Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 657

Abstract: The present paper is a continuation of a larger study of the authors, which consists of an analysis on the performances of several production systems. In this paper it is analyzed the influences of the method of managing the flows, the method of production programing and the clients demand on performance indicators of a multiproduct assembly line supplied on stock. The assembly line is designed to produce two types of similar products and is made of 5 workstations with mainly manual activities, which are supplied with parts on a stock based method. The performance indicators chosen for analysis were: average work in process, cost per unit, systems reactivity to client demand and throughput. The values of these indicators were obtained by simulating the assembly lines functioning in different experimental conditions, determined of the variation of above mentioned variables, by using ARENA software. The obtained results were interpreted and structured, in a manner to help the process managers to take adequate decisions considering the wanted objectives.

Abstract: This research is aimed at utilizing failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) which is a reliability analysis method applicable to rotary injection pump design. In traditional FMEA, Risk Priority Number (RPN) ranking system is used to evaluate, the risk level of failures to rank failures and to prioritize actions. RPN is obtained by multiplying the scores of three risk factors like the Severity (S), Occurrence (O) and Detection (D) of each failure mode. RPN method can not emphasise the nature of the problem, which is multi-attributable and has a group of experts' opinions. Furthermore, attributes are subjective and have different importance levels. In this paper, a framework is proposed to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional method through the fuzzy set theory. Two case studies have been shown to demonstrate the methodology thus developed. It is illustrated a parallel between the results obtained by the traditional method and fuzzy logic for determining the RPNs. We expect that fuzzy FMEA model will assist FMEA team in assess and rank risks more precisely compared with risk assessment model of method.

Abstract: In the present financial and economic context, the automotive industry faces new challenges posed by the current crisis. Companies have to ensure that the quality products are delivered on time and in a competitive price. One of the most recommended techniques of quality management by specific standards of the automotive industry for product development is Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP). Product Quality Planning is a structured method of defining and establishing the steps which are necessary to ensure the customer satisfaction from the product. The goal of this paper is to present the results of evaluation of awareness and knowledge the APQP techniques in Polish and Romanian automotive industry. The research method was a questionnaire with indicators to measure the awareness APQP tools. The research was conducted among design and technology professionals in Polish and Romanian automotive companies. On the basis of questionnaire it was performed a comparative analysis of results from Poland and Romania. In this way it is shown which methods and tools of APQP are better known and understood in each country. It was pointed out which tools are difficult to use or there is lack of knowledge about them. It was also shown which methods are most often used in the Polish and Romanian automotive companies. They were also summarized the similarities and differences in the knowledge and using the APQP in both countries.

Abstract: Taking care of entrepreneurs for full compliance of the products with the requirements and expectations of the customer and the relevant regulations and standards begins in the product design phase. The next important step is to design manufacturing technology. The result of this process, together with the criteria relating to the assessment and acceptance of the results of each operation is a quality plan. The subsequent results of the products realization depend on the awareness of entrepreneurs and their serious approach to quality planning. This article is an example of a tabular quality plan for the production of housing of cylinder head milling machines for the metal. It is the result of a project realized for the machines production company. It has developed the table form, which was completed in cooperation with a technology team and based on existing technology cards. The article includes a fragment of a quality plan covering various manufacturing operations of the machine production. The example of a quality plan to produce the parts machine confirms that it is possible to clearly identify the different stages of production with a guarantee which the company declares its customers. It can be proved that the production takes place in supervised conditions. There were also specified the necessary human and technical resources, documentation and records and most of all space and criteria of measurement and sizes relating to the acceptance or rejection of results of production stages.

Abstract: Various Lean developments and related matters have been accomplished [1-7, etc.]. This paper attempts to stress on several main methods of Lean culture applied in Zentiva Romania pharmaceuticals production plant, such as: +QDCI, SMED, 5S, etc. A systematic analysis and development of adequate actions for solving the considered critical problem have been accomplished, based on the Lean manufacturing principles. The Lean tools applied in Zentiva Romania are being used to identify and eliminate wasteful steps in products and processes, increase the manufacturing capability and reduce cost, in order to remain competitive on the market, deal with fast transfers of new products and technologies, etc. An important result is the emphasize of the Lean methods implementation benefits, such as greater productivity, improved lead times, elimination of waste, innovation stimulation, safer work environment, better monitoring of the outputs etc.

