Manufacturing Production Research Articles

The impact of material selection and design on the environment in the process of making press tools for garment hanging products in sustainable manufacturing

The impact of material selection and design on the environment in the process of making press tools for garment hanging products in sustainable manufacturing

Sodium carbonate pulping of oil palm empty fruit bunches for paperboard production

Abstract This study investigated the use of sodium carbonate pulping in oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) pulp production for paperboard manufacturing. The pulping varying the active alkali (AA) (4.5 %, 6.5 %, 8.5 %), NaOH fraction (F) (10 %, 20 %, 30 %), and cooking time (T) (30′, 60′, 90′). The performance was evaluated based on screened pulp yield, kappa number, and delignification selectivity. Furthermore, the functional groups, S/G ratio, and morphological structure of the optimum pulp were observed. The tensile and tear indices of the OPEFB pulp paperboard were also measured. The results suggest sodium carbonate pulping at a low chemical dose successfully produced OPEFB pulp. Based on the highest delignification selectivity value of 12.74, the most effective pulping conditions were achieved with AA-6.5 %, F-30 %, and T-90′. The optimum OPEFB pulp analysis revealed a decrease in lignin proportion with the dominant degradation of the syringyl unit. Thus, the fibers are easily separable during mechanical treatment. These characteristics influenced the paperboard, resulting high tensile and tear indices of 7.90–8.15 Nm g−1 and 15.09–16.25 mN m2 g−1, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of sodium carbonate pulping to produce high-quality pulp and paperboard from OPEFBs, highlighting the thoroughness of the research process in the pulp and paper manufacturing field.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GLASS FIBER AND CARBON FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITES

The significant potential of glass fiber-based composite materials in aerospace and aviation industries, automotive manufacturing, and medical equipment production is emphasized. It is concluded that glass fiber is much cheaper and less brittle compared to materials like carbon fiber or other plastic fibers, as glass fiber exhibits high resistance to tensile and compressive loads. The main stages of the technological process of composite manufacturing are described, and the key requirements for evaluating the mechanical parameters of glass fiber products are listed. An analysis of the scientific literature has established that the high strength of fiberglass ensures the stability of its thermal conductivity characteristics, making it resistant to environmental influences and aging. The thermal conductivity of fiberglass composites depends on several factors, the most important of which are the type of fiber and matrix, fiber volume fraction, fiber characteristics, control of heat flow, interaction between the matrix and fiber, and operating temperature. It is summarized that the mechanical properties of fiberglass structures depend on a number of factors, the most important of which are: the type of fiber and resin, fiber orientation (aligned, randomly oriented, woven, etc.), and the percentage content of each component.

An Investigation into the Viability of Portable Proximal Sensor X-Ray Fluorescence Data for Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination in Urban Soils: A Case Study in Changchun, China.

In order to validate the applicability of pXRF for rapid in situ detection of heavy metals in urban soils and to accurately obtain an assessment of soil quality in Changchun, a city in northeast China, 164 soil samples from within the main urban area of Changchun were collected for pXRF analysis. The main stable elements Si and Ti were used to establish a matrix effect correction model, and the values of Cr (64.2 mg⋅kg-1), Cu (43.8 mg⋅kg-1), Zn (96.2 mg⋅kg-1), As (20.9 mg⋅kg-1), and Pb (57.4 mg⋅kg-1) were predicted. The empirical findings indicate that the quality of soil data from the pXRF was improved to different degrees under the correction model, and it became a relatively reliable dataset; the order of improvement was Cu > Pb > Cr > Zn > As. A comprehensive assessment indicated that Changchun City is primarily contaminated by the heavy metals As, Pb, and Cu, with the main sources being automobile manufacturing and pharmaceutical chemical production. These findings align with previous studies and have produced favorable outcomes in practical applications. This rapid, non-destructive and economical detection method is very applicable and economical for the sustainable monitoring and control of heavy metals in large cities. This study provides a basis for rapid large-scale prediction of urban soil safety and protection of local human health.

Development of Madura Batik MSME HR as a Catalyst for Green Entrepreneurship in Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to look at how human resource (HR) development in Batik Madura micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) might act as a catalyst for green entrepreneurship in Indonesia. Green entrepreneurship is becoming the primary emphasis for decreasing negative environmental consequences while enhancing competitiveness in a global market that is more concerned with sustainability. HR plays a crucial role in implementing technical innovation and environmentally sustainable industrial processes. This study takes a qualitative method, with in-depth interviews with the owners, managers, and employees of MSME Batik Madura, as well as a literature analysis on green entrepreneurship.According to the study's findings, sustainable human resource development through training and education that emphasizes sustainability can boost productivity and efficiency in batik manufacturing. Furthermore, human resources with environmental consciousness and digital marketing abilities help Madurese batik products compete more effectively in national and international marketplaces. This study promotes collaboration among government, academics, and industry stakeholders to strengthen the development of human resources for Madura Batik MSMEs, which is the primary pillar in the transition to green entrepreneurship.

Manufacturing production as a source of growth: the case of Portugal

The aim of this paper is to test the relationship between manufacturing production and economic growth in Portugal from the 1950s to the present day, following Nicholas Kaldor’s (1908–1986) thinking, which assumes that manufacturing is the true engine of the economic activity of a country. By estimating a series of econometric models, including a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, it was possible to identify a positive relationship between growth and manufacturing production since the 1950s. The results also show that each increase of 1 percentage point (pp) in real growth rate of the production of basic metallurgical industries and manufacture of metallic products in a certain year t−1 for the period 1956–2019, caused an increase of 0.07 pp in the Portuguese economic growth during a following year t on average. We hope that these findings will stimulate new and interesting research regarding the important issues of manufacturing production and economic growth.

Dynamic interactions among exchange rate, natural gas demand, production in manufacturing and battery industry export – evidence from Hungary

In the context of the current global economic transformation, the rapid rise of the electric vehicle industry has made the battery industry a new focus of competition among countries. Despite its relatively small economic and demographic size, Hungary has garnered significant academic interest by emerging as the world’s third-largest battery producer in 2021. The study employed a dynamic vector autoregressive (VAR) model to determine that fluctuations in the Hungarian exchange rate have a notable immediate influ-ence on exports in the battery business，which suggests that changes in exc-hange rates directly affect international competitiveness. The battery sector is experiencing a progressive increase in the influence of fluctuations in na-tural gas demand, particularly in terms of their impact on production costs and supply chains. The battery industry has had substantial advancements in technological innovation and production efficiency as a direct result of the expansion in manufacturing production. And Hungary’s total industrial deve-lopment is significantly influenced by the long-term effects of export expan-sion in the battery industry. JEL Codes: L62, E44, O14, C22

The Role of Low-Carbon Fuels and Carbon Capture in Decarbonizing the U.S. Clinker Manufacturing for Cement Production: CO2 Emissions Reduction Potentials

Low-carbon fuels, feedstocks, and energy sources can play a vital role in the decarbonization of clinker production in cement manufacturing. Fuel switching with renewable natural gas, green hydrogen, and biomass can provide a low-carbon energy source for the high-temperature process heat during the pyroprocessing steps of clinker production. However, up to 60% of CO2 emissions from clinker production are attributable to process-related CO2 emissions, which will need the simultaneous implementation of other decarbonization technologies, such as carbon capture. To evaluate the potential of fuel switching and carbon capture technologies in decarbonizing the cement industry, a study of the facility-level CO2 emissions is necessary. This study evaluates the potential for using a single low-carbon fuel as an energy source in clinker production for cement manufacturing compared to conventional clinker production (which uses a range of fuel mixes). In addition, conventional carbon capture (operated with natural gas-based steam for solvent regeneration) and electrified carbon capture configurations were designed and assessed for net-zero emission targets. Carbon emissions reductions with and without biogenic emissions credits were analyzed to ascertain their impact on the overall carbon accounting. Results show that carbon emissions intensity of cement can vary from 571 to 784 kgCO2eq/metric ton of cement without carbon capture and from 166.33 to 438.66 kgCO2eq/metric ton of cement with carbon capture. We find that when biogenic carbon credits are considered, cement production with a sustainably grown biomass as fuel source coupled with conventional carbon capture can lead to a net-negative emission cement (−271 kgCO2eq/metric ton of cement), outperforming an electrified capture design (35 kgCO2eq/metric ton of cement). The carbon accounting for the Scope 1, 2, and biogenic emissions conducted in this study is aimed at helping researchers and industry partners in the cement and concrete sector make an informed decision on the choice of fuel and decarbonization strategy to adopt.

