Showing papers on "Production engineering published in 1986"

Aircraft production technology

Abstract: The aircraft industry is being transformed by the introduction of new techniques in design, production, and testing. New techniques for forming, bonding and manufacturing with existing materials as well as the development of new materials have made a considerable impact on the industry. After a short historical introduction, this book describes in detail operations and machinery concerned with light alloys, steels, nickel and titanium alloys, metal cutting, welding and brazing, surface and protective treatments, sheet metal working, non-metallic materials, assembly, inspection and testing. A final chapter describes estimating, planning and the role of computer aided design and machining (CADCAM).

Making Managers of Engineers

Abstract: Engineering firms are constantly seeking ways of assuring that engineering managers perform successfully in those roles. Since engineering managers begin their careers as engineers, it is important to clarify the differences between the two roles to assure the development of engineers into effective managers. This article identifies how an engineering background helps as well as hinders the transition into engineering management. A model for a successful engineering manager is presented as well as specific recommendations to follow to assure such engineering managers are developed in an organization. This article is based on the author's experience and research in several engineering firms varying in size from small organizations to Fortune 500 companies.

Teaching the Techniques of Computer Aided Production Management and Simulation Modelling

Abstract: A software package is described that attempts to develop students' knowledge of Computer Aided Production Management (CAPM) systems and an awareness of the power of the computer to predict the future by iteratively simulating individual workshop operations. It demonstrates the techniques of CAPM by means of manual simulation. Students then operate and adjust a simple computer simulation model and compare it with the manual exercise. Both versions are described and compared. The CAPM system is presently installed on the ACT Sirius and the IBM personal microcomputers. It consists of a series of basic programs and data files in four modules. There is wide scope for using both versions in degree courses in mechanical and production engineering and production management.

JIT is made to order: Beginning with the obvious goal of cutting costs by reducing inventories, just-in-time production now embraces an assortment of sound industrial practices

Abstract: Just-in-time manufacturing (JIT), a technique that calls for the reduction of inventory by having materials ready at each point in the manufacturing process, is described. Viewed back-to-front, this translates into production and delivery of finished goods just in time to be sold, subassemblies just in time to be assembled into finished goods, fabricated parts just in time to go into subassemblies, and purchased materials just in time to be transformed into fabricated parts. JIT advocates small-lot production on the basis that it allows production of a daily mix of products that more closely matches demand. Production need no longer be limited to dedicated, high-volume production lines making only one part, or sets of parts, in the just-in-time mode for assembly. The author discusses how JIT challenges traditional manufacturing practices in the United States, with particular impact on four areas: inventory management, configuration of the work center, customer-supplier relations and management-labor relations.

The Science of and Advanced Technology for Cost-Effective Manufacture of High Precision Engineering Products. Volume 5. Automatic Generation of Process Outlines of Forming and Machining Processes.

Abstract: : This report describes a method and a system for automatic generation of multi-technology process-outlines. A process outline is a sequence of operations leading from the raw workpiece to the required finished part. The method is applied to axisymmetric parts produced by a set of deep-drawing and machining processes. The method, the plan synthesis tactics and the forms of representations are based on the study and evaluation of the technological knowledge. The input is a CAD representation of the required finished part and the output is the highest priority process outline to manufacture the part. The process plan is developed, backwards, in two steps. In the first one a preform is designed and in the second a process plan to manufacture it is generated.

Handbook of Engineering Management

Abstract: Partial table of contents: THE ENGINEER AS MANAGER The Structure of Engineering Professional Practice and Organization of Engineering Firms: The Regulatory Framework ORGANIZING TO MANAGE EFFECTIVELY Systems and Procedures Ethical Engineering Budgeting for the Engineering Manager THE ENGINEER AS MANAGER Supervising Engineering and Technical Personnel Screening and Selection Labor Relations in Engineering MANAGING YOUR CAREER Keeping Your Career on a Success Trajectory Successful Meetings and Presentations

Ultrasonics in manufacturing

Abstract: Research was initiated at the University of Nottingham, UK in 1983 to develop ultrasonic sensor systems for flexible manufacturing. This research work, undertaken jointly by the departments of Production Engineering and Electrical Engineering, has developed into a research center for investigating the uses of ultrasonics in manufacturing. Industrial participation has been present from the inception of the research through a cooperating partner, Transfer Technology Ltd. The industrial contribution to the research is shortly to be enhanced through the formation of a “club” of industrial companies, all of which will commit resources, and in return will receive access to the research findings so as to be able to implement ultrasonics into manufacturing more effectively. The research to date has developed both single transducers and arrays to operate at frequencies up to 200 kHz in air. A computerized automatic test facility has been built for transducers. A range measuring system has been constructed utilizin...

