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The object of research is the automation of starting and stopping steam power boilers. The problem of automating the starting and stopping of steam power boilers is important for thermal power plants (TPP) and industrial enterprises. These processes require significant efforts from service personnel due to their complexity, partial automation and the need to take into account the human factor. It is emphasized that full automation of starting and stopping steam boilers is economically impractical, since most of the time the boilers operate in continuous automatic operations and only a short time is allocated for periodic procedures, which are mostly performed manually. However, the significant impact of the human factor at critical stages of boiler operation requires the introduction of new technologies that can increase the efficiency and safety of such operations. The study outlines the main challenges associated with steam boiler control and proposes new approaches to solving these problems. It is noted that operators often perform actions during boiler starting and stopping based on instructions or their own experience. This knowledge can be formalized and integrated into the database of an expert decision support system (DSS), which automates some of the manual actions and helps operators avoid errors. For this purpose, it is proposed to use machine vision subsystems that can validate the operator's actions, analyze the interaction of personnel with the equipment and signal about possible incorrect actions. This approach can not only reduce the risk of errors due to fatigue or stress of personnel, but also make the starting and stopping processes safer and more efficient. It is proposed to integrate machine vision subsystems to obtain information that is difficult to measure by traditional means, in particular, regarding the operator’s interaction with manual mechanisms or its presence at the workplace. The structure of the proposed DSS also takes into account the possibility of transferring knowledge bases between different objects, which ensures the scalability and adaptability of the system. The implementation of such a system is based on modern international automation standards, in particular ISA-88, ISA-106 and VDI/VDE/VDMA 2632. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Soft tile is a new type of building decoration material with light, thin and soft characteristics, which is made via mixing, molding, and drying processes by using emulsion as binder and adding inorganic powders, functional fillers, and other agents. In this paper, the soft tile industry is comprehensively reviewed from the background, development history, industrial status, production equipment, and construction technique. Moreover, the development trend is also prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In recent years, the variability in the composition of cement raw materials has increasingly impacted the quality of cement products. However, there has been relatively little research on the homogenization effects of equipment in the cement production process. Existing studies mainly focus on the primary functions of equipment, such as the grinding efficiency of ball mills, the thermal decomposition in cyclone preheaters, and the thermal decomposition in rotary kilns. This study selected four typical pieces of equipment with significant homogenization functions for an in-depth investigation: ball mills, pneumatic homogenizing silos, cyclone preheaters, and rotary kilns. To assess the homogenization efficacy of each apparatus, scaled-down models of these devices were constructed and subjected to simulated experiments. To improve experimental efficiency and realistically simulate actual production conditions in a laboratory setting, this study used the uniformity of the electrical capacitance of mixed powders instead of compositional uniformity to analyze homogenization effects. The test material in the experiment consisted of a mixture of raw meal from a cement factory with a high dielectric constant and Fe3O4 powder. The parallel plate capacitance method was employed to ascertain the capacitance value of the mixed powder prior to and subsequent to treatment by each equipment model. The fluctuation of the input and output curves was analyzed, and the standard deviation (S), coefficient of variation (R), and homogenization multiplier (H) were calculated in order to evaluate the homogenization effect of each equipment model on the raw meal. The findings of the study indicated that the pneumatic homogenizer exhibited an exemplary homogenization effect, followed by the ball mill. For the ball mill, a higher proportion of small balls in the gradation can significantly enhance the homogenization effect without considering the grinding efficiency. The five-stage cyclone preheater also has a better homogenization effect, while the rotary kiln has a less significant homogenization effect on raw meal. Finally, the raw meal processed by each equipment model was used for clinker calcination and the preparation of cement mortar samples. After curing for three days, the compressive and flexural strengths of the samples were tested, thereby indirectly verifying the homogenization effect of each equipment model on the raw meal. This study helps to understand the homogenization process of raw materials by equipment in cement production and provides certain reference and data support for equipment selection, operation optimization, and quality control in the cement production process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The study investigated the influence of electricity supply on economic growth in Nigeria. The design was a survey of 225 owners of small and medium enterprises in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit the desired information from the