Optimizing the user experience of additive manufacturing products through material driven design

Optimizing the user experience of additive manufacturing products through material driven design

Multilevel Diffractive Lenses: Recent Advances and Applications

Multilevel diffractive lenses (MDLs) has undergone considerable advancements, marked by their exceptional efficiency and diverse focusing capabilities, resulting in their widespread use in optical systems. In recent times, MDLs have consistently been juxtaposed with metalenses, which have experienced swift progress over the last decade. Concurrently, MDLs have continued to evolve, propelled by their distinct advantages, such as cost-effective production and adaptability for mass manufacturing. This article explores the evolution and foundational concepts of MDLs, highlighting the advantages of their circular symmetry in enhancing simulation and optimization efficiency. Furthermore, we present several innovative fabrication methods for MDLs that capitalize on the latest advancements in 3D printing technology. We also show the practical applications and potential future developments of MDLs.

THE FUTURE OF 3D PRINTING IN MANUFACTURING (INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTIONIZING MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS)

"Imagine a world where you can create anything you want just by pressing a button! That's the magic of 3D printing. In the future, this technology will change how we make things in big factories. Instead of traditional methods, like cutting and molding, 3D printers use special materials to build layer by layer. It's like building with Legos, but in real life! This cool technology lets us make custom toys, tools, and even houses. It's like having a superpower to create whatever we can imagine. Scientists are even exploring using 3D printing to make body parts and yummy food! With 3D printing, we can reduce waste and make things more efficiently. It's like a glimpse into the future where creativity knows no bounds. So, get ready to witness the amazing world of 3D printing!" KEYWORDS 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, Customization, Sustainability, Bioprinting, Material Innovation, Industry 4.0, Supply Chain, Prototyping, Regulatory Compliance, Automation, Innovative Design, Waste Reduction, Manufacturing Efficiency, Digital Fabrication, Creative Empowerment.

Live streaming channel and product assortment with both national and store brand products

To counteract the fierce competition in the online retailing market, retailers are increasingly adopting live streaming selling model and introducing store brand product to enhance their competitiveness. In this context, we attempt to examine whether and when a retailer should launch a live streaming channel. If launched, we further investigate how the retailer should assort both national and store brand products across available channels. To delve into these questions, we consider a supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and an online retailer, where the retailer resells the manufacturer's national brand product and also sells a store brand product. We examine the retailer's optimal channel strategy and product assortment strategy by considering six scenarios, differentiated by whether introducing the live streaming channel and various product assortment tactics. Our findings indicate that as long as the fixed setup cost of the live channel is relatively low, the retailer will always introduce a live streaming channel. The retailer's optimal assortment of both products across channels highly depends on the consumers’ additional value derived from the live streaming channel and the perceived quality of the store brand product. We also find that, the retailer's optimal channel strategy and product assortment may not always benefit the manufacturer, but there exist conditions that can create win-win situations for both players. Our study further shows that if the retailer launches the live streaming channel at the start, it may not always be necessary to introduce the store brand product under certain conditions.

Retailer information sharing under manufacturer encroachment and production cost reduction

AbstractThis study investigates retailer's sharing decisions concerning ex ante information about demand when the encroaching manufacturer can reduce production cost. Equilibrium information sharing decisions with encroachment are quite different from that with no encroachment. The encroaching manufacturer's cost reduction efficiency is key to determine equilibrium results, and these thresholds regarding cost reduction efficiency depend on competition intensity between the encroaching manufacturer's direct channel and retailer channel. Furthermore, through investigating the encroachment decisions of the manufacturer, we prove that the equilibrium information sharing decisions under encroachment is robust in general.

