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Article
Publication date: 1 December 1999

Yong Yue, J.L. Murray, J.R. Corney and D.E.R. Clark

The problem of constructing the convex hull of a set of points and of curvilinear segments arises in many applications of geometric analysis. Although there has been much work on…

349

Abstract

The problem of constructing the convex hull of a set of points and of curvilinear segments arises in many applications of geometric analysis. Although there has been much work on algorithms for the convex hull of a finite point set, there has been less on methods for dealing with circular line segments and the implementation issues. This paper describes a new method for finding the convex hull of a planar set of straight and circular line segments. It then concentrates on the implementation of the algorithm.

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Engineering Computations, vol. 16 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

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Book part
Publication date: 28 December 2006

Barbara Woods McElroy and Mark W. Dirsmith

The processual ordering branch of symbolic interaction has long recognized the importance of rhetoric and power to the social constitution of reality. However, little systematic…

Abstract

The processual ordering branch of symbolic interaction has long recognized the importance of rhetoric and power to the social constitution of reality. However, little systematic effort has been devoted to probing their intertwined effects in the public policy arena.

The purpose of this paper is to employ the processual ordering perspective to examine the dramaturgical styles used in shaping public policy – expressed in terms of the “public administration” and “realpolitik” forms of rhetoric – among contending political factions as they negotiate mental health public policy. A latent content analysis of the minutes of key U.S. congressional debates, augmented with secondary archival material from the press is employed. It is concluded that both forms of rhetoric play a role in shaping public mental health policy and that both factions modify their rhetorical form as the debate progresses. Those modifications strengthen the position of one faction while weakening that of the other. Theoretical implications are discussed.

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Studies in Symbolic Interaction
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-7623-1325-9

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2005

R. Obiała, B.H.V. Topping, G.M. Seed and D.E.R. Clark

This paper describes how non‐orthogonal geometric models may be transformed into orthogonal polyhedral models. The main purpose of the transformation is to obtain a geometric…

470

Abstract

Purpose

This paper describes how non‐orthogonal geometric models may be transformed into orthogonal polyhedral models. The main purpose of the transformation is to obtain a geometric model that is easy to describe and further modify without loss of topological information from the original model.

Design/methodology/approach

The transformation method presented in this paper is based on fuzzy logic (FL). The idea of using FL for this type of transformation was first described by Takahashi and Shimizu. This paper describes both philosophy and techniques behind the transformation method as well as its application to some example 2D and 3D models. The problem in this paper is to define a transformation technique that will change a non‐orthogonal model into a similar orthogonal model. The orthogonal model is unknown at the start of the transformation and will only be specified once the transformation is complete. The model has to satisfy certain conditions, i.e. it should be orthogonal.

Findings

The group of non‐orthogonal models that contain triangular faces such as tetrahedra or pyramids cannot be successfully recognized using this method. This algorithm fails to transform these types of problem because to do so requires modification of the structure of the model. It appears that only when the edges are divided into pieces and the sharp angles are smoothed then the method can be successfully applied. Even though the method cannot be applied to all geometric models many successful examples for 2D and 3D transformation are presented. Orthogonal models with the same topology, which make them easier to describe, are obtained.

Originality/value

This transformation makes it possible to apply simple algorithms to orthogonal models enabling the solution of complex problems usually requiring non‐orthogonal models and more complex algorithms.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

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Article
Publication date: 28 January 2014

Hong Xiao, Yuan Li, Jian-Feng Yu and Hui Cheng

Virtual assembly process plays an important role in assembly design of complex product and is typically time- and resource-intensive. This paper aims to investigate a dynamic…

582

Abstract

Purpose

Virtual assembly process plays an important role in assembly design of complex product and is typically time- and resource-intensive. This paper aims to investigate a dynamic assembly simplification approach in order to demonstrate and interact with virtual assembly process of complex product in real time.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach regards the virtual assembly process of complex product as an incremental growth process of dynamic assembly. During the growth process, the current-assembled-state assembly model is simplified with appearance preserved by detecting and removing its invisible features, and the to-be-assembled components are simplified with assembly features preserved using conjugated subgraphs matching method based on an improved subgraph isomorphism algorithm.

Findings

The dynamic assembly simplification approach is applied successfully to reduce the complexity of computer aided design models during the virtual assembly process and it is proved by several cases.

Originality/value

A new assembly features definition is proposed based on the notion of “conjugation” to assist the assembly features recognition, which is a main step of the dynamic assembly simplification and has been translated into conjugated subgraphs matching problem. And an improved subgraph isomorphism algorithm is presented to address this problem.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

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Article
Publication date: 13 February 2007

Hsien‐Yu Tseng and Chang‐Ching Lin

This research aims to develop an effective and efficient algorithm for solving the curve fitting problem arising in automated manufacturing systems.

