Papers by Keyword: Quality

Abstract: The trinomial of the scope, quality, budget and timeline, is an objective by excellence, pursued by those with an active role in the production process, to which the construction sector is no stranger. The ideal is to ensure the satisfaction of the three parameters/variables, by those who seek construction services: Project Owner. Why the Scope is not reached! The causes are divided in two levels: insufficient training, rooted in the Sector, that favours informality; and, lack of data to understand the causes, resulting in no definition or application of corrective measures (good practices guides). The focus of this article is the 'small endeavours', managed by: (1) Real Estate Developer, in control of the different phases, from municipal licensing, through the project and construction license, the remaining will be undertaken by a Builder or Investor, for subsequent sale; or (future) Owner without control of the initial decisions; the concerns of the latter are bound by the binomial Timeline and Budget; or, (2) P.O., from the outset, take control of all phases, always faithful to his idea of the Scope; introduces adjustments and changes defending his point of view or interest without the perception of the real impact of those on the overall satisfaction, focused on the fulfilment of quality achieved.

Abstract: Double-wall copper brazed steel tube is an economic alternative of copper and copper nickel tubes, that are used widely in automotive and AC&R applications, offering satisfying rigidity against high pressure, flexibility for bending and flaring, and rather good heat conductibility. When comparing in detail commercially available tubes of such type, significant differences in quality were revealed. This contribution is based on case studies concerning most common causes of failure of double-wall tubes due to several factors. Series of double wall-tubes from different suppliers were studied using light and electron microscopy in order to reveal defects which led to the failure of each set of the tubes. Tubes made of combination of steel and copper were analysed in the initial state and after heat treatment. Heat treatment performed by the suppliers was not further specified and varied between suppliers. Metallographic analysis revealed unsuitable microstructure of steel layers and heterogeneity in Cu layer. More detailed analysis revealed precipitation of Cu-based intermetallic phase on the Cu-steel interface resulting from heat treatment process, but for one set of tubes, precipitates were observed even in the initial state, probably due to higher temperatures used during the fabrication process.

Abstract: This paper aims documentary research of theoretical and experimental statistical process control in industrial engineering. The most effective means to reduce process variations against the customer requirements is to implement a quality management system based on statistical process control tools. Cutting regime changes in turning processes are based on careful monitoring of vibration. As soon as it is found in the milling excessive noise or vibration the measure to which it resort is to reduce one or more parameters (speed, feed and depth of cut) to remove the effect. Finally, the measure has a negative impact on performance.

Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries are a key technology for energy storage not only in consumer electronics but also in e-mobility and stationary applications. However, in order to guarantee the success of lithium-ion batteries in the long term, improvements related to performance, lifetime and production costs need to be made. Mastery of the highly interlinked process chain in lithium-ion battery manufacturing is a challenge and often acquired on the basis of experience. This paper illustrates the complexity of this process chain with a special focus on the roll-to-roll manufacturing of electrodes and discusses the application of a quality management system in lithium-ion battery production.

Abstract: In the heart of the processes of formation of physical and mechanical properties of secondary lining of underground structures is the residual water-cement ratio, which indicates the extraction of the mixing water of the concrete mixture under the action of external pressure forces. This article examines the nature of the redistribution of the mixing water in the concrete lining of the tunnels. Under the influence of radial and axial forces from laid concrete mix there is an increase in water-cement ratio in the direction from the sole to the vault head of the tunnel. This leads to deterioration of physical and mechanical properties of the lining in the roof part of the tunnel. When calculating the strength and water resistance of the secondary concrete tunnel lining the characteristics of the concrete type by strength and waterproof, adjusted by the weakest part of the lining – its roof part – should be taken into account. The analysis of influence on the technology of erection of the lining is given.

Abstract: A molecular statics method has been used to examine the Ehrlich-Schwoebel (ES) barrier for an adatom of 4H-SiC to diffuse from the {0001} to the {11-20} facet. As the calculated results shown, for the C-terminated surface, the inverse ES barrier exist for the silicon adatom, which could cause the step bunching; for the Si-terminated surface, ES barrier exist for the carbon adatom, which could cause the step meandering and result in the transition of step-flow growth to 2D-nucleation growth. Simultaneously, the C-terminated surface is more stable than the Si-terminated surface, which may be one reason that the quality of film grown on the carbon facet substrate is better.

Abstract: Vision and hearing (visual and auditory receptors) are still dominant senses when arranging our knowledge of the outside world. At this year's Consumer and Computing International Consumer Electronics Show chief American subsidiary of Bosch, Werner Struth, said that the "analog world as we know it ends." Our perception remains analog as well as the continued transfer of information persists analog transmission channel into which may interfere with, among other things, restrictions resulting from digital technologies.

Abstract: The construction industry plays significant role in the economy of developing countries, where Lebanon is one of. However, the performance industry remains under critique. Many projects encounter considerable time and cost overruns, fail to realize their intended benefit or even totally terminated and abandoned before or after their completion. As the construction project goes through many phases, the success of each phase will affect the success of the project. Thus, the “Project Success” notion is becoming a priority in the Lebanese construction sector. This paper describes a study of the time, cost and quality management trilogy impact on the success of the local Lebanese construction projects. It shows the importance of each factor and its role in the attainment of client objectives. A Questionnaire survey, supported by “face to face” interviews, elicit the attitude of owners (developers), consultants, and contractors towards the factors affecting each parameter is done. Conclusion and remarks for future construction quality system rating will follow.

Abstract: The organizational performance depends of the development of the processes in the organization. In the automotive manufacturing – based on the requirements from the referential standards like ISO 9001 or ISO TS 16949 – the processes map describe very clear all the processes and their inter-correlation. To achieve the level of performance according with top management expectation all processes are monitored regarding the effectiveness and efficiency using the key indicators, but the level of performance is also direct linked with the level of response at quality issues. But the organizations have the processes with different structure of personnel who take care for managing the processes, with different levels of reporting and leadership. This paper presents the advantages to develop the FLRQI (Fast Response on Layers at Quality Issues) easy to communicate and escalate from down to top, and to develop and coach the personnel from top to down in the same time, at the end the advantages to have the fast response at issues implemented in all departments will be measured in better quality, less cost and on time delivery. The paper proposes a new concept to implement a culture of fast response which is easy to be applied in multi-national companies because is easier to be tailored on each structure of the processes.

Abstract: It’s well known that the professional experience cumulated in years of teaching brings another vision towards certain challenges. The present paper aims to identify the teachers’ difference of opinion regarding certain aspects of satisfaction on all teaching positions – assistant, lecturer, associate professor, professor. The results have been obtained by analyzing 132 answers received after the distribution of a questionnaire regarding satisfaction in technical higher education. After analysis, for the same dimension of satisfaction, a variable distribution could be observed, explained by the different professional experience of each respondent.