real-time planning and control of small to medium enterprises This item was submitted to Loughborough University’s Institutional Repository by the/an author.
Ongoing development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology coincides with a rapid increase in legislation aiming to control the environmental impacts of products across their life cycle. A risk-based method is used to explore the... more
Ongoing development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology coincides with a rapid increase in legislation aiming to control the environmental impacts of products across their life cycle. A risk-based method is used to explore the potential future impacts of this body of legislation on the technology. Legislation controlling the use of hazardous materials is one area of significance. Under the new European REACH Regulation some nickel compounds, used widely throughout general industry but also in the fabrication of anode structures, may fall under the classification of a substance of very high concern (SVHC) in future, which presents a risk of restrictions being placed on their continued use. This risk must drive the development of alternative anode materials, or requires the SOFC industry to identify a socio-economic argument nvironmental product legislation nd-of-life management
Research Interests: Business, Engineering, Resilience, Productivity, Food Manufacturing, and 14 moreFood Processing, Food Security, Production economics, Food Waste, Resource efficiency, Sustainable Food Systems, Food Supply Chain, Sustainable Food Processing, Food Products, Valorisation, Customisation, Sustainable Product Design and Manufacturing, Intenet of Things, and Springer Ebooks
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... from renewable resources. Through the development of different consumption and productivity scenarios, projected using current and historic data, the feasibility of meeting global demands for food, liquid fuels and plastics is... more
... from renewable resources. Through the development of different consumption and productivity scenarios, projected using current and historic data, the feasibility of meeting global demands for food, liquid fuels and plastics is investigated, based on total agricultural land ...
Research Interests: Business, Engineering, Renewable Energy, Food Security and Insecurity, Productivity, and 15 moreAgriculture, Future, Production economics, Bioplastics, Raw materials, Biopolymers, End of life, Land Use, Polyethylene, Renewable Resources, Historical Data, Sustainable Engineering, Food Products, Renewable Resource, and agricultural land
Research Interests: Engineering, Computer Science, Energy Consumption, Energy efficiency, Simulation, and 10 morecomputer Integrated manufacturing, Production economics, Business and Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Energy Accounting, Greenhouse Gas, Discrete Event Simulation, Energy Efficiency, Rationalisation, and consumption sociology
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Abstract: The significant environmental cost associated with management of products at the end-of-life has resulted in the emergence of ‘producer responsibility ’ legislations to encourage increase in recovery and recycling practices. In... more
Abstract: The significant environmental cost associated with management of products at the end-of-life has resulted in the emergence of ‘producer responsibility ’ legislations to encourage increase in recovery and recycling practices. In the case of electrical and electronic equipment, one such legislation, namely the ‘Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive’, requires manufacturers to assume financial and legal liability for recovery and recycling of their products at the end-of-life. The current recycling applications of electrical and electronic waste are often developed on ad hoc basis and mainly attributable to the hidden economic value within used products. However, owing to stricter regulations on end-of-life product recycling, it is now essential to evaluate the recycling costs and environmental bene-fits of reclaimed products and materials as well as the selection of appropriate recycling strat-egy. The present paper describes the initial investigation in t...
Research Interests: End of life and WEEE
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This paper introduces a new configuration of production system, termed a Multi-Component Flexible Manpower Line, which has been designed to meet the requirements of the automotive component supply industry. The aim of this system is to... more
This paper introduces a new configuration of production system, termed a Multi-Component Flexible Manpower Line, which has been designed to meet the requirements of the automotive component supply industry. The aim of this system is to process a wide variety of part types and variants in low, medium and high batches, therefore bridging the gap between volume oriented and variety oriented production systems. The introduction of this new system configuration provides novel production planning and control challenges due to the requirements for producing a range of products in varying small to very large batch sizes. This paper identifies and examines these production planning and control requirements and identifies two distinct production strategies based on volume and variety oriented production within Multi-Component Flexible Manpower Line. These production strategies have been incorporated in to a software toolkit that supports the production planning and control of such production lines.