respondents. Structural equations modelling served to analyse the data elicited from the respondents. The results showed that electricity supply influences work condition (office temperature, pumping of water, and production equipment), work condition has a significant influence on productivity, and productivity mediates the relationship between work condition and economic growth. However, electricity supply for office temperature and ict does not have any significant influence on economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Among the key activities of managing an organisation is to be able to make timely and correct decisions. Making the right decision is necessary to ensure the organisation's competitiveness [Lestyanszka 2014a]. Organisations are trying to reduce production costs as much as possible, but this, on the other hand, brings negatives in the form of products that do not meet customer expectations. This phenomenon, however, has other downstream processes that burden the organisation and make it more difficult to continue its activities. These are customer complaints, the cost of eliminating the claimed defects, downtime, etc. [Lestyanszka 2014b, Husain 2021]. Therefore, the successful functioning of any organisation depends on its ability to adapt to changing customer requirements, as these are a priority in the market [Szander 2014, McDonnell 2013]. An effective tool for quality improvement is statistical methods and tools, which are not only advisable but essential to be implemented in production processes. Without systematic quality management, an organisation cannot grow, as it has to combine enormous efforts in developing and introducing new products with maximum quality maintenance of the already established ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This study is centered on devising preventive strategies to enhance safety and diminish occupational risks associated with the operation of novel industrial facilities and production equipment. Utilizing qualitative research methods, this investigation scrutinizes reporting documents, exploiting indicators of occupational injuries and identified causes of such injuries. A combination of monographic and statistical methods was leveraged to process the results. An examination of occupational risks reveals that a substantial proportion is linked to production equipment, flawed technological processes, and substandard conditions of industrial facilities and structures. Informed by the outcomes obtained, recommendations were formulated for establishing and employing feedback mechanisms. This approach facilitated the systematization of causes leading to industrial injuries and the modification of regulatory documentation to curtail occupational risks. The study advocates the development of specific checklists featuring exemplar questions and a unified database for work-related injuries. It also proposes amplifying the legal status of documents that prescribe requirements for production processes. The implementation of these solutions is projected to result in a reduction of occupational risks and work-related injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The publication reflects the current situation concerning the possibilities of using augmented reality (AR) technology in the field of production technologies with the main intention of creating a tool to increase production efficiency. It is a set of individual steps that respond in a targeted manner to the possible need for assisted service intervention on a specific device. The publication chronologically describes the procedure required for the preparation and processing of a CAD model. For this preparatory process, the PTC software package is used which meets the requirements for each of the individual operations. The first step is the routine preparation of CAD models and assemblies. These are prepared based on real models located on the device, and their shape and dimensions correlate with the dimensions of the model on the device. The second phase is the creation and timing of the disassembly sequence. This will provide the model with complete vector data, which is then paired with the CAD models in AR. This phase is one of the most important. It determines the location of the model concerning its relative position on the device, provides information on the relocation of parts of the model after the sequence is started, and essentially serves as a template for the interactive part of the sequence. The last two phases are used to connect CAD models with vector data, determine their position for the position mark, and prepare the user interface displayed on the output device. The result of this procedure is a functional disassembly sequence, used for assisted service intervention of a worker in the spindle drive of the Emco Mill 55 device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A cost model for optimal reliability improvement of warranted second-hand production equipment is developed. The second-hand production equipment of age x is subjected to an upgrade action of a certain level u before it is sold with a Free Repair Warranty. We look at determining the optimal upgrade level when not performing and when performing periodic preventive maintenance (PM) during the warranty period. Two different PM strategies are considered: (a) periodic PM actions having the same efficiency level; (b) periodic multi-phase PM actions with a maintenance efficiency level which varies according to the phase. The proposed model aims at helping the dealer to find the optimal upgrade level to perform before selling the second-hand equipment, and to assess whether performing PM actions during the warranty period, according to a specific maintenance strategy, is worthwhile in terms of cost reduction. Numerical experimentations considering each PM scenario are performed in order to investigate