Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 592-594

Abstract: Seats are one of the most important components of vehicles and they are the place where professional driver spend most of their time. Since the beginning of the automotive industry, providing a comfortable, economical and safe ride to the customer, has been the prime objective of all the manufacturers regardless the brand. Present review is done in order to mainly focus on various parameters which lead to seating discomfort in cars. Human experienced seating discomfort has been discussed briefly and ergonomic approach to overcome discomfort has also been analyzed.

Abstract: Exposure to welding fumes and its related hazards has always been a matter of serious concern. The mass and composition of fumes from welding depends on several factors. A detailed knowledge of these factors is necessary for understanding the mechanism of fume formation and developing suitable control strategies. This paper gives a literature overview on the various factors affecting welding fumes and strategies for controlling it. The paper focus on types of welding process like Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMAW) or Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), Gas and Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The research in the area of controlling fumes at the source has grown rapidly recently. Still, effective methods have hardly been explored. Improving arc stability by addition of materials with low ionization potential to the welding electrode lead to promising new research directions.

Abstract: Unsafe acts and unsafe conditions are the main causes for all accidents in firework Industries. The accidents occurr in the fireworks industries are more severe than the accidents occurr in any other industries, because fire and explosives are the common causes of the accidents in fireworks industries. The aim of the study is to analyse the accidents in fireworks industries and recommend to build safety culture.

Abstract: Manufacturing industries were considered among the sectors with the considerable level of lost work days due to work related musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of the study is to find out the different parts of body affected due to discomfort while operating machines in manufacturing industry. In this study work-related body-part discomfort was assessed in 51 male operators by using a body map and ranking procedure, while operating different types of machines viz, lathe, drilling and grinding machines. The study showed that out of 51 operator’s, 45 reported discomfort in shoulder and neck, 34 in lower back, 32 in upper back, 46 in arm, and 23of the operators reported discomfort in the leg. Correlations between the discomfort level and different postures at different working conditions were higher. Except at the start of the shift, operators felt musculoskeletal discomfort in various body parts throughout the shift, and were highest at the end of the shift. The middle age group operators reported higher levels of discomfort. Keywords: Discomfort; Injury; Pain; Body map; Discomfort assessment; Questionnaire; Musculoskeletal disorders.

Abstract: The exothermic behavior of Tributyl Phosphate (TBP) with nitric acid at elevated temperatures is a serious cause of concern in nuclear industry as well as in various other industries where it is the principal extractant. In this study, the comparative study of thermal hazard of TBP and one of its major decomposition products, Dibutyl phosphate, (DBP) has been investigated under adiabatic conditions. Parameters such as comparative self-heat rate and pressure rise were deduced using world’s benchmark adiabatic calorimeter, Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC). FTIR spectrum of the products obtained after ARC experiments pertaining to TBP and DBP are compared.

Abstract: To make Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) more acceptable by the public, there is a need to conform to the stringent safety criteria evolved continuously. Among the several safety aspects, the seismically induced effects call more attention at the present scenario. But the adequate full scale testing of the critical components can render a more realistic simulation. Extensively shake table testing is used for the seismic qualification and research purposes. It provides the means to excite structures in such a way that they are subjected to conditions representative of true earthquake ground motions. The seismic qualification tests were conducted as per the test procedure given in IEEE STD 344-1987 standards: IEEE recommended practice for seismic qualification of class 1E equipment for Nuclear Power Generating Station. Valves are one of the active components in the SFR system. The seismic operability of active components can be established only by shake table testing. Shake table testing includes fixing of the equipment into the shake table, exiting the table with a seismic excitation equal to or larger than the design earthquake, resonance search test in all the three directions for 1 to 50 Hz to identify the system frequencies and assessment of the functionality and structural integrity of the valve during and at the end of the test. The valve that has been experimentally qualified completed type test for OBE & SSE cycles, the same will not be utilized in the reactor application. The methodology involved in the seismic qualification of the unconventional valve presented in this paper. Among the various shake table experiments carried out for the seismic qualification unconventional valves, the experiment carried out for the Inclined Fuel Transfer Machine (IFTM) Gate valve is referred in this paper for the above purpose. It is one of the unconventional type large in size and heavy gate valve available in the SFR system

Abstract: Change is the word that best characterizes the nature of modern Business scenario and determines the challenges that manager’s face.Staying competitive requires looking for new ways of reducing costs and increase the quality of the company’s products. Lean thinking is considered to be one potential approach for improving organizational performance.When the flexibility seems to be an important issue in today’s highly competitive environment Lean integrated as a complete system in the organization can ensure company’s adaptation. Developed as a production system eliminating wastes in the Toyota’s plants in the 1960’s, Lean is evolving into a management approach that improves all the processes at each level of an organization. This study aims to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework that suggest a detailed perspective of the Lean manufacturing to the managers whoconsider implementing it as a possible direction towards achieving sustainable performance for their organizations. The factors which affect the implementation of lean in manufacturing sector are identified by undertaking extensive literature review and consulting the experts from academia and industry. The factors identified are modeled to find the respective loading on Lean variable using Structural Equation Modeling.

Abstract: Small scale industries are the back bone of our nation’s economy; they are major contributor to large scale industries, in particular the automobile field. It is essential that these industries must run to their fullest efficiency, and utilize inputs such as Material, Labour and other resources effectively. But the small scale industries are not aware about the wastages present in the industry. These wastages reduce the efficiency of the industry. The wastages can be present in any form like production waste, man power waste, material waste etc. This paper mainly focuses on basic work of identification of wastages presents in automobile rubber components manufacturing industry. These techniques are called the Lean technique. Generally, seven types of wastages are available. This paper, aims to identify the wastages present in the various units of the industry, and to carry out the cause and effects analysis on wastages, also possible remedies were suggested

Abstract: In India, due to the escalating traffic issues, a large number of highways have been built in the recent past, which are maintained by tax collection at toll plazas, by various operating agencies. Due to smooth and hassle free driving on highways, the arrival rate of vehicles at Toll Plazas increases. The arrival rate goes beyond control if the traffic on the highway increases in an uncontrolled manner, with the passage of time. Thus, one of the irrefutable drawbacks of putting up Toll Plazas, is the traffic congestion. The waiting time, in the service lanes, due to such a congestion becomes high and excruciating for the commuters on the route. The objective of this study is to analyze the current situation, of traffic congestion, at a highway toll plaza using queuing theory and suggest possible solutions to encourage greater efficiency, thus reducing waiting time of the customers and money wasted because of that. This study has been carried out in various phases, i.e. problem identification, data collection, data analysis and results at a selected Toll Plaza in North India. The data analysis in the study helps to find out the current operational effectiveness of the Toll Plaza through parameters like, Arrival Rate, Service Rate and Number of toll booths. Finally, possible solutions have been put forward which can be recommended and implemented on various Toll Plazas in the country.

Abstract: Lean manufacturing is a strategic tool, which is used to cut down waste and to improve the efficiency of an organization and helps the organization to sustain in the competitive environment. Implementation of green systems in organization results in reduce energy consumption, waste generation, and hazardous materials used while also building the companies’ images as socially responsible organizations. Several research efforts discussed in the literature indicate that lean companies show significant environmental improvements by being more resource and energy efficient. Lean and green systems are associated with waste reduction techniques. In foreign, many industries have started implementing these concepts and they are getting good results. In India, companies are facing problems in implementing lean and green concept. This paper investigates critical success factors for lean and green system implementation in Indian medium scale manufacturing industries. The factors are grouped into different levels by Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM)