Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 606

Abstract: Resources localization is one of the unique concerns of Appropriate Technology (AT) development. It has become a thought-provoking driver to related studies, meaning that there are wide-ranging opportunities to conduct researches, including ones on materials-related issues. Also, following the global concerns on environmental issues, assessment on environmental impacts imposed in AT life-cycle is interesting to be studied. Particularly, this study attempts to investigate potential impacts imposed by materials usage in AT. It is conducted by comparing and contrasting common approach in doing cleaner production to the implication of AT in providing cleaner application. This study aims to provide an integrated assessment framework for calculating environmental impacts from materials usage by incorporating the characteristics of AT life-cycle into account. The first finding points out the interdependency of cleaner production and cleaner application, meaning that there is a need of cleaner production in the manufacturing and construction process of any material/component/assembling in an AT; besides, the AT has to be designed to perform cleaner application, yet without reducing its performance and intention in localizing materials. Furthermore, the second finding pushes the first finding forward through an integrated environmental assessment diagram that covers materials production and application until the end of AT life-cycle, including disposal phase and predicted degradability of materials. By looking at common approaches that focused on the assessment of only cleaner production, this study is moving toward an integrated environmental assessment on an AT by covering both cleaner production and application to form a complete AT life-cycle assessment.

Abstract: Supply chain management (SCM) has become a critical challenge in the current economic globalization. An efficient SCM practices not only play a significant role in operational structures that produced and distributed products but is the keystone of competitive advantages. However, most of the manufacturing industries still unable to effectively utilize resources and implement appropriate strategies on SCM practices to improve organizations profitably growth, capacity and ability. Hence, this study purpose to identify the SCM practices and competitive advantages measure in manufacturing industries in order to determine the main adoption of SCM practices. Therefore, the study will focuses on six constructs of SCM practices that recommended from previous studies for measures the critical adoption: supplier partnership strategy, customer relationship, sharing the information, information quality, postponement and lean system. In addition, it is important to analyze the relationship between SCM practices and competitive advantages that may have influenced the organization performance. Subsequently, a conceptual model of the relationship between SCM practices and competitive advantages is developed.

Abstract: Cubic motion is a curve that is generated by the integration of Cubic Spline and dynamic of motion. Cubic spline will draw the curve, whilst the dynamic of motion will position the vertices. This embedded motion attribute to the curve will have an advantage to study related to motion of vehicle. The objective of the paper is to demonstrate the advantage of motion attribute in the curve. It is demonstrated by two case studies. The case studies are simulation of traffic flow system and study of vehicle dynamic response.