International Journal of Integrated Engineering
Not a member yet
2309 research outputs found
Sort by
3D Concrete Printing with Industrial Waste: Effects of GGBS and Spent Catalyst on Fresh and Hardened Properties
Full text link3D concrete printing (3DCP) is a revolutionary technology in construction that deposits concrete layers in a controlled way, reducing formwork, labour, and material waste. However, its heavy reliance on Portland cement and natural sand raises sustainability and performance challenges. This study determines the incorporation of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and spent catalyst (SC)—two industrial by-products—as partial replacements for cement (20–40% of GGBS) and sand (10–20% of SC) in 3DCP mixtures. The objective is to assess how these substitutions affect fresh properties (flowability, extrudability, buildability) and hardened performance (compressive and flexural strength at 7 and 28 days). Sixteen mix designs were cast with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.5 and 0.5% superplasticiser. Fresh-state tests included flow table measurements, manual extrusion through a 15 mm × 40 mm nozzle, and five-layer stacking trials. 100 × 100 × 100 mm cubes and 100 × 100 × 400 mm prisms were used to assess the hardened properties. Results indicate that GGBS enhances flowability and long-term strength, while SC accelerates early strength gain; all mixes exhibited acceptable printability. The optimum mix—30% GGBS and 20% SC—achieved the highest 28-day compressive strength (50.61 MPa) and flexural strength (6.73 MPa). These findings demonstrate that GGBS and SC are viable sustainable alternatives in 3DCP, improving environmental impact and structural performance without compromising printability
Metal Film-Based Flexible Sensor for Omnidirectional Airflow Measurement
Full text linkThe previous study on airflow sensors were fabricated using a flap device printed using polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, which had high stiffness, preventing the sensor from bending and returning to its original shape. The used aluminium (Al) strips exhibited relatively higher resistance values compared to copper (Cu), resulting in inconsistent resistance readings at various angles of bending measurement. This paper presents a new development of an enhanced metal film-based flexible sensor for application on omnidirectional 360-degree airflow measurement. The sensor was fabricated using copper film and velostat, a material made of polymeric foil (polyolefins) infused with carbon black to make it electrically conductive. The flapping device was modelled in SolidWorks (3D CAD) and printed using TPE 83A (Thermoplastic Elastomer) filament on a 3D printing machine. An Arduino Mega was used as a controller, data collector, and for evaluating the results. The copper film and TPE 83A material demonstrated significant potential in developing a new flexible sensor for achieving high-accuracy airflow measurement in omnidirectional
Influence of Parameters on Bead Geometry in Robotic GMAW Of Single-Sided Bevel T Joints with A36 Steel
Full text linkThis study analyses the impact of welding parameters on the quality of bevel-prepared T-joint welds. The experiments utilised a robotic welding system to ensure consistency and accuracy in the welding procedure. The welding parameters included voltage (20V-22V), current (105A and 110A), and weaving width (0.1mm - 0.3mm), while the travel speed was maintained at 2mm/s within predetermined ranges. The quality of the welds was assessed using Vickers Hardness Testing, which offers insights into the mechanical properties and microstructure of the weld zone. The findings indicate a correlation between the welding parameters and the hardness distribution across the weld bead, heat-affected zone (HAZ), and base metal. The findings indicate a significant relationship between the welding parameters and the hardness distribution throughout the weld bead, heat-affected zone (HAZ), and base metal. Variations in voltage and current have been found to impact the heat input, thereby influencing the cooling rate and, in turn, the microstructure and hardness of the weld. The travel speed significantly influenced weld bead geometry and penetration depth, subsequently affecting the overall quality of the weld. This study offers significant insights into enhancing robotic GMAW processes for T-joint welding with bevel preparation. The results can enhance weld quality and efficiency in automated welding applications across multiple industries
Pothole Detection and Classification Using Enhanced EfficientNet Optimized by Advanced Manta-Ray Algorithm
