bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
It takes more than a brush to fill paint store orders
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To report on the design and development of a robotic order‐building system that both depalletizes pails of paint and then repalletizes them by customer order instructions.

Design/methodology/approach

A paint products manufacturer called in a custom material‐handling robot builder not only to design the robot but to design and commission the entire order‐building system.

Findings

Robot handling of heavy paint pails can speed order building, reduce workforce injuries and improve accuracy of shipments.

Practical implications

Do not rule out robotic handling of odd shapes in thinking of how robotics can automate operations. Finding a system integrator who has experience with products of one's own type can prove a key to project success.

Originality/value

Learning of the success of another company in addressing tough to handle containers can provide ideas for addressing a company's own automation needs.
Tracking a moving object with real‐time obstacle avoidance
Authors: Chen Chung‐Hao , Cheng Chang , Page David , Koschan Andreas , Abidi Mongi
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to develop a robotic platform to autonomously track a moving object

Design/methodology/approach

This robotic platform, based on a modular system known as SafeBot, uses two sensors: a visual CCD camera and a laser‐based range sensor. The rigidly mounted camera tracks an object in front of the platform and generates appropriate drive commands to keep the object in view, even if the object itself moves. The range sensor detects other objects as the platform moves to provide real‐time obstacle avoidance while continuously tracking the original object.

Findings

The current approach successfully tracks an object, particularly a human subject, and avoids reasonably sized obstacles, but on‐board processing limitations restrict the speed of the object to approximately 5 km/h.

Originality/value

The core technology – a moving object tracked by a mobile robot with real‐time obstacle avoidance – is an integrated system comprising object tracking on a mobile platform and real‐time obstacle avoidance with robotic control. This system is applicable to a variety of automated applications such as inventory management, industrial palette distribution, and intruder surveillance.
Friction spot joining in aluminium car bodies
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To review the capabilities of a new method of welding aluminium sheets for car body construction.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the friction spot joining technique, and how it differs from friction stir welding. Describes the tests carried out at the University of Warwick to compare this with other aluminium sheet joining techniques.

Findings

Compared with resistance spot welding, this technique is simple, and physically and electromagnetically clean. Its low energy requirement per joint and low running costs give it advantages in joining thin materials, and eventual recycling is much easier than with self‐piercing riveting joints.

Originality/value

Describes the motivation behind the continuing development of an all‐aluminium joining technique, and compares spot friction joining with self‐pierce riveting and resistance spot welding.
In‐pipe robot for inspection and sampling tasks
Authors: Zhu Chi
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To develop an in‐pipe robot to be used for inspecting pipes that are laid underneath a waste disposal site and for sampling sewage water leaking from holes around the pipe.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a compact design of the robot's mechanical and electronic systems, and develops a simple and practical method for determining the hole position using some characteristics of this in‐pipe robot.

Findings

Development of a multi‐functional in‐pipe robot with elaborate design is feasible, and multiple trapezoidal‐shaped wheels have good capabilities of providing the robot large traction force and keeping the robot horizontal in pipeline. A good mechanical structure design can greatly reduce control and computation cost by using some specific features of the object system.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides guidance for future design of multi‐functional in‐pipe robots.

Practical implications

The combination of a vision system and a manipulator can perform in‐pipe inspection and other different tasks. The developed robot has already been used practically by a large Japanese construction company for pipe inspection and sewage sampling.

Originality/value

An in‐pipe robot is developed that cannot only implement pipe inspection, but which can also take sewage water samples. Most of such multiple‐functional small robots are still in development and rarely reported.
Purchasing process transformation: restructuring for small purchases
Authors: Parikh Mihir A. , Joshi Kailash
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Reducing purchasing costs remains an ongoing concern for most organizations. The standard purchasing process that works well for large purchases, however, generates proportionately much higher overhead and administrative costs for small purchases leading to purchase delays, high error rate, and poor vendor participation. There is a need to develop separate purchasing processes for small and large purchases and evaluate underlying factors that affect such process transformation. This paper aims to analyze a successful purchasing process transformation conducted at a utility company for small purchases.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses a case study methodology to examine the transformation in detail and understand related issues such as benefits realization, resistance to change, and risk management involved in such transformation projects.

