Reduce Production Time Research Articles

Endogenous antioxidant properties of curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. obtained by a single-step extraction/nanoencapsulation approach.

Curcuminoids found in turmeric have attracted attention due to their remarkable biological activity. Nanoencapsulation may improve their technological properties, but extraction and encapsulation procedures could be time-consuming and expensive when carried out separately. This work aimed to combine extraction and nanoencapsulation steps to obtain curcuminoids-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanoparticles directly from plant rhizomes. This single-step procedure was evaluated by a Rotatable Central Composite Design (RCCD) and optimized using desirability functions, resulting in the optimal conditions of temperature (29.9°C), ethanol (99%), and PVP (15.38mg). Nanoencapsulation allowed curcuminoids to exert scavenging activity against superoxide anions donors and hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous medium, despite their poor water solubility. Curcuminoids-PVP nanoparticles could be used to formulate nutraceutical foods as an adjuvant to the endogenous antioxidant defense systems protecting against cellular damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Simultaneous extraction and nanoencapsulation of curcuminoids from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) was studied in this work. The combination of two processes in one single step reduces production time and costs, enhancing the feasibility of curcuminoids microparticles application into foodstuff. Moreover, since most foodstuff presents water in their composition, increase of curcuminoids water dispersibility could facilitate their incorporation into food matrices and improve the use of their health benefits, as results from this research demonstrated that encapsulated curcuminoids were able to scavenge reactive oxygen species in aqueous medium, even though they are lipophilic compounds.

Effects of temperature and heating method on the performance of Ti/Ru0.25Ir0.25Ti0.50O2 anodes applied toward Bisphenol S removal

One of the challenges faced by environmentally-related electrochemical techniques and which limit their industrial application is the lack of efficient and economically viable electrodes. This paper reports the development and application of a microwave-assisted hybrid heating method for the production of mixed metal oxide (MMO) anodes aiming at obtaining low-cost, highly catalytic, and durable anodes with reduced production time. The Ti/Ru0.25Ir0.25Ti0.50O2 electrodes were prepared by the Pechini method using two calcination temperatures (350 and 400 °C) and two heating mechanisms (conventional in an electric furnace and hybrid heating using microwaves). The electrodes developed were applied toward the electrochemical degradation of Bisphenol S (BPS); this is the first report involving the application of MMO electrodes for BPS removal in the literature. The calcination temperature and type of heating influence the electrodes physical and electrochemical characteristics, as well as the film compositions and catalytic activities. With the exception of the anode produced in the furnace at 400 °C (CM-400), which exhibited a crack-free compact surface, the oxide film layers covered the Ti substrates entirely, displaying a typical “cracked mud” morphology. The morphological characteristics of CM-400 contributed toward obtaining low voltammetric charge (88 mC) and high resistivity (194 Ω) for the film. In contrast, the electrode developed by microwave-assisted hybrid heating at 350 °C was produced in a relatively shorter time (4.6-fold), presented the lowest charge transfer resistance (24 Ω), the highest voltammetric charge (240 mC), and the highest stability (with 51 h – accelerated life test). Overall, the electrodes produced in furnace were slightly more efficient when applied toward the electrochemical removal of BPS; to be precise, the electrode calcined at 400 °C showed total BPS removal in 10 min at 100 mA cm–2. About 20% of TOC removal was obtained in 60 min of electrolysis; this is the highest TOC rate reported for BPS under such short treatment time. Thus, the anodes developed are found to be suitable and highly promising for the electrochemical removal of BPS from water.

Towards the automation of the die spotting process: Contact blue pattern decryption

Abstract Automotive die spotting is one of the most complex and least standardized processes in the tool making process. A spotting expert identifies local contact areas through a blue-paste pattern and the die/sheet contact is optimized by manual grinding. Research performed on the impact of tribology conditions and surface irregularities on die behaviour have demonstrated the critical importance of die/sheet contact. Therefore, correctly understanding, standardizing, and automatizing die spotting is of a great interest for the industry. In this work, the first step toward the die spotting automation is performed by decrypting the contact blue pattern. Different test procedures were followed in order to decrypt the relation between the blue-paste pattern and the contact pressure and gap appearance in the interface. Additionally, a numerical method for automatic contact pressure detection based on the blue pattern was developed and validated. The outcome of this study is presented as potential tool for objective decision making towards the automation of the die spotting process and die contact analysis, focused to decrease try-out loops and thus reducing production time and costs.

