An automated coding and classification system with supporting database for effective design of manufacturing systems

The philosophy of group technology (GT) is an important concept in the design of flexible manufacturing systems and manufacturing cells. Group technology is a manufacturing philosophy that identifies similar parts and groups them into families. Beside assigning unique codes to these parts, group technology developers intend to take advantage of part similarities during design and manufacturing processes. GT is not the answer to all manufacturing problems, but it is a good management technique with which to standardize efforts and eliminate duplication. Group technology classifies parts by assigning them to different families based on their similarities in: (1) design attributes (physical shape and size), and/or (2) manufacturing attributes (processing sequence). The manufacturing industry today is process focused; departments and sub units are no longer independent but are interdependent. If the product development process is to be optimized, engineering and manufacturing cannot remain independent any more: they must be coordinated. Each sub-system is a critical component within an integrated manufacturing framework. The coding and classification system is the basis of CAPP and the functioning and reliability of CAPP depends on the robustness of the coding system. The proposed coding system is considered superior to the previously proposed coding systems, in that it has the capability to migrate into multiple manufacturing environments. This article presents the design of a coding and classification system and the supporting database for manufacturing processes based on both design and manufacturing attributes of parts. An interface with the spreadsheet will calculate the machine operation costs for various processes. This menu-driven interactive package is implemented using dBASE-IV. Part Family formation is achieved using a KAMCELL package developed in TURBO Pascal.     

非线性隔振理论初探

本文以线必阻尼，立方刚度非线性系统为例，对非线性隔振理论进行了初步探讨，导出了系统的无量纲运动响应和传递率，并与线性隔振系统进行了比较，着重讨论了非线性对它们的影响，获得了一些有用的结论。     

Disparity field and depth map coding for multiview 3D image generation

In the present paper techniques are examined for the coding of the depth map and disparity fields for stereo or multiview image communication applications. It is assumed that both the left and right channels of the multiview image sequence are coded using block- or object-based methods. A dynamic programming algorithm is used to estimate a disparity field between each stereo image pair. Depth is then estimated and occlusions are optionally detected, based on the estimated disparity fields. Spatial interpolation techniques are examined based on the disparity/depth information and the detection of occluded regions using either stereoscopic or trinocular camera configurations. It is seen that the presence of a third camera at the transmitter site improves the estimation of disparities, the detection of occlusions and the accuracy of the resulting spatial interpolation at the receiver. Various disparity field and depth map coding techniques are then proposed and evaluated, with emphasis given to the quality of the resulting intermediate images at the receiver site. Block-based and wireframe modeling techniques are examined for the coding of isolated depth or disparity map information. Further, 2D and 3D motion compensation techniques are evaluated for the coding of sequences of depth or disparity maps. The motion fields needed may be available as a byproduct of block-based or object-based coding of the intensity images. Experimental results are given for the evaluation of the performance of the proposed coding and spatial interpolation methods.     

RAID的存储信道分析

本文从冗余磁盘阵列的信道模型出发，研究各部分组成的理论与技术。文中在给出系统的模型描述之后，着重分析了冗余信息元生与检纠错、数据分割与同步。还研究了系统中的负荷平衡问题，指出了磁盘优化调度的方向。     

短模型上的明渠非恒定流试验

水工整体模型试验中,明渠非恒定流至今大多被简化为恒定流,而效果有时并不理想。本文指出,只要设置固定式曲线尾门,并有必要的动态量测设备,便可模拟原型非恒定流;即使模型偏短,也能得出比恒定流试验更接近原型的成果。在同一模型上,既做恒定流试验,又进行必要的非恒定流试验,二者相辅相成,必将有助于试验水平的提高。作为例证,本文介绍了泄洪调度导致航道水面波动的一项试验成果,并以岩基冲刷、通航水流条件、围堰过水、河床冲淤等研究课题为例,讨论了采用“短模型非恒定流试验方式”的必要性与可行性。     

可压缩体的滑移线场理论

从理论上建立了可压缩体的滑移线场理论，并给出了解析实例。研究表明：在平面应变条件下，可压缩体内的两族滑移线不仅不正交，而且随着平均正应力的不同而变化；可压缩体的平面应变问题可以直接采用现有的致密体的滑移线场来求出。     

A bidding decision index for construction contractors

Results from applying the model on a sample of contractors, the majority of whom were international and operating in Egypt, reinforces the credibility of the developed methodology, claim the authors.     

Electronic data acquisition forms in construction management

Effective management of construction projects depends on good access to and control of data, especially data pertaining to cost and schedule control functions. However, the proper design and development of automated mechanisms have not had the facility to acquire and store quality data in a timely manner. The purpose of this paper, then, is to discuss a prototype, automated data acquisition system that was developed to support an integrated project management system. The data acquisition system is composed of an integrated set of electronic forms used in conjunction with a bar coding data-entry tool.     

Power Dissipation in Spintronic Devices Out of Thermodynamic Equilibrium

Quantum limits of power dissipation in spintronic computing are estimated. A computing element composed of a single electron in a quantum dot is considered. Dynamics of its spin due to external magnetic field and interaction with adjacent dots are described via the Bloch equations. Spin relaxation due to magnetic noise from various sources is described as coupling to a reservoir. Resulting dissipation of energy is calculated and is shown to be much less than the thermal limit, ∼kT per bit, if the rate of spin relaxation is much slower than the switching rate. Clues on how to engineer an energy efficient spintronic device are provided.     

Comments on the shortcomings of predicting the precision of Cavalieri volume estimates based upon assumed measurement functions

It is well known that the estimation of an object's volume by means of serial cross-sections, the so-called Cavalieri method, yields an unbiased estimate. But by itself it provides no means by which to estimate how precise this estimate is unless the shape of the volume is fully known beforehand. This knowledge can only be partially determined from the serial section information that is collected. Methods have been developed that claim to surmount this difficulty by using the serial section data to create a mathematical model of the volume's shape properties. The model then is used to estimate (predict) the precision of the volume estimate (its CE) from the single set of data available. Unfortunately, the theory underlying the model is flawed and so the model itself amounts to no more than an unsubstantiated guess about the shape of the volume. Therefore, the precision of the volume estimates that one obtains from the method is only as good as the model and this cannot be ascertained from the single set of acquired data. In this letter I explain the inadequacies of the modelling method. I suggest that it be used only with caution, if at all. Instead I suggest two alternative ways to predict the CE, one that is based upon a rule-of-thumb approach to the object's shape, and another that is based upon spectral analysis of the measurement function and that is easy to implement with available computer software.