702

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to develop an effective and efficient algorithm for solving the curve fitting problem arising in automated manufacturing systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes curve fitting as an optimization problem of a set of data points. Expressing the data as a function will be very effective to the data analysis and application. This paper will develop the stochastic optimization method to apply to curve fitting. The proposed method is a combination optimization method based on pattern search (PS) and simulated annealing algorithm (SA).

Findings

The proposed method is used to solve a nonlinear optimization problem and then to implement it to solve three circular arc‐fitting problems of curve fitting. Based on the analysis performed in the experimental study, the proposed algorithm has been found to be suitable for curve fitting.

Practical implications

Curve fitting is one of the basic form errors encountered in circular features. The proposed algorithm is tested and implemented by using nonlinear problem and circular data to determine the circular parameters.

Originality/value

The developed machine vision‐based approach can be an online tool for measurement of circular components in automated manufacturing systems.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

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Article
Publication date: 7 March 2016

Vathsala Wickramasinghe and G.L.D. Wickramasinghe

The purpose of this paper is to investigate design features of variable pay plans adopted for shop-floor workers engaged in manufacturing firms that had implemented lean…

1936

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate design features of variable pay plans adopted for shop-floor workers engaged in manufacturing firms that had implemented lean production systems, and the effects of design features on their job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 892 shop-floor workers attached to lean implemented manufacturing firms in Sri Lanka responded for the study. Structural equation modelling was used for the data analysis.

Findings

It was found that the performance evaluation-base for variable payments, variable pay calculation-base and goal setting for variable pay significantly predict job performance of the shop-floor workers.

Originality/value

It could be expected that the academics and practitioners alike are motivated by their desire to clearly apprehend the contribution of variable pay plans on job performance of the shop-floor workers engaged in lean production systems. This demands more investigations to better understand the design features of variable pay plans.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

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Article
Publication date: 18 October 2019

Rahul S.G. and Sharmila A.

The purpose of this study is to present a comprehensive review of the fundamental concepts and terminologies pertaining to different types of aluminium metal matrix composites…

229

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a comprehensive review of the fundamental concepts and terminologies pertaining to different types of aluminium metal matrix composites, their joining techniques and challenges, friction stir welding (FSW) process, post-welding characterizations and basic control theory of FSW, followed by the discussions on the research reports in these areas.

Design/methodology/approach

Joining of aluminium metal matrix composites (Al-MMC) poses many challenges. These materials have their demanding applications in versatile domains, and hence it is essential to understand their weldability and material characteristics. FSW is a feasible choice for joining of Al-MMC over the fusion welding because of the formation of narrow heat affected zone and minimizing the formation of intermetallic compounds at weld interface. The goal in FSW is to generate enough thermal energy by friction between the workpiece and rotating tool. Heat energy is generated by mechanical interaction because of the difference in velocity between the workpiece and rotating tool. In the present work, a detailed survey is done on the above topics and an organised conceptual context is presented. A complete discussion on significance of FSW process parameters, control schemes, parameter optimization and weld quality monitoring are presented, along with the analysis on relation between the interdependent parameters.

Findings

Results from the study present the research gaps in the FSW studies for joining of the aluminium-based metal matrix composites, and they highlight further scope of studies pertaining to this domain.

Originality/value

It is observed that the survey done on FSW of Al-MMCs and their control theory give an insight into the fundamental concepts pertaining to this research area to enhance interdisciplinary technology exploration.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 1985

CIBA‐Geigy recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of operations at Duxford, near Cambridge, the home of Araldite resins for adhesives and surface coatings. The following brief…

55

Abstract

CIBA‐Geigy recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of operations at Duxford, near Cambridge, the home of Araldite resins for adhesives and surface coatings. The following brief history of the site is taken from a new booklet published by CIBA‐Geigy to mark its anniversary.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2004

H. Medellín, J. Corney, J.B.C. Davies, T. Lim and J.M. Ritchie

This paper presents a novel approach for rapid prototyping based on the octree decomposition of 3D geometric models. The proposed method, referred as OcBlox, integrates an octree…

1400

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach for rapid prototyping based on the octree decomposition of 3D geometric models. The proposed method, referred as OcBlox, integrates an octree modeller, an assembly planning system, and a robotic assembly cell into an integrated system that builds approximate prototypes directly from 3D model data. Given an exact 3D model this system generates an octree decomposition of it, which approximates the shape cubic units referred as “Blox”. These cuboid units are automatically assembled to obtain an approximate physical prototype. This paper details the algorithms used to generate the octree's assembly sequence and demonstrates the feasibility of the OcBlox approach by describing a single resolution example of a prototype built with this automated system. An analysis of the potential of the approach to decrease the manufacturing time of physical components is detailed. Finally, the potential of OcBlox to support complex overhanging geometry is discussed.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2002

Barrie O. Pettman and Richard Dobbins

This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.

29793

Abstract

This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.

Details

Equal Opportunities International, vol. 21 no. 4/5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0261-0159

Keywords

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