Showing papers on "Engineering economics published in 2005"

Incorporating the Impact of Engineering Solutions on Society into Technical Engineering Courses

Abstract: In the era of market and work-force globalization engineers need a solid understanding of the impact their products have locally as well as globally. This is why the US Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology recently put a new spin on this requirement in engineering education. Specifically, outcome 3h of Engineering Criteria 2000 states that engineering graduates must have "the broad education to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global / societal context". This outcome may be one of the most difficult to achieve since it requires not only a strong technical understanding but also an informed societal and historical perspective that is particularly difficult to achieve. This paper identifies some of the skills students need to be able to evaluate the impact of their solutions in a global / societal context as well as methods used by some universities to address this issue outside of technical engineering courses. The main focus of this paper is the introduction of course design elements that help students master these skills that can be incorporated into required and elective engineering courses. Examples are presented from a variety of thermal/fluid courses where these skills are taught in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at San Jose State University.

Globalizing manufacturing engineering education

Abstract: The discipline of manufacturing engineering in the U.S. was established in the 1960s, a period when U.S. corporations and products dominated the global economy. Any form of engineering education that ignores the reality of multinational corporations, global supply chains, and international markets looks increasingly outmoded and provincial. The need to acknowledge the global aspects of engineering activity is beginning to be recognized in engineering education, and the need is especially acute in manufacturing engineering education. The shrinkage of the U. S. manufacturing sector portrayed by popular media is an supported by more intensive manufacturing engineering work in order to maintain the status quo of product value produced. The demand for well-educated manufacturing engineers worldwide is likely to increase in the long term. Very few U.S. manufacturing engineering programs explicitly recognize the global aspects of manufacturing at the course level.

Improvement and Systematization of Pre-Study Work for Design Value Engineering in Construction Projects by Quality Function Deployment

Abstract: The importance of design value engineering in construction projects recently is rising, which deal about in reduction of cost and improvement of quality. Especially, From half of this year 2005, It is predicted that the value engineering is necessary to be carried out in the projects having project cost more than 10 billion won. In increasing importance of value engineering, we require a way by which we accomplish value engineering systemically and effectively though it is not common in domestic situation. So, this case study shows a way in carrying out value engineering effectively. As the way is to apply QFD(Quality Function Deployment) in pre-study work of design value engineering, this is expected to contribute as function analysis and reflect the requirement of users or owners.

A Systematic Method for Leaning Engineering Processes

Abstract: For the past decade, lean manufacturing has reshaped manufacturing processes at numerous corporations Even organizations that were already conscious of quality, cost, and delivery have benefited tremendously from these principles The foundation of lean manufacturing is the elimination of nonvalue added elements, waste There are three important value streams in the realization of any product — the engineering value stream, the manufacturing value stream, and the information management value stream This paper focuses on the engineering value stream The methods of lean manufacturing can be applied for waste elimination in engineering The dissemination of lean manufacturing principles into engineering would multiply the significant benefits already derived by embracing lean in the manufacturing part of the enterprise Little attention has been given to a systematic method of lean engineering that aims not only at reducing engineering lead-time, but also at identifying, measuring, and eliminating waste in engineering processes Engineering organizations lack a basic methodology for waste elimination This paper proposes a systematic, ten-step method for engineering waste elimination Such a systematic method will help engineering organizations systematically identify, measure, and eliminate engineering wastes from all engineering processes The systematic method is then used to demonstrate the elimination of waste in engineering through its application to the manufacturing equipment installation — a manufacturing engineering process In today’s competitive world, the ability to bring better products to market faster has become the focal point of competition The use of this systematic method for engineering waste elimination holds significant promise for organizations wanting to outperform their competitors on quality, cost, and deliveryCopyright © 2005 by ASME

A Web-Based, Interactive Simulation for Engineering Economics Courses

Abstract: A game simulating realistic economic decision-making was devised and integrated into a Rowan University course on engineering economics in 2001 and 2002. The activity was extremely well received and the NSF provided a CCLI grant for development of software that automates the game, making it suitable for widespread dissemination. The game itself challenges students to not only learn engineering economic principles such as present worth, but also to use them to make realistic economic decisions in a competitive setting. Each student starts with $10,000, and is presented with a list of investment opportunities. Students apply the principles learned in class to the possible investments and make decisions, such as how much to bid on a particular item in an auction. Additional investment opportunities are introduced weekly throughout the semester. The required analysis grows in complexity as the students’ knowledge base increases. The game is interactive; for example the owner of a factory must negotiate the price of raw materials he/she needs with the owner of a mine. The software is written using standard HTML and Active Server Pages with a Microsoft Access Database. Students use the software to manage their company, taking such actions as placing bids in an auction, purchasing buildings and ships, setting production rates for mines and factories, and borrowing money from a bank. Students can also use the software to view reports, such as lists of their assets, their current bank balance, etc. In the fall of 2003, an initial version of the software was used in an engineering economy course at the University of Kentucky, and the results of this preliminary test were presented at the 2004 ASEE Annual Conference. Since that time, the software has been revised to address shortcomings identified during the preliminary test. The improved software is currently being used in the engineering economics course at Rowan. This paper describes the game itself, the improved software, and its use in the course.