Findings

It compares original and transformed purchasing processes and identifies resultant benefits to the company, participating vendors, banks, and employees. It finds that a company receives many operational, informational, and accounting benefits in addition to purchasing cost savings.

Practical implications

It provides guidelines for similar restructuring for small purchases in other organizations.

Originality/value

The paper offers a generic business process model for small purchases and employs equity‐implementation model to explain the factors leading to the success in this purchasing process transformation and possibly other similar organizational transformations.
The role of existing measures in developing and implementing performance measurement systems
Authors: Wouters Marc , Sportel Mark
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of existing, local performance measures in the process of developing and implementing an integrated performance measurement system. Performance measurement has received much attention since the 1980s, based on the notion that performance measurement systems should be adapted to modern manufacturing systems. However, relatively few empirical studies have investigated implementation processes of such systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a case study of the development of a performance measurement system in a medium‐sized company.

Findings

It was found that the process was strongly guided by the need to identify existing reports and metrics at different levels within the organization, which informed the development and implementation of the new performance measurement system. This is a more significant role than has usually been proposed in the literature – one side of the gap between existing measures and an ideal system that has first been developed following a kind of “greenfield” approach.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could use other longitudinal case studies to obtain more insights into development and implementation processes, and also focus on information systems in these processes.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in highlighting the interplay between organizational experiences that are embedded in informal, local performance reports and new performance measurement initiatives that are initiated from a higher management‐level.
The relationship between total quality management practices and organizational culture
Authors: Prajogo Daniel I. , McDermott Christopher M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This empirical study explores the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices and organizational culture with the purpose of identifying the particular cultures that determine the successful implementation of TQM practices. Specifically, it tests two competing views on the relationship; the unitarist and pluralist views.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data was drawn from 194 organizations in Australia. The research model employs the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria as TQM framework and builds on the competing values model to frame organizational culture. The data was analysed using structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The findings support the pluralist view, wherein different subsets of TQM practices are determined by different types of cultures. Interestingly, hierarchical culture was found to have a significant relationship with certain practices of TQM. Additionally, the findings indicate that although the cultural factors underpinning different elements of TQM are dissimilar, even antagonistic, organizations can implement them in harmony.

Practical implications

The major implication of this study is that organizations need to accommodate divergent goals by developing a system and/or structure that allows enough flexibility for adapting different (even contrasting) management styles, between control and flexibility and between internal and external orientations, so that they may gain benefits from the multiple dimensions of TQM.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical evidence on the multidimensionality of TQM practices along with their association with different types of culture.
Critical linkages among TQM factors and business results
Authors: Sila Ismail , Ebrahimpour Maling
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To empirically investigate the relationships among critical TQM factors and business results.

Design/methodology/approach

Twenty‐three hypotheses regarding the relationships among TQM factors and business results have been developed through literature review and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The study utilized survey data obtained from US manufacturing companies.

Findings

Provides information about the results of each hypothesis, their implications, and how these findings compare to previous studies. Pays special attention to the relationships between TQM factors and business results and discusses findings in this area by offering insights from 22 previous studies that analyzed TQM‐performance relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers could use the results of this study to explore various related hypotheses in more detail and improve the accuracy of future empirical quality management studies. The study makes specific recommendations for such future studies. There were also some research limitations. For instance, the data were obtained through mail survey and relied on the perceptions of the respondents.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be used by managers to prioritize the implementation of TQM practices. For instance, those practices that are found to have a positive impact on business results can be recommended to managers so that they can allocate resources to improve these practices to get the best results.

Originality/value

This study conducts a comprehensive review of the literature to develop factors of critical TQM practices and business results, and unlike most previous studies, it uses multiple, distinct indicators for each factor to test an elaborate SEM model of the relationships among these factors.
Editorial
Authors: Webster Margaret , Taylor Andrew
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Introduces the special issue, a celebration of 25 years of IJOPM.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a brief review of the first 25 years.

Findings

Outlines the philosophy and values of IJOPM, and the developments that have changed operations management practices and research.

