42 research outputs found
Automation and robotization of production line for the assembly of three-phase smart electric meter
No full textV tem magistrskem projektu bomo pokrili postopek preoblikovanja kompleksne ročne montažne delovne postaje linije pametnih električnih merilnikov v avtomatsko montažno robotno celico. Celotna linija proizvaja trofazni električni pametni števec. Glede na potrebe stranke se proizvajajo različne vrste trofaznih števcev. Robotna celica bo sposobna sestavljati različne vrste števcev.
Robotna celica je oblikovana, ustvarjena, simulirana in preizkušena fizično in virtualno. Programska oprema, uporabljena za izvedbo tega projekta, so SOLIDWORKS, ROBTSTUDIO in TIA PORTAL/WINCC RUNTIME. Programska oprema SOLIDWORKS se uporablja za oblikovanje in modeliranje 3D-modela robotskih orodij, dozirnikov, blisterjev in pnevmatskih predalov za blisterje. Robotska orodja so fizično ustvarili s 3D-tiskalnikom, ki ga je mogoče namestiti na dejanskega robota, da preizkusi in preizkusi koncept ideje sestavljanja. ROBOTSTUDIO in TIA PORTAL se uporabljata za simulacijo in nadzorovanje robotne celice.
Trenutno je linija avtomatizirana za 42,86% s štirimi delavci, ki delajo na liniji. Po uvedbi avtomatizacije ročne delovne postaje bo avtomatiziranih 71,43% linije, pri čemer bosta na liniji delala le dva delavca.In this master thesis project, we will cover the process of transforming a complex manual assembly workstation of an electric smart meter line to an automatic assembly robot cell. The whole line is producing a three-phase electric smart meter. Based on the customer needs, different types of the three phase meters are produced. The robot cell will be able to assemble the different types of meters.
The Robot cell is designed, created, simulated, and tested physically and virtually. The softwares used to implement this project are SOLIDWORKS, ROBTSTUDIO and TIA PORTAL/WINCC RUNTIME. SOLIDWORKS software is used for designing and modeling the 3D model of the robot tools, feeders, blisters, and pneumatic drawers for the blisters. Robot tools have been created physically by a 3D printer, which can be installed on the actual robot to prove and test the concept of the idea of the assembly. ROBOTSTUDIO and TIA PORTAL are used to simulate and control the Robot cell.
Currently, the line is 42.86% automated with four workers working on the line. After implementing the automation of the manual workstation, 71.43% of the line will be automated with two workers working on the line
Modelling of a furniture element - cabinet
No full textV diplomski nalogi bomo izvedli popolno zasnovo in model pohištvenih elementov - (omare) za kopalnico s podrobnostmi, ki so sposobne rešiti probleme skladiščnega prostora.
Načini razvoja kopalniške omare so s projektiranjem in modeliranjem s pomočjo CAD programske opreme, kot je SOLIDWORKS, nato pa s krmiljenjem proizvodnih procesov s pomočjo programske opreme CAM, kot je CAMWORKS, nato pa s sestavljanjem delov, pripravljenih iz prejšnjih nalog, s programsko opremo RobotStudio za popolnoma avtomatizirano sestavljanje.
Glavni prispevki tega dela so raziskave in pristop nove tehnologije in simulacije za razvoj tradicionalnega načina montaže z uporabo popolnoma avtomatiziranih robotov, kar je natančnejše od rok.In this diploma work, we will perform fully design and model of furniture elements –vanities (cabinets) for the bathroom with details, which are able to solve the storage space problems.
The ways of performing the bathroom vanities (cabinets) are by designing and modelling using cad software, which is SOLIDWORKS then by controlling manufacturing processes using cam software, which is CAMWORKS then by assembling the parts done from the previous tasks using a RobotStudio software for fully automated assembly.
