bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The contribution of remittances to growth
Authors: Glytsos Nicholas P. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe 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/approachThis 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.FindingsThe 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/implicationsIn 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 implicationsThe 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/valueThe 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

PurposeTo investigate whether monetary volatility in the US exerts any asymmetric impact on output volatility over the period 1974‐2002.Design/methodology/approachFor 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.FindingsThe 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/valueThe 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

PurposeRapid 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/approachRapid 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.FindingsFinds 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/implicationsThe 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/valueAspects 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

PurposeThis 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/approachEach 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.FindingsThe 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/implicationsBy 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 implicationsThe 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/valueThe 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

PurposeThe 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/approachThe hypothesis is to use additive manufacturing for direct production of injection‐moulding tooling, subject to time, cost and quality constraints.FindingsA 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/valueThe 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

PurposePresents 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/approachThe 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.FindingsThe 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/valueIntroduces 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

PurposeIn 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/approachPractical 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.FindingsFor 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/implicationsThis 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 implicationsPractical 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/valueThis 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

PurposeTo review the Hannover Messe and report on the latest developments in assembly technology.Design/methodology/approachVisited the Hannover Messe and identified exhibits of interest in the field of automated assembly.FindingsThe 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/valueOutlines state‐of‐the‐art vehicle manufacturing technology.
Smart robot that picks parts from bins
Authors: Bloss Richard 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo 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/approachSoftware, 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.FindingsThe 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 implicationsVision‐guided robotic picking can now be more efficient and faster than manual part picking in many applications. Users need to rethink part picking.Originality/valueA 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

PurposeProducts 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/approachThe 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).FindingsThe design and achievement of KCs is a joint responsibility of engineering and manufacturing.Originality/valueThe 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

PurposeAims 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/approachThis 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.FindingsFinds 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/implicationsProvides an economic comparative approach for a strategic selection in assembly models with different system configurations by simulation.Practical implicationsThe 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/valueIntroduces 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

PurposeThis paper proposes to provide information on how to handle gifts in academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on the author's research and practices developed at the Thomas Cooper Library at the University of South Carolina.FindingsThe 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 implicationsA 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/valueThis 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

PurposeProposes encouraging librarians to be more informed about the value of collection evaluations.Design/methodology/approachThree examples of collection evaluation methods (user‐centered evaluation, physical assessment, and specific subject support) are explored.FindingsMany 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 implicationsMethods 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/valueDiscussion 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

PurposeThe 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/approachAn 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.FindingsIt was found that the philosophy underlying collection management work has expanded through the ages due to various factors.Originality/valueThe paper provides an overview of social and technological changes on the philosophy of managing collections through the ages.
The business of collaboration and electronic collection development
Authors: Harper Tim , Norelli Barbara P. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeStrategic business partnerships inform business faculty‐librarian (BFL) collaborations. This paper seeks to address how the motivations for business partnerships and faculty‐librarian collaborations are similar. A conceptual model suggests that the depth of the BFL relationship significantly enhances electronic collection development outcomes.Design/methodology/approachLiterature concerning strategic business alliances, faculty‐librarian collaborations, and collection development was examined to determine whether principles that are applied to strategic business alliances can also be applied to BFL collaborations. A case‐in‐point is included for illustration.FindingsSpecific principles of strategic business partnerships can be applied to BFL collaborations aimed at improving electronic collection development. In addition, driving forces such as assessment, communication, and technology influence the nature of alliances across the business and academic arenas.Originality/valueThe findings are significant because they demonstrate how BFL collaborations can be made more effective through the application of business principles. BFL collaborations can positively influence electronic collection development in a variety of ways. The paper offers a new and unique conceptual model that improves understanding of the nature and depth of BFL collaborations in the context of electronic collection development. This paper will be of interest to business faculty in particular and faculty in general, and librarians working in diverse library settings, especially librarians aligned with management and business departments. Librarians in management positions will likely find this information useful as a means to increase faculty‐librarian collaboration across all disciplines.
Medical and biological sensors: a technical and commercial review
Authors: Smith James P. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeDescribes the history and development of biosensors and their commercial application.Design/methodology/approachProvides background information on different forms of biosensors and how they can be brought to market. This review is edited from a very detailed market research report “Medical and Biological Sensor and Sensor Systems: markets, applications and competitors worldwide”.FindingsFinds that the commercial potential for biosensors is very large and is expected to reach US$ 2.3 billion worldwide in 2005.Originality/valueThe full market research report provides a detailed insight into biosensors and how they are made and the various application areas, together with discussion regarding a large number of vendor and research companies.