Yulan Sun, Marc Thomas and Jacques Masounave
The purpose of this paper is to present experimental research on the behaviour of a new electrorheological fluid (ETSERF).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present experimental research on the behaviour of a new electrorheological fluid (ETSERF).
Design/methodology/approach
The ETSERF is a suspension based on diatomite powders dispersed in silicon oil with a surfactant. A design of experiments is conducted to investigate the effects of electric field strength, particle concentration, surfactant percentage, particle size and shear rate on the efficiency of ETSERFs. The influence of the interactions on shear stresses is analyzed by varying all the combinations of the independent variables. The dielectric properties of the ETSERF are investigated in order to explain the interactions between these independent variables. Furthermore, a quantitative relationship between the dynamic shear stresses and the independent variables is developed.
Findings
The relationship provides a very useful explanation for the contributions of each independent variable to the viscosity and yield stress.
Originality/value
A new empirical model is proposed to explain the rheological behaviour of the ER fluids with a shear‐thinning behaviour.
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Keywords
This study explores the brand management and marketing of Creative Cities of Gastronomy. A framework based on brand experience was constructed to investigate its relationship with…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the brand management and marketing of Creative Cities of Gastronomy. A framework based on brand experience was constructed to investigate its relationship with tourists' brand attachment and brand identification. Two factors that enable tourists to have a stronger brand experience from the self-concept perspective – self-congruity and self-expansion – were also examined.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopted a quantitative research design and collected data from participants who had visited Creative Cities of Gastronomy. A total of 515 valid questionnaires were collected online and offline. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.
Findings
The results showed that brand experience positively affects brand identification and attachment. The brand experience of tourists who considered themselves to be “foodies” was enhanced in the Creative Cities of Gastronomy through self-congruity. The results also confirmed that the relationship between self-congruity and brand experience is mediated by self-expansion.
Originality/value
Studies on the Creative Cities of Gastronomy are limited. The few that have explored these cities are dominated by qualitative approaches. This study applied empirical data to examine the brand experience in Creative Cities of Gastronomy. The authors successfully verified that brand experience is effective for building positive relationships with brand attachment and identification. The study also confirmed that self-congruity and self-expansion are important antecedents of brand experience in Creative Cities of Gastronomy. This study enriches the literature by providing empirical evidence and insights into the marketing and branding of these cities.
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Jakub Wojciechowski and Marcin Suszynski
This paper aims to propose the method of automatic robotic assembly of two or more parts placed without fixing instrumentation and positioning on the pallet.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose the method of automatic robotic assembly of two or more parts placed without fixing instrumentation and positioning on the pallet.
Design/methodology/approach
Assembly tasks performed by industrial robots are usually based on a constant program, extensive tooling, fixing objects in a given place and a relatively limited sensory system. In this study, a different approach is presented. The industrial robot program is adjusted to the location of parts for assembly in the work space. This leads to a transition from a clearly defined assembly sequence realized by the industrial robot to the one in which the order of execution of the assembly operations can be determined by the mutual position of parts to be assembled.
Findings
The method presented in this study combines many already known algorithms. The contribution of the authors is to test and select the appropriate combination of methods capable of supporting robotic assembly process based on data from optical 3D scanners. The sequence of operations from scanning to place the parts in the installation position by an industrial robot is developed. A set of parameters for selected methods is presented. The result is a universal procedure that determines the position of the preset models in partial measurements performed at a fixed relative position of the sensor, the measurement object.
Originality/value
The developed procedure for determining the position of the parts is essential to develop a flexible robotic assembly system. It will be able to perform the task of assembly on the basis of appropriate search algorithms taking into account the selected and implemented sequence of assembly position and orientation of parts, particularly the base unit freely placed on an assembly pallete. It is also the basis of a system for testing different algorithms to optimize the flexible robotic assembly.
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Xiaohua Fu, Thanawan Sittithai and Thitinan Chankoson
The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of tourists' perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intention on the development of Lipu Yi costume culture…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of tourists' perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intention on the development of Lipu Yi costume culture to promote the development of intangible cultural tourism and better construct a model of the influencing factors of Lipu Yi costumes in the development of intangible cultural heritage tourism.
Design/methodology/approach
The study site is the intangible cultural district of Panzhihua, Sichuan Province, China. This study examines the interrelationships between tourists' perceived value of experience, behavioral intention and satisfaction as the tourists relate to Lipu Yi costume and intangible cultural heritage tourism. A sample of 225 tourists who had visited Panzhihua at least once was selected for the study.
Findings
All seven of the survey's hypotheses were supported. Therefore, this study concludes that tourists' perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intention directly affect the development of intangible cultural tourism and significantly positively impact the growth of Lipu Yi costumes culture. Descriptive analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) investigation methods were used.
Originality/value
This paper analyzes tourists' perceived value of Lipu costume culture and tourists' satisfaction and behavioral intention during the tourism process. This study provides a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between Lipu Yi costume and non-heritage tourism factors. Practical methods and approaches are sought to further develop Lipu Yi costume non-heritage tourism.