Evaluating the suitability of niches for additive manufacturing production: proposal for a numeric evaluation tool

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a wide set of technologies that can be used for many different scopes. AM is now a well-integrated prototyping and development tool in most industrial endeavours, while proper end-product manufacturing has only seen very specific niche successes. Given the complexity of AM’s matrix, which is full of discontinuities and non-trivial intercorrelations that play a relevant role in product design and development, it should not come as a surprise that not many end-product applications have succeeded in making use of it. This paper argues that understanding AM’s complex matrix and correctly identifying suitable production niches for it are key elements of this issue, a topic for which existing literature and tools are scarce. The analysis of AM’s status quo for end-product manufacturing and the review of existing approaches to integrate these technologies with product development are the basis used in this paper to propose a suitability assessment tool to fill this knowledge gap.

Research on Textured Polishing Wheel (TPW) patterns for polishing dental ceramic materials in anhydrous environments

Abstract Dental ceramics commonly utilize high-hardness fused silica materials for the fabrication of inlays, crowns, and artificial dental implants, with their processing efficiency and surface roughness (Ra) directly influencing manufacturing costs and product quality. This study presents the development of a Textured Polishing Wheel (TPW) featuring three distinct surface patterns (spiral, linear, and radial), achieved through single-point diamond and pulsed laser processing techniques. It investigates the effects of these patterns on the removal rate and surface roughness (Ra) of dental ceramics during the polishing process. Results indicate that while TPW demonstrates comparable material removal depth to non-textured polishing wheels, it marginally increases surface roughness (Ra). Moreover, TPW significantly reduces burning and wear on the wheel surface during polishing. Pulsed laser ablation of TPW leads to further improvement in surface roughness, thereby enhancing the processing of dental ceramics. Experimental findings highlight the superior performance of spiral TPW, achieving a material removal rate of 4.2 μm/h and a surface roughness (Ra) of approximately 2.2 nm , thus meeting the manufacturing and functional requirements of dental ceramics.

The Doughnut Biotool: A tool to assess life-cycle biodiversity impacts from building projects

Abstract Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is widely used in certifications, regulations, and voluntary declarations covering the climate impact of buildings over their entire value chain. However, biodiversity impacts and other environmental impact categories are often disregarded. Conversely, there is a trend towards more systematic assessments of the biodiversity impacts that occur on-site as part of development projects (e.g. land transformation on the project site). However, off-site biodiversity impacts occurring throughout the rest of the value chain (e.g. from forestry activities, mining, manufacturing, heat and electricity production) are rarely considered. To bridge this gap, this article introduces the Doughnut Biotool, an open-source calculation tool to assess biodiversity impacts throughout the entire life cycle of development projects. The tool was initially developed to help implement Doughnut Economics and absolute sustainability principles in development projects. It constitutes a first step towards a better consideration of biodiversity impacts related to material- and energy use in building and construction projects. This paper presents the design of the tool and the method and data it relies on. The tool is applied to two separate case study projects, and used as a basis to discuss hotspots of biodiversity impacts within the building’s life cycle. Finally, the paper includes a discussion of the main challenges and opportunities for the future development and use of the tool, as well as for biodiversity impact assessments in the building sector as a whole.

How green governance empowers high-quality development: An EKC framework-based analysis of ESG and green total factor productivity.

High-quality development represents a fundamental shift in China's economy from scale and speed to quality and efficiency. In this transition, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices are not only closely integrated with China's development strategy but have also become a core standard for measuring development quality. Nevertheless, research on how ESG practices specifically promote high-quality development in Chinese enterprises remains limited. Based on the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) theory framework, this study uses data from the Huazheng ESG Index from 2009 to 2022 and employs fixed effect models, mediation effect models, and heterogeneity analysis to examine the specific impact of China's ESG practices on corporate high-quality development from multiple dimensions. The results show that there is a "U-shaped" relationship between the ESG practices of Chinese listed companies and green total factor productivity (GTFP). Initially, improving ESG practices may temporarily suppress GTFP, but as ESG levels further improve, they exhibit a significant positive impact on GTFP. Corporations significantly boost productivity by alleviating financing constraints and promoting green technological innovation, although the direct impact on technological advancement remains relatively limited. In China's western regions and industries such as manufacturing, electricity, heat, gas, and water production and supply, wholesale and retail, and information transmission, software, and information technology services, the positive effects of ESG on GTFP are particularly evident. Based on these findings, it is recommended that governments and financial institutions collaborate to promote green credit policies and increase support for the research and development of green technologies. Additionally, environmental education and resource use optimization should be strengthened, especially in industries such as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries, and the exchange of ESG technologies and experiences between industries should be encouraged.