Originality/value

Provides an introduction to the special issue.
An agenda for research on the flexibility of manufacturing processes
Authors: Gerwin Donald
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper, originally published in 1987, seeks to outline an agenda for conducting rigorous research into the flexibility of manufacturing processes.

Design/methodology/approach

An initial domain for defining flexibility is established, specific measures are suggested, and sampling issues are discussed. There is also a discussion of relevant research problems that can be addressed once valid and reliable operationalisations exist.

Findings

Its underlying premise is that current efforts are being impeded by the absence of operational measures for the concept.

Originality/value

A useful historical perspective on manufacturing processes.
Manufacturing process flexibility revisited
Authors: Schmenner Roger W. , Tatikonda Mohan V.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide an update on a paper published in 1987 in IJOPM.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides an assessment and update of “An agenda for research on the flexibility of manufacturing processes”.

Findings

Gerwin's seminal work added welcome rigor to a concept, manufacturing flexibility, which had gained prominence during the previous decade. Finds that many of Gerwin's insights have stood the test of time. A number of things have changed since that time, but others have remained much as they were. Machines have become more capable and computer‐based controls have improved machine and process flexibility, but the character of that flexibility has remained very much the same.

Originality/value

Revisits Gerwin's conceptualization of manufacturing process flexibility and subsequent progress in understanding it.
The changing nature of operations flexibility
Authors: Slack Nigel
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This short paper seeks to explain why the original paper “The flexibility of manufacturing systems” was written (1987), and attempts to examine at least some of the flexibility literature that has followed.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a review and observations about the 1987 work.

Findings

The original paper treated flexibility in an exclusively manufacturing context. Even in the mid‐1980s one could argue that this was a mistake. If flexibility is an important concept in operations management, it should be explored in all types of operation, not just in manufacturing. Now, more than 80 per cent of economic activity and employment occurs in non‐manufacturing enterprises. Flexibility is no different from most other topics in operations in that it is unreasonably skewed towards the manufacturing sector, it would nevertheless benefit from more empirical and conceptual work in the context of service operations.

Originality/value

Provides a useful update on an author's findings from two decades ago.
Reconsidering e‐business strategy and the impact on supply chains
Authors: Cagliano Raffaella , Caniato Federico , Spina Gianluca
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Seeks to review the results of a paper originally published in 2003 and to evaluate what can be considered still valid and what needs to be revisited.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a general review and observations about the earlier work.

Findings

The focus of the earlier paper was on integration and collaboration tools, while internet B2B tools can be used also for the opposite purpose. E‐sourcing and e‐procurement tools are aimed at increasing purchasing efficiency, rather than integrating inter‐firm business processes. In general, statistics and predictions such as those discussed focus on the value of exchanges, not on the purpose of internet applications.

Originality/value

The paper provides relevance at the present stage of B2B internet applications.
The German historical schools in the history of economic thought
Authors: Senn Peter R.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to study how the German historical schools are treated in the histories of economic thought as the background for an exploration of some historiographical issues in the history of economic thought.

Design/methodology/approach

The study describes the contributions of the members of the German historical schools from a variety of different viewpoints and attitudes toward the history of economic thought.

Findings

One conclusion is that several of the things most of the economists of the German historical schools desired are now part of mainstream economics. These include an enlarged scope of economics, changes in the role of the state in economic life, attention to the relationships of law and economics and recognition of the importance of history. Another conclusion is that several historiographical and methodological problems important for the history of economic thought need further study.

Originality/value

The study helps to explain and understand some historiographical aspects of the history of economic thought. It examines practices, principles, theories, methodology and forms of presentation of scholarly historical research on one subject in the history of economic thought.
Entrepreneurship and economic development
Authors: Ebner Alexander
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reconstruct economic reasoning on entrepreneurship from the perspective of its institutional content, thus underlining the aspects of power relations and leadership, which are related with the organisational and technological dimensions of innovation and coordination as entrepreneurial functions.

Design/methodology/approach

In reconstructing the theory of entrepreneurship in a range from classical political economy to current efforts in economic sociology, the paper focuses on an appreciation of Schumpeterian entrepreneurship as a concept that is influenced both by Austrian marginalism and the German historical school.

