João Pedro Carvalho de Souza, André Luiz Castro, Luís F. Rocha and Manuel F. Silva
This paper aims to propose a translation library capable of generating robots proprietary code after their offline programming has been performed in a software application, named…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a translation library capable of generating robots proprietary code after their offline programming has been performed in a software application, named AdaptPack Studio, running over a robot simulation and offline programming software package.
Design/methodology/approach
The translation library, named AdaptPack Studio Translator, is capable to generate proprietary code for the Asea Brown Boveri, FANUC, Keller und Knappich Augsburg and Yaskawa Motoman robot brands, after their offline programming has been performed in the AdaptPack Studio application.
Findings
Simulation and real tests were performed showing an improvement in the creation, operation, modularity and flexibility of new robotic palletizing systems. In particular, it was verified that the time needed to perform these tasks significantly decreased.
Practical implications
The design and setup of robotics palletizing systems are facilitated by an intuitive offline programming system and by a simple export command to the real robot, independent of its brand. In this way, industrial solutions can be developed faster, in this way, making companies more competitive.
Originality/value
The effort to build a robotic palletizing system is reduced by an intuitive offline programming system (AdaptPack Studio) and the capability to export command to the real robot using the AdaptPack Studio Translator. As a result, companies have an increase in competitiveness with a fast design framework. Furthermore, and to the best of the author’s knowledge, there is also no scientific publication formalizing and describing how to build the translators for industrial robot simulation and offline programming software packages, being this a pioneer publication in this area.
Details
Keywords
André Luiz Castro, João Pedro Carvalho de Souza, Luís F. Rocha and Manuel F. Silva
This paper aims to propose an automated framework for agile development and simulation of robotic palletizing cells. An automatic offline programming tool, for a variety of robot…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose an automated framework for agile development and simulation of robotic palletizing cells. An automatic offline programming tool, for a variety of robot brands, is also introduced.
Design/methodology/approach
This framework, named AdaptPack Studio, offers a custom-built library to assemble virtual models of palletizing cells, quick connect these models by drag and drop, and perform offline programming of robots and factory equipment in short steps.
Findings
Simulation and real tests performed showed an improvement in the design, development and operation of robotic palletizing systems. The AdaptPack Studio software was tested and evaluated in a pure simulation case and in a real-world scenario. Results have shown to be concise and accurate, with minor model displacement inaccuracies because of differences between the virtual and real models.
Research limitations/implications
An intuitive drag and drop layout modeling accelerates the design and setup of robotic palletizing cells and automatic offline generation of robot programs. Furthermore, A* based algorithms generate collision-free trajectories, discretized both in the robot joints space and in the Cartesian space. As a consequence, industrial solutions are available for production in record time, increasing the competitiveness of companies using this tool.
Originality/value
The AdaptPack Studio framework includes, on a single package, the possibility to program, simulate and generate the robot code for four different brands of robots. Furthermore, the application is tailored for palletizing applications and specifically includes the components (Building Blocks) of a particular company, which allows a very fast development of new solutions. Furthermore, with the inclusion of the Trajectory Planner, it is possible to automatically develop robot trajectories without collisions.
Details
Keywords
Vítor Tinoco, Manuel F. Silva, Filipe N. Santos, António Valente, Luís F. Rocha, Sandro A. Magalhães and Luis C. Santos
The motivation for robotics research in the agricultural field has sparked in consequence of the increasing world population and decreasing agricultural labor availability. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The motivation for robotics research in the agricultural field has sparked in consequence of the increasing world population and decreasing agricultural labor availability. This paper aims to analyze the state of the art of pruning and harvesting manipulators used in agriculture.
Design/methodology/approach
A research was performed on papers that corresponded to specific keywords. Ten papers were selected based on a set of attributes that made them adequate for review.
Findings
The pruning manipulators were used in two different scenarios: grapevines and apple trees. These manipulators showed that a light-controlled environment could reduce visual errors and that prismatic joints on the manipulator are advantageous to obtain a higher reach. The harvesting manipulators were used for three types of fruits: strawberries, tomatoes and apples. These manipulators revealed that different kinematic configurations are required for different kinds of end-effectors, as some of these tools only require movement in the horizontal axis and others are required to reach the target with a broad range of orientations.
Originality/value
This work serves to reduce the gap in the literature regarding agricultural manipulators and will support new developments of novel solutions related to agricultural robotic grasping and manipulation.