Direct Plasma Deposition of Collagen on 96-Well Polystyrene Plates for Cell Culture

A cold atmospheric plasma unit was used to deposit a biologic, in this case collagen, onto a surface. A collagen coating was applied to 96-well polystyrene plates at a range of powers to determine the effects of the plasma power on the coating structure and viability. Plasma characterization was carried out using voltage, current, and power measurements. Coating characterization was completed using gravimetric measurement, cell growth, water contact angle, as well as spectroscopic analysis and compared to commercial collagen-coated plates. Cell culture studies were also undertaken. The plasma coating matched the performance of the commercial plate but dramatically reduced production time and cost. This method could allow for automated inline production of collagen-coated plates for cell culture applications.

Influence of an Additional Indexing Rotary Axis on Wire Electrical Discharge Machining Performance for the Automated Manufacture of Fir Tree Slots

Abstract The demand for higher efficiency in aircraft propulsion engines leads to materials with increasing thermomechanical strengths and new designs inducing filigree geometries of blisks and disks. Because of new designs which induce tighter tolerances, the high mechanical process forces in conventional cutting processes like broaching cause inacceptable geometrical deviations and high tooling costs. Due to the electro-thermal material removal mechanism, electrical discharge machining (EDM) ensures a force free and thus precise machining. The manufacture of fir tree slots in nickel-based alloys by wire EDM has been investigated in the last few years and the process was verified as an alternative technology for broaching. To get a better competitive position, the productivity can be prospectively increased by using an additional indexing rotary axis which ensures a precise and automated production of rotationally symmetric components and reduce production times, e.g., for the manufacture of fir tree slots on a disk. Nevertheless, the application of these axes cause changed flushing conditions and can also affect the electrical contacting as well. Both influence the process performance and demand a technology development or adjustment of standard machining technologies. The influence of these changed machining conditions has not been investigated scientifically to date. In this paper, the surface integrity and process performance of fir tree slots machined by wire EDM on the machine table are compared with the manufacture by using an additional indexing rotary axis.

Morpho-Anatomical and Physiological Responses Can Predict the Ideal Period for the Transplantation of Hydroponic Seedlings of Hymenaea courbaril, a Neotropical Fruit Tree.

Hydroponics is an excellent alternative approach for the production of seedlings, given the growing demand for fruiting trees for the reforestation or recuperation of degraded natural landscapes. In most cases, however, little is known about the optimal period for the maintenance of the seedling in the hydroponic system. Given this, we decided to investigate the hypothesis that morpho-anatomical and physiological alterations can be used to predict the optimal timing for the transplantation of the seedlings to the soil substrate, thereby guaranteeing the most cost-effective application of the hydroponic system. We selected Hymenaea courbaril L., an important Neotropical fruit tree, as the model for this study. We cultivated H. courbaril seedlings in a static hydroponic system and evaluated morpho-anatomical, physiological, and growth parameters over the course of seedling development (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after transplantation; DAT). We observed an interesting relationship between the increase in the density (SD) and conductance (gsw) of the stomata up to 120 DAT, which reflected higher rates of photosynthesis (A), but also a reduced efficiency in the use of water. In the subsequent intervals, the SD of the plants and the diameter of the radicular xylemic vessels elements (RVE) decreased, in an attempt to increase the efficiency of the use of this resource. We also observed an increase in the thickness of the palisade parenchyma (PP) prior to 120 DAT, which did not reflect a general increase in the thickness of the mesophyll, indicating an adjustment in the thickness of the spongiform parenchyma (SP). We also observed a progressive increase in photosynthetic efficiency up to 120 DAT, based on parameters such as the absorption flux energy per active reaction center (ABS/RC) and the photosynthetic performance index (PIABS), but after this period these indices decreased progressively. However, as the PIABS is an indicator of the plant’s tolerance, its decline was associated with an increase in the dissipation of energy (DI0/RC), which indicates that, after 120 DAT, the plant pots may become a stress factor that limit the growth of H. courbaril seedlings. The results of the present study indicate conclusively that a 120-day period is the optimum for the maintenance of the H. courbaril seedlings in the hydroponic system, and also confirm the hypothesis that the morpho-anatomical and physiological responses observed in the plants can be used to predict the ideal period for the transplantation of the seedlings, contributing to a reduction in production time of the hydroponic system.