Findings

The paper finds that the research perspective of economic sociology as a means for exploring the institutional foundations of entrepreneurship is of utmost relevance for further efforts in theorising the role of entrepreneurship in economic development.

Practical implications

The paper promotes policy implications, which underline that policies for the support of entrepreneurship need to account for the differentiation of entrepreneurial functions and their actual carriers, reconsidering the economic manifestations of their institutional embeddedness.

Originality/value

The paper establishes innovation and coordination as ideal types of entrepreneurial functions, perceiving them as fundamental concepts in economic reasoning on entrepreneurship in the process of economic development.
Some remarks on self‐interest, the historical schools and the evolution of the theory of public goods
Authors: Pickhardt Michael
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper is devoted to the question of what motivates man in his pursuit of economic activities. Particular attention is given to the notion that economic activities of individuals may not be motivated by their self‐interest alone.

Design/methodology/approach

Using literary analysis, the paper first reconsiders the role of self‐interest and non‐selfish motives in the historical schools. Then it is demonstrated that at least some non‐selfish motives were incorporated in the voluntary exchange theory of public economy. Next it is shown that during the evolution of the theory of public goods these non‐selfish motives were lost and that the modern theory of public goods rests entirely on the self‐interest hypothesis. However, over the last two decades results of public goods experiments have cast considerable doubt on the pure self‐interest hypothesis.

Findings

A major finding of this paper is that several non‐selfish motives of man that show up in recent public goods experiments were already discussed by representatives of the historical schools.

Research limitations/implications

An agenda for future research on the topic is sketched in the final section.

Practical implications

Practical implications include that the allocation of many goods, not just public goods, may improve if agents pay more attention to non‐selfish motives of man.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the existing body of related writings by linking developments in the evolution of theory of public goods, in particular recent findings from public goods experiments, to a specific aspect already advocated by representatives of the historical schools, that is, the notion that man in his pursuit of economic activities is not motivated by his self‐interest alone. To this extent, the paper is of interest for researchers working on public goods theory, experimental economics and the history of economic thought.
The Younger German Historical School and the problem of unemployment
Authors: Frambach Hans
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To analyse some proposals of the Younger German Historical School as to how to reduce unemployment and to examine them with regard to their application to contemporary unemployment. The more general issue of this paper is: Can we learn from the Younger Historical School how to solve current problems?

Design/methodology/approach

A review and discussion of the proposals of the Younger German Historical School.

Findings

Even though the Younger German Historical School saw the unemployment problem from an integrated point of view, many proposed solutions appear in a very modern light. Economic and social policy was called on to stimulate economic activity and to coordinate the different economic policies, taking account of the level of employment.

Originality/value

Highlights the fact that unemployment is not only a present day phenomenon. The dramatic impact of unemployment on individuals and societies has been well‐known, at least since the start of industrialization.
The German Historical School and Russian economic thought
Authors: Sheptun Alla
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper is an attempt to sketch the influence of the German Historical School on the development of Russian economic thought at the boundary of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and, particularly, on the forming of its socio‐ethical trend with an alternative approach in solving the “social question”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is designed as a brief outlook of the history of the Russian economic thought at the pre‐revolutionary time and of the main theoretical debates on the paths of Russia's economic development.

Findings

It can be seen that at the turn of the century a new socio‐ethical trend of political economy in the Russian economic science was being shaped under the influence of the German Historical School's ideas and their creative re‐evaluation. Representatives of this trend – Bulgakov, Miklashevsky, Tugan‐Baranovsky and others – addressed the problems of “social ideal”, “social policy” and ethical principle in political economy. They were promoting the social reforms as the path to social compromise.

Originality/value

The reconstructuring of Russia's political and economic system in the last decade of the twentieth century and transition to a market‐oriented economy gave rise to a modern wave of debates over the fundamentals of economic theory. The present paper focuses on the importance of the humanistic approach in the theory of social economy that involves historical, philosophical, legal and others points of view on the economic life of society.
Eliminating undeclared work: beyond a deterrence approach
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Windebank Jan
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To evaluate critically the view of undeclared work as market‐like activity conducted for monetary gain, and participation as a rational economic decision, and the resultant public policy response that seeks to deter engagement in such work by ensuring that the expected cost of being caught and punished is greater than the economic benefit of participating.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of empirical research on the work relations and motives of those engaged in undeclared work.