Full text linkObject detection powered by neural networks has transformed artificial intelligence applications, achieving notable advancements in numerous domains, including the automated detection of road potholes. This research introduces a novel methodology to improve pothole detection and classification accuracy and efficiency by integrating the Manta Ray Foraging Optimization (MRFO) algorithm into EfficientNet. The MRFO, inspired by the collective foraging behavior observed in manta rays, is implemented as a replacement for the conventional Adam optimizer in EfficientNet. This integration strengthens feature extraction by effectively managing the trade-off between global exploration and local exploitation. The developed model successfully overcomes prominent optimization challenges, leading to a substantial gain in classification accuracy from 84% to 93%. Comprehensive experiments were conducted across the B0, B1, and B2 configurations of EfficientNet, comparing the performance of MRFO against traditional optimization methods. Results consistently demonstrate that MRFO significantly enhances pothole image detection and classification capabilities. This study highlights the potential of MRFO as a robust optimization tool for real-world object detection tasks that can further improve its broader applications in intelligent transportation and beyond
The Correlation of Tool Wear, Tool Failure and Diameter Cylindricity on Drilling Application of Aircraft Component
Full text linkIn aircraft manufacturing, precision drilling is essential for ensuring the structural integrity of aircraft components, particularly when working with aluminum alloys like Al6061. A key challenge arises from tool wear, which compromises the accuracy of cylindrical hole dimensions. This study investigates the relationship between drill bit wear and the resulting hole dimensions under varying feed rates. Using six different feed rates, experiments were conducted on Al6061 plates to assess the impact of tool wear on hole cylindricity. The findings reveal a direct correlation between increased tool wear and larger cylindrical hole diameters. Among the tested feed rates, 0.26 mm/rev demonstrated optimal performance, showing consistent patterns in which drill bit wear was minimized, resulting in improved precision compared to higher or lower feed rates. These results highlight the importance of selecting appropriate feed rates to maintain drilling accuracy and reduce tool wear. In the present study, a feed rate of 0.260 mm/rev provided the best drilling performance, particularly with Drills 3 and 6. However, inconsistencies were noted with Drill 5 at a feed rate of 0.33 mm/rev, which could be attributed to residual Build Up Edges (BUE) making the assessment of tool wear more complex. In conclusion, this finding provides valuable insights into improving precision in drilling operations, ultimately contributing to more reliable and durable aircraft structures
Enhancing Spare Parts Inventory Control in Automotive SMEs: A Digital Approach with Google Tools Integration
Full text linkSmooth operation of manufacturing processes is critical for maintaining production efficiency, and machine downtime can significantly disrupt operations, leading to substantial financial losses. One of the primary contributors to extended downtime is the unavailability of replacement parts due to inadequate spare parts management. Traditional manual inventory control often results in unclear spare part statuses, leading to stockouts and further production delays. This study aims to digitalize and optimize spare parts inventory management for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the automotive sector by developing an integrated system using Google-based tools. The system leverages Google Sheets as the central database, AppSheet for mobile-based data input and transaction management, and Looker Studio for real-time visualization of inventory status through interactive dashboards. Key features of the system include stock level alerts, barcode scanning for faster data entry, and predictive analytics for demand forecasting. The integration of these tools creates a cohesive system that eliminates manual record-keeping, enhances the accuracy of spare parts tracking, and prevents issues such as stockouts and overstocking. Additionally, the system allows easy access to critical information, including supplier details, pricing, and specifications. Through effective spare parts management, the system not only reduces machine downtime but also optimizes operational costs and improves decision-making processes in inventory management, contributing to more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing operations
7-level of Asymmetric MLI with Reduced Number of Switching Devices Structure for High Power-Density Achievement Using Pareto-Front Method
Full text linkIn order to obtain high power density utilizing the Pareto-Front technique, this study presents the performance of the suggested 7-level asymmetric multilevel inverter (AMLI) topology employing a reduced number of switching devices (RNSD) structure. In order to decrease total harmonic distortion (THD), AMLI topology primarily produces greater levels of output voltage without changing the structure. For a 7-level AMLI, a 5-level RNSD structure is suggested as the circuit configuration. The suggested circuit construction will be operated using the sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) switching strategy. In actuality, because SPWM generates the switching scheme using a sine wave as a reference, its THDs are smaller than those of PWM. In accordance with IEEE Std 519-1992, the LC passive filter is taken into consideration. It demonstrates that the THD of the 7-level AMLI is the lowest in simulation, at 0.8%, compared to 4.4% in experimental data. The Pareto-Front method comparison results showed that, despite the switching frequency changing from 2 kHz to 500 kHz, the proposed 7-level AMLI with RNSD structure is still able to achieve high efficiency at 98.52% and high power-density of 4.46 kW/dm3 at 75 kHz when compared to the 7-level cascaded H-bridge structure