Privatization Initiatives: A Source For Engineering Economy Case Studies

Abstract: Introduction Undergraduate courses in engineering economy provide the opportunity to cover many topics that are essential for the career success of practicing engineers. Primary among these are knowledge of cost analysis, time value of money, and business case analysis of technology investments. However, beyond these core concepts, engineering economy courses have the potential to influence a broader spectrum of learning objectives that contribute to career success. For example, engineering economy can enhance student skills in important topical areas such as technical presentations, report writing, communication, entrepreneurship, risk management, and critical thinking. One approach to achieve this potential is to integrate engineering economy topics into practical and challenging case studies.

Research on strategic environmental analysis of small hydropower enterprises in china: a case study of ZhongDaSanChuan Hydropower Ltd.

Abstract: With the rapid economic development in China, more of electric power is needed. However, the price of the coal and the petroleum has risen because of the crisis of the energy sources, so the thermal power can’t meet the needs of the society and the economic development. State System Reform in Electric Power Industry in China (SSREPIC) provides the private capital with a chance to enter into the market. Based on theory of strategic environmental analysis, the social environment faced by small hydropower enterprises (SHEs) in China is analyzed from political, economic, social-cultural, technological and natural environments perspective, and the industrial environment is analyzed with the Porter ‘s Five Forces Model. As a case study, the internal environment of ZhongDaSanChuan hydropower Ltd. (ZDSC) is analyzed from the resource-based view. At last, ZDSC’ strategy is introduced based on the SWOT analysis. Keywords-Strategic Environmental Analysis, Firm Strategy, SWOT analysis, small hydropower enterprises

Major Repair Cycles of Rails of Speed-raising Railway Lines

Abstract: Based on all-round investigation of the use and failures of Chinese railways rails in service, the method of weighting statistics for rail failures is proposed in this paper The weighting statistic data and relationship between the rail failures and corresponding accumulative passing gross are presented for Rails U71Mn and U75V in service Applying the theory of engineering economics, the optimum overhaul time of rails is obtained The principle for determination of major repair cycles of rails is suggested after statistically analyzing the rail failure types and causes in China The mode of combining rail failures with the accumulative passing gross to fix the major repair cycles and the relevant parameters are found with reference to the domestic and international research results

Main Technical Factors and Analysis of Influencing Engineering Cost

Abstract: The practice proves that the key stage of engineering cost controlling is design stage; and then bidding, construction management and completing final accounts all have a decisive effect on engineering cost. The main technical factors of influencing engineering cost and effective ways of reducing engineering cost are demonstrated in detail by the applicable analysis of plan tender, value engineering, etc in engineering management.

The Profitability Index Use by Engineering Economic Analyze for New Product

Abstract: The majority of engineering economy study involves commitment of capital for extended periods of time, so the effect of time must be considered. The internal rate of return (IRR) method is the most widely use by engineering economic analyze, it is called the profitability index. Thus, this paper suggested using formulas for compound interest. And then adopt a new product (oxygen tent) actually used that in order to gain better profit, it can made more cleverly setting properly price to reflect the best value, which induces more customers to purchase its product and expand unit sales volume. Undertake this analysis, that utilize the cost assess and profitability index will able to build a competitive advantage and better reward for the new product. This method is great elasticity for business management to weigh the value of the product that will be able to gets profit well.

A New Model For Engineering Education At The Phd Level

Abstract: This paper presents a new model for designing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in engineering. The paper recognizes that changes in the global economy require a new approach for producing Ph.D. graduates in engineering. Today, some major U.S. companies are beginning to realize that they can get top-flight research scientists offshore to solve their research problems at substantially low costs. Compounding such problems is the lack of state budgets for funding new engineering programs in the emerging disciplines. Consequently, a critical need exists to address these critical issues facing the U.S. Ph.D. programs in engineering. The paper first gives an overview of the critical problems facing the U.S. engineering education, and then uses the design loop, as a generic approach to reflect the fact that when the societal need changes the Ph.D. program in engineering must adapt to it. An example of a newly established, innovative Ph.D. program in Engineering at Robert Morris University (RMU) in Pennsylvania that attempts to address some of these issues has been illustrated.