LOS AVANCES TECNOLÓGICOS EN LA EDIFICACIÓN DEL FUTURO

In recent years different technologies have been implemented in the building sector with the aim of: improving construction processes, reducing production times and costs, using resources more efficiently to achieve energy savings with a better quality of life.

Job Shop Layout Improvement with Simulation Technique: A Case of Metal Sheet Production

This paper investigates the improvement of job shop layout with simulation technique. A case study of Siam GN metal sheet, the manufacturer of customized metal sheet products was used. The objective is to increase production efficiency and reduce materials handling distance and time. Data regarding product and machine type were collected. CORELAP (Computerized Relationship Layout Planning) and Group technology based on ROC (rank order clustering) algorithm were applied to design the improved layouts. ARENA software was used to simulate the new layout from both techniques. The simulation show that CORELAP layout reduce production time by 17.12% while group technology layout reduces materials handling time by 11.41%. CORELAP layout therefore, was chosen for implementation. Simulation techniques allows user to experiment with different scenario hence selecting the most appropriate one without interfering with the actual process.

Stacked Auto-Encoder Based CNC Tool Diagnosis Using Discrete Wavelet Transform Feature Extraction

Machining processes are critical and widely used components in the manufacturing industry because they help to precisely make products and reduce production time. To keep the previous advantages, a machine tool should be installed at the designated place and condition of the machine tool should be maintained appropriately to working environment. In various maintenance methods for keeping the condition of machine tool, condition-based maintenance can be robust to unpredicted accidents and reduce maintenance costs. Tool monitoring and diagnosis are some of the most important components of the condition based maintenance. This paper proposes stacked auto-encoder based CNC machine tool diagnosis using discrete wavelet transform feature extraction to diagnose a machine tool. The diagnosis model, which only uses cutting force data, cannot sufficiently reflects tool condition. Hence, we modeled diagnosis model using features extracted from a cutting force, a current signal, and coefficients of the discrete wavelet transform. The experimental results showed that the model which uses feature data has better performance than the model that uses only cutting force data. The feature based models are lower false negative rate (FNR) and false positive rate. Moreover, squared prediction error using normalized residual vector also reduced FNR because normalization reduces weight bias.

The modern way of engineering workers training as the basis for the competitiveness increasing of Ukraine's machine-building enterprises

It is analyzed the problems of specialists training by higher education institutions in the field of designing and manufacturing pumping equipment for enterprises in Ukraine. In the work examines details organizational structure inherent in engineering enterprises of Ukraine and the CIS countries, and comparativeness it with the structure of enterprises in developed countries with a market economy. The reasons for the low competitiveness of engineering enterprises in Ukraine are identified and ways to solve them are proposed. Examples of the organization structure of Ukrainian enterprises specializing in pumping equipment manufacture are given, and the influence of their structure on competitiveness is shown. Based on the analysis of the structural schemes of interaction between departments and bureaus of pumping enterprises in Ukraine and developed countries, as well as the needs of the labor market, the responsibilities of a modern engineering worker for a competitive enterprise are determined. The role of modern engineering workers in the competitiveness of products is shown. In article proposed a new term – “engineer-creator”, which most accurately characterizes the modern engineering and technical worker and meets the needs of the labor market. Requirements for engineering and technical workers of Ukrainian enterprises in the field of pump engineering have been formed. It is proposed to combine the functions of design, technological units and the marketing department into a subdivision of a engineer-creator to reduce production time, which will be positively affects by the competitiveness of the enterprise. In the article presents a methodology for training these personnel from the point of view of production needs on the basis of higher education institutions as part of in-depth inter-department cooperation on the basis of technical departments with the assistance of management and economics departments. The methodology describes the stages of training of future specialists, including the selection and formation of groups, management, and the process of employment, as well as a list of basic and additional disciplines for students of the educational and professional program "Hydraulic Machines and Devices" and related ones.

