Product Structure Research Articles

An optimization approach for assembly job shop order release based on clearing functions

As an integral part of production planning control, order release management is critical to enhance the competitiveness and production efficiency of companies. Previous literature shows limited application of optimization-based models in assembly job shops, primarily due to the intricate nature of product structures and assembly operations. Therefore, based on the idea of the allocated clearing function (ACF) model, we introduce material flow constraints and complex assembly structure constraints during the assembly stage, proposing the assembly job shop allocated clearing function (AACF) model. The performance of the AACF model and the rule-based mechanisms in terms of cost and timing measures are compared through experiments containing 6 factors and 96 scenarios. The results show that the AACF model performs better in terms of cost management, service level and order due date deviation. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of the objective function parameters is performed to confirm the robustness of the AACF model. Finally, a case application in a real assembly shop illustrates the feasibility and validity of the proposed AACF model.

On the global product structure for uniformly quasiconformal Anosov diffeomorphisms

On the global product structure for uniformly quasiconformal Anosov diffeomorphisms

Мировая торговля в условиях кризиса глобализации

The article focuses on the analysis of factors that slow down the growth of international trade at the current stage of globalization. The latter is experiencing a crisis, but objective data do not indicate the end of globalization, but rather its slowdown following rapid growth. In its development, globalization overcomes many obstacles and faces various risks. At present, the threat of fragmentation of the world economy has become especially relevant. The factors causing the slowdown in the growth of globalization and world trade, for the most part, do not threaten the integrity of the world economy. The spread of regional trade agreements also does not negate the long-term efforts of the WTO aimed at trade liberalization, and in itself does not lead to the division of the world economy into separate blocks. Currently, the probability of the risk of fragmentation of the global economy is associated primarily with the geopolitical crisis. It is generally recognized that political confrontation, accompanied by restrictive measures regarding trade, brings economic losses to its participants. It can be assumed that ultimately objective economic laws will prevail and the scenario of the collapse of the global economy will not be realized. However, the high degree of uncertainty inherent in the political sphere does not allow us to confidently judge the prospects for an exacerbation or, on the contrary, mitigation of the crisis situation, and therefore the depth and duration of the impact of the political factor on economic policy and trade. After a pause, during which integration processes will unfold primarily at the level of world regions, globalization will resume its growth. Its pace will depend on a number of factors: normalization of the international political situation, overcoming trade contradictions, strengthening the system of global governance, dissemination of the principles of sustainable and responsible development, and many others. Development will acquire a more measured character, and the openness of economies and their interdependence will increase. In the long term, the main trends in the development of world trade that are currently observed will continue: a decrease in the share of goods and an increase in the share of services, an increase in the role of developing countries in trade in goods and developed countries in trade in services. The growth rates of world trade and GDP will remain at a relatively low level, while trade will grow somewhat faster than production. In the future, factors related to digitalization, robotics, artificial intelligence, additive technologies and climate change will become more noticeable. They will lead to shifts in the product structure of trade and the directions of the main commodity flows, but will not stop globalization, but will give it new features and directions of development.

Research on Configuration Control Technology for Civil Aircraft Flight Test Based on Modular Design

A configuration control method, based on modular design, is proposed to solve the problem that the aircraft configuration changes due to design changes, and the flight test is difficult to carry out. This method takes flight test requirements as input and flight test subjects as core to build flight test product structure, and realizes strong coupling between subjects and target software and hardware. On this basis, the flight test baseline is established to clarify the configuration state, and the configuration control strategy is adopted to ensure that the necessary changes will be implemented in time and reduce the impact of irrelevant changes on the subject. The engineering application shows that this technology can clearly demonstrate the effectiveness and traceability in more than 1000 subjects and effectively shorten the flight test cycle by 10%.

