Production Engineering Research Articles

Development of Arduino applications for IoT applications in software engineering education: a systematic literature review

The continuous development of software applications is a necessary step in producing high-quality products that will consistently meet end-user expectations and stakeholder needs. Development of Arduino applications, embedded in a product’s hardware, can and should be considered at the software engineering phase itself, even though current practice dictates it be handled by product engineers. The method used in this investigation was based on a systematic literature review (SLR). Therefore, this paper depicts a gap that currently exists within the body of literature surrounding the development of Arduino applications for ‘internet of things’ (IoT) applications in software engineering education in commercial and research fields. The result of this study are two findings investigates: i) relevant Arduino application development used in software engineering and ii) method for applying software engineering for Arduino applications. The limitations and constraints of each technique in respect to Arduino apps were also examined in order to provide a better understanding of each body of study's weaknesses and strengths. We realise that these studies are still insufficient and need to be evaluated and improved further.

Enhancing productivity through work study - A case of electric power pole cross arm fabrication

In the area of globalization any manufacturing industry must be competent in terms of productivity, quality, cost and delivery. A fundamental improvement in production is necessary to succeed in the international markets. Work study is one of the earliest scientific management methods used to determine the best way to perform production tasks in order to reduce idle time and worker fatigue as a result, increase productivity. Kombolcha Steel Products Industry, the member of MIDROC Ethiopia Technology Group, producing a variety of metal and engineering products, such as steel poles, steel structures, structural hot dip galvanization, corrugated sheet metal, etc. The company's main focus was meeting the delivery deadlines, with little attention to implementing standard working method and procedures during the production. The inefficient method of piercing the holes in the u-channels to fabricate the electric pole cross arms is causing a drop in productivity.The primary objective of the current study is to identify the bottlneck in the process of electric power poles cross arms fabrication, to set standard time for the process and reduce the cycle time. Time and method studies were used to identify the flaws in the current fabrication process and layout design. The efficient technique to manufacture the product has been replaced by redesigning and implementing a new layout. This arrangement accelerated the process by reducing the idle time for the three punching machines that undertake the piercing operations. The modified layout raised production from the target daily production of 420 pieces to 720 pieces in 8 h, resulting in a 71 % reduction in the previous work cycle from 65 to 39 s. After a time and method study, a simple change in the layout with no capital investment not only increased the company's productivity and profitability, but it also reduced worker fatigue due to extra material handling operations of raw materials and intermediate products.

Effect of Titanium Dioxide on Cure Characteristics and Physico Mechanical Properties of High-Temperature Vulcanizing Silicone Rubber Composites

Silicone rubber (SiR), a vital elastomer, is extensively used in producing various engineering and general products, owing to its distinctive properties. Despite the remarkable properties, SiR-based products require anti-microbial agents such as titanium dioxide, TiO2 to negate black mold issues. Still, adding this agent alters the composites' processability and physical and mechanical properties. This study examined the impact of adding different TiO2 content as fillers on silicone rubber composites' processability, physical properties, and mechanical properties. Raw materials of 20-hardness high-temperature-vulcanization (HTV) SiR- reinforced with various TiO2 contents at 0.0, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 wt% were prepared using a two-roll mill. The results indicated SiR composites reinforced with 0.3 wt% TiO2 exhibited the best performance with a tensile strength of 1.49 MPa, elongation at break of 340.87%, modulus 100% of 0.664 MPa, modulus 300% of 0.822 MPa, and modulus 500% of 0.954 MPa. This performance can be attributed to the efficient crosslink density and the effective interactions between the TiO2 and silicone rubber particles at this concentration. Structural and morphological analyses further corroborated the results. Consequently, it can be inferred that silicone rubber reinforced with 0.3 wt% titanium dioxide holds the potential for formulating silicone rubber compounds that necessitate anti-microbial properties.

Methods Used to Estimate Reservoir Pressure Performance: A Review

Reservoir pressure plays a significant role in all reservoir and production engineering studies. It is crucial to characterize petroleum reservoirs: by detecting fluid movement, computing oil in place, and calculating the recovery factor. Knowledge of reservoir pressure is essential for predicting future production rates, optimizing well performance, or planning enhanced oil recovery strategies. However, applying the methods to investigate reservoir pressure performance is challenging because reservoirs are large, complex systems with irregular geometries in subsurface formations with numerous uncertainties and limited information about the reservoir's structure and behavior. Furthermore, many computational techniques, both numerical and analytical, have been utilized to examine reservoir pressure performance. This paper summarizes the concepts and applications of traditional and novel ways to investigate reservoir pressure changes over time. It provides a comprehensive review that assists the reader in recognizing and distinguishing between various techniques for obtaining an accurate description of reservoir pressure behavior during production, such as the reservoir simulation method, material balance equation approach, time-lapse seismic data, and modern artificial intelligence methods. Thus, the central concept of these procedures and a list of the authors' research are discussed.