Ring Rolling speed rolls optimization to improve ring quality and reduce production time

In this paper, an analysis of the production time reduction as a function of the Idle and Axial rolls speed law in a Ring Rolling process was examined. Starting from an industrial case study, the authors defined a new milling curve able to produce a better ring quality with lower loads. From this result, the authors tested the effect of the production time reduction till the 40% of the initial one. The Ide roll velocity was varied in a range between 0.71 and 1.13 mm/s while the Axial roll between 0.35 and 1.70 mm/s. Geometrical and load parameters have been taken into account to compare the results achieved. The authors identified in the external ring diameter and in the Idle roll maximum load the most critical parameter to control; in particular, a break-even point was determined in order to select a set of rolls speed laws able to produce a good quality ring with lower production time (about 20%) and lower loads (about 10 %). In this research both experimental and numerical approaches were followed.

Properties and application of bilayer films based on poly (lactic acid) and fish gelatin containing epigallocatechin gallate fabricated by thermo-compression molding

An alternative approach towards production of active bilayer films based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and fish gelatin incorporated with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) fabricated by thermo-compression molding was investigated. This strategy permitted the reduction of production times and avoided the uses of inorganic solvents. Thermo-compression molded bilayer films showed good handling, transparency and low water vapor permeability. The incorporation of EGCG promoted interactions with gelatin, as shown by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. These interactions contributed to homogeneous structures, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Bilayer films with 12 wt % EGCG showed good mechanical properties, high water and UV–visible light barrier properties as well as a high DPPH radical scavenging activity. These bilayer films were used to produce bags, in which striped catfish slices (SCS) were packaged. After 7 days of storage at 4 °C, SCS packaged in bags prepared with12 wt % EGCG had lower psychrophilic bacteria count, weight loss, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value along with higher docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3) content than those packaged in bags prepared without EGCG or in LLDPE bags. No difference in overall likeness score was found among all the samples packaged in different bags after 7 days of storage. Therefore, PLA/gelatin bilayer films containing 12 wt % EGCG possessed satisfactory film properties with augmented antioxidant activity, and thus they could be used as active food packaging, especially for fish slices with high lipid content.

Lean supply chain management in garment industry using value stream mapping

Value stream mapping (VSM) is an operative tool in lean manufacturing that supports current state mapping and future state mapping which helps to identify the possible potentialities. It increases the value added activities in production process by eliminating non-value activities and reducing the work-in-process. This paper signifies the implementation of VSM in a garment industry, as a start-up to lean manufacturing. Initially, an analysis with VSM is performed to determine the processes and material flow. It describes the current state for existing position and future state for the proposed development plan, particularly segregating value activities and non-value activities. Based on the outcomes, the fulfilment of value stream implementation are reduction in production time, inventory level and lead time. This implementation of VSM in middle range garment industry shows significant improvements. Hence, the understanding of this implementation is essential to adapt in similar garment industries to identify improvements in small and medium scale industries.