Life Cycle Assessment of a Jet Printing and Dispensing Machine

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a well-known methodology used to calculate the environmental impacts of a product across its life cycle. The industrial machines used to manufacture consumer products are generally heavy, bulky, and have a complex product structure which makes their environmental assessment using LCA difficult as well as time and resource-intensive. Few studies have conducted LCA of complex industrial machines. The paper presents an LCA of a jet printing and dispensing machine (MY700), an industrial machine used in the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) carried out using ReCiPe 2016 (Hierarchist) impact assessment methodology. In this study, the use phase of the machine accounted for 91% of the total environmental impacts. The compressed air and electricity consumed in the use phase of the machine were the major environmental hotspots. Additionally, some measures to minimize energy and compressed air use are also discussed. The methodology proposed in this article can be adopted by practitioners to conduct LCA of other industrial machines. The results of this study can help the machine manufacturers to undertake relevant eco-design activities as well as a comparison of different versions/machines in the product family for their environmental impact.

Analysis of the Manufacturability of the Design of the Crankshaft of the Plunger Pump NTP-175, Produced at PJSC “Izhneftemash”

Currently, mining and processing of minerals plays an important role in the economy of the country. In conditions of creating artificial economic problems for the supply of high-quality equipment, there is a high demand for inexpensive plunger pumps with suitable output characteristics and a sufficiently high resource. High-pressure pumps, which create high productivity, are urgently needed in mining, chemical, processing and other industries. Domestic enterprises have long been producing this type of product in the required quantity in mass production. But even a well-established and mastered structure in production must be constantly improved to improve operational performance. In all areas of application of high-performance pumps, an increase in specific characteristics is required, and of course, everyone expects an increase in the life of this equipment. An important factor in the choice of such equipment by the operating organization is the price. Production costs consist not only of initial capital investments for the purchase of pumping equipment, but also the cost of operation and repairs. In the mining industry, transportation costs associated with long distances to remote mining sites and repair or operating bases account for most of the increase in production costs. In this case, the less obvious specific characteristics of power and performance in relation to weight and dimensions provide huge advantages when transporting such equipment to the place of operation. Thus, the improvement of such a product as a pumping unit should follow all the laws of the development of technical systems with an increase in specific characteristics, and finally, a reduction in cost, which can be obtained only by improving the manufacturability of this design in the conditions of existing production. Only by improving the design can an increase in technology and an increase in specific characteristics be achieved simultaneously. This study describes the stages of design testing for the manufacturability of one of the key elements of a plunger pump mass-produced at the PJSC “Izhneftemash”.

Use of indicator functions to enumerate cross-array designs without direct product structure

Use of indicator functions to enumerate cross-array designs without direct product structure

A product performance rapid simulation approach driven by digital twin data: Part 1. For variable product structures

In the product design stage, the effective performance analysis method is the premise to guarantee the application performance of products. However, digital simulation, as a widely used performance analysis method, has a long simulation cycle and high requirements for computer hardware performance, which leads to long product design and iteration time. Facing this problem, a product performance rapid simulation approach driven by digital twin (DT) data for variable product structures is proposed to replace the digital simulation method. Firstly, the framework for variable product structures is designed, which includes a digital simulation module, a data-driven module, and a surrogate-based simulation module. Then, module implementation of the proposed framework is introduced in detail, in which the twin data-driven product performance rapid simulation model (RSM) for variable product structures is studied based on the makeTwin reference architecture. Finally, a case study is conducted on the iterative design of a connecting rod, focusing on equivalent stress evaluation. The result shows that the proposed method is feasible, as well as costs a shorter simulation time than traditional digital simulation.

Experimental research on argument structure

The paper describes key areas in current experimental research on argument structure. We discuss the experiments that compare verb classes in order to test the argument structure complexity hypotheses and to highlight common argument structure features. Then we present research on argument structure alternations, carried out both on groups of various verbs and on single verb root appearing in various syntactic contexts. Finally, we examine the experiments that focus on the role of argument structure in incremental sentence production.