The Need for Cybersecurity in Automotive Industry

This research paper analyzes the importance of cybersecurity in the automotive industry and explains how cybersecurity threats impact the modern world of connected, autonomous, and electrical vehicles. Furthermore, this paper covers in-depth research into the different types of automotive cyber threats such as physical, sensor, software, and network attacks on a vehicle, and various methods to prevent these threats from happening in real-world scenarios. The research paper also helps the reader to gain a broader understanding of cybersecurity in the automotive world. The methodology of this research involved analyzing and collecting information through various external websites, articles, and research papers. Information was collected on automotive cybersecurity incidents from news articles and international cyber security conference presentations. Based on this evidence from various external sources, the research problem was supported by factual data. This paper also talks about all the various solutions to cybersecurity threats in depth such as authentication and encryption, malware detection, software analysis, VPNs (Virtual Private Network), and cryptography. This paper also provides information about some of the new regulations and standards that are currently adopted in the automotive industry. With the rapid change in automotive technology, it is important to be aware that cars can have up to 150 ECUs (Electronic Control Unit) and about 300 million lines of code in near future which could expose more vulnerabilities. (2020, McKinsey & Company). To meet the challenge of these automotive cyber security threats, it is important that awareness should be created among the product engineers and researchers working on future automobiles. This paper attempts at exploring the challenges with automotive cyber security and creating this awareness.

Automated steam engine technology for eco-printing batik: Empowering community economies

This community service initiative aimed to empower batik artisans in Pamekasan and Pacet villages by enhancing their economic prospects. The team disseminated automated steam engine technology for eco-printing batik to expedite the production process. The activities involved training in various aspects, including eco-printing, automated steam engine usage, cost calculation, and product branding. The outcomes revealed the unique appeal of eco-printing batik motifs, which have become a trend among environmental enthusiasts and fashionistas. The technology dissemination also streamlined the production process, allowing for 18 rolls of fabric to be steamed simultaneously, ultimately reducing production costs. Additionally, batik artisans gained the ability to determine product prices and market their creations through e-commerce platforms.

Case of Study-Based Learning in Process and Product Engineering Course

Case of Study-Based Learning in Process and Product Engineering Course

Light management by algal aggregates in living photosynthetic hydrogels

Rapid progress in algal biotechnology has triggered a growing interest in hydrogel-encapsulated microalgal cultivation, especially for the engineering of functional photosynthetic materials and biomass production. An overlooked characteristic of gel-encapsulated cultures is the emergence of cell aggregates, which are the result of the mechanical confinement of the cells. Such aggregates have a dramatic effect on the light management of gel-encapsulated photobioreactors and hence strongly affect the photosynthetic outcome. To evaluate such an effect, we experimentally studied the optical response of hydrogels containing algal aggregates and developed optical simulations to study the resultant light intensity profiles. The simulations are validated experimentally via transmittance measurements using an integrating sphere and aggregate volume analysis with confocal microscopy. Specifically, the heterogeneous distribution of cell aggregates in a hydrogel matrix can increase light penetration while alleviating photoinhibition more effectively than in a flat biofilm. Finally, we demonstrate that light harvesting efficiency can be further enhanced with the introduction of scattering particles within the hydrogel matrix, leading to a fourfold increase in biomass growth. Our study, therefore, highlights a strategy for the design of spatially efficient photosynthetic living materials that have important implications for the engineering of future algal cultivation systems.