Findings

This paper reveals that although some undeclared work is market‐like and conducted for unadulterated economic reasons, a large proportion is carried out under relations and for motives more akin to unpaid mutual aid, especially in deprived populations.

Practical implications

Evaluating the implications of this finding for a deterrence approach, the argument is that rather than simply seek to eliminate such paid mutual aid through deterrence, a more refined approach is required that combines deterrence with initiatives to facilitate the legitimisation of such work. How this might be achieved is then outlined.

Originality/value

This paper provides the rationale for moving towards a more “joined‐up” public policy approach towards tackling undeclared work and developing social capital rather than treating them as separate policy realms.
How sensitive are Britain's inpayments and outpayments to the value of the British pound
Authors: Bahmani‐Oskooee Mohsen , Economidou Claire , Gobinda Goswami Gour
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To avoid aggregation bias by using trade data at bilateral level so that we can determine how sensitive are Britain's inpayments and outpayments to the value of the British pound.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is based on the bounds testing approach to cointegration and error‐correction modeling.

Findings

The main finding is that while UK inpayments are not sensitive to the exchange rate, her outpayments are.

Research limitations/implications

Future research must concentrate on disaggregating data further, perhaps at commodity level.

Practical implications

The results could be used to identify Britain's trading partners against which Britain can devalue the pound and improve her trade balance.

Originality/value

No study has attempted to test the impact of real depreciation of the pound on Britain's payments and receipts with her major trading partners.
The contribution of remittances to growth
Authors: Glytsos Nicholas P.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of exogenous shocks of remittances on consumption, investment, imports and output in five Mediterranean countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds a Keynesian type econometric model with a dynamic perspective and a sound theoretical basis. The model is used for estimating short and long‐run multipliers of remittances, through which the impact of remittances on growth and other key macroeconomic variables is estimated.

Findings

The analysis reveals a uniform country performance of instability and uncertainty, with great temporal and inter‐country fluctuations of remittance effects. The findings point to different inter‐country priorities of remittance spending and to an asymmetric impact of remittance changes, in the sense that the good done to growth by rising remittances is not as great as the harm done by falling remittances.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper the purpose is to examine the demand side impact of remittances and uses remittances as an exogenous variable in the model. A more comprehensive approach would probably be to consider jointly supply side elements and handle remittances as an endogenous variable to estimate feedbacks.

Practical implications

The impacting shock of an increase or a drop of remittances is found not to be instantaneous, but is distributed over time smoothing out its effects on growth. This gives time for relevant policies to be adopted in case of emergencies in the remittance flows. The findings show that economies are weakly sheltered against the damaging impact of falling remittances. Consequently, countries with high remittances should be seriously taking them into consideration as a major pillar in planning a strategy for an overall development. Policy makers may carefully consider remittance induced imports, not necessarily to reduce them and turn them to domestic production, which may be inflationary, but to reshuffle them towards imports of investment goods.

Originality/value

The value of this paper and its novelty is first, its methodological approach to build a new econometric model, based on a sound theoretical basis, for estimating the dynamic impact of remittances simultaneously on key macroeconomic variables; and second, the capability of the model to pinpoint similarities and divergences of remittance effects across countries and over time.
Money volatility and output volatility: any asymmetric effects?
Authors: Apergis Nicholas , Miller Stephen
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To investigate whether monetary volatility in the US exerts any asymmetric impact on output volatility over the period 1974‐2002.

Design/methodology/approach

For the empirical purposes, the analysis makes use of the multi‐variable GARCH (MVGARCH), which allows not only the presence of volatility clustering but also the presence of asymmetries in that volatility clustering.

Findings

The empirical findings suggest that money supply volatility exerts a significant asymmetric influence on output volatility, i.e. the variance of output changes more due to positive changes than negative changes of money supply volatility.