Selection of Tool Materials

Abstract: Tooling for production processes provides one of the most adverse and testing environments for materials in engineering, especially when the current economic constraints placed on manufacturing are considered. Tool performance combined with production engineering can be viewed as the key to profitable component production. The failure of a tool material not only leads to the loss of the tool but also to production interruption and machine downtime for tool replacement and refurbishing; to the production of scrap; and if the tool fails by a wear process to become oversize, to the loss of raw materials.

Value engineering in the construction process.

Abstract: : This research paper discusses the principles and procedures of the Value Engineering discipline Value Engineering has been practiced for over 30 years in the manufacturing sector of the economy, but has never been fully accepted in the construction industry The paper discusses the theory and methodology supporting the application of Value Engineering and the manner in which it can be applied to the various phases of the process of constructing facilities Specific applications of Value Engineering, which can be beneficial for construction managers are discussed Case studies where Value Engineering has resulted in significant cost savings, and examples of current construction industry practice are presented

Production Planning and Control Structure for Automated Manufacturing Systems

Abstract: The previous chapters have indicated some important characteristics of production planning and control systems. The first is that the problem of production planning and control for batch manufacturing is tremendously complex; a wide variety of interrelationships exists within a typical manufacturing system. This problem can be approached by using a hierarchy of control where major aggregate decisions are made at the highest levels and these decisions are gradually broken down into more detail as they pass through to the lower levels. The top levels of the hierarchy are therefore concerned with broad aspects of decision making, ensuring that the manufacturing system is globally achieving the desired objectives. Little detail is used at these higher levels but instead, such entities as aggregate production rates and capacities are used. The time periods considered tend to be longer at these higher levels, decreasing as the hierarchy is descended; where time periods measured in years may be used at the highest levels, the time periods may only be minutes at the lower levels. Overall, therefore, the characteristic complexity of the production planning and control task for manufacturing systems can be approached via hierarchical planning and control. As we descend the hierarchy the level of detail increases, whereas the time period considered decreases.

An Integrated Cad/Cam-System for Planning and Designing Multiple Spindle Drill Heads

Abstract: The CAD/CAM-System ‘Multiple Spindle Drill Heads’ was developed at the Institute of Machine Tools and Production Engineering, Technical University of Braunschweig. It enables the designer to economically design a complete multiple spindle drill head. Construction plans and production documents are automatically generated.

Computer – aided design of industrial automation

Abstract: In recent years, computers with their great computational power have assumed very important role in the logic design of industrial digital control systems. The implementation of large-scale digital systems is an example of one design problem which can be impractical to solve by hand. How to enable production engineer to improve the existing control network, or to design the absolutely new one, presuming, as it is very often, that he is not a control design specialist. On the basis of new technological demands, an engineer should form a desired control specification which represent the input format to available computer. Computer should produce desired logic equations as a basis for the immediate realization, since the system is reliable and minimal in sense of number of required components. Software for complete design of digital control networks will be presented in the paper. It is applicable for treating deterministic as well as stochastic systems, both combinational and sequential etc. The concept of use of interactive computer graphics and other available computer aids in synthesis process is given. A relevant example is included in order to illustrate the program package.

The Configurable Database: The Key to Standardisation, Flexibility and Integration in Production Engineering

Abstract: Production control has been computerised, more or less, for many years. More recently, computerisation and automation have been taking place concurrently in the design office and on the shop floor. Process planning, and production engineering generally, has remained a largely manual bottleneck between design and production, despite the central nature of its role in the life cycle of a manufactured part. The computerisation of process planning should reflect this central nature by ensuring that company standards, either of equipment or of methods, are controlled by a central database management system. Within this control there must be the possibility of flexibility, to take account of special cases, of evolution of the standards without calling in expensive computer specialists, and of interfacing successfully with existing systems.