Details
Keywords
This article is a shortened version of a Master’s dissertation for the Liverpool University Centre for Archive Studies. It deals with issues of appraisal. Such issues involve…
Abstract
This article is a shortened version of a Master’s dissertation for the Liverpool University Centre for Archive Studies. It deals with issues of appraisal. Such issues involve fundamental concepts on what records are, why they are kept, and their life cycle. The answers to these questions were sought and found in the history of archives, and in the specialist literature. The theory and the methodology adopted were then applied to a case study of a recently established organisation in Lisbon, which has, at the core of its business, information in electronic format.
Details
Keywords
Rajkumar D, Ranjithkumar P, M.P. Jenarthanan and Sathiya Narayanan C
The purpose of this paper is to develop a statistical model for delamination and thrust forcing during drilling of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites using response…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a statistical model for delamination and thrust forcing during drilling of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites using response surface methodology (RSM) to determine the input parameters (drill speed, drill diameter and feed rate) that influences the output response (delamination and thrust force) in the machining of CFRP composite using solid carbide drill cutter.
Design/methodology/approach
Three factors, three levels central composite face centred (CCFC) design, is used to conduct the experiments on CFRP by carbide drill. The whole quality evaluation (delamination) was done by video measuring system to measure the width of maximum damage of the machined CFRP composite. The thrust forces during drilling are measured using digital multi-component cutting force (Make: IEICOS, Model: 652) dynamometer. The “Design Expert 7.0” is used to analyse the data collected graphically. An analysis of variance is carried out to validate the model and for determining the most significant parameter.
Findings
The response surface model is used to predict the input factors influencing the delamination and thrust force on the drilled surfaces of CFRP composite at different cutting conditions with the chosen range of 95 per cent confidence intervals. The analysis on the influences of the entire individual input machining parameters on the delamination and thrust force has been carried out using RSM. This investigation revealed that the drill diameter is the eminent factor which affects the responses.
Originality/value
In all, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mm holes have been successfully made on CFRP using vertical machining center, whereas the previous researchers have not drilled hole size less than 1 mm in CFRP using vertical machining center.
Details
Keywords
Mira Thoumy, Marie-Helene Jobin, Juliette Baroud and Claude El Nakhel Khalil
The purpose of this research is to study the impact of perceived adoption of Lean principles on operational performance in Lebanese pharmaceutical industries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to study the impact of perceived adoption of Lean principles on operational performance in Lebanese pharmaceutical industries.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative method was implemented using a questionnaire that targeted 253 respondents working in eight good manufacturing practices (GMP) certified Lebanese pharmaceutical companies. Reliability analysis was performed using SPSS, and the research hypotheses were tested using regression analysis.
Findings
The results demonstrated that Lean principles positively and directly affected operational performance. It also positively affected operational performance factors of quality, cost and time. However, the analysis of each of Lean principles impact on operational performance cost was analyzed perfection, value, and value stream mapping (VSM) significantly increased operational performance. In addition, pull only positively augmented the cost reduction, whereas flow did not show any effects on any of operational performance’s factors.
Practical implications
In addition to enhancing operational performance, the positive effect of the perceived adoption of Lean principles on performance is also explained by managers’ efforts in studying the flow of actions in their processes to reduce wastes. To face uncertainty, training and building a workforce that is able to implement Lean principles, equipping this workforce with needed artifacts, and promoting a high-performance culture are crucial for the successful implementation of Lean principles.
Originality/value
Lean approach has become a major pathway of improvement especially in pharmaceutical companies. Few studies analyzed the impact of each of the Lean principles on the operational performance in companies that operate in era of uncertainty. Furthermore, the perceived adoption of Lean principles is under investigated in the Middle East in general and in Lebanon in particular.
Details
Keywords
Manuel Ferreira Rebelo, Rui Silva and Gilberto Santos
Protecting business value is regarded to be the cornerstone of any organization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and explore the potential contributions of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Protecting business value is regarded to be the cornerstone of any organization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and explore the potential contributions of the integration of standardized management systems (MSs) into an integrated MS. This will support a better coordinated management of different kinds of risks that exist in organizational processes.
Design/methodology/approach
The findings are based on literature as well as empirical case studies conducted by the authors. It focuses on the potential results of integration of MSs.
Findings
It is found that the integration of MSs leads to a more coherent, extensive, consistent, and harmonized process of identification of hazards. Also, it is found that from integration also results in the minimization of associated risks that affect key aspects of business, considering the organizational context vs requirements of each relevant stakeholder, as defined in related management systems standards.
Research limitations/implications
This research, investigate the risk management (RM) and the integration of MSs from existing research papers about empirical studies for the period 2000-2014, including case studies in which the authors are involved. The number of enterprises can be larger.