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ABSTRACT The industrial sector consumes a significant amount of the world’s energy supply; the rationalisation of energy consumption would provide the most effective method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions attributed to manufacturing... more
ABSTRACT The industrial sector consumes a significant amount of the world’s energy supply; the rationalisation of energy consumption would provide the most effective method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions attributed to manufacturing and use of products. Energy consumed across the various stages of a product’s lifecycle varies significantly depending on the product design and its application. In non-energy using products such as furniture, food, and clothing, the material preparation and production phases represent a significant proportion of energy consumption over the product lifecycle. This paper proposes a new design methodology targeted at these products to minimise energy consumption during ‘production’ phase. KeywordsEnergy Efficiency-Design for the Environment-Low Carbon Manufacturing
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Manufacturing enterprises are facing fierce competition within the modern global market, resulting in a requirement for continuous improvement of their production management practices. In this context, a number of manufacturing paradigms... more
Manufacturing enterprises are facing fierce competition within the modern global market, resulting in a requirement for continuous improvement of their production management practices. In this context, a number of manufacturing paradigms such as team-based manufacturing have been adopted to provide the flexibility, agility and responsiveness required to cope with the volatility of production demands. The introduction of team-based working practices
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... The effects of the various process parameters such as part rotational speed, wire feed rate and ... requires small magnetic parts, was studied by comparing it with the laser-cutting process [27 ... A study was also done to investigate... more
... The effects of the various process parameters such as part rotational speed, wire feed rate and ... requires small magnetic parts, was studied by comparing it with the laser-cutting process [27 ... A study was also done to investigate the machining performance of micro-WEDM used to ...
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Many manufacturing organisations while doing business either directly or indirectly with other industrial sectors often encounter interoperability problems amongst software systems. This increases the business cost and reduces the... more
Many manufacturing organisations while doing business either directly or indirectly with other industrial sectors often encounter interoperability problems amongst software systems. This increases the business cost and reduces the efficiency. Research communities are exploring ways to reduce this cost. Incompatibility amongst the syntaxes and the semantics of the languages of application systems is the most common cause to this problem.
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... other sub-projects which were also linking their software together, it was identified that STEP physical files (Alte-mueller 1988) were ... ALTEMUELLER, J., 1988, The STEP file structure. ... KUSIAK, A., 1992, Intelligent Design and... more
... other sub-projects which were also linking their software together, it was identified that STEP physical files (Alte-mueller 1988) were ... ALTEMUELLER, J., 1988, The STEP file structure. ... KUSIAK, A., 1992, Intelligent Design and Manufacturing ( John Wiley & Sons, New York), Ch. ...
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... SHAHIN RAHIMIFARD and STEPHEN T. NEWMAN Abstract. ... Based on this structure, they have developed a fixture planning system for modular fixtures in FMS, using the Fox-Pro database manage-ment system and a turbo C program as the... more
... SHAHIN RAHIMIFARD and STEPHEN T. NEWMAN Abstract. ... Based on this structure, they have developed a fixture planning system for modular fixtures in FMS, using the Fox-Pro database manage-ment system and a turbo C program as the fixture allocator section. ...
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ABSTRACT The planning and scheduling of flexible machining cells is a problem of well known complexity. Within such cells, the use of the latest computerized numerical control machining centres can be maximized through the timely... more
ABSTRACT The planning and scheduling of flexible machining cells is a problem of well known complexity. Within such cells, the use of the latest computerized numerical control machining centres can be maximized through the timely provision of cutting tools and the effective management of the fixturing operations. This paper describes a novel concept for the simultaneous scheduling of the flow of workpieces, fixtures and cutting tools within flexible machining cells. Based on this concept and using a simulation based scheduling approach, a 'multi-flow scheduling system' has been generated. The paper describes this system and relates it to the potential benefits obtained by the integration of scheduling of these three principal manufacturing flows.
