Engineering seeks to improve the quality of life taking into consideration factors of safety and ... more Engineering seeks to improve the quality of life taking into consideration factors of safety and environment amongst others. The use of the lawnmower in landscape maintenance is quite common throughout various parts of the world with significant noise generated during its operation. This study seeks to develop a blade design via Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) that will reduce the noise intensity of the lawnmower while in use; thereby, reducing discomfort to the user and environs. The design of the blade was developed by utilization of engineering techniques such as reverse engineering (RE) and re-engineering (ReE) of an actual blade, coupled with computer aided design (CAD), for simulation of performance prior to the production of a prototype. The results of design simulation as well as from physical testing of the prototype were compared to determine the success of the CAE approach based on variations of both test results. The various procedures, from RE of the lawnmower blade an...
The grinding process falls under the category of abrasive machining, which is a material-removal ... more The grinding process falls under the category of abrasive machining, which is a material-removal operation that involves abrasive grits interacting with the workpiece at high speeds and shallow penetration depths. In surface grinding, high heat is generated at the contact regions due to friction between the grit-chip and grit-workpiece interactions. This generated heat may damage the machined surface due to a sudden rise in temperature which induces phase transformations on the machined surface. These phase transformations lead to workpiece burns that drastically decreases the fatigue life of the job. Thus, the elimination of these burns is of considerable interest in this study. It is apparent that sub-zero temperature coolants would have the ability to bring about lower grinding temperatures than what is typically achieved under conventional fluids. In this study, a factorial experimental approach was used to investigate the effects of liquid carbon dioxide (LC02) on grinding stai...
Rapid prototyping (RP) processes such as fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (S... more Rapid prototyping (RP) processes such as fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SL) are being widely used in the industry with great potential for direct digital manufacturing of functional parts. In the RP process, surface finish and build time are important and are affected due to improper selection of slice thickness. It is evident that there is a strong relation between the slicing and tessellation process for which more scientific efforts are necessary to develop methods for creating more efficient STL files. The aim of this study is to show the effect of slicing on the surface finish, layering error and build time of a prototype. Furthermore, this study shows how tolerance and slice thickness are related in creating more efficient STL files. In this regard, three objects were modeled for generation of STL files. Each object’s STL file was sliced with different slice thickness values. Screenshots approach was used to show the slicing effect on layering error. Th...
Due to a lack of skilled manual welders especially during peak production times, a local welding ... more Due to a lack of skilled manual welders especially during peak production times, a local welding and fabrication firm in Trinidad was prompted to search for an alternative method to execute their welding operations. In order to address this issue the capital-intensive mechanised gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process was identified as an option. The objective of this paper is the development of welding parameters for an effective implementation of a mechanised GTAW process in the local industry in accordance with global welding standards. For experimental purposes, through an extensive literature search, operational parameters such as wire speed, weld current and travel speed were considered to perform root pass welding of the specimens. The selected welding parameters were successfully studied for both the 8′′ and 10′′ test coupons that produce good root reinforcement in accordance with international standards. The experimental results showed that performing root pass welding beco...
Latin American J. of Management for Sustainable Development, 2019
Contemporary Caribbean manufacturing organisations are faced with the issues of maintaining low m... more Contemporary Caribbean manufacturing organisations are faced with the issues of maintaining low manufacturing costs and producing eco-friendly and sustainable products, whilst ensuring efficient assemblies and short product development times. However, lack of specialised training and capital to invest in technologically intensive design methods hinders modernisation of the current product design processes. In this regard, this paper presents an integrated approach for sustainable re-design of products through the concurrent application of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA), design for environment (DFE) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) in an effort to mitigate these issues while utilising existing computer-aided design (CAD) software tools and techniques. The proposed integrated approach attempts to improve overall assembly efficiency, product sustainability and component performance while simultaneously lowering manufacturing costs and ease of implementation. A case study of a computer keyboard shelf assembly was used to demonstrate the potentiality of the proposed approach. Significant improvements were observed in the study in the form of assembly labour cost, part count and total manufacturing cost which were reduced by 28%, 29% and 42%, respectively. The novel approach contributed by this study can allow Caribbean manufacturers to systematically and cost-effectively optimise their designs to better satisfy modern market requirements, thus ensuring product success.
Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, Jan 6, 2018
This research entailed the development and prototyping of a bespoke assistive device for a subjec... more This research entailed the development and prototyping of a bespoke assistive device for a subject who was a local pool and billiards championship player. The subject was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to undergo surgery followed by chemotherapy to completely remove the mass in the brain. Following this, there was some loss in motor skills on the right side of his body affecting his gait and grip on objects and his ability to play pool and billiards. Concepts were developed to enable the subject to regain some form. A final design was made, with subsequent alterations for fit and comfort. Testing was done over a 7-day period and results using aid were compared without using any aid over a similar period. There was an 88% decrease in time taken to execute the shot, a 140% increase in strength of shot and a 75% increase in accuracy. The results suggest greater improvement in these performance characteristics with extended use of the device. The device also serves to improve the ...
International Journal of Collaborative Enterprise, 2016
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to document experiences gained due to implementation of lea... more Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to document experiences gained due to implementation of lean strategies in one of the Caribbean jobshop manufacturing organisations. Design/methodology/approach: The present mode of the selected Caribbean manufacturing firm's operations has revealed that there is existence of excessive motion, processing time and queue time within the manufacturing layout. To gain insights in the lean area, a comprehensive review of literature has been conducted. For in depth analysis of the company's problems, the 5-whys methodology was followed. The current value stream map (CVSM) has been developed after making several company visits and necessary computations. For improvement of the system, various lean strategies have been proposed and future value stream map (FVSM) was developed. Findings: Due to implementation of lean strategies such as parallel processing, smaller batching, deployment of new technology and computer aided job assessment the company realised benefits in terms of reduction in lead time (∼86%), reduction in processing time (∼67%) and an increased effectiveness of flow (from 4% to 57%). Lean implementation also resulted in improved flow effectiveness and quality reports. Practical implications: With the proposed lean strategies the company can now capable of quicker revenue generation, reduction in costs and an increase in productivity. Originality/value: The study experiences can be applied in similar jobshop situations to reduce costs and improve the effectiveness of their manufacturing operations.
International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2016
In this research article, an investigation of surface roughness (SR) of work surfaces produced by... more In this research article, an investigation of surface roughness (SR) of work surfaces produced by the powder mixed electrical discharge machining of EN-8 steel has been carried out. Response surface methodology has been used to plan and analyse the experiments. Average current, duty cycle, electrode angle and concentration of chromium powder added into the dielectric fluid were selected as process parameters. Experiments have been performed on a newly designed experimental set-up developed in the laboratory. An empirical model has been developed for surface roughness. In addition, the recommended model has been verified by conducting confirmation experiments. [Received 14 May 2015; Revised 14 April 2016; Accepted 8 June 2016]
International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 2015
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a rapid prototyping technology in which a spool of thermoplas... more Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a rapid prototyping technology in which a spool of thermoplastic filament is extruded through a heated nozzle tip and deposited in layers built upon each other to form a final part. This research work demonstrates a method for optimisation of process parameters with the intention of fabricating high-quality surface finish and dimensionally accurate parts. The process parameters, including layer thickness, air gap, raster width, part orientation and deviational tolerance, are optimised through statistical analysis. The degree of influence of each parameter is determined using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for the responses of surface roughness and dimensional accuracy. The full factorial experimental design was employed and the results confirmed legitimacy of this approach for optimising FDM parameters. This study also established that deviation tolerance has a significant impact on the final part just as much as the more commonly known parameters such as layer thickness and raster width.
