Material flow

About: Material flow is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3050 publications have been published within this topic receiving 36844 citations. The topic is also known as: material stream.

Engine logistic material rack

Abstract: The utility model relates to an engine material flow shelf, the best of which is composed of a material frame stacking device of four single-layers. The single layer material shelf has a framework on which is connected with a supporting member and a locating piece placing the engine, the four squares of the framework are respectively provided with a wrapping angle shelf in which a support bar for placing the single layer material shelf by the respective movement of the key pin and the pin axle. An engine is loaded in each single layer material low shelf, and an automobile can load more than ten sets of the utility models, which promote the efficiency of loading capacity compared with loading the engines by wooden case. The utility model can be folded and stacked and carried to the original after the destination is reached and the engines are unloaded, and the engine material flow shelf can be employed repeatedly which avoids wasting wood and reducing the cost of transportation as well. The utility model is not confined to the transportation of automobile engines, but can be used for carrying other kinds of engines.

Design of Components and Layout of Machines for Material Handling

Abstract: Efficient material handling can reduce the amount of work in manufacturing operations. This paper discusses the design of components and the layout of machines from a material handling perspective. A way to reduce the material handling cost without compromising the component functionality is to choose satisfactory design options. The relationships between the design of the components and material handling are analysed to reduce the flow of material in a manufacturing system. In Model I, component routes are selected for a potential manufacturing system when only limited information regarding the layout of the machines is available. The selection of component routes is integrated with the determination of machine locations, the layout of single-row machines, and the layout of multi-row machines with equal areas, respectively, in Model II. Each problem is mathematically formulated and two algorithms are presented with illustrative examples.

An Integrated Model of the Material Handling System and Unit Load Design Problem

Abstract: Material flow system design problems (i.e. facility layout, material handling equipment selection and specification, flow path design, unit load sizing, cell design, warehousing, routing, etc.) have been predominately modelled independently in the past, Independent consideration of each design problem has reduced the solution complexity, but in the process has caused a loss in problem reality. This paper reviews recent developments in integrated approaches to material flow design and presents a model which integrates material handling equipment selection and specification (including material handling interface equipment) and path/load dependent unit load size. The formulation is solved using the meta-heuristic procedure of tabu search to find good solutions to the more realistic (and more complex model formulation.

A Decentralized Control Strategy for High Density Material Flow Systems With Automated Guided Vehicles

Abstract: This work presents a universal decentralized control strategy for grid-based high-density material flow systems with automated guided vehicles and gives insights into the system behavior as well as the solution quality. Umfang: X, 160S. Preis: €35.00 | £32.00 | $62.00

Free forming of locally heated specimens

Abstract: A novel manufacturing method is investigated, in which a steep temperature gradient within the workpiece is induced to facilitate material flow locally. By this method, complex shapes can be formed without complicated dies. The feasibility of the idea is analyzed experimentally and numerically. Local heating is realized either by means of induction or laser heating. Experiments using materials 16MnCr5, X5CrNi18/9, and Ti6Al4V have been conducted under various process conditions. These experiments have also been modeled by finite element method (FEM) validating the analysis procedure. Electromagnetic models are used to analyze the heat generation pattern on the workpiece by induction. It is found that the most important process parameters are the thermal diffusivity and the temperature sensitivity of the flow curve of the workpiece material. The lower the thermal diffusivity and the higher the temperature sensitivity, the more differentiated local shapes can be formed. For the analyzed geometries, induction heating has been observed to be more effective. Deformation rate and initial workpiece geometry have also a significant effect on the achievable local deformations. Various failure modes such as unintended deformations, damage by fracture, and melting of the workpiece material are described. It is concluded that the new idea of forming local shapes by local heating is a feasible and controllable manufacturing alternative.