Originality/value

The paper investigates, for the first time, the presence of any asymmetric impact of the volatility of money on the volatility of output in the case of the US.
Rethink assembly design
Authors: Becker Ralf , Grzesiak Andrzej , Henning Axel
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Rapid manufacturing processes provide designers, mechanical and process engineers with a lot of chances and opportunities. It is necessary to show them, how their work and their processes will change due to these new technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Rapid manufacturing offers the chance to use the additive manufacturing processes to produce not just prototypes but advanced functional parts in small and medium quantities that can utilise a lot of design advantages that are provided by the process. We consult, as a German applied research institute, independent companies, helping them to introduce new product development and manufacturing processes, rethink the design of their products and to be aware of the advantages of upcoming manufacturing technologies.

Findings

Finds that a lot of products of today and especially of tomorrow could be produced by the new rapid manufacturing processes today and at competitive costs, if their design was adapted carefully using the new possibilities. New categories of products will come up too.

Research limitations/implications

The acceptance of rapid manufacturing as a new production technology is still limited by the available manufacturing systems. The number of released materials is still small and the accuracy of the parts and the building speed is still not exactly rapid. The mindset of the decision makers and of the R&D departments has to be radically changed. There is a lot of development going on, so the situation will change…

Originality/value

Aspects of a visionary scenario for future productions and products are shown and some examples are demonstrated based on a customised robot gripper.
A study of capillary forces as a gripping principle
Authors: Lambert Pierre , Delchambre Alain
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This work aimed at studying the use of capillary forces as a gripping principle in the handling of sub‐millimetric sized components. The goal was to present the results as design rules of so‐called capillary grippers.

Design/methodology/approach

Each parameter (surrounding environment, materials, volume of liquid, separation distance, gripper geometry and gripper size, relative orientation of the gripper with respect to the component) has been quantified, either numerically or experimentally. In some validation cases, both means have been used.

Findings

The capillary forces can be modified between a maximumFmaxand a minimumFminso that a component with any massmbetweenFmin/gandFmax/gcan be picked up and released.

Research limitations/implications

By comparison with some existing capillary grippers prototypes, this work is only a theoretical and experimental study. Nevertheless, its originality lies in the exhaustive study and quantification of all parameters so that most of the capillary grippers of the literature can be explained or improved with these results.

Practical implications

The main implication of the capillary gripping is that it provides an alternative to existing gripping principles (vacuum grippers, tweezers). This principle is strong enough (a few mN) and well adapted to pick up components with only one free accessible surface. The scaling laws are the most favorable (F∼L). It provides a “soft” picking, avoiding high contact forces.

Originality/value

The originality lies in the exhaustive quantification of the role of each parameter. These results can be used by researchers and designers.
Rapid tooling in support of accelerated new product development
Authors: de Beer Deon , Booysen Gerrie , Barnard Ludrick , Truscott Michèle
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper examines whether additive manufacturing can deliver durable injection‐moulding tools – fast, reliable, accurate and economic. Researchers from the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), South Africa, are involved in rapid prototyping (RP) applications‐based research, simultaneously using results to support small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) on a national basis – both with contract research and technology transfer[1]. SMEs in South Africa involved in product development, are often hampered by economies of scale. Many new products simply disappear in the product development valley of death, partly due to manufacturing costs and limited product development budgets. RP has been used extensively by Technimark, one of the CUT's industrial partners, to evaluate and verify designs in various design stages. To remain competitive in the global market, Technimark and the CUT often have to apply RP directly as the manufacturing method. The paper discusses the use of RP to support (accelerated) limited production of moulded plastic parts.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothesis is to use additive manufacturing for direct production of injection‐moulding tooling, subject to time, cost and quality constraints.

Findings

A case study where both development costs as well as lead‐time forced our industrial partner to trial Alumide as a tooling medium is discussed.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a new rapid tooling material, which may be of cost and time benefit to the product development and plastic injection‐moulding fraternity.
Thermal characteristics of a new metal/polymer material for FDM rapid prototyping process
Authors: Masood S.H. , Song W.Q.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Presents development and characterisation of a new metal/polymer composite material for use in fused deposition modelling (FDM) rapid prototyping process with the aim of application to direct rapid tooling. The work represents a major development in reducing the cost and time in rapid tooling.