Learning to Diagnose: Meta-Learning for Efficient Adaptation in Few-Shot AIOps Scenarios

With the advancement of technologies like 5G, cloud computing, and microservices, the complexity of network management systems and the variety of technical components have greatly increased. This rise in complexity has rendered traditional operations and maintenance methods inadequate for current monitoring and maintenance demands. Consequently, artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps), which harnesses AI and big data technologies, has emerged as a solution. AIOps plays a crucial role in enhancing service quality and customer satisfaction, boosting engineering productivity, and reducing operational costs. This article delves into the primary tasks involved in AIOps, such as anomaly detection, and log fault analysis and classification. A significant challenge identified in many AIOps tasks is the scarcity of fault sample data, indicating a natural alignment of these tasks with few-shot learning. Inspired by model-agnostic meta-learning (MAML), we propose a new anomaly detector, MAML-KAD, for application in various AIOps tasks. Observations confirm that meta-learning algorithms effectively enhance AIOps tasks, showcasing the wide-ranging application prospects of meta-learning algorithms in the field of AIOps. Moreover, we introduced an AIOps platform that embeds meta-learning within its diagnostic core and features streamlined log collection, caching, and alerting to automate the AIOps workflow.

Development of the Instrumental Indentation Method in Diagnostics of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hardened Surface Layers and Coatings of Materials in Engineering Products

Development of the Instrumental Indentation Method in Diagnostics of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hardened Surface Layers and Coatings of Materials in Engineering Products

Biosynthesis of Curcuminoids with Insights into the Phylogeny of Curcuma and Genetic Engineering of Curcuminoid Production

Turmeric, known as the "Golden Spice of India," has been used in food and medicine for centuries. Produced by the Curcuma genus of the Zingiberaceae family, turmeric is valued in the pharmaceutical industry. India is home to about 53 Curcuma species, with Curcuma longa being the most widely cultivated, especially in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and the North Eastern states. Curcuma is notable for producing curcuminoids—curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin—which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and other health benefits. These compounds have been a research focus due to their potential in treating various diseases, including cancer. Despite their benefits, curcuminoids have limited bioavailability, prompting extensive research into enhancing their therapeutic use. Genetic studies and chemical analyses suggest that curcuminoid production follows a specific pattern. A novel polyketide from Oryza sativa has shown potential for one-pot curcuminoid synthesis through bioengineering. Research labs have successfully produced curcuminoids in vitro using bioengineered microbes. This review explores curcuminoid biosynthesis in Curcuma species via type III polyketides and CoA condensation, highlighting bioengineering efforts for large-scale curcuminoid production.

Surface optimization of trapezoidal thread spindles—tribological analysis and application

Trapezoidal threaded spindles are ideal for supporting heavy loads and are therefore frequently used in heavy-duty lifting systems. Both the forming thread rolling process and the machining thread whirling process can be used to manufacture these lead screws. In order to improve the low efficiency of trapezoidal screw drives, it is crucial to understand and minimize friction losses. As part of a cooperation project between the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools (IFW) and Bornemann Gewindetechnik, research was carried out into adapting the whirling process to optimize the tribological properties of threaded spindles. The process developed makes it possible to reduce the coefficient of friction in trapezoidal screw drives and thus also the required torque. By using whirled microtextures, the friction loss can be reduced by 25.5% and adhesive wear can be significantly reduced.

PlasmidHunter: accurate and fast prediction of plasmid sequences using gene content profile and machine learning.

Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA found in microorganisms. They often carry beneficial genes that help bacteria adapt to harsh conditions. Plasmids are also important tools in genetic engineering, gene therapy, and drug production. However, it can be difficult to identify plasmid sequences from chromosomal sequences in genomic and metagenomic data. Here, we have developed a new tool called PlasmidHunter, which uses machine learning to predict plasmid sequences based on gene content profile. PlasmidHunter can achieve high accuracies (up to 97.6%) and high speeds in benchmark tests including both simulated contigs and real metagenomic plasmidome data, outperforming other existing tools.

Identification of structural defects and their impact on the magnetic memory, static and cyclic strength of VNS9-SH thin sheet trip-steel

