A modified quality loss model of service life prediction for products via wear regularity

The electrochemical and corrosion (uniform and localized) behavior of a binary Ni52Ti48 shape memory alloy (SMA) and two ternary Ni52Ti48−xCox (x = 1.5 and 4.0 wt%) SMAs were studied. Measurements were conducted in 0.9% NaCl solution at 37 °C employing various electrochemical methods. These include: linear polarization resistance (LPR), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), chronoamperometry and dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS). Such measurements were complemented with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Results revealed that the addition of alloyed Co to NiTi significantly reduced the uniform corrosion rate of the studied SMA and greatly enhanced its pitting corrosion resistance. XPS measurements evidenced high stability of the passive layer and limited adsorption of chloride ions. Additionally, it was found that the passive layer remained primarily composed of titanium oxides. Microstructure changes accompanying the addition of Co were also used to account for its role in improving the corrosion resistance of these materials.

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Effect of cobalt addition on the corrosion behavior of near equiatomic NiTi shape memory alloy in normal saline solution: electrochemical and XPS studies

/pdf/predicting-manufacturing-employee-turnover-intentions-lduntghodu.pdf

Predicting manufacturing employee turnover intentions

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of engagement on job burnout and turnover intention (plan to leave the organization) among blue-collar workers in manufacturing facilities. In addition, this study also explores the role of happiness as a moderator in explaining the effect of engagement on burnout and turnover intention.,The data required to examine the hypothesis were collected using well-established research instruments from 1,197 blue-collar employees working at three manufacturing facilities that are owned and operated by the same company in India. The hypotheses were examined and the conceptual model was validated using structural equation modeling. The statistical analyses were conducted using two statistical packages, namely, SPSS and SPSS–AMOS.,The results indicate that a disengaged employee is at higher risk of burnout and is likely to leave the organization in the near future. Furthermore, employee burnout was positively associated with turnover intentions. Happiness was established as a significant moderating factor in the relationship between employee engagement and burnout and turnover intention. Besides, the prevalence of happiness and turnover intention was higher in males.,The results showed the importance of engagement and happiness on reducing burnout and turnover intention. Organizations could capitalize on these findings by implementing new and improving their existing quality management initiatives, which, in turn, could improve the employee’s organizational commitment.,This study contributes to the industry and academia by exploring the perceptions of working-class, blue-collar employees, which has received limited attention till date, despite specific negative job characteristics.

Modeling the impact of employee engagement and happiness on burnout and turnover intention among blue-collar workers at a manufacturing company

Processing of NiTi shape memory sheets – Microstructural heterogeneity and evolution of texture

A systematic investigation on the role of microstructure on phase transformation behavior in Ni–Ti–Fe shape memory alloys

Purpose – The performance of technical institutions in India is reflected through the level of campus placements. It is vital for them to have efficient, effective and robust placement policies. Selective assembly is a technique used in manufacturing industry in improving the quality of assemblies from relatively low-quality components. The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology using selective assembly approach to improve the quality of placements of technical institutions in India. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a conceptual model for campus placement process by integrating Selective Assembly, Taguchi’s quality loss function (QLF) and analytic network process (ANP). The data used in the study was taken through surveys and expert opinions. In this paper, for “Selective Assembly” the terminology, “Selective Recruitment” has been used at appropriate places in the context of technical education. Findings – Selective matching of students’ skills done through ANP minimizes the tot...

An ANP based selective assembly approach incorporating Taguchi’s quality loss function to improve quality of placements in technical institutions

Analysis of impact of industry-academia interaction on quality of technical education

Indian technical education, in the recent past, experienced an exponential growth causing degradation in the employability of engineering graduates. This affected the business performance of many private technical institutions in India which are now on the brink of extinction. Low employability of engineering graduates may render them jobless and may convert the so called India's demographic dividend into the demographic disaster. Therefore, it is imperative to analyse the quality issues affecting the performance of technical institutions in India. The objective of this paper is to analyse quality issues in the technical education and examine the application of quality improvement tools and techniques in this area. The paper presents an extensive review of literature in the area of technical education. The study identifies the enablers and barriers to quality of technical education at strategic and operational level. The paper discusses policy implications and suggests corrective measures to address quality related issues in technical education.

Quality issues affecting organisational performance: a review of Indian technical education

In India, due to the escalating traffic issues, a large number of highways have been built in the recent past, which are maintained by tax collection at toll plazas, by various operating agencies. Due to smooth and hassle free driving on highways, the arrival rate of vehicles at Toll Plazas increases. The arrival rate goes beyond control if the traffic on the highway increases in an uncontrolled manner, with the passage of time. Thus, one of the irrefutable drawbacks of putting up Toll Plazas, is the traffic congestion. The waiting time, in the service lanes, due to such a congestion becomes high and excruciating for the commuters on the route. The objective of this study is to analyze the current situation, of traffic congestion, at a highway toll plaza using queuing theory and suggest possible solutions to encourage greater efficiency, thus reducing waiting time of the customers and money wasted because of that. This study has been carried out in various phases, i.e. problem identification, data collection, data analysis and results at a selected Toll Plaza in North India. The data analysis in the study helps to find out the current operational effectiveness of the Toll Plaza through parameters like, Arrival Rate, Service Rate and Number of toll booths. Finally, possible solutions have been put forward which can be recommended and implemented on various Toll Plazas in the country.

Lalit Upadhayay

Papers

A systematic investigation on the role of microstructure on phase transformation behavior in Ni–Ti–Fe shape memory alloys

An ANP based selective assembly approach incorporating Taguchi’s quality loss function to improve quality of placements in technical institutions

Analysis of impact of industry-academia interaction on quality of technical education

Quality issues affecting organisational performance: a review of Indian technical education

Application of Queuing Theory to Address Traffic Problems at a Highway Toll Plaza