Abstract: The presented research approach is oriented toward the general problem of industrial products sustainability and the idea of extending the product maturity stage within the Product Lifecycle is more specifically targeted. As strategic solution in this sense, the intervention in later stages of product lifecycle and not only in early stages of product development is proposed. More particularly, a holistic product analysis upon such technological changes, as valuable instrument for product sustainability improvement, is subjected to study in the paper. Béhars principles for Holistic Product Design are translated as criteria for alternative product analysis within the research approach. As case study, the paper solves the problem of a comparative holistic analysis upon two industrial technologies for some particular automotive spare part, respectively for two clutch housing solutions. The two analyzed technologies consider, as first variant, the clutch housing manufactured as single body part machined from a cast aluminium alloy blank and as replacing variant, the clutch housing manufactured as assembled product from a formed sheet metal cover and three machined aluminium alloy segments. An economic efficiency analysis and a LCIA approach with the evaluation of the EI99 scores have been also developed for the considered technological change process and the obtained results are included in the paper. Finally, some adequate conclusions of the research approach are presented, oriented mainly in the direction of the impact of the technological changes upon the product sustainability improvement, criteria such as producer economic vitality, environment damage or social impact being discussed.

Abstract: The essential tool for improving product quality and reducing the manufacturing costs is the implementation of standards, relating to a product. Main group of ISO standards are standards related to Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS), where the requirements for geometrical characteristics of details that determine the execution of the functional purpose of the products are given. The purpose of this paper is to present the new standards of geometrical tolerancing of linear sizes, accuracy of form, orientation and position of surfaces and axes. In the paper are indicated problems associated with the implementation of that standards in Bulgaria and the ways to rectify them are given.

Abstract: One of the tasks at planning of quality inspection is selection of measuring instruments. The measuring instruments are the most important part of the measuring process so their selection have to be done carefully. The selection of measuring instruments is a complex task, which depend on the size, the character and the value of measured magnitude. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the existing methods for selection of measuring equipment. In the paper are presented the advantages and disadvantages of existing methods and recommendation for their implementation, according to the metrological tasks given. There are results obtained, using the Measurement System Analysis (MSA), for: selection of the correct measuring instrument and method; assessment the capabilities of measuring instruments; assessment of the procedures and operators; assessment of any measuring interactions, calculating the uncertainty of measuring of individual measuring instrument and/or measuring systems.

Abstract: Despite numerous attempts to refocus traditional bivalent logic, usually, logic is tributary by keeping fixed limits for truth or false. An alternative answer to this need is the system of Neutrosophy, and its connected logic, Neutrosophic Logic, presented in the work of the authors W. B. Vasantha Kandasamy and Florentin Smarandache. Neutrosophy is a new branch of philosophy that studies the origin, nature and scope of neutralities, as well as their interactions with different ideational spectra. We are surrounded by indeterminacy, which can be pointed in any situation that, from one point of view can be considered true, and from another point of view can be considered false. In Neutrosophic logic, every statement includes a percentage of truth (T), includes a percentage of indeterminacy (I) and a percentage of falsity (F). The major novelty of the work is that investment process is analyzed through the method of Neutrosophic logic, taking into account investment parameters such as: economic return on investment, recovery duration on investment, the resources involved (financial, human and time), the production capacity, the period of execution, the work volume, the market demand, the training of the personnel, etc. Thus, this paper consists of the analysis of interdependence and indeterminacy of these parameters. The model will be calibrated by conducting case studies, with real parameters of input to be analyzed and known output data, which will be used for the research of a present investment process.

Abstract: Various sustainable developments and related matters have been accomplished [1-11, etc]. Sustainable development achievements enhance a balance between society, environment and economy conditions. This paper presents the relevant characteristics of different existing sustainable development projects, as support for the completion of new, innovative sustainable development achievements, selection criteria and building up a database system. The design, production, commercialization, use, recovering of a product, service or system must be achieved so that to satisfy the developer, producer and user needs i.e. to be multifunctional, with recycled components, resource-efficient, eco-friendly, easy to use, reusable, recyclable etc, by case.