A product performance rapid simulation approach driven by digital twin data: Part 2. For variable operating conditions

As mentioned in Part 1, for product iterative design, the digital simulation method, as the product performance analysis method, has the problems of time cost and computing resources. To address this issue, a product performance rapid simulation approach driven by digital twin (DT) data for variable product structures in Part 1 was proposed, which could replace the digital simulation method. Meanwhile, for performance analysis under variable operating conditions during the product design and operation phase, digital simulation also has the above problems. Therefore, based on the method for variable product structures proposed in Part 1, a product performance rapid simulation approach driven by DT data for variable operating conditions is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the framework for variable operating conditions is designed based on the makeTwin reference architecture, including twin source data acquisition for the product under different operating conditions, twin data-driven product performance rapid simulation model (RSM) construction for variable operating conditions, and rapid evaluation of product critical performance based on RSM. Then, the implementation of the framework is introduced in detail. At last, a case study for critical loosening load evaluation of bolted joint is carried out. The result indicates that the proposed method is feasible, as well as costs shorter simulation time than the traditional digital simulation method.

The Impact of Green Finance on Reducing Carbon Emissions

This paper investigates the pivotal relationship between green finance and carbon emissions, recognizing its crucial role in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study explores the historical development of green finance since its inception in 2007, emphasizing its growing significance globally and particularly in China. The theoretical analysis dissects various components of green finance, including green credit, securities, insurance, funds, investment, and carbon finance, shedding light on their collective impact on sustainability. The mechanisms and channels through which green finance influences carbon emissions are scrutinized, with a focus on corporate initiatives like Microsoft's carbon-negative goal and its resultant financial benefits. The study concludes with actionable policy insights, advocating for the acceleration of green financial system innovation and the optimization of product structures for sustainable development. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and businesses navigating the path toward a low-carbon future.

The Effect of Product Display and Digital Payment on Impulse Buying

Sales in the retail business continue to increase. In the April 2022 Real Sales Index (IPR), there was an increase in monthly retail sales of 6.8%. Therefore, competition in retail is getting tougher with many emerging competitors. So, a strategy is needed in running the retail business, one of which is a strategy in the product structuring system and also the payment system. This raises interest in analyzing the effect of product displays and digital payments on impulse purchases. This study aims to examine the effect of product displays and digital payments both partially and simultaneously on impulse buying. This study uses quantitative research with the sampling technique used is purposive sampling. The population in this study were consumers who had visited, shopped, and used digital payments at Metro Swalayan Malang with a total sample of 165 obtained through a questionnaire. This study uses SPSS tools with multiple linear regression analysis techniques. The results of the study found that product displays had a significant effect on impulse buying, digital payments did not have a significant effect on impulse buying, and simultaneously product displays and digital payments had a significant effect on impulse buying at Metro Swalayan Malang.

Comparing Fault Tree Analysis methods combined with Generalized Grey Relation Analysis: A new approach and case study in the automotive industry

The failure modes of products gradually show a diversified trend with the precision and complexity of the product structure. The combination of fault tree analysis and generalized grey relational analysis is widely used in the fault diagnosis of complex systems. In this study, we utilize a method that combines fault tree analysis and generalized grey relational analysis. This method is applied to diagnose the Expansion Adhesive Debonding fault of automobile doors. Then, we analyse and compare the differences in actual fault diagnosis results. The comparison involves three analysis methods: Fault Tree Analysis combined with Absolute Grey Relation Analysis (F-AGRA), Fault Tree Analysis combined with Relative Grey Relation Analysis (F-RGRA), and Fault Tree Analysis combined with Comprehensive Grey Relation Analysis (F-CGRA). Subsequently, we compare the findings with actual production results. This comparison allows us to discuss the differences between the three methods in the fault diagnosis of complex systems. We also discuss the application occasions of these methods. This study will provide a new method for fault analysis and fault diagnosis in the actual production of the automobile manufacturing industry. This method can eliminate faults effectively and accurately and improve product quality and productivity.