Enabling Electropolishing of Complex Selective Laser Melting Structures

Abstract In the last years the industrial application of selective laser melting (SLM) has been increased. Main advantages of SLM are the reduction of production time for small batches and the freedom to generate complex designs. However, the rough surface quality of SLM parts currently limits their use and hinders the application in several industry sectors such as the hygienic and food industry. Due to the high complexity of SLM parts, the application of conventional processes is limited. Electropolishing (EP) is a promising process for reducing the roughness of simple SLM parts. However, it has not yet been explored intensively on complex SLM parts. Additionally, design constraints for the design of SLM parts to enable post processing are not yet existent. This experimental study investigates the resulting roughness of EP on different SLM design elements. Three types of EP were investigated, direct current, pulse/pulse reverse current and pulsed current EP. Additionally, the current density and processing time were varied. The SLM test sample (316L) contains internal pipe surfaces with different diameters in different orientations, overhangs and a lattice structure. To analyze the surface roughness, the arithmetic mean height of the roughness (Sa) was measured. At the end of the paper the findings on the process and the design constraints for SLM parts are summarized. The results show a significant improvement of the roughness on the external surfaces of the test sample for all parameter sets. The orientation of the surfaces with respect to the build direction influences the reduction of Sa. Increasing the pipe diameter leads to an increasing effect of internal EP. Finally, the DC parameter set showed a significantly better improvement of the Sa value on the internal lattice structure.

Surface Integrity of Machined Electron Beam Melted Ti6Al4V Alloy Manufactured with Different Contour Settings and Heat Treatment

The powder-bed-fusion-based Electron Beam Melting (EBM) is rapidly gaining interest as a feasible process in the manufacturing industry for producing intricate Ti6Al4V components. However, there is still a challenge of reducing production time and optimizing surface roughness. One way to improve surface roughness is to optimize the melting strategy, i.e. contour setting. This not only influences the obtained surface topographical features, but also the production time. Most industrial applications require subtractive post processing (machining) to obtain a desired functional surface. This paper is concerned with analysing surface and subsurface in turning of Ti6Al4V alloy, manufactured by EBM using different contour settings. Also, the effect of subsequent heat treatment, i.e. Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) is studied. The results indicate that avoiding of contours require a machining allowance of 1 mm to obtain surface roughness of about 0.5 µm (Sa). In case of three and five contours the machining allowance can be reduced to 0.25 mm. Microstructural differences originating from the subsequent HIP operation show no effect on machinability. Tensile residual stresses are generated when reaching down to the heat effected zone of contour settings.

Огляд розвитку робототехніки. Частина 1. (Робототехніка до ХХ століття)

The main stages of robotics development in the world are analyzed in the work. It has been shown that robotics has become an integral part of various areas of human production and research, the attention to which is constantly growing. Thanks to the development of robotics, new colors have taken over in people's lives: robots now perform most of the routine work, significantly reduce production time, promote human development and solve a number of unsolved problems. Robots fly into space, help the disabled, the elderly, explore the bowels of the Earth and work in factories and plants. They are a reflection of the progress of mankind and evolve with.

Room-Temperature-Processed Amorphous Sn-In-O Electron Transport Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells.

We report amorphous tin-indium-oxide (TIO, Sn fraction: >50 atomic percentage (at%)) thin films as a new electron transport layer (ETL) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). TIO thin films with Sn fraction of 52, 77, 83, 92, and 100 at% were grown on crystalline indium-tin-oxide (ITO, Sn fraction: ~10 at%) thin films, a common transparent conducting oxide, by co-sputtering In2O3 and SnO2 at room temperature. The energy band structures of the amorphous TIO thin films were determined from the optical absorbance and the ultraviolet photoelectron spectra. All the examined compositions are characterized by a conduction band edge lying between that of ITO and that of perovskite (here, methylammonium lead triiodide), indicating that TIO is a potentially viable ETL of PSCs. The photovoltaic characteristics of the TIO-based PSCs were evaluated. Owing mainly to the highest fill factor and open circuit voltage, the optimal power conversion efficiency was obtained for the 77 at%-Sn TIO ETL with TiCl4 treatment. The fill factor and the open circuit voltage changes with varying the Sn fraction, despite similar conduction band edges. We attribute these differences to the considerable changes in the electrical resistivity of the TIO ETL. This would have a significant effect on the shunt and/or the series resistances. The TIO ETL can be continuously grown on an ITO TCO in a chamber, as ITO and TIO are composed of identical elements, which would help to reduce production time and costs.