how each PM strategy impacts the improvement level to be performed and the associated total expected cost. The obtained results showed that the expected total cost incurred by the dealer is governed by a sensitive trade-off between the warranty servicing cost and the costs associated with the reliability improvement, and with the PM performed during the warranty period. It is also found that the proposed new periodic multi-phase PM policy with an increasing maintenance efficiency level yields lower upgrade levels, inducing lower costs for the dealer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The parts of working machinery have always suffered from various working conditions in the process of use (e.g., high temperature, high humidity, and high pressure) that may generate flaws, pitting, thermal fatigue crack and other types of defects on the surface or inside. Because these tiny defects carry big safety risks, regular detection is necessary to ensure the reliability of the production equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper proposes a method for determining externally applied impact loads on complex structures using strain analysis. An impact load transducer was developed to determine impact loads. Using this transducer (which incorporates strain gauges), the relationship between the measured strains and applied impact load was studied, and a model for conversion from strain analysis to impact load was developed. The reconstructed impact curve that characterizes the impact peak force, impact duration, and load in the steady state after impact was employed as an input load curve in finite element analysis. The reconstructed impact load was validated by comparing the structural strain measured on the specimen in the experiments and the strain calculated by the simulations. The results show that the maximum difference between experimentally and numerically determined structural peak strains is 3.2 με. Moreover, the method was validated by predicting the impact load of a descending vehicle chassis on the production equipment in an automotive production line. It demonstrated high efficiency and accuracy. The reconstructed load curve obtained using the developed method provides high efficiency in addition to high accuracy. Furthermore, it circumvents the complexities of modeling dynamic impact simulation, including complex impactor shape, interface, and friction conditions. Thus, the developed method provides scholars with an efficient approach for an extensive study of the responses of complex structures in various fields such as stress strain analysis, fatigue analysis, and topology optimization for lightweight design of production equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Biomass fuel production has a variety of methods, and the use of biomass cracking to produce biofuels is an advanced technology used in many countries. In the control of the biofuel production process, how to get the motion law of the heat carrier in the cone relative to the cone becomes a problem that must be solved. This study uses the basic theory of dynamics and computer simulation calculation function to carry out dynamic analysis of each of the above contents, and analyses the response problem of comprehensive factors, and obtains the simulation results in accordance with the experimental results. This analysis provides a detailed design rationale for the optimal design of biomass cone pyrolysis equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Cone pyrolysis liquefaction reactor is the key core device of biomass energy production equipment. The study of the dynamics of the cone is of great significance to the bioenergy conversion technology. Proper control of the movement time of the heat carrier in the cone can prevent it. Biomass superheated carbonisation can increase the ratio of gas and liquid formation. It is a difficult and key technology in the design of the cone pyrolysis liquefaction reactor. The kinetic differential equation of the relative motion of heat carrier particles can be obtained by kinetic analysis and calculation. It can play a key role in the in-depth study of the structural size design of the cone and the optimisation of the structural size parameters. This study conducts a dynamic simulation of the physical simplification model of biomass energy production equipment. The computer simulation software was used to simulate the running process of the simplified cone mechanism model. A reasonable physical prototype that meets the process parameters is designed. In view of the above complex dynamic phenomena, it is necessary to comprehensively analyse various methods of dynamics, and use appropriate numerical analysis and computer-aided design methods to carry out system equipment research and design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a well-accepted measure of performance in industry. This study investigates the relationship between the factory management and the operation of the limoncello production line. The analysis of failure and repair data of the line over a period of 8 months was carried out. Descriptive statistics at machine and at line level were computed. In addition, the components availability (A), performance efficiency (PE), and quality rate (QR) of the OEE were calculated. Failure and repair data analysis identify the critical points of the production process that need immediate action to improve the operation of the line. Results show that the components PE and QR should be improved immediately to optimise the productivity and the efficiency of the line. It can also be utilised in the beverage industry sector by the machinery manufacturers and the manufacturers of bottled products to improve the design and operation management of the bottling production lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