Sustainable Development of Intermodal Freight Transportation—Through the Integration of Logistics Flows in Ukraine and Poland

Nowadays, sustainable development is becoming a model for significant improvements in the modern world. Taking into consideration possible future challenges, transport must have sustainable features. Today, such a type of transportation as intermodal transport (transport that uses more than one mode of transportation) is gaining relevance. It is one of the most promising types of transport from an economic and environmental point of view. In this paper, the importance of sustainable development of intermodal freight transport is analyzed; the state of foreign trade and the trade balance in Ukraine and Poland are examined; and the sustainable development trends and prospects of trade relations between two countries are determined, taking into account the existing product structure. It is noted that the post-war recovery of Ukraine will require the activation of logistical flows with EU countries. The analysis of the state of freight transport by various modes of transport allowed for theoretically justifying the insufficient attention given to the development of intermodal freight transport between Ukraine and Poland for logistics optimization in international trade. From a methodological perspective, it is proposed to describe the subject area in terms of graph theory. The practical contribution involved the testing of the proposed model of intermodal freight transport to optimize logistics flows in international trade between Ukraine and Poland, considering the minimization of transport service costs and time. This required refining the mathematical apparatus based on the method of successive moves and linking their development to specific supply chains.

Synthesis, Characterization and some applications of new cationic Gemini surfactants.

On the basis of alkyl alcohol and eipchlorohydrine three novel multi-alkyl quaternary-ammonium salt cationic surfactants have been created. 1H-NMR and FTIR spectrometry researches are used on this investigation. Artificial products structures are confirmed by FTIR and 1H-NMR spectrometries. There is an increase in alkyl group in the order C4 < C6 < C8. This growth is used to pick out the decline in critical micelle concentration (CMC), which discovered that the higher the floor features, the bigger the alkyl group. MTT cytotoxicity assay is used to assess the organic efficacy of Gemini surfactants as well as estimating their toxicity. Compound A3 was discovered to has a high impact on MCF-breast most cancers cell line. It reached the best rate of inhibition of 27.28% - 5.4% with concentration 25 – 400 µg ml-1, in comparison with compounds A1 and A2. The rate of inhibition for A1 is 36.3% - 5.3% with concentration 25 – 400 µg ml-1. The rate of inhibition for A2 is 48.9% - 5.6 % with concentration 25 – 400 µg ml-1.

Ultrasound Application in Potato Cultivation: Potential for Enhanced Yield and Sustainable Agriculture

Ultrasounds, characterized by high-frequency air vibrations exceeding 20 kHz, have traditionally found applications in medicine and the food industry, primarily for analyzing chemical composition and food product structure. They also have potential uses in agriculture, particularly in potato cultivation. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the potential to increase yields of selected potato varieties through the use of ultrasound in agricultural practices. The research findings were derived from a field experiment conducted on Luvisols between 2015 and 2017 in central-eastern Poland. The field experience was designed using a randomized complete-block split-plot layout with three replications. The primary factor included eight potato cultivars representing various maturity groups. The second-order factors included two cultivation management practices: (A) ultrasound application as a pre-plant treatment, and (B) a control group without ultrasound application (sonication). The study assessed potato tuber yield and its structural characteristics. Results: Tuber yield was influenced by the chosen cultivation practices, as well as the variations in responses among potato cultivars to environmental factors and pre-plant treatments. Conclusion: The research findings suggest that the use of ultrasounds in agricultural practices holds promise as a valuable tool for promoting sustainable agriculture, increasing potato cultivation productivity, and fostering environmentally friendly production methods.

Corrosion of Q235 carbon steel induced by sulfate-reducing bacteria in groundwater: corrosion behavior, corrosion product, and microbial community structure.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is one of the reasons leading to the service failure of pipelines buried in the soil. In this work, the effect of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on the corrosion behavior of Q235 carbon steel in groundwater was investigated by electrochemical methods, surface analysis, and biological analysis. The results show that SRB utilizes iron as electron donor to sustain the vital activities of organic carbon-starved groundwater during the 14-day experimental period. The microbial community composition analysis at the genus level demonstrate that the diversity and richness decrease after corrosion, and the dominant SRB species has changed from Desulfovibrio to Desulfosporosinus. Moreover, the impedance of the carbon steel in the presence of biofilm was 1 order of magnitude higher than that of other periods in the electrochemical test, indicating that the biofilm and formed ferrous sulfide layer impeded the occurrence of corrosion. Although the 3D topography indicated that the surface of carbon steel was more uneven and pits were increased in the presence of SRB, the average weight loss (0.0396 ± 0.0050 g) was much higher than that without SRB (0.0139 ± 0.0007 g). These results implied that the growth of SRB makes the corrosion process of Q235 carbon steel more complicated.