Identification of microstructure defects, which are stress concentrators (SC) during the operation of mechanical engineering products, is an important scientific and practical task relevant for manufacturing enterprises. This problem becomes especially urgent and difficult for critical helicopter parts made of sheet TRIP steel VNS9-Sh (23Kh15N5AM3-Sh) and operating under cyclic loads due to the complex microstructure of the steel and small thickness of strips and sheets. To assess the impact of structural defects on the cyclic strength of products made of the steel under study, the specimens were preliminary sorted proceeding from the results of their testing using the method of metal magnetic memory (MMM) and metallographic studies. The MMM method is a structure-sensitive procedure which provides information about the presence of structural defects that arise during the manufacture. Magnetic anomalies in the form of sharp local changes in the intrinsic stray magnetic field (SSMF) (H) and its gradient |ΔH| along the length of the controlled section Δx, were identified on the surface of sheets cut from five different batches. A conventional classification of the identified anomalies was made according to the magnitude of the magnetic field gradient. The specimens of two types were cut in zones of magnetic anomalies and outside them: type 1 — for cyclic tests and type 2 — for metallographic studies. The geometric parameters and field gradient values of magnetic anomalies on specimens of type 1 and type 2 were the same. Metallographic studies in zones of maximum magnetic field gradient on type 2 specimens revealed defects in the form of a strip at the boundary of different structures, which is a structural stress concentrator (SSC) and a source of the inhomogeneity and changes in the magnetic properties. Type 1 specimens with similar magnetic anomalies and Type 1 specimens cut from sheets outside zones of magnetic anomalies were then selected for cyclic testing. Comparative tests for cyclic strength of the specimens with and without specified SSC were carried out. It is shown that the presence of SSC zones in the specimens reduces the number of cycles to failure during cyclic tests by 1 – 2 orders of magnitude compared to the specimens free of SSC. Based on cyclic tensile tests of specimens, a limiting value of the magnetic field gradient was determined that corresponds to the acceptable level of stress concentration on structural defects. This value is recommended for use as a rejection criterion when examining a new tape by the MMM method.

Combinatorial metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for de novo production of structurally defined and homogeneous Amino oligosaccharides

Amino oligosaccharides (AOs) possess various biological activities and are valuable in the pharmaceutical, food industries, and agriculture. However, the industrial manufacturing of AOs has not been realized yet, despite reports on physical, chemical, and biological approaches. In this study, the de novo production of chitin oligosaccharides (CHOS), a type of structurally defined AOs, was achieved in Escherichia coli through combinatorial pathway engineering. The most suitable glycosyltransferase for CHOS production was found to be NodCL from Mesorhizobium Loti. Then, by knocking out the nagB gene to block the flow of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (NAG) to the glycolytic pathway in E. coli and adjusting the copy number of NodCL-coding gene, the CHOS yield was increased by 6.56 times. Subsequently, by introducing of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) salvage pathway for and optimizing fermentation conditions, the yield of CHOS reached 207.1 and 468.6 mg/L in shake-flask cultivation and a 5-L fed-batch bioreactor, respectively. Meanwhile, the concentration of UDP-GlcNAc was 91.0 mg/L, the highest level reported in E. coli so far. This study demonstrated, for the first time, the production of CHOS with distinct structures in plasmid-free E. coli, laying the groundwork for the biosynthesis of CHOS and providing a starting point for further engineering and commercial production.

Solar radiation and heat sink impact on fluctuating mixed convective flow and heat rate of Darcian nanofluid: Applications in electronic cooling systems

One of the most effective techniques for electronic-cooling devices involves the use of nanofluid, a substance known for its superior heat transfer capabilities. The main challenge in modern production engineering lies in the efficient cooling of electronic devices. Nanofluids have attracted widespread interest in various technical fields due to their exceptional characteristics, which enable effective cooling of electronic devices while improving energy efficiency. In the field of electronic systems, engineers are exploring the potential of nanofluids in a range of applications and phenomena. Choosing the right heat transfer fluid to dissipate heat is crucial in managing electronic component temperatures. This study examines the effects of heat sinks and thermal radiation on the flow of Darcy-Forchheimer nanofluid over a vertical plate, with the aim of enhancing the thermal durability of electronic components. The governing mathematical model has been refined to accurately represent the physical coefficients. To develop a relevant algorithm in the FORTRAN environment, primitive variables are employed in steady-state and oscillatory models, nanomaterial and heat sink. Outputs are presented numerically and graphically using Tecplot 360, revealing that an increase in heat sink capacity leads to a reduction in surface temperature due to the heat sink's ability to absorb excess thermal energy. The use of porous Darcy-Forchheimer material is shown to lower the fluid temperature. The study also shows that the heat transfer rate decreases with an increase in the heat sink coefficient, and the oscillatory frequency of heat transfer reduces with a decrease in the Prandtl number. Decreasing behavior of heat transfer is depicted for maximum thermophoretic factor due to heat sink impact.

Coprecipitation Strategy for Halide-Based Solid-State Electrolytes and Atmospheric-Dependent In Situ Analysis.