As the energy crisis becomes more prominent, the issue of energy conservation and recycling is urgent. For large‐scale industrial plants, there are various forms of heat energy resources with different grades and energy storages. This study presents the detail modelling of all equipment in the integrated energy system to specify the physical operational constraints. Furthermore, an optimisation model is set up to minimise the total cost of an individual industrial plant, with the consideration of energy production equipment, energy conversion equipment and energy storage equipment in the plant. In particular, the relationship among the heat energy with different grades is described to characterise the cascade utilisation of the heat energy. Finally, a material processing factory with multi‐grade heat energy is simulated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model with energy cascade utilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Cotton Textile Technology is the property of Cotton Textile Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Purpose of the article: The aim of this article is to use the results of the qualitative research to describe the current form of maintenance systems used in enterprises of chemical and food industries, and then to discuss and generalize the results. Methodology/methods: The primary qualitative research was conducted in five companies, which can be regarded as typical representatives of the industries. The main objective of the primary research in individual companies was to determine how they perform the strategic and tactical operational planning of maintenance, implementation of these plans and their control. Individual interviews with respondents were used as the research method. The results of the research were processed using the content analysis method. Subsequently, comparison of the findings from individual businesses and subsequent synthesis thereof was performed, which allowed making generalizations. Scientific aim: The scientific aim of the article is to develop knowledge in the field of maintenance management by specifying the form of the maintenance systems utilized in Czech enterprises of the chemical and food industries and identifying the main opportunities for their improvement. Findings: Czech enterprises of the chemical and food industries utilize maintenance management systems. These systems are aimed at prevention, emphasizing the planning of maintenance activities in fixed periodic intervals. Also, they often utilize diagnostic maintenance. However, the maintenance systems currently used cannot be considered fully operational, with regard to the relatively large volume of after-failure repairs. Conclusions: Production equipment maintenance systems are irreplaceable in chemical and food industry enterprises, but there is great potential for improvement. Improvement should be focused on the area of strategic as well as tactical and operational planning of production equipment maintenance. In terms of strategy, the biggest opportunity for a dramatic improvement is the implementation of modern maintenance methods. In the context of the existing systems, improvement can be achieved especially in setting strategic objectives, the system of indicators to measure the performance of maintenance and in implementing an information system. In the tactical and operational level, it would be useful to develop a maintenance planning system linked with suppliers and customers and utilize mathematical methods and models to optimize plans for this business activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Systémová Integrace is the property of Czech Society for Systems Integration and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

The shaping of discrete abrasive segments for plane face grinding is considered, along with the necessary tools. Measures significantly reducing the costs on switching to discrete plane face grinding are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A technique and results of mathematical modeling and numerical and physical experiments involving the generation of the profile of the helical surface of a concave worm by rotational turning of a multiblade tool with involute profile of the cutting element are presented. The efficiency of the production equipment used is improved and an increase in the performance of the process achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

New designs of the working parts of different types of equipment used in chemical and food plants and in related plants that maintain a constant temperature in these parts and, consequently, a stable thermal regime in the course of processing phases that are in contact with these parts are considered. It is assumed that the working parts are fabricated from magnetic substances with Curie point corresponding to the temperature at which the production process transpires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This article reviews a method for evaluation of the stress-strain state of industrial equipment, buildings and structures subjected to dynamic effects based on approximation of the actual-displacement field by taking into their own vibration forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose – The purpose of this work is to investigate the performance of non-contaminating metal cutting environments and investigate the associated tool chip interface conditions. The work benchmarks flood coolant characteristics and considers gaseous cutting environments as possible alternatives. Design/methodology/approach – Cutting trials were undertaken for a range of cutting environments. Flood coolant was investigated as was dry cutting, compressed air, room temperature nitrogen and liquid nitrogen environments. A range of cutting variables was measured in order to document the effect of cutting environment. Findings – The gaseous component of the liquid