Experimental and Numerical Energy Assessment of a Monolithic Aerogel Glazing Unit for Building Applications

In the last few decades, the attention of researchers has been focused on the characterization of aerogels in order to improve the thermal performance of transparent building envelopes. Granular aerogel is already spread in the market thanks to the easy manufacturing system, whereas the difficulty in producing monoliths without defects, cracks, and inhomogeneity limited the diffusion of monolithic aerogel systems. A new production process for the monolithic panels was developed at Union College (Schenectady, NY, USA); it is a rapid supercritical extraction technique which allows a reduction in production time (only a few hours) and results in less solvent waste. Panes with maximum dimensions of about 100 × 100 mm were fabricated and composed in a unique glazing system, with external dimensions 300 × 300 mm. The thermal characterization of the innovative monolithic aerogel glazing system (simple float glazing 4.7-mm-thick monolithic aerogel pane 15-mm-thick simple float glazing 4.7 mm thick), which was carried out by means of a Small Hot Box apparatus, showed a thermal transmittance value of about 1.1 W/(m2K). Data was used in dynamic simulations of a typical non-residential building. They showed that the new investigated solution allows a valuable reduction with respect to a low-e double glazing system in terms of heating energy demand (about 5–7% for Helsinki, 8–12% for Paris, and 10–15% for Turin), for different window-to-wall ratios.

Genetic variation in growth pattern within a population of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during a standard production cycle

Selection for faster growth to market size has a long history in selective breeding programs for aquaculture species. In Atlantic salmon, selection for faster growth has been carried out for more than four decades, i.e. about ten generations. Genetic improvement of growth rate is indicated as favourable correlated to improved feed utilization and, from an economic perspective, it can be argued that improved feed utilization is the main breeding objective: improved fish production per unit of nutrients (protein or energy) provided. However, also reduced production time in challenging grow-out environments, i.e. reduced exposure to sea lice and other disease agents, may be highly valuable from an animal welfare and environmental perspective. Reduced production time in challenging grow-out environments may also be economically favourable by reducing the need for mechanical or chemical treatments of the fish.Body weights at stocking and harvest are commonly recorded in breeding programs for Atlantic salmon. Selection for faster growth rate is usually based on recorded harvest weights, which represent the accumulated growth during the entire production cycle. Alternatively, selection could be based on other growth parameters, i.e. Thermal Growth Coefficient (TGC), which specify growth in specific production periods. Production of Atlantic salmon in open sea cages entails large variation of environmental parameters, i.e. water temperature, water quality, salinity, day light etc., that influences the growth.In this study, growth of individual Atlantic salmon in an open sea cage were investigated (as a part of the project BEHAVEGENES, NFR 2014–2017) to describe potential GxE for growth in different production periods. Test fish were transported to sea in autumn, 8 months after first feeding, and harvested after 16 months at a mean harvest weight of 5.5 kg. Individual body weights were recorded at five different time points allowing estimation of growth during a total of four subsequent production periods. Sexual growth dimorphism was discovered well before onset of sexual maturation; already 4 months after sea transfer, at average population body weight ~500 g, males were measured on average 2.8% heavier than females. Heritability estimates for body weight were all high (0.42–0.72), while heritability estimates expressed by growth calculated as TGC were mediate to high (0.35–0.56). Genetic correlations between growth (TGC) in different production periods varied between −0.20 and 0.82. The correlation between growth during an 8-month summer period (average body weights increase from 500 g to 3.9 kg) and a 4.5-month winter period (average body weight increased from 3.9 kg to 5.8 kg) was not significant (rg 0.16 ± 0.17), suggesting genetic variation for growth pattern and that different genes are involved in different growth periods.

Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing Technology in Textile and Fashion Industry: Materials and Innovation

Over the last ten years, researchers, technologists, designers, retailers and manufacturers have worked on embedding 3D printing (3DP) technology in all types of manufacturing industries including textile, apparel and fashion industry. The development of this technology has enabled designers to design more conveniently and manufacturers to reduce production time and cost significantly. Although 3D printing technology is gradually developing in textile and fashion industry, textile and fashion researchers and manufacturers have mostly worked on designing wearable technology, footwear and fashion accessories but rarely on everyday wearing. This review paper aims to describe the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology, as it is mostly used by textile and fashion, designers, manufacturers and researchers for developing various textile patterns and fashion items.