Evaluating the Potential of Green Roofs Incorporating Coconut Waste for Climate Change Adaptation
Full text linkClimate change is a pressing global issue demanding urgent attention due to its widespread impacts. Green roofs present a promising solution by improving stormwater management, enhancing thermal regulation, and promoting sustainability. Yet, their adoption in Malaysian buildings remains limited. The lack of recycled waste utilization also reflects a missed opportunity for sustainable innovation. Coconut waste, abundantly available in Malaysia, remains unexploited despite its potential as a green infrastructure component. Hence, experimental investigations were conducted using three roof models: a conventional roof, a green roof constructed with commercial materials, and a green roof incorporating recycled waste. In the recycled waste-based green roof, coconut shells were used as the drainage layer, while coconut fibers served as the filter layer. Results showed that the recycled waste green roof outperformed the commercial green roof, reducing peak flow by up to 46%, compared to 19–31% for the commercial green roof. It also enhanced stormwater quality, achieving a 45% reduction in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), while the commercial green roof achieved only 5%. Additionally, vegetated roofs helped lower temperatures, with reductions ranging from 6.45% to 11.48% for the commercial green roof and from 14.75% to 16.13% for the recycled waste green roof, compared to the conventional roof. These findings highlight the potential of green roofs, particularly those utilizing recycled waste materials, as a sustainable solution for urban climate adaptation. Increased adoption of such systems can help to address environmental challenges while promoting the circular use of waste materials
Nature Meets Technology: A Case Study of Gambier Leaf and N719 Hybrid Sensitizer in DSSCs Application
Full text linkDye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly renewable energy solution, with dye as sensitizers playing a crucial role in their performance. While synthetic dyes are commonly used, they are toxic and expensive, making natural dyes such as gambier a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. This study explores the role of dye in the performance of DSSC based-TiO2 as semiconductor, with a highly optimized surface, the dye is expected to absorb effectively, facilitating electron excitation. Morphological analysis confirmed that combining these materials enhances surface area and improves light scattering, boosting DSSC performance. To reduce synthetic dye usage and optimize the potential of natural gambier dye, a hybrid approach with the synthetic dye N719 was employed. Photovoltaic measurements revealed that this hybrid technique successfully optimized the natural dye’s potential, achieving an efficiency of 2.764%. These findings demonstrate that natural dye can be effectively utilized, offering a sustainable and non-toxic alternative for DSSC applications
Multi-Item Flow Shop Batch Scheduling with Two Stages Dedicated Machines to Minimize Total Actual Flow Time
Full text linkA cigar manufacturing company produces two products using both shared and specialized machinery. There are 14 production stages, featuring distinct machines in Stage 2 and Stage 4. The company currently lacks a schedule, resulting in requests being fulfilled beyond the deadline. To address this issue, we developed a batch scheduling model for the flow shop, which prioritizes dedicated machines to reduce Total Actual Flow Time (TAFT). We selected the TAFT performance criteria to ensure timely completion and delivery of all orders, taking into account the maturity date. By implementing this model, the company aims to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction through the timely fulfillment of requests. The developed model integrates with an algorithm to address current challenges. The calculations conducted indicate that the developed model is capable of addressing batch scheduling issues for multi-stage processes with a focus on minimizing TAFT. We conducted tests on the proposed model, varying the common due dates for scenario 1 and the unit counts for scenario 2. The test results indicated that a type of product does not need to be scheduled sequentially, allowing for the ordering to be alternated with other types of products. Additionally, the batch size produced is not required to be uniform across all existing batches