nitrogen environment limited the adhesion on the tool face to a region along the flank edge of the tool, shifting rake face conditions from seizure to that of sliding. Tighter chip curl, shorter contact lengths, reduced adhesion and lower feed forces are evidence that liquid nitrogen is acting as a "liquid inert barrier" beneath the chip within the tool/chip interface. Research limitations/implications – Only one tool work combination has been investigated. More tool work combinations will need to be investigated. Practical implications – The work demonstrated that it is possible to use environmentally safe environments during metal cutting operations. This reduces the exposure of the environment and machine tool operatives to compounds which have been shown to have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Originality/value – The work has led to presenting a hypothesis that liquid nitrogen acts as a "liquid inert barrier" beneath the chip within the tool/chip interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose -- The objective of this study is to develop an automated tool condition monitoring scheme for PCB drilling. Design/methodology/approach -- Vibration signals are used to distinguish micro drill wear stages with proper features extraction and classifier design. Then a tool condition monitoring system is built up through a back propagation neural network (BPNN). Findings -- Experimental results show that BPNN is a practical method of modeling tool wear, and with this method a tool condition monitoring system is built up using energy ratio, root mean square (RMS) and kurtosis coefficient that transformed by vibration signals. Research limitations/implications -- In the further investigation, more signal samples should be computed as monitoring features for BPNN modeling. In addition, in order to build the best monitoring model, it is necessary to evaluate the performance of the BPNN model in advance, and optimize the process. Originality/value -- The paper provides a method and a system for PCB drill wear monitoring. The method and system can achieve on-line monitoring of PCB drill condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Heavily utilised reconfigurable production equipment has uneven deterioration rate caused by frequently changing configurations and complex subsystem interaction. Thus, traditional maintenance approaches that rely on reliability modelling are ineffective when applied on this class of equipment. This paper introduces a throughput-driven condition-based maintenance framework intended to perform predictive maintenance for heavily utilised reconfigurable production equipments. The effectiveness of the proposed method is experimentally validated using actual production records of the semiconductor test handlers. The primary benefit of the proposed framework is its prediction efficacy while accounting for the complex subsystem interaction through Bayesian statistics. It is low cost to implement because it only uses existing resources already available in most manufacturing plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

modern approach is proposed for analytical investigation of the stress-strain state, strength, and stability of water-development works. Actual trends in the refinement of analytical investigations are noted: incorporation of parallel-calculation technology, integration of analytical programs and automated design systems, development of structural analyses, etc. A procedure for consideration of the influence exerted by massive production equipment on the stress-strain state of a structure DURING a seismic event is examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Vessels and apparatus employed in the chemical and petrochemical industry (containers, heat exchangers, towers, scrubbers, reactors, tanks, and pipelines) do not contain redundant components; safety factors assigned during design for cases of wear, degradation of material properties, and other unforeseen situations therefore ensure their safe-operating lives. A reduction in safety factors will make it possible to judge how closely structural components and production equipment as a whole approach the limiting state. The standard safety factor serves as a reference point indicating just how closely the actual safety factor comes to the limiting state, and in the author's opinion, can be adopted as the limiting allowable safety factor ensuring the safe operation of production equipment. Reserve-strength investigations conducted by the Angarsk Petrochemical Company over a number of years have demonstrated the versatility of dimensionless values of design, actual, and standard safety factors, and the possibility of their use as indicators for evaluation of overall, computed, (allowable) and remaining service life. Evaluation of the overall, computed (allowable), and remaining service lives is acceptable for design, fabrication, and appraisal of industrial safety as a technico-economic indicator serving to define safe-service lives assigned to production equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the physical and mechanical characteristics of the roasted cashew nut during fracture, by subjecting the nut to varying impact load tests at different orientations to ascertain the critical impact load that fractures the shell without damaging the kernel within. This load value was correlated with other parameters; shell/kernel moisture content level, average nut mass, to determine the required projection velocity to achieve this force. This projection velocity is the critical factor in sizing and design of the optimum configurations of the shelling impeller. Design/methodology/approach – Mechanical properties of roasted cashew nut were first determined to know their fracture points. Each component of the shelling machine was designed. The components were assembled and the machine