The main contributions of this work have been the research and approach of new technology and simulation for development of the traditional way of assembly using fully automated robots, which is more precise instead of hands
Developing the islamic financial services sector in Italy: An institutional theory perspective
No full text© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and the Author(s) 2016. The Islamic Financial Services (IFS) sector has experienced wider consumer acceptance and rapid growth since its commercial launch in the 1970s. This growth has primarily been in countries in Asia such as Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and the Middle East region. Although non-Muslim majority countries like Hong Kong and Singapore have taken positive strides in developing the sector, European countries have lagged behind their Asian counterparts (Daily Times, 2013). Europe is host to a large Muslim population, but the lack of developed Islamic financial institutions means that the potential of IFS product offerings is yet to be fully realized in the region (Volk and Pudelko, 2010)
Development of an impact assessment framework for lean manufacturing within SMEs
No full textThe main aim of the research work presented in this thesis, is the development of a
novel framework with the capability of assessing the impact of implementing lean
manufacturing within small-to-medium sized manufacturing firms (SMEs). By assessing
the impact of lean implementation, SMEs can make informed decisions on the viability
of lean adoption at the conceptual implementation stage. Companies are also able
determine their status in terms of lean manufacturing affordability.
Thus, in order to achieve the above-stated aim, the following were the main set research
objectives; (1) identifying the key drivers for implementing lean manufacturing within
SMEs, (2) investigating the operational activities of SMEs in order to understand their
manufacturing issues, (3) exploring the current level of lean manufacturing usage within
SMEs so as to categorise users based on their levels of involvement, (4) identifying
factors that determine the assessment of lean manufacturing, (5) developing an impact
assessment framework for justifying lean manufacturing within SMEs, (6) developing a
knowledge based advisory system and (7) validating the impact assessment framework
and the developed knowledge based advisory system through real-life case studies,
workshops, and expert opinions.
A combination of research methodology approaches have been employed in this
research study. This comprises literature review, observation of companies' practices
and personal interview. The data collection process involved ten SMEs that provided
consistent information throughout the research project life. Additionally, visitations to
three large size manufacturing firms were also conducted. Hence, the framework and
system development process passed through several stages. Firstly, the data were
collected from companies who had successfully implemented lean manufacturing within
their premise. The second development stage included the analysis and validation of the
dataset through company practitioners. An impact assessment framework was thus developed with the aid of regression analysis as a predictive model. However, it was
realised that there were few correlations between the dataset generated and analysis. The
reasons for this were unclear.
,a
knowledge based advisory system was adopted to
conceptualise, enhance the robustness of the impact assessment framework and address
the problem of the imprecise data in the impact assessment process.
Three major factors of impact assessment were considered in the framework and the
system development process, namely relative cost of lean implementation, a company
lean readiness status and the level of value-added to be achieved (impact/benefits).
Three knowledge based advisory sub-systems that consisted of the abovementioned
factors were built. Results obtained from them were then fed into the final system. The
three sub-systems were validated with the original set of data from companies. This
enabled the assignment of a number of input variables whose membership functions
aided the definition of the fuzzy expert system language (linguistic variables) used. The
final system yielded heuristic rules that enable the postulation of scenarios of lean
implementation. Results were sought and tested on a number of firms based within the
UK, for the purposes validation. These also included expert opinions both in academic
and industrial settings.
