Search results

CONTROLLED EXPANSION has an important implication in the mechanical fastening of high performance structures. The technique provides that a cylindrical fastener expands plastically during installation to a slightly hour glass shaped cross section. Expansion is one to two per cent of the hole diameter at the shear plane, and three to five per cent at the surfaces. The result is a joint with remarkable integrity and attractive in cost saving potential. The advantages of controlled expansion are being incorporated into the fastening of the A300B wing structure after a critically thorough study of the systems described herein, in comparison with all proven and potential alternatives.

In this Industry 4.0 era, third-party logistics (3PL) industries face huge cost pressure to deliver their service. With increase in competition among the players, constant mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have been taking place to sustain competitive advantage. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the growth dynamics among the 3PL service providers.

In this research, the system dynamics methodology was applied to the study of the growth of 3PL industry in Singapore. A population growth model incorporating the predator–prey interaction is developed to account for growth through M&As among 3PLs and their interaction phenomenon are modeled through modified Lotka–Volterra method. The two-species system model consisting of small and medium logistics service providers (SMLSPs as the prey) and the lead logistics providers (LLPs as the predator) are gauged according to the firm size.

Results from the baseline model indicates that Singapore’s logistics industry looks very optimistic for SMLSPs for another 6 years from 2018, while the LLP population will achieve a peak at about 12 years from 2018. Further sensitivity analysis through macroeconomic and microeconomic changes reveals increase in trend of M&As. By varying competitive pressures between firms, results indicate that the LLP population experiences a decreasing rate of increasing SMLSP population falls.

The research provides guidance for logistics and supply chain managers to better understand the critical factors that impact and determine competitive dynamics. The paper further recommends managers to build sustainable logistics strategies to retain competitive advantages.

The research contributes to both economic and social dimensions of logistics sustainability of how resilient the industries are during uncertain conditions. Some of the limitations of this research include the geographic coverage of the study region and other methodological aspects. The research value thus helps policymakers for developing strategic policies for sustainable industrial growth.

Generative Production Systems are generative design computation that is linked to optimal physical production. They can improve the design and production of products which have unique geometries. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a preliminary methodology for Generative Production Systems.

The paper takes the form of a literature review investigating the structures and formats of successful methodologies. The literature review also investigates Generative Production Systems' theoretical foundations, development and implementations.

The potential of Generative Production Systems is restricted because enabling information is fragmented and difficult to access. In other fields, such barriers have been overcome through the introduction of methodologies that provide guiding principles, rules and strategies (P‐R‐S). The P‐R‐S type of methodology structure is suitable for Generative Production Systems.

The use of Generative Production Systems requires more upfront investment than the use of CAD/CAM software packages. However, they require little, or no, human input after they are set‐up. The preliminary methodology provides structured guidance about how to set up a Generative Production System. Further, the explanatory text enables wider understanding of Generative Production Systems, and how they can improve design and production.

An analysis is provided for the structure and format of successful methodologies in general. A preliminary methodology for Generative Production Systems is introduced. Further, the paper provides an overview of the disadvantages and advantages of Generative Production Systems compared to typical CAD/CAM software packages.

The name of H. H. Uhlig and the work of the Corrosion Laboratory at M.I.T. are synonymous and familiar to corrosion engineers throughout the world. We are fortunate this month in being able to publish an article describing the corrosion researches at M.I.T., from the pen of Professor Uhlig himself. Research on corrosion has been pursued at M.I.T. since the turn of the century, always on fundamental corrosion phenomena. As Professor Uhlig says at the end of his article, “money spent by industry or Government on basic corrosion research probably marks one of the soundest investments of present times”—the following gives a very good idea of what this has entailed at M.I.T.

The Equal Pay Act 1970 (which came into operation on 29 December 1975) provides for an “equality clause” to be written into all contracts of employment. S.1(2) (a) of the 1970 Act (which has been amended by the Sex Discrimination Act 1975) provides:

Since 1917 there has been much research to find means of eliminating or reducing the harmful influence of corrosion on fatigue behaviour. The solution, in principle, is to prevent the corrosive attack on the metal surface and thus achieve something like the air fatigue strength. The studies reported here help to counter‐balance the much greater number of investigations involving various metallic types of protective coatings. They were initiated to provide information on the possibilities of using organic coatings to protect coil springs.

All items listed may be borrowed from the Aslib Library, except those marked *, which may be consulted in the Library.