trade-off decisions inherent in these complex systems. This study addresses work task and resource allocations to workstations together with buffer capacity allocation in an RMS. The aim is to simultaneously maximize throughput and to minimize total buffer capacity under fluctuating production volumes and capacity changes while considering the stochastic behavior of the system. An enhanced simulation-based multi-objective optimization (SMO) approach with customized simulation and optimization components is proposed to address the abovementioned challenges. Apart from presenting the optimal solutions subject to volume and capacity changes, the proposed approach supports decision makers with knowledge discovery to further understand RMS design. In particular, this study presents a customized SMO approach combined with a novel flexible pattern mining method for optimizing an RMS and conducts post-optimal analyses. To this extent, this study demonstrates the benefits of applying SMO and knowledge discovery methods for fast decision support and production planning of an RMS.

Can the Middle East-North Africa region mitigate the rise of its food import dependency under climate change?

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10113-023-02045-y.