Originality/value
Although there is some research regarding RM in organizations related to isolated implementations of MSs, this paper stands in a different perspective, since it addresses the issues emerging from the integration of standardized MSs in a broader perspective.
Details
Keywords
Stênio de Sousa Venâncio, Swami Marcondes Villela, José Luís da Silva Pinho and José Manuel Pereira Vieira
The purpose of this paper is to construct a numerical model for the numerical analysis of the hydraulic transient profile in Trabalhador channel for filling and emptying maneuvers…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to construct a numerical model for the numerical analysis of the hydraulic transient profile in Trabalhador channel for filling and emptying maneuvers and to determine the water level in time. Model results support operational managers in the decision-making process.
Design/methodology/approach
Physical data were provided for the construction and calibration of the numerical model. The equations of Saint-Venant were approximated by a finite difference scheme and the numerical model was written in Fortran. The results of filling and emptying of the channel simulations were compared with the measured water levels.
Findings
Measured water levels and those simulated by the numerical model have shown good correlation. The time recorded for the filling and emptying of the canal was also close between the measured and simulated data. The simulation design flow pointed to inundation in the channel banks. Simulation water levels were slightly higher than those measured.
Research limitations/implications
In this model, the combination of canals and pressure conduits was not considered.
Practical implications
The findings confirm the measured time for filling and emptying of the canal, as well as inundation of canal banks for the maximum design flow. These results help in the management process.
Originality/value
This paper presents a numerical model for hydraulic transient analysis in channels with good agreement with the field data.
Details
Keywords
Carlos Manuel Inácio da Silva, Carlos Manuel Pereira Cabrita and João Carlos de Oliveira Matias
The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that the choice of the most appropriate maintenance model and policies is the best way to reduce significantly the maintenance costs as…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that the choice of the most appropriate maintenance model and policies is the best way to reduce significantly the maintenance costs as well as to optimize the useful Key Performance Indicators – failure rates, reliability, mean time between failures, mean time to repair, and equipment availabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to implement the Asset Effectiveness Optimization AEO as well as the Overall Equipment Effectiveness OEE, improving productivity in a complex food‐products plant, the paper presents a theoretical and experimental study related to the maintenance costs directly associated with the equipment used in production tasks.
Findings
The developed tool is an efficient method of calculating the maintenance costs and allows one by means of computational simulation to define the most advisable maintenance policy. On the other hand, the proposed relationships are universal and could be used as an economic evaluation indicator for other industries and equipment.
Research limitations/implications
Further research should include the application of the proposed methodology to the similar equipment of other food‐products plants as well as to other different equipment in order to create benchmarking procedures. This generator of technical information is the most appropriate method of optimizing maintenance key performance indicators.
Practical implications
As is well known, equipment availability must be as close to 100 per cent as possible, in order to avoid non‐planned breakdowns with the consequent production losses. Then it is important to adopt the most advisable maintenance policies and practices, the proposed methodology being an efficient tool for evaluating the maintenance performance and, in addition, for optimizing procedures.
Originality/value
The proposed methodology represents an efficient way to evaluate the maintenance performance as well as to choose better maintenance policies and practices in order to reduce costs and increase maintenance key performance indicators.
Details
Keywords
Dessynie Edwards, Tina Garcia, Monica M. Muñoz, Teresa Silva and Juan Manuel Niño
The average woman educator spends more time in the classroom than their male counterpart before ascending to an administrator position. Women educators spends on average 10–11…
Abstract
The average woman educator spends more time in the classroom than their male counterpart before ascending to an administrator position. Women educators spends on average 10–11 years as a teacher and as an administrator before becoming promoted to the superintendent position (Kingsberry & Jean-Marie, 2018; Manuel & Slate, 2003; Robinson, Shakeshaft, Grogan, & Newcomb, 2017). However, when they do reach this position, women superintendents lead in a different manner than men. They tend to focus on the well-being of children and families. They bring a strong interest in educating the child as a whole and place those at high risk a priority (Grogan, 2005). Women are finding way(s) to bring women's way(s) of knowing and expertise into this position. Women tend to keep instruction at the forefront and develop relationships with school and wider community members that can help foster the academic and social growth of the student (Grogan, 2005; Robinson et al., 2017; Wilmore, 2008).
Therefore, feminist@ leaders surface from their feminist and cultural knowledge (Sanchez & Ek, 2013) as a form of traditional resistance. They create pathways for other Latinas on their journey to claim Chicana feminism. As such, this chapter highlights the voices of four valiant women of color leaders on the path toward the superintendency whose personal and professional pathways intersect to create a feminist@ leadership identity.