Search results

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the aerodynamic improvements obtained in a wing section with a NACA 0018 airfoil manufactured using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique with regard to a smooth surface made by milling. The creation of micro-riblets on the surface of the airfoil, due to the deposition of the material layer by layer, improves the general aerodynamic performance of the parts, provided that the riblets are parallel to the flow line. The incidence of the thickness of the thread deposited in each layer – to be the variable on which the geometry of the riblets is based – was studied.

The wing section was designed using 3D software. Three different models were designed by rapid prototyping, using additive and subtractive manufacturing. Two of the profiles were manufactured using FDM varying the thickness of the layer to be able to compare the aerodynamic improvements. The third model was manufactured using a subtractive rapid prototyping machine generating a smooth surface profile. These three models were tested inside the wind tunnel to be able to quantify the aerodynamic efficiency according to the geometry and the riblets size.

The manufacture of an aerodynamic profile using FDM provides, in addition to the lightness and the ability to design parts with complex geometries, an improvement in the aerodynamic efficiency of 10 per cent compared with profiles with a smooth surface.

With the aerodynamic advantage gained through the use of FDM positions, the additive manufacturing serves as an excellent alternative for the manufacture of lightweight aerodynamic parts, with low structural loading and with low Reynolds number (∼5·105). This technological advantage would be applied to the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) industry.

The study carried out in this article demonstrates that the use of FDM as a manufacture process of end-used parts that are subject to movement generates an additional advantage that had not been considered. The additive manufacturing allows us to directly manufacture riblets by creating the necessary surface so as to reduce the aerodynamic drag.

The main purpose of this paper is to contribute to the ongoing literature on the pertinence of TALC (tourism area life cycle) to model and analyse mature destinations, using quantitative data and alternative functional forms. With this purpose, this work analyses the recent data on tourist demand in Tenerife (Canary Islands), which is supposed to be playing the role of “refuge” with respect to other competing resorts, when the latter ones present political instability after the so-called Arab Springs, particularly the Middle East and North Africa.

To analyse the data, and to explore potential epiphenomenon, nonlinear competing regression analysis were performed (logistic, Gaussian and logarithmic), taking into account some insights from tourism life cycle theories.

Some suggestions are presented for political management of these destinations that are still working under a moratorium on tourist infrastructure.

Once the TALC is accepted – even under discussion – in the scholarly fore, certain incentives arise to identify, interpret and communicate signals of maturity. Public funds and specific policies (moratoria) can then be solicited to political instances. Further empirical research, complementary quantitative approaches, along with new data that confronts the evolution of demand in Tenerife with paulatine reactivation of competing destinations, will be strongly required to overcome the limitations of this first attempt and to properly determine the effectiveness of rejuvenation policies. Besides, additional quantitative data should be considered to explore the potential explanatory factors beyond the time series analysis into models that are more theoretical.

The results suggest that the diagnosis of maturity was at least premature in the first place, poorly based on data analysis and fast in promoting specific policies whose effectiveness is under discussion even after decades.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of culture in terms of individualism and collectivism (I-C), store image and customer satisfaction, on purchase intention at supermarkets.

In order to carry out the descriptive and quantitative research, the authors applied 443 questionnaires to consumers in two Brazilian supermarket chains. The authors used structured equation modeling for data analysis.

Customers’ satisfaction and the evaluation of store image positively affect purchase intention; however, I-C did not show any effect. The cultural dimension slightly influenced the assessment of store image by only 2 percent. Store image positively affects consumer satisfaction.

This study used convenience sampling and omission of vertical and horizontal variations of I-C in data analyses. The authors suggested the use of probabilistic sampling and the inclusion of vertical and horizontal variations of I-C. The relationships investigated herein can still be analyzed in other contexts.

In order to increase satisfaction and purchase intention, it is necessary to prioritize aspects related to layout, service and products’ variety and quality. Still, managers should not worry about I-C, since it does not affect purchase intention.

The authors observed the relevance of the study after carrying out a literature review on the subject. There is a lack of studies that investigate the relationship between I-C, evaluation of store image, consumer satisfaction and purchase intention, either together or in the context of supermarkets.