was tested for performance. Findings – Machine throughput capacity was determined as 15.57 kg/h; shelling efficiency was 95 per cent; and whole kernel recovery was 70 per cent. Practical implications – The efficiency in terms of whole kernel recovery could be improved by improving the pretreatment measures on the nuts. Originality/value – The paper presents a machine which is affordable to peasant farmers and requires little or no training for operation and maintenance. The advantage of reduced unit cost can be derived from large-scale commercial production of this sheller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose: Downtime resulting from equipment failure is a major problem consistently faced in highway construction. Since managing construction equipment is tightly connected to various activities and parties inside as well as outside of the firm, failure to account for this fact invariably causes downtime to be even more severe. Variation in equipment management practices is thus, indeed, a root cause of the dynamics of machine downtime. This study is intended to address key dynamic features of heavy equipment management practices and downtime in small to medium highway contracting firms and propose policies for equipment performance improvement. Design/methodology/approach: Face-to-face interviews with equipment managers from five different small to medium highway construction companies in Thailand were conducted. Data were analysed using a system dynamics (SD) simulation approach. Findings: To overcome downtime problems, contractors need to understand the dynamics of downtime as well as its influential factors, and thus manage their equipment as a dynamic process rather than one that is static. Based on the simulation, various policies are proposed to improve the performance of heavy equipment for small to medium highway contractors. Originality/value: The research is of value in facilitating better understanding on the dynamics of equipment management practices and downtime as well as their interdependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose - Double pressing systems have recently been introduced to speed up and improve the pressing step of porcelain stoneware tiles. This paper aims to analyze double pressing systems using discontinuous pre-compaction, both technically and economically. Two operative conditions are considered: the traditional forming of tiles during pressing is compared with the innovative production of a unique large-sized slab, subsequently customized according to market requirements. Furthermore, manufacturing conditions are explored with infrequent or frequent production runs, due to increasingly smaller production batches, in order to evaluate which production process is more suitable when changing operative conditions are managed. Design/methodology/approach - The analysis is carried out experimentally, by collecting data in existing pilot plants, producing batches of products of different size and colour. Details are provided concerning the technical characteristics of the systems, along with costs per manufactured square metre for investments, personnel, maintenance, spare parts and electric power. A case in which some production days are reserved for each manufactured batch is compared to a case in which production runs are repeated more frequently in a day. Findings - Manufacturing large-sized slabs and customization has shown to be an efficient solution for companies operating in changing markets. Research limitations/implications - Further research should study double pressing systems using continuous pre-compaction. Originality/value - The proposed analysis, by presenting an evaluation process and sharing data collected experimentally, provides innovative support for addressing decision makers when new pressing systems for porcelain stoneware tiles are selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The advantages of object-oriented modeling, as modularity and reusability of components, are very important not only for software development but also for modeling manufacturing systems. Recently, a unified object-oriented approach for modeling both the logical and the physical part of a manufacturing machine has been proposed. In this paper, we show the effectiveness of this new modeling framework on an industrial application. The case study consists of the package forming unit of a filling machine for liquid food packaging, developed by Tetra Pak Carton Ambient S.p.A. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...

Noncontacting inductive sensors are applicable on a large scale for position detection or travel measurement in industrial applications. Reasons for such broad acceptance in many sectors of industry are noncontact and wear-free sensing of the target (any metal object), reliability and robustness, resistance to fouling, water tightness and compact size. The present work is intended to be a systematic, complete, and consistent presentation of the technological innovations, recent implementations and current trends regarding the analog distance and travel sensing offered by noncontacting inductive sensors for industrial applications. It starts with the fundamentals of inductive sensing and presents the physical basics gained by modern analytic and simulation methods, as well as high-level integrated circuits for inductive sensors. The following sections deal with present-day inductive analog proximity sensors and with the distinctive technological innovation offered by the new inductive linear displacement sensors and with miniaturization results achieved through consistent integration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...

In an advanced semiconductor fab, online quality monitoring of wafers is required for maintaining high stability and yield of production equipment. The current practice of only measuring monitor