A major contribution of the developed system is its ability to aid decision-making
processes for lean implementation at the early implementation stage. The visualisation
facility of the developed system is also useful in enabling potential lean users to make
forecasts on the relative cost of lean projects upfront, anticipate lean benefits, and realise
one' degree of lean readiness
Biofilm formation in enterococci: Genotype-phenotype correlations and inhibition by vancomycin
No full text© 2017 The Author(s). Enterococci are nosocomial pathogens that can form biofilms, which contribute to their virulence and antibiotic resistance. Although many genes involved in biofilm formation have been defined, their distribution among enterococci has not been comprehensively studied on a genome scale, and their diagnostic ability to predict biofilm phenotypes is not fully established. Here, we assessed the biofilm-forming ability of 90 enterococcal clinical isolates. Major patterns of virulence gene distribution in enterococcal genomes were identified, and the differentiating virulence genes were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 31 of the clinical isolates. We found that detection of gelE in Enterococcus faecalis is not sufficient to predict gelatinase activity unless fsrAB, or fsrB alone, is PCR-positive (P = 0.0026 and 0.0012, respectively). We also found that agg is significantly enriched in isolates with medium and strong biofilm formation ability (P = 0.0026). Additionally, vancomycin, applied at sub minimal inhibitory concentrations, inhibited biofilm in four out of five strong biofilm-forming isolates. In conclusion, we suggest using agg and fsrB genes, together with the previously established gelE, for better prediction of biofilm strength and gelatinase activity, respectively. Future studies should explore the mechanism of biofilm inhibition by vancomycin and its possible use for antivirulence therapy
Feasibility of abdominoplasty with Cesarean section [Retraction]
No full textThe Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of the International Journal of Women’s Health have been alerted by Dr Nadine Sherif, the corresponding author, to unacceptable levels of duplication with a previously published paper: Ali A, Essam A. Abdominoplasty Combined with Cesarean Delivery: Evaluation of the Practice. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2011;35(1):80–86.It is worth noting that this paper was peer-reviewed by two peer-reviewers and the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Women’s Health before publication. The paper concerned is: Thabet WN, Hossny AS, Sherif NA. Feasibility of abdominoplasty with Cesarean section. International Journal of Women’s Health. 2012;4:115–121
Prostatic Artery Embolization for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Anatomical Aspects and Radiation Considerations from a Case Series of 210 Patients
No full textContext Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) has been established as a safe and effective treatment option for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Thorough knowledge of detailed prostatic artery (PA) anatomy is essential.
Aims The aim of this study was to provide a pictorial review of PA anatomy and prevalence of related anatomical variants, in addition to other anatomical and radiation dose considerations.
Settings and Design Case series and review of literature.
Materials and Methods We performed PAE for 210 patients from November 2015 to November 2020 under local anesthesia only. Anatomy, procedure duration, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, technical success, and complications were analyzed.
Statistical Analysis Used Descriptive statistics were analyzed using Microsoft Excel software.
Results A total of 210 patients (420 sides) were analyzed. Double arterial supply on the same side was noted in 12 patients (5.7%). In 10 patients (4.7%), only a unilateral PA was identified. In two patients (0.9%), no PA could be identified. Frequencies of PA origins were calculated. Penile, rectal, and vesical anastomoses were identified with 79 (18.8%), 54 (12.9%), and 41 (9.8%) of PAs, respectively. Median skin radiation dose, procedure time, and fluoroscopy time were 505 mGy, 73 and 38 minutes, respectively. Complications occurred in nine patients (4.3%), none of them was major.
Conclusions Knowledge of PA anatomy is essential when treating BPH by PAE for optimum results. There is no enough evidence to support routine use of preoperative computed tomography angiography and intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography as means of improving safety or efficacy
Development of frameworks for steel manufacturing planning capability improvement using discrete event simulation
No full textCustomers of a steel manufacturing company now order a large number of low volume
orders instead of a small number of high volume orders as they would have done just
a few decades ago. The change in customer expectations has complicated production
planning and scheduling within a steel manufacturing company.
The aim of this research is to improve production planning and scheduling capability
in steelmaking using one of the popular simulation techniques, called discrete event
simulation. In this research it is observed that there are three major areas that need
attention to improve production planning and scheduling capability. First, selection of
optimal schedules and plans based on throughput, production time, stock size, and other
production processing criteria. Next, incorporating cost into the criteria to select the
schedules and plans will make the planning more cost effective and realistic at the same
time. In addition, with the increased use of discrete event simulation modelling, there is
a need to improve the model development efficiency and make the process less reliant
on practitioners’ experience and capabilities, in order to improve the overall planning
and scheduling capability. This thesis presents frameworks to address the three major
areas for the capability improvement.
