A simulative approach for evaluating alternative feeding scenarios in a kanban system

In accordance with the lean production philosophy, an assembly line may be supplied by means of a kanban system, which regulates and simplifies the flow of materials between the lines and the warehouses. This paper focuses on evaluation of feeding policies that differ from each other in term of the number of kanbans managed per feeding tour. A pure cost-based approach is thus proposed, which considers both inline inventories along with handling costs proportionate to the number of operators involved in the parts-feeding process. A multi-scenario simulative approach is applied in order to establish the number of operators required to avoid inline shortages. The scenario minimising total cost is then selected. The innovation introduced is a model for describing kanban arrivals and their requests for feeding, improving the potential of the simulation to describe real-life environments. Lastly, a case study from the automotive industry is presented in order to highlight the applicability of the proposed approach as well and the effects of alternative feeding policies on the total cost incurred.     

技术的盛宴——香港PISSARRO餐厅

Michael Young毫无疑问是一位知名度很高的工业设计师。他最近的产品设计里面包括一些自行车、水瓶、U盘和稀奇古怪的各种“小”东西。所以，他在接手这个餐厅的时候，Michael还是有点犹豫的：这和一个独立的产品设计在规模上有很大的不同，不得不考虑很多在产品设计中不存在的因素。     

赤裸的自然

1986年,一对来自意大利南部的年轻的兄弟, Ennio与Carlo Capasa,在米兰工作很长时间之后, 创立一个新的时装店——Costume National。在短短几年之后,这个服装品牌迅速成为五光十色的意大利时尚界最为著名的品牌之一。Costume National与其他成熟品牌一样崇尚自然存在主义精神,这种精神也深深扎根在两位创立者的血液中。但又有所不同, Costume National受到了非意大利传统的影响。因此,它的形象很难与常规的民族风尚联系在一起。很多人并不知道Capasa兄弟来自Lecce(位于意大利东南沿海),这个名字很容易让人联想到这可能是起源于日本,例如由Rei Kawakubo创立的 commes des Garcons品牌就是如此。这个结论是有根据的：Ennio Capasa曾经在东京与Yohji Ya－ mamoto一起工作过很多年,在他的作品中有明显的日式风格。然而,Costume National的服装并不与日本趋同,在服装的款式上有自己的独到之处。与 Yohji Yamamoto所树立的样式不同,Capasa的设计与意大利传统的裁缝业密切联系,这样做并没有约束到品牌的发展,反而提高了自身的品质。     

准备出发

在经过多年品牌形象的发展后，意大利国家航空公司（Alitatia）决定聘请著名的设计师马西莫伊欧萨·吉尼（Massimo losa Ghini）为该品牌设计一种新型的现代形象。马西莫伊欧萨·吉尼本人与Ferrari形象品牌的合作在近年取得了巨大的成功。     

Prediction of condensation in steam ejector for a refrigeration system

An experimental refrigeration system based on a two-stage steam ejector was set-up in the Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer Laboratory of our Department. The system optimization and realization have been described elsewhere ( [Grazzini and Mariani, 1998] and [Grazzini and Rocchetti, 2008] ). In both stages, primary flows are highly supersonic and reach low pressure and temperature levels. As usual in the literature, an ideal gas model was used during the design process. This paper is intended to check the validity of this assumption. In order to understand the actual working condition of our system, several models have been compared. The presence of high flow speed suggests the existence of metastable conditions. To set the border for the metastable region, the spinodal curve has been drawn. Isentropic expansion of vapour through the nozzle, modelled as ideal gas, seems well within the metastable zone. However, the Classic Nucleation Theory shows that the Wilson line is crossed at the nozzle throat. Condensation produces a marked difference in the conditions at the nozzle exit. Results coming from the present analysis will be used in further optimization of the experimental ejector design.     

奢侈的水上盛宴

时尚和经典是Galaxy号设计的关键词，这艘5层的游艇反映了Benedetti造船所的最高水平。     

指挥舞台——莫斯科联合电力网络公司网络控制中心

想到007系列电影中的情景,首当其冲的应该是詹姆斯·邦德得扮演者肖恩·康纳利：想到上世纪60年代美国的那些时髦建筑,最著名的莫过于约翰·劳特纳给未来设计的非同寻常的光化别墅。前者是舞台艺术作品的代表性成果,后者则是功能主义与舞台艺术相结合的集中体现。这两个问题,是在介绍莫斯科联合电力网络公司网络控制中心设计方案前最先进发的思考。     

Toward a better understanding of multifunctional cement-based materials: The impact of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs)

The impact of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical and mechanical properties of cementitious nanocomposites was investigated. A market-available premixed mortar was modified with 0.01% by weight of cement of commercial GNPs characterized by two distinctively different aspect ratios.The rheological behavior of the GNP-modified fresh admixtures was thoroughly evaluated. Hardened cementitious nanocomposites were investigated in terms of density, microstructure (Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM and micro–Computed Tomography, μ-CT), mechanical properties (three-point bending and compression tests), and physical properties (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS and thermal conductivity measurements). At 28 days, all GNP-modified mortars showed about 12% increased density. Mortars reinforced with high aspect ratio GNPs exhibited the highest compressive and flexural strength: about 14% and 4% improvements compared to control sample, respectively. Conversely, low aspect ratio GNPs led to cementitious nanocomposites characterized by 36% decreased electrical resistivity combined with 60% increased thermal conductivity with respect to the control sample.