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Research Interests: Production, Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Manufacturing, Multidisciplinary, Decision support system, and 16 moreInteroperability, Distributed Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligent, Numerical Control, Process Planning, Computer numerical control, Knowledge base, Data Model, Production Process, Mobile Agent, Manufacturing System, Production System, Utility Computing, Resource Availability, Production Cost, and Transport Costs
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The ever-increasing amount of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has become a common problem due to the significant environmental and health impacts associated with inappropriate End-of-Life (EoL) management. The... more
The ever-increasing amount of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has become a common problem due to the significant environmental and health impacts associated with inappropriate End-of-Life (EoL) management. The current ad hoc applications of WEEE recycling are often based on limited knowledge and cannot cope with the complex range of materials and products in such waste. A knowledge-based
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In Europe 7.3 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) were created in 2002, and the fact that the growth rate of WEEE is 3–5% per annum, with a significant amount of this waste used to be dumped into landfills... more
In Europe 7.3 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) were created in 2002, and the fact that the growth rate of WEEE is 3–5% per annum, with a significant amount of this waste used to be dumped into landfills without any pre-treatment, has resulted in the introduction of a European WEEE directive. The directive requires companies who manufacture or import electrical and electronic equipment to take financial and legal responsibility for its environmental-friendly recovery and recycling. The current recycling applications of WEEE are often developed on an ad hoc basis and mainly attributable to the hidden economic value within used products. However, at present the recycling facilities are faced with the challenge to improve WEEE recycling activities to ensure that a larger proportion of components and materials are being recovered at a reasonable cost and yet at the same time legislative requirements are being met. A major assertion made in the research reported in this paper is that a systematic framework is needed to aid the decision making involved in adopting the best possible end-of-life strategies for WEEE. The paper presents one such integrated framework for the planning of the processes involved in the recycling of WEEE. Based on this framework, a computer-aided recycling process planning (CARPP) system which generates bespoke recycling process plans for WEEE has been developed, which is also described and its functionality demonstrated using a typical WEEE product.
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... 4 The flow of material weights through the recovery chain [3] 1214 C Edwards, G Coates, PG Leaney, and S Rahimifard ... 3 Kollamthodi, S., Hird, AB, Elghali, L., Johnstone, K., Wayman, M., and McColl, V. Data required to monitor... more
... 4 The flow of material weights through the recovery chain [3] 1214 C Edwards, G Coates, PG Leaney, and S Rahimifard ... 3 Kollamthodi, S., Hird, AB, Elghali, L., Johnstone, K., Wayman, M., and McColl, V. Data required to monitor compliance with the End of Life vehicles directive. ...
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... areas within ECM is product recovery (PR) which is the transformation of used ... management systems provide a suit-able technological solution to the design of a ... Furthermore, the platform-independent architecture associated with... more
... areas within ECM is product recovery (PR) which is the transformation of used ... management systems provide a suit-able technological solution to the design of a ... Furthermore, the platform-independent architecture associated with Web-based information systems [32] eliminates ...
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ABSTRACT The key features of reconfigurable manufacturing systems, including modularity, scalability and customisability, have provided production flexibility to enable manufacturers to deal with increasing demands for product variability... more
ABSTRACT The key features of reconfigurable manufacturing systems, including modularity, scalability and customisability, have provided production flexibility to enable manufacturers to deal with increasing demands for product variability and emerging smart materials. This increased complexity in design and material mix has also highlighted a need for more flexible and advanced technologies for recycling modern products at the end of their life. This paper examines the adoption of key features in reconfigurable systems to increase flexibility and automation in recycling activities. The application of such a ‘Reconfigurable Recycling System’ (RRS) has been illustrated using a specially designed robotic cell which disassembles and concentrates strategically important materials from components of electrical cars.
