Material flow

Abstract: A supply chain is a network of facilities that performs the functions of procurement of material, transformation of material to intermediate and finished products, and distribution of finished products to customers. Often, organizational barriers between these facilities exist, and information flows can be restricted such that complete centralized control of material flows in a supply chain may not be feasible or desirable. Consequently, most companies use decentralized control in managing the different facilities at a supply chain. In this paper, we describe what manufacturing managers at Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) see as the needs for model support in managing material flows in their supply chains. These needs motivate our initial development of such a model for supply chains that are not under complete centralized control. We report on our experiences of applying such a model in a new product development project of the DeskJet printer supply chain at HP. Finally, we discuss avenues to develop better ...

Abstract: Three-dimensional viscoplastic flow and heat transfer during friction stir welding of mild steel were investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The equations of conservation of mass, momentum and energy were solved in three dimensions using spatially variable thermo-physical properties and a methodology adapted from well-established previous work in fusion welding. Non-Newtonian viscosity for the metal flow was calculated considering temperature and strain rate dependent flow stress. The computed results showed significant viscoplastic flow near the tool surface, and convection was found to be the primary mechanism of heat transfer in this region. Also, the results demonstrated the strong three-dimensional nature of the transport of heat and mass, reaffirming the need for three-dimensional calculations. The streamlines of plastic flow indicated that material was transported mainly along the retreating side. The computed temperatures were in good agreement with the corresponding experimentally determined values.

Abstract: This paper describes the framework development of a dynamic integrated biomass supply analysis and logistics model (IBSAL) to simulate the collection, storage, and transport operations for supplying agricultural biomass to a biorefinery. The model consists of time dependent events representing the working rate of equipment and queues representing the capacity of storage structures. The discrete event and queues are inter-connected to represent the entire network of material flow from field to a biorefinery. Weather conditions including rain and snow influence the moisture content and the dry matter loss of biomass through the supply chain and are included in the model. The model is developed using an object oriented high level simulation language EXTEND™. A case of corn stover collection and transport scenario using baling system is described.

Abstract: In this investigation an attempt has been made to understand the mechanism of friction stir weld formation and the role of friction stir welding tool in it. This has been done by understanding the material flow pattern in the weld produced in a special experiment, where the interaction of the friction stir welding tool with the base material is continuously increased. The results show that there are two different modes of material flow regimes involved in the friction stir weld formation; namely “pin-driven flow” and “shoulder-driven flow”. These material flow regimes merge together to form a defect-free weld. The etching contrast in these regimes gives rise to onion ring pattern in friction stir welds. In addition to that based on the material flow characteristics a mechanism of weld formation is proposed.

Abstract: The material flow in solid-state, friction-stir, butt-welded AA2195-T8 was investigated using a marker insert technique (MIT). Markers made of AA5454-H32 were embedded in the path of the rotating friction stir welding (FSW) tool and their final position after welding was detected by metallographic means. Changes in material flow due to welding parameter and tool geometry variations were examined. The method provides a semiquantitative, three-dimensional view of the material transport in the welded zone. Because of the placement of markers at different positions at the weld centerline, the material transport in the longitudinal, transverse, and the vertical directions could be studied. Markers embedded in the path of the tool remain continuous after welding. The material transport, which is not symmetrical about the weld centerline, was such that the bulk of the material was transported to a position behind its original position. Superimposed on the primary motion of material in the horizontal plane of the weld is a circulation about the longitudinal axis of the weld. This circulation is found to increase with increasing weld energy.