Asian J. of Management Science and Applications, 2014
The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of computer-aided design (CAD) and design fo... more The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of computer-aided design (CAD) and design for environment (DFE) principles as competent enablers of the traditional product design process. In this regard, integration of CAD and DFE principles is proposed which gives light to various stages of the contemporary product development process. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a case study involving the development of a tennis ball retriever concept. This paper makes several contributions to the product design industry in terms of identifying the design errors and modifying the design accordingly when the product is still in the initial stages of development. Furthermore, the proposed integration of CAD and DFE principles is considered to be highly valuable for its implementation in similar product development situations to achieve agility in the design of new products.
International Journal of Collaborative Enterprise, 2014
Quality function deployment (QFD) is effective and a very useful analysing tool in product design... more Quality function deployment (QFD) is effective and a very useful analysing tool in product design and development process. The determination of the fulfilment levels of customer needs and engineering characteristics is an important issue during QFD process for development of new product concept. To solve the uncertainty in QFD as well as to tackle the vague nature of product development processes, numerous researchers have applied the fuzzy set theory to QFD. This paper describes an approach where computer aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE) and design for environment (DFE) integration was deployed and using fuzzy QFD tool, product sustainable actions were prioritised. The feasibility of deploying CAD/CAE and DFE tools for achieving effectiveness in the product development process through a real case has been ensured. Finally, application of the fuzzy QFD logic is considered to be highly valuable to translate linguistic judgements required for relationships and correlations matrixes into numerical values.
Research trends in product development involve integrated approaches taking account of design, ma... more Research trends in product development involve integrated approaches taking account of design, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and recycling aspects. This paper presents one such approach through a case study involving the design of a battery operated passenger cart. The design of the cart aims to reduce problems associated with carrying heavy luggage and reducing travel time between airport terminals. The use of recyclable and environmentally friendly materials was investigated to ensure that the criterion of Design for Environment was met. Engineering software applications such as AutoCAD® and SolidWorks® were used for both drafting and analysis. Product features, strengths and stability were analysed for compliance with the design specifications, giving the cart the opportunity to be used in similar locations such as hospitals, factories
Engineering seeks to improve the quality of life taking into consideration factors of safety and ... more Engineering seeks to improve the quality of life taking into consideration factors of safety and environment amongst others. The use of the lawnmower in landscape maintenance is quite common throughout various parts of the world with significant noise generated during its operation. This study seeks to develop a blade design via Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) that will reduce the noise intensity of the lawnmower while in use; thereby, reducing discomfort to the user and environs. The design of the blade was developed by utilization of engineering techniques such as reverse engineering (RE) and re-engineering (ReE) of an actual blade, coupled with computer aided design (CAD), for simulation of performance prior to the production of a prototype. The results of design simulation as well as from physical testing of the prototype were compared to determine the success of the CAE approach based on variations of both test results. The various procedures, from RE of the lawnmower blade an...
The grinding process falls under the category of abrasive machining, which is a material-removal ... more The grinding process falls under the category of abrasive machining, which is a material-removal operation that involves abrasive grits interacting with the workpiece at high speeds and shallow penetration depths. In surface grinding, high heat is generated at the contact regions due to friction between the grit-chip and grit-workpiece interactions. This generated heat may damage the machined surface due to a sudden rise in temperature which induces phase transformations on the machined surface. These phase transformations lead to workpiece burns that drastically decreases the fatigue life of the job. Thus, the elimination of these burns is of considerable interest in this study. It is apparent that sub-zero temperature coolants would have the ability to bring about lower grinding temperatures than what is typically achieved under conventional fluids. In this study, a factorial experimental approach was used to investigate the effects of liquid carbon dioxide (LC02) on grinding stai...
Rapid prototyping (RP) processes such as fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (S... more Rapid prototyping (RP) processes such as fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SL) are being widely used in the industry with great potential for direct digital manufacturing of functional parts. In the RP process, surface finish and build time are important and are affected due to improper selection of slice thickness. It is evident that there is a strong relation between the slicing and tessellation process for which more scientific efforts are necessary to develop methods for creating more efficient STL files. The aim of this study is to show the effect of slicing on the surface finish, layering error and build time of a prototype. Furthermore, this study shows how tolerance and slice thickness are related in creating more efficient STL files. In this regard, three objects were modeled for generation of STL files. Each object’s STL file was sliced with different slice thickness values. Screenshots approach was used to show the slicing effect on layering error. Th...