This research adapts a systematic approach to validation. Theoretical, realisation,
and empirical parts of the research were separately validated. Real life case studies
were used for validation of each proposed framework.
Discrete event simulation can improve the accuracy of production planning & scheduling
and cost estimation for complex production systems. GA-based multi-objective optimisation
can be successfully applied to optimisation of plans and schedules. Production
planning and scheduling optimisation for some production areas provides a challenging
problem to GAs. Cost estimation in the steel manufacturing company needs improvement
because of the current lack of accurate costs of product families that affects quality
of price management. The developed cost estimation technique is capable of providing
more realistic cost for product families. The cost estimation technique would be useful
for companies operating on volume-driven manufacturing processes rather than on
unit-driven. Conceptual modelling needs to be improved in order to achievein model
development efficiency and to make the process less reliant on practitioners’ experience
and capabilities. A formal information collection process can aid conceptual modelling
of production systems by further development of DES models for cost estimation
Computer Based Medicine: I - The Future
No full textWith the rapid growth in business size, today-s businesses orient Throughout thirty years local, national and international experience in medicine as a medical student, junior doctor and eventually Consultant and Professor in Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Management, I note significant generalised dissatisfaction among medical students and doctors regarding their medical education and practice. We repeatedly hear complaints from patients about the dysfunctional health care system they are dealing with and subsequently the poor medical service that they are receiving. Medical students are bombarded with lectures, tutorials, clinical rounds and various exams. Clinicians are weighed down with a never-ending array of competing duties. Patients are extremely unhappy about the long waiting lists, loss of their records and the continuous deterioration of the health care service. This problem has been reported in different countries by several authors [1,2,3]. In a trial to solve this dilemma, a genuine idea has been suggested implementing computer technology in medicine [2,3]. Computers in medicine are a medium of international communication of the revolutionary advances being made in the application of the computer to the fields of bioscience and medicine [4,5]. The awareness about using computers in medicine has recently increased all over the world. In Misr University for Science & Technology (MUST), Egypt, medical students are now given hand-held computers (Laptop) with Internet facility making their medical education accessible, convenient and up to date. However, this trial still needs to be validated. Helping the readers to catch up with the on going fast development in this interesting field, the author has decided to continue reviewing the literature, exploring the state-of-art in computer based medicine and up dating the medical professionals especially the local trainee Doctors in Egypt. In part I of this review article we will give a general background discussing the potential use of computer technology in the various aspects of the medical field including education, research, clinical practice and the health care service given to patients. Hope this will help starting changing the culture, promoting the awareness about the importance of implementing information technology (IT) in medicine, which is a field in which such help is needed. An international collaboration is recommended supporting the emerging countries achieving this target
Biofilm formation in enterococci: genotype-phenotype correlations and inhibition by vancomycin
No full textAbstractEnterococci are nosocomial pathogens that can form biofilms, which contribute to their virulence and antibiotic resistance. Although many genes involved in biofilm formation have been defined, their distribution among enterococci has not been comprehensively studied on a genome scale, and their diagnostic ability to predict biofilm phenotypes is not fully established. Here, we assessed the biofilm-forming ability of 90 enterococcal clinical isolates. Major patterns of virulence gene distribution in enterococcal genomes were identified, and the differentiating virulence genes were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 31 of the clinical isolates. We found that detection of gelE in Enterococcus faecalis is not sufficient to predict gelatinase activity unless fsrAB, or fsrB alone, is PCR-positive (P = 0.0026 and 0.0012, respectively). We also found that agg is significantly enriched in isolates with medium and strong biofilm formation ability (P = 0.0026). Additionally, vancomycin, applied at sub minimal inhibitory concentrations, inhibited biofilm in four out of five strong biofilm-forming isolates. In conclusion, we suggest using agg and fsrB genes, together with the previously established gelE, for better prediction of biofilm strength and gelatinase activity, respectively. Future studies should explore the mechanism of biofilm inhibition by vancomycin and its possible use for antivirulence therapy.</jats:p
