Showing papers on "Production engineering published in 1982"

Material processing—An overview

Abstract: Laser researchers in the early 1960's found that a ruby laser could easily melt and vaporize small amounts of metal. Many investigations have since been performed to determine the effects of high-power laser radiation on absorbing surfaces. By the late 1960's lasers had become practical production tools. In the early 1970's, advances in the power of CO 2 lasers led to deep penetration laser welding. This greatly increased the range of metal thickness amenable to laser processing. At present, lasers are used in a practical way for many applications in material processing. For some applications, like trimming of resistors and drilling of holes in ceramics, laser processing is the leading method. For other applications like heat treating, welding, and cutting, laser processing is an economically competitive alternative to conventional techniques. In addition, there are new research possibilities, especially for processing of semiconductors. Areas such as laser-assisted crystal regrowth and annealing of ion-implantation damage point toward new methods of generating semiconductor circuitry. This paper will review the physical phenomena which underlie laser processing applications. It will also give an overview of some of the leading uses for laser-based material processing.

What is a production engineer

Abstract: \" British industry is short of men with the necessary knowledge of managing the biggest units and developing rational policies.\" He went on to say that a small Group had been set up to study the problem and expressed the hope that something useful would emerge from these deliberations. It is to be hoped that this Institution will have an opportunity of conveying to such a Group the views of the membership as a whole, backed by the combined experience of over 13,000 qualified production engineers.

Production planning for multi‐resource network systems

Abstract: : Production planning for large-scale production systems requiring the allocation of numerous resources is considered. It is demonstrated how the dynamic activity analysis developed by Shephard leads to linear programming solutions of production planning problems. Three types of planning problems are formulated: maximization of output levels for a given time horizon; minimization of production duration for given output histories; and minimization of production costs for given output histories. (Author)

Flexible assembly module with vision — controlled robot

Abstract: A prototype system has been developed at the Production Engineering Research Association to feed, inspect and assemble small parts. The machine can be adjusted to cope with different components, using a simple programming method, and is therefore suitable for automated batch assembly.

Applications of lasers to production metrology, control, and machine "Vision"

Abstract: In the last few years, the laser has begun to have wide use in industrial metrology and related applications, particularly in the areas of gauging, inspection, marking, machine control, and engineering measurements. This paper discusses these areas and the technologies employed. Without question, a substantial increase in this area of laser application is expected, as the "automatic factory" comes closer to reality.

Computer-aided production management

Abstract: The paper suggests that business schools have not taken enough notice of developments in production management which may have a major impact on business management. The paper reviews work being done in the field of computer-aided production, both in general and in the Department of Production Management & Manufacturing Technology at the University of Strathclyde in particular. The work deals with computer-aided manufacture, layout planning and materials handling, production control, microcomputers, process control and hierarchical distributed computing. Three trends are indentified: (i) The need, technical feasibility and economic viability of providing computing power within the various functional activities, e.g. design, production control, production engineering etc., of the company. (ii) The need to interface computer systems across functional boundaries in the organisation. (iii) The need to interface computer systems at different levels within the organisation. These developments are leading towards a new concept the linked engineering business system – which may radically change the way manufacturing businesses are managed in the future.