In the continuous pursuit of an energy-efficient alternative to the energy-intensive mechanochemical process, we developed a coprecipitation strategy for synthesizing halide-based solid-state electrolytes that warrant both structural control and commercial scalability. In this study, we propose a new coprecipitation approach to synthesized Li3InCl6, exhibiting both structural and electrochemical performance stability, with a high ionic conductivity of 1.42 × 10-3 S cm-1, comparable to that of traditionally prepared counterparts. Through the in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique, we unveil the stability mechanisms and rapid chemical reactions of Li3InCl6 under dry Ar, dry O2, and high-humidity atmosphere, which were not previously reported. Furthermore, the fast reversibility capability of moisture-exposed Li3InCl6 was tracked under vacuum, revealing the optimal recovery conditions at low temperatures (150-200 °C). This work addresses the critical challenges in structural engineering and sustainable mass production and provides insights into chemical reactions under real-world conditions.

Exploring How the Professional Ethics of Engineers Can Be More Effectively and Deeply Integrated with Today's Social Reality

Under the impact of the epidemic in the past two years, the economic situation in various industries has been not optimistic. More and more members of the engineering community have begun to adhere to the principle of economic supremacy and utilitarianism, ignoring the most basic professional ethics. This has led to an increasing number of substandard products on the market, and the quality of some engineering products is worrying. Many large engineering projects have also suffered accidents as a result. Perhaps this is the last resort to "supporting the family" during the epidemic. With the end of the epidemic and the recovery of the economy, how to effectively integrate the professional ethics of engineers with the current social reality has become a problem that needs to be considered. In this situation, it is urgent to cultivate the professional ethics and ethical concepts of engineers guided by the spirit of craftsmanship.

Study of geomechanical properties of the Pimienta formation with undrained multi-stage triaxial tests, Central-Western Tampico Misantla Basin, Mexico

The Pimienta Formation (J-Pi) of the Tampico Misantla Basin (TMB) in Mexico is known for its potential as unconventional onshore hydrocarbon reserves. The area of interest in this study is located in the western-central part of the TMB, where no significant production has been established from unconventional resources. Given the low permeability and low porosity characteristics of the carbonaceous mudstone in the Pimienta formation, it is necessary to implement techniques to increase the area of flow from the reservoir to the borehole, achieving profitable oil and gas extraction.The geomechanical properties of rock strata are essential inputs for the design and implementation of shale oil and gas production engineering, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Understanding the capabilities of the rock to yield and contain hydraulic fractures is essential to designing safe and efficient well stimulations. Likewise, the wellbore stability is of critical importance to the successful development of secondary and tertiary recovery systems.In this study, core samples from the Pimienta Formation in the TMB are analyzed through undrained multi-stage triaxial tests, emphasizing the estimated in-situ geo stresses and the effect of the mineral composition of the rock. The geomechanical parameters of compressional strength, Poisson ratio (PR), and Young's modulus of the Pimienta formation are obtained from the analysis of the experimental data and finding correlations to the mineral composition of the samples. A detailed characterization is completed under the conventional rock mechanics methodologies of Mohr-Coulomb and Hoek-Brown failure criterion, as well as Brittleness Index (BI).

An approach to identify assistive technology attributes for people with locomotor disability by using a refined Kano model

This study aims to identify and evaluate the attributes of assistive products for people with locomotor disabilities using the refined Kano model. Thirty experts from various disciplines (product engineers and designers engineers, rehabilitation professionals, and users of assistive technology with locomotor disabilities) participated in the study. They were asked to complete a survey based on the Kano model questionnaire, which included functional and dysfunctional questions for each attribute. The findings reveal that performance, accessibility, functionality, and repairability are one-dimensional characteristics, while quality, modularity, intuitiveness, and aesthetics are attractive attributes. Affordability and durability are identified as must-be attributes. Subsequently, an importance scale was created on a 5-point Likert scale to further analyze the attributes based on the refined Kano model. The results indicate that functionality, quality, aesthetics, affordability, repairability, and durability are the vital attributes. Following this, a case study was conducted based on these attributes, focusing on the two most commonly used products in India: the ALIMCO basic manual wheelchair and the KARMA basic manual wheelchair. By incorporating identified attributes, manufacturers can establish marketing strategies that promote sustainable product development and enhance assistive product satisfaction among individuals with locomotor disabilities.