Sustainable Decision Model for Circular Economy towards Net Zero Emissions under Industry 4.0

The world produces more than 20 billion pairs of shoes every year, and the greenhouse gas emissions of the shoe industry account for 1.4% of the world. This research, taking the knitted footwear industry as an example, combines the concepts of mathematical programming and carbon emissions to discuss the impact of a circular economy sustainable decision-making model (including four carbon tax functions) to achieve net zero emissions under Industry 4.0 on company profits and product structure. The findings suggest that using activity-based costing to measure the attribution of various costs during process improvement allows companies to more accurately capture the carbon cost of producing each pair of shoes. In addition, under the trend of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, if the price of carbon taxes or carbon rights is not enough to affect companies’ profits, companies will not pay attention to the impact of carbon emissions. To ensure a sustainable production model, the shoe industry should work with brand customers to reduce the effects of products on the environment, coordinate with brand customers’ sustainable development milestones, and formulate a carbon reduction path to achieve zero carbon emission growth goals. Future research can apply these research models, incorporating the carbon tax and carbon rights proposed by this paper to the other industries. In addition, the research also can be extended to explore the consumer behavior for the newly developed knitted footwear.

Low-temperature cordierite ceramics with porous structure for thermal shock resistance products

This article shows the results of the study of low-temperature (1100−1150 °C) porous ceramics of cordierite composition. The technological manufacturing parameters, the features of the microstructural and phase composition of ceramics have been studied. A decrease in the sintering temperature is achieved by appending a part of components using eutectic glass of MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 pseudoternary system. The principle of reactive formation of the structure of the ceramic sample is implemented in the process of its low-temperature firing. The formation of α-cordierite occurs in the process of firing ceramics by means of intensive interaction between eutectic glass components and crystalline fillers, as well as in the result of glass crystallization. By means of the thin layers of the glassy phase, cordierite crystals form a hard base with a branched system of interconnected open pores (30.0−31.3 %). The cordierite-phase crystals, forming the structure of ceramics, have a particle size ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 μm to 1.0−2.0 μm. The specific surface area of the porous cordierite ceramics is in the range of 4.2–4.7 m2/g. The developed cordierite ceramics is characterized by its low coefficient of linear temperature expansion (1.7–2.6)·10−6 °С−1, which determines its high thermal shock resistance (1000−1150°С). The ceramics may be used as filtering elements in high-temperature filtering units, as well as catalyst carriers in the exhaust systems of combustion engines for discharging the sooty component.

A nested divide-and-conquer method for tensor Sylvester equations with positive definite hierarchically semiseparable coefficients

Abstract Linear systems with a tensor product structure arise naturally when considering the discretization of Laplace-type differential equations or, more generally, multidimensional operators with separable coefficients. In this work, we focus on the numerical solution of linear systems of the form $$ \begin{align*} & \left(I\otimes \dots\otimes I \otimes A_1+\dots + A_d\otimes I \otimes\dots \otimes I\right)x=b, \end{align*}$$where the matrices $A_{t}\in \mathbb R^{n\times n}$ are symmetric positive definite and belong to the class of hierarchically semiseparable matrices. We propose and analyze a nested divide-and-conquer scheme, based on the technology of low-rank updates, which attains the quasi-optimal computational cost $\mathcal {O}(n^{d}\log (n))$. Our theoretical analysis highlights the role of inexactness in the nested calls of our algorithm and provides worst case estimates for the amplification of the residual norm. The performances are validated on 2D and 3D case studies.