A holistic approach to kitting cart optimization and steel receiving analysis for process improvement

This paper investigates the optimization potential within the steel-receiving process and kitting cart management in modern manufacturing facilities. As evidenced by a 20% improvement at Asuruf Industrial, the study indicates how the increasing popularity of kitting, with its capacity to reduce assembly time and space through pre-sorted kits, synergizes with vital efficiency gains in steel receiving. The implementation of Lean manufacturing tools, coupled with strategic interventions, yielded significant operational enhancements, resulting in an annual savings of $121,143. This success reinforces that structured operational strategies and Lean tools are indispensable for elevating manufacturing productivity and profitability. Anticipating a 45 to 50% increase through automation and preventative maintenance, the study underscores ongoing improvements in the steel-receiving process, emphasizing the crucial role of teamwork and Lean principles in addressing industry challenges. This approach not only ensures heightened productivity and competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.

Effect of Aqueous Electrolyte Composition on Efficiency of Electrochemical Post-Processing of Additive Manufacturing Products from Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Obtained by Selective Electron Beam Melting

The influence of the anionic composition of an aqueous electrolyte on the efficiency of the electrochemical leveling of the initial microgeometry of samples obtained by the selective electron beam melting (SEBM) at the following mode parameters was studied: current density – 20 A/cm2, initial interelectrode gap – 0.3 mm, average speed of electrolyte pumping – 12 m/c. Aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, nitrate, perchlorate and bisalt electrolytes based on them were studied. It was that aqueous solutions of sodium perchlorate have the best microleveling properties among the studied working media, which provides the ability to reduce the parameters Ra and Rz from values of 35 and 180 μm, respectively, to values of 3.2 and 20 μm during electrolysis of 30 s in a direct-flow electrolyzer. It was established that the microgeometry leveling corresponds to the model of the secondary distribution of dissolution rates; two main factors were identified that significantly influenced on the result: polarization of the electrodes and a decrease in the oxidation state of metal ions passing into the solution during electrochemical machining in the vicinity of the depression in relation to the protrusion due to changes in the local conditions of electrolysis. Microetching along grain boundaries in the studied electrolytes was not detected at the accepted parameters of the electrolysis mode.

Retailer-manufacturer partnerships in E-commerce: Dual product strategy and market share dynamics

A new practice among online retail platforms, e.g., Amazon and Wayfair, is to offer their own private label product and a substitutable exclusive manufacturer product. We employ a game theoretic approach to examine conditions under which a retailer and a manufacturer find it optimal to enter into such a partnership. Our analysis reveals that a retailer finds it profitable to partner with a manufacturer with one of two profiles. The first is a manufacturer with low unit production and holding costs and large capacity, and the retailer gives the manufacturer most of the market share. In this case, the retailer uses a low private product price and marketing effort to pressure the manufacturer to set a low exclusive product price, which increases the manufacturer's revenue and the retailer's fees. The second is a manufacturer with a large consumer base, high unit production and holding costs, and small capacity. For this profile, the retailer takes most of the market share by offering a low private product price, and the manufacturer is unable to counteract the retailer's low private product price and marketing effort. The partnership results in a lower price when the marketing effort is costly and the retailer relies on private product price, intensifying price competition. Under some conditions, the retailer's profit may decrease in his share of the manufacturer's revenue. Also, the retailer may increase the marketing effort and decrease the private product price, not to take market share, but to pressure the manufacturer to decrease price.