Design/methodology/approach

The material consists of iron particles in a nylon type matrix. The detailed formulation and characterisation of the thermal properties of the various combinations of the new composites are investigated experimentally. Results are compared with other metal/polymer composites used in rapid tooling.

Findings

The feedstock filaments of this composite have been produced and used successfully in the unmodified FDM system for direct rapid tooling of injection moulding inserts. Thermal properties are found to be acceptable for rapid tooling applications for injection moulding.

Originality/value

Introduces an entirely new metal based composite material for direct rapid tooling application using FDM RP system with desired thermal properties and characteristics. This will reduce the cost and time of manufacturing tooling inserts and dies for injection moulding.
Embedded micro‐channel fabrication using line‐scan stereolithography
Authors: Wicker Ryan B. , Ranade Atul V. , Medina Francisco , Palmer Jeremy A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

In an effort to directly manufacture devices with embedded complex and three‐dimensional (3D) micro‐channels on the order of microns to millimeters, issues associated with micro‐fabrication using current commercially available line‐scan stereolithography (SL) technology were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Practical issues associated with the successful fabrication of embedded micro‐channels were divided into software part preparation, part manufacture, and post‐cleaning with emphasis on channel geometry, size, and orientation for successful micro‐fabrication. Accurate representation of intended geometries was investigated during conversion from CAD to STL and STL to machine build file, and fabricated vertical and horizontal micro‐channels were inspected. Additional build issues investigated included accurate spatial registration of the build platform, building without base support, andZ‐stage position accuracy during the build.

Findings

For successful fabrication of micro‐channels using current technology, it is imperative to inspect the conversion process from CAD to STL and STL to machine build file. Inaccuracies in micro‐channel representation can arise at different stages of part preparation, although newer software versions appear to improve representation of micro‐geometries. Square channel cross‐sections are most easily sliced and vertical channels are most easily stacked together for layered manufacturing. While building, a means should be developed for building without base and internal supports, providing feedback onZ‐stage position, and having the capability for cleaning the micro‐channels.

Research limitations/implications

This research demonstrates that commercial SL technology is capable of accurately fabricating embedded vertical square cross‐section micro‐channels on the order of 100 μm (with reasonable advancements to smaller scales on the order of 10 μm achievable). Additional practical limitations exist on other channel geometries and orientations. The research used a single resin and additional material resins should be explored for improved micro‐fabrication characteristics.

Practical implications

Practical issues associated with micro‐fabrication of embedded channels with appropriate solutions using available SL technology were provided. It is expected that these solutions will enable unique applications of micro‐channel fabrication for micro‐fluidic and other devices.

Originality/value

This work represents an original investigation of the capabilities of current line‐scan SL technology for fabricating embedded micro‐channels, and the solutions provide the means for applying this technology in micro‐fabrication.
Volkswagen highlights EOS assembly at Hannover Messe
Authors: Kochan Anna N.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To review the Hannover Messe and report on the latest developments in assembly technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Visited the Hannover Messe and identified exhibits of interest in the field of automated assembly.

Findings

The Hannover Messe is no longer a shopwindow of robotics and vision technology. However, Volkswagen continues to use the occasion to showcase innovations in vehicle assembly.

Originality/value

Outlines state‐of‐the‐art vehicle manufacturing technology.
Smart robot that picks parts from bins
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To describe how one innovative company has developed software which teamed with a vision system allows an agile robot to be taught how to pick randomly place parts from a multi‐layered bin.

Design/methodology/approach

Software, which runs on an industrial PC‐based computer platform, has unique algorithms, which can identify randomly placed 3D parts in a bin and calculate the path the robot needs to take to pick each part.

Findings

The software has been successfully applied to picking many different part configurations, including odd‐shaped brackets, long slender vehicle axles, round brake rotors and cylindrical shaped pistons and other automotive housings.

Practical implications

Vision‐guided robotic picking can now be more efficient and faster than manual part picking in many applications. Users need to rethink part picking.

Originality/value

A long‐sought solution to quickly picking parts from bins is now a reality.
The role of key characteristics in the design of mechanical assemblies
Authors: Whitney Daniel E.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Products are complex and are comprised of many parts from many sources, designed at different times by different people and companies. The same holds true for the tooling and fixtures used to make and assemble them. There is little research and practice on how to design assemblies that deal with such problems. The purpose of this paper is to describe a technique aimed at this goal.