Due to a lack of skilled manual welders especially during peak production times, a local welding ... more Due to a lack of skilled manual welders especially during peak production times, a local welding and fabrication firm in Trinidad was prompted to search for an alternative method to execute their welding operations. In order to address this issue the capital-intensive mechanised gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process was identified as an option. The objective of this paper is the development of welding parameters for an effective implementation of a mechanised GTAW process in the local industry in accordance with global welding standards. For experimental purposes, through an extensive literature search, operational parameters such as wire speed, weld current and travel speed were considered to perform root pass welding of the specimens. The selected welding parameters were successfully studied for both the 8′′ and 10′′ test coupons that produce good root reinforcement in accordance with international standards. The experimental results showed that performing root pass welding beco...
Latin American J. of Management for Sustainable Development, 2019
Contemporary Caribbean manufacturing organisations are faced with the issues of maintaining low m... more Contemporary Caribbean manufacturing organisations are faced with the issues of maintaining low manufacturing costs and producing eco-friendly and sustainable products, whilst ensuring efficient assemblies and short product development times. However, lack of specialised training and capital to invest in technologically intensive design methods hinders modernisation of the current product design processes. In this regard, this paper presents an integrated approach for sustainable re-design of products through the concurrent application of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA), design for environment (DFE) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) in an effort to mitigate these issues while utilising existing computer-aided design (CAD) software tools and techniques. The proposed integrated approach attempts to improve overall assembly efficiency, product sustainability and component performance while simultaneously lowering manufacturing costs and ease of implementation. A case study of a computer keyboard shelf assembly was used to demonstrate the potentiality of the proposed approach. Significant improvements were observed in the study in the form of assembly labour cost, part count and total manufacturing cost which were reduced by 28%, 29% and 42%, respectively. The novel approach contributed by this study can allow Caribbean manufacturers to systematically and cost-effectively optimise their designs to better satisfy modern market requirements, thus ensuring product success.
Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, Jan 6, 2018
This research entailed the development and prototyping of a bespoke assistive device for a subjec... more This research entailed the development and prototyping of a bespoke assistive device for a subject who was a local pool and billiards championship player. The subject was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to undergo surgery followed by chemotherapy to completely remove the mass in the brain. Following this, there was some loss in motor skills on the right side of his body affecting his gait and grip on objects and his ability to play pool and billiards. Concepts were developed to enable the subject to regain some form. A final design was made, with subsequent alterations for fit and comfort. Testing was done over a 7-day period and results using aid were compared without using any aid over a similar period. There was an 88% decrease in time taken to execute the shot, a 140% increase in strength of shot and a 75% increase in accuracy. The results suggest greater improvement in these performance characteristics with extended use of the device. The device also serves to improve the ...
International Journal of Collaborative Enterprise, 2016
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to document experiences gained due to implementation of lea... more Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to document experiences gained due to implementation of lean strategies in one of the Caribbean jobshop manufacturing organisations. Design/methodology/approach: The present mode of the selected Caribbean manufacturing firm's operations has revealed that there is existence of excessive motion, processing time and queue time within the manufacturing layout. To gain insights in the lean area, a comprehensive review of literature has been conducted. For in depth analysis of the company's problems, the 5-whys methodology was followed. The current value stream map (CVSM) has been developed after making several company visits and necessary computations. For improvement of the system, various lean strategies have been proposed and future value stream map (FVSM) was developed. Findings: Due to implementation of lean strategies such as parallel processing, smaller batching, deployment of new technology and computer aided job assessment the company realised benefits in terms of reduction in lead time (∼86%), reduction in processing time (∼67%) and an increased effectiveness of flow (from 4% to 57%). Lean implementation also resulted in improved flow effectiveness and quality reports. Practical implications: With the proposed lean strategies the company can now capable of quicker revenue generation, reduction in costs and an increase in productivity. Originality/value: The study experiences can be applied in similar jobshop situations to reduce costs and improve the effectiveness of their manufacturing operations.
International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2016
In this research article, an investigation of surface roughness (SR) of work surfaces produced by... more In this research article, an investigation of surface roughness (SR) of work surfaces produced by the powder mixed electrical discharge machining of EN-8 steel has been carried out. Response surface methodology has been used to plan and analyse the experiments. Average current, duty cycle, electrode angle and concentration of chromium powder added into the dielectric fluid were selected as process parameters. Experiments have been performed on a newly designed experimental set-up developed in the laboratory. An empirical model has been developed for surface roughness. In addition, the recommended model has been verified by conducting confirmation experiments. [Received 14 May 2015; Revised 14 April 2016; Accepted 8 June 2016]
International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 2015
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a rapid prototyping technology in which a spool of thermoplas... more Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a rapid prototyping technology in which a spool of thermoplastic filament is extruded through a heated nozzle tip and deposited in layers built upon each other to form a final part. This research work demonstrates a method for optimisation of process parameters with the intention of fabricating high-quality surface finish and dimensionally accurate parts. The process parameters, including layer thickness, air gap, raster width, part orientation and deviational tolerance, are optimised through statistical analysis. The degree of influence of each parameter is determined using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for the responses of surface roughness and dimensional accuracy. The full factorial experimental design was employed and the results confirmed legitimacy of this approach for optimising FDM parameters. This study also established that deviation tolerance has a significant impact on the final part just as much as the more commonly known parameters such as layer thickness and raster width.
Asian J. of Management Science and Applications, 2014
The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of computer-aided design (CAD) and design fo... more The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of computer-aided design (CAD) and design for environment (DFE) principles as competent enablers of the traditional product design process. In this regard, integration of CAD and DFE principles is proposed which gives light to various stages of the contemporary product development process. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a case study involving the development of a tennis ball retriever concept. This paper makes several contributions to the product design industry in terms of identifying the design errors and modifying the design accordingly when the product is still in the initial stages of development. Furthermore, the proposed integration of CAD and DFE principles is considered to be highly valuable for its implementation in similar product development situations to achieve agility in the design of new products.
International Journal of Collaborative Enterprise, 2014
Quality function deployment (QFD) is effective and a very useful analysing tool in product design... more Quality function deployment (QFD) is effective and a very useful analysing tool in product design and development process. The determination of the fulfilment levels of customer needs and engineering characteristics is an important issue during QFD process for development of new product concept. To solve the uncertainty in QFD as well as to tackle the vague nature of product development processes, numerous researchers have applied the fuzzy set theory to QFD. This paper describes an approach where computer aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE) and design for environment (DFE) integration was deployed and using fuzzy QFD tool, product sustainable actions were prioritised. The feasibility of deploying CAD/CAE and DFE tools for achieving effectiveness in the product development process through a real case has been ensured. Finally, application of the fuzzy QFD logic is considered to be highly valuable to translate linguistic judgements required for relationships and correlations matrixes into numerical values.
Research trends in product development involve integrated approaches taking account of design, ma... more Research trends in product development involve integrated approaches taking account of design, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and recycling aspects. This paper presents one such approach through a case study involving the design of a battery operated passenger cart. The design of the cart aims to reduce problems associated with carrying heavy luggage and reducing travel time between airport terminals. The use of recyclable and environmentally friendly materials was investigated to ensure that the criterion of Design for Environment was met. Engineering software applications such as AutoCAD® and SolidWorks® were used for both drafting and analysis. Product features, strengths and stability were analysed for compliance with the design specifications, giving the cart the opportunity to be used in similar locations such as hospitals, factories
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