Ongoing development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology coincides with a rapid increase in legislation aiming to control the environmental impacts of products across their life cycle. A risk-based method is used to explore the... more
Ongoing development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology coincides with a rapid increase in legislation aiming to control the environmental impacts of products across their life cycle. A risk-based method is used to explore the potential future impacts of this body of legislation on the technology. Legislation controlling the use of hazardous materials is one area of significance. Under
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Technological innovation and shorter product life cycles of electrical and electronic equipment coupled with their rapidly growing applications have resulted in the generation of an enormous amount of waste from electrical and electronic... more
Technological innovation and shorter product life cycles of electrical and electronic equipment coupled with their rapidly growing applications have resulted in the generation of an enormous amount of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). To address the potential environmental problems that could stem from improper end‐of‐life management of WEEE, many countries have drafted national legislation to improve the reuse, remanufacture and material recycling from WEEE, and to reduce the amount of such waste going to landfills. With the introduction of such legislation comes an increased need for the recovery operators to evaluate the recycling costs and environmental benefits of reclaimed products and materials in order to select the most appropriate end‐of‐life options for individual products in WEEE. This paper presents a systematic methodology for ecological and economical assessment to provide a holistic understanding of the impacts associated with different end‐of‐li...
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Bioplastics derived from renewable polymers such as sugars, starches and cellulose, have attracted significant interest from companies looking to reduce their environmental footprint. New production capacity and improved materials have... more
Bioplastics derived from renewable polymers such as sugars, starches and cellulose, have attracted significant interest from companies looking to reduce their environmental footprint. New production capacity and improved materials have resulted in their increasing adoption for mainstream consumer products packaging. However questions remain regarding their overall environmental benefits and how the maximum environmental gain can be achieved. These uncertainties highlight the need for a decision support tool to aid the packaging design process. This paper examines the issues surrounding bio-derived polymer use and discusses the development of an eco-design tool to assist in their rapid and efficient adoption.
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The growing interest in biopolymers as a packaging material, particularly from companies looking to reduce their environmental footprint, has resulted in these renewable materials becoming more widely accepted and used in the packaging of... more
The growing interest in biopolymers as a packaging material, particularly from companies looking to reduce their environmental footprint, has resulted in these renewable materials becoming more widely accepted and used in the packaging of high volume, mainstream products such as corn snacks and beverages. Whilst traditionally the selection and specification of materials during the pack design process was largely based on factors which could be expressed and compared economically, with biopolymers, particularly where the primary rationale for their use is an environmental or sustainability based one, the factors on which decisions are based are not directly comparable or expressible in a single standard unit. Furthermore, these factors have a significant strategic element that requires a broader range of horizontal and vertical input, both within the business and the wider supply chain. It is therefore essential that a holistic approach is taken during the packaging design process, when considering the use of biopolymers, to ensure that the final packaging meets the original intent and overall requirements of the business. A tool designed to support this holistic approach will therefore need to include inputs from a diverse range of stakeholders both within the manufacturing organization and externally, from across the supply chain. Current eco-packaging design decision support tools are generally restricted to specialist users within the pack design process, such as designers or packaging engineers, and provide largely tactical rather than strategic support and guidance. This disconnect, between the inclusivity of stakeholders and strategic support required for a holistic design approach, and the exclusivity and largely tactical support given by current eco-design decision support tools, indicates a clear need for a new decision support tool for sustainable pack design using biopolymers. This paper examines the need for a holistic approach and strategic support in this context and outlines the framework for a new eco-design decision support tool for biopolymer based packaging developed to address current shortcomings.
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Oil-derived plastics have become well established as a packaging material over the past 75 years due to their many technical and commercial advantages. However, the disposal of plastic packaging waste, a large proportion of which still... more
Oil-derived plastics have become well established as a packaging material over the past 75 years due to their many technical and commercial advantages. However, the disposal of plastic packaging waste, a large proportion of which still goes to landfill, continues to raise increasing environmental concerns. Meanwhile, the price of oil continues to rise as demand outstrips supply. In response, biodegradable polymers made from renewable resources have risen to greater prominence, with a variety of materials currently being developed from plant starch, cellulose, sugars and proteins. Whilst the polymer science continues apace, the real ecological impacts and benefits of these materials remain uncertain. Although life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to provide comparisons with oil-derived plastics, published studies are often limited in scope, allowing the validity of their conclusions to be challenged. The literature appears to support the popular assumption that the end-of-life management of these materials requires little consideration, since their biodegradable properties provide inherent ecological benefits. Opportunities for conserving resources through the recycling of biopolymers are rarely addressed. Through a review of current academic, industrial and commercial progress in the field of biopolymers, a number of LCA case studies are proposed which will address this weakness in existing research, related to the recycling of biopolymers. These, or similar, studies are required to provide a more complete picture of the potential effects of a transition from non-renewable to renewable polymers, thus allowing material selection decisions to be made with greater confidence throughout the packaging supply chain.
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Recent trends in the bio-plastics industry indicate a rapid shift towards the use of bio-derived conventional plastics such as polyethylene (bio-PE). Whereas historically a significant driver for bio-plastics development has been their... more
Recent trends in the bio-plastics industry indicate a rapid shift towards the use of bio-derived conventional plastics such as polyethylene (bio-PE). Whereas historically a significant driver for bio-plastics development has been their biodegradability, the adoption of plastics such as bio-PE is driven by the renewability of the raw materials from which they are produced. The production of these renewable resources requires the use of agricultural land, which is limited in its availability. Land is also an essential requirement for food production and is becoming increasingly important for fuel production. The research presented in this paper envisages a situation, in the year 2050, where all plastics and liquid fuels are produced from renewable resources. Through the development of different consumption and productivity scenarios, projected using current and historic data, the feasibility of meeting global demands for food, liquid fuels and plastics is investigated, based on total agricultural land availability. A range of results, comparing low to high consumption with low to high productivity, are reported. However, it is from the analysis of the mid-point scenario combinations, where consumption and productivity are both moderate, that the most significant conclusions can be drawn. It is clear that while bio-plastics offer attractive opportunities for the use of renewable materials, development activities to 2050 should continue to focus on the search for alternative feed stocks which do not compete with food production, and should prioritise the efficient use of materials through good design and effective end-of-life management.
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Green sources of power generation and efficient management of energy demand are among the greatest challenges facing manufacturing businesses. A significant proportion of energy used in manufacturing is currently generated through fossil... more
Green sources of power generation and efficient management of energy demand are among the greatest challenges facing manufacturing businesses. A significant proportion of energy used in manufacturing is currently generated through fossil fuels. Therefore in the foreseeable future, the rationalisation of energy consumption still provides the greatest opportunity for the reduction of greenhouse gases. A novel approach to energy efficient
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ABSTRACT Energy is an inextricable part of life in the 21st century, thus its availability and utilisation will become increasingly important with the concerns over climate change and the escalation in worldwide population. This... more
ABSTRACT Energy is an inextricable part of life in the 21st century, thus its availability and utilisation will become increasingly important with the concerns over climate change and the escalation in worldwide population. This highlights the need for manufacturing businesses to adopt the concept of ‘lean energy’ based on the use of the most energy efficient processes and activities within their production facilities. The energy consumption in manufacturing facilities can be reduced by either using more efficient technologies and equipment, and/or through improved monitoring and control of energy used in infrastructure and technical services. The research reported in this paper adopts a novel approach to modelling energy flows within a manufacturing system based on a ‘product’ viewpoint, and utilises the energy consumption data at ‘plant’ and ‘process’ levels to provide a breakdown of energy used during production.
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Convenience food manufacture generates considerable waste due to the planning of production being undertaken based upon forecasted orders. This problem is particularly acute for products that have a very short shelf-life and are subject... more
Convenience food manufacture generates considerable waste due to the planning of production being undertaken based upon forecasted orders. This problem is particularly acute for products that have a very short shelf-life and are subject to considerable volatility in demand, such as ready-meals. Overproduction wastes (OPWs) typically result in finished products being disposed of through commercial waste channels, which is both