Design/methodology/approach

The technique is built up from a number of concepts. The paper defines the intent of the design, identifies key assembly‐level dimensions called key characteristics (KCs) that embody the intent, designs an architecture for the assembly that will deliver each key dimension within some stated tolerance, and conveys the intent and architecture in the form of a diagram called a datum flow chain (DFC).

Findings

The design and achievement of KCs is a joint responsibility of engineering and manufacturing.

Originality/value

The DFC method provides people with a vocabulary and a simple diagramming technique by which they can document the design intent, debate the merits of different designs, and anticipate where assembly problems will occur.
Strategic selection of assembly systems under viable demands
Authors: Yamada Tetsuo , Satomi Kakefuda , Matsui Masayuki
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to strategically compare assembly lines to cell production including flexible cell system (FCS) under viable demands using the pair matrix table by the lot size and the number of stations and select the efficient assembly systems on demand fluctuations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper sets an assembly problem of the respective models for assembly line systems, autonomous cell system and FCS, and presents a comparative approach by the pair matrix table for the strategic selection. The simulators were constructed for the respective models, and the pair matrix tables with the profit and lead time were drawn and shown.

Findings

Finds that the pair matrix table by the lot size and the number of stations are applicable in the strategic selection for comparative assembly systems, and FCS, consisting of multiple self‐completion stations connected by conveyors, is stable when there are viable changes in the demand quantity and the number of stations.

Research limitations/implications

Provides an economic comparative approach for a strategic selection in assembly models with different system configurations by simulation.

Practical implications

The approach proposed in this paper will provide a strategic selection quantitatively with system managers to achieve higher profit and shorter lead times under viable demands.

Originality/value

Introduces the pair matrix table by the lot size and the number of stations, and compares strategically and quantitatively the respective assembly models based on an optimal design by the two‐stage design method in view of profits and lead times under viable demands.
Management of gift materials in an academic library
Authors: Massey Tinker
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper proposes to provide information on how to handle gifts in academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the author's research and practices developed at the Thomas Cooper Library at the University of South Carolina.

Findings

The author has suggested ways to handle materials being added to the library's collection in order to make them accessible to the users even if they are not as yet cataloged.

Practical implications

A new method is shown that allows keyword accessibility to MARC records in the local online catalog for donors' names, storage identification, and other details of importance, making the procedure simpler to use. It also allows for the rapid retrieval of materials.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful guidelines for handling gifts to a library so that they can easily be retrieved and so that the donor can see how the library is handling the donation.
Collection evaluation: a foundation for collection development
Authors: Agee Jim
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Proposes encouraging librarians to be more informed about the value of collection evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach

Three examples of collection evaluation methods (user‐centered evaluation, physical assessment, and specific subject support) are explored.

Findings

Many strategies are available for evaluating collections, regardless of the kind of library or size of the collection. Evaluation allows librarians a more thorough knowledge of what already exists, what may be needed, and whether collection development goals are being achieved.

Practical implications

Methods of meaningful collection evaluation are shared so that librarians may create an evaluation that will provide useful information to them in their library setting. Implications for successful future collection management, financial resource management, and effective format selection are discussed.

Originality/value

Discussion that includes the “assessment of specific subject support” and “assessing and building specific subject collections” encourages librarians to recognize their major and minor collections, creatively assess those collection areas, and involve techniques or individuals who might guide them to specific subject materials.
Developments in the philosophy of collection management: a historical review
Authors: Ameen Kanwal
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The literature on collection development largely discusses all kinds of managerial and practical issues. There appears to be a noteworthy gap in LIS literature regarding the philosophical and conceptual underpinning of the subject. The paper aims to attempt to explore the developments in the theoretical foundations of collection management practices in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive review of the available literature was made to synthesise the study. It illustrates the impacts of the developments in civilization, from ancient times to modern, on the collection management services of libraries.

Findings

It was found that the philosophy underlying collection management work has expanded through the ages due to various factors.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview of social and technological changes on the philosophy of managing collections through the ages.