The cloud manufacturing (C-Manufacturing) paradigm, as an advanced form of networked manufacturing, has recently been proposed based on a combination of existing manufacturing systems and emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, virtual manufacturing, agile manufacturing, manufacturing grid, Internet-of-things (IOT), and service-oriented technologies. In this study, through investigating the main goals of C-Manufacturing and today's hypercompetitive global marketplace circumstances, a prospective conceptual model called cloud-based global supply chain (CBGSC) has been developed which can overcome or mitigate the issues and risks associated with supply chain processes on a global scale. CBGSC extends the conventional three-tier customer–manufacturer–supplier supply chain model into a new five-tier customer–cloud provider of manufacturing applications (CPMA)–manufacturer–cloud provider of supplying applications (CPSA)–supplier model, in which the CPMA and CPSA tiers act as intermediators in order to enhance the diversity and intensity of the markets and businesses of conventional supply chain parties while securing their own profits. On the other hand, CBGSC enriches the notion of C-Manufacturing by incorporating CPSAs to safeguard smooth and continuous supply of raw materials and goods to manufacturers (physical resource providers), thus prevailing the “share to gain” philosophy within the whole network. Also, aiming to facilitate practicalizing the CBGSC, we have proposed a multilayer architecture for the CBGSC with seven layers of user, interface, application, service, resource virtualization and service encapsulation, perception, and resource, which are blended together via four basic aspects of security, optimality, resilience, and information technology (IT) and information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.

Feeding the raw material accurately is essential in microsheet-forming, especially in multistage progressive forming operations and also when in particular, a certain feeding rate has to be maintained. Research into the microforming of thin sheet metals (<100 μm) led to investigations of the performance of existing sheet metal feeders, regarding their feeding accuracy and repeatability. The results indicated that the pursuance of greater feeding accuracy and repeatability, which was aimed at 5–15% of the strip thickness, was difficult to achieve with commercially-available feeders. A new high-precision and high-speed feeder was, therefore, developed for microsheet-forming. The feeder design was supported by motion analysis and feeding simulations. The feeder was constructed in collaboration with industrial partners. The conducted feeding tests and forming experiments demonstrated that greater feeding accuracy and repeatability can be achieved, compared to those of existing commercial feeders. This suggests a promising solution for high-precision strip feeding in microsheet-forming where thin sheet metals are to be fed.

This paper describes the topographical implications of grit blasted surfaces on plasma sprayed alumina. The transition of the grit blasted surface from raw material to correctly blasted is described in terms of surface heights, height distribution, spacings and texture. The influence of embedded grit is shown to be significant. The individual particles of alumina impacting the surface are classified into two types, these being disc splats and splash splats. Their deposition relationships with regard to surface topography and adhesion is explained with reference to the two types of splat.

Efficient lumber utilization at the saw has become a key issue in the woodworking industry. This is because of shrinking supply and increasing raw materials prices. In this paper, formulation of the cross-cut first method of cutting defects out of lumber as a one-dimensional stock cutting problem is discussed. A Monte-Carlo simulation method has been used for generating boards of a given grade. This simulation greatly aids in comparing alternate solution procedures proposed in the paper. To facilitate real time-application, a fast heuristic for the digital computer is introduced. This is followed by a discussion of cutting length priority allocation. The heuristic solution is compared with the optimal solution obtained using Kolesar’s knapsack algorithm.

An economic-engineering simulation model has been developed for a hypothetical textile mill operating an integrated, continuous-flow, tuft-to-yarn (TY) system. The model was used to calculate costs of producing cotton denim yarns with two different TY configuration mills. These were compared with a similar model for a conventional open-end (OE) textile mill processing the same product at similar production rates. The models predict that the TY mills will reduce production costs by between 4.11 and 6.2 cents per pound of spun yarn which amounts to a reduction of between 18.5 and 28 percent as compared with the conventional OE mill. Considering the raw materials’ cost as constant for all the models this processing cost reduction represents a total cost savings for the TY mills of between 4.8 and 7.3 percent of the total manufactured yarn costs.

Bunkers used in steelworks sinter plants and other applications need to be designed and operated so that the feed emerging is unsegregated. A series of model tests has been carried out to discover which bunker shape, flow regime, and filling method give the least segregation for raw materials of different particle size and density. Results are compared with results from larger bunkers. The main conclusions are that an evenly-filled wedge-shaped mass-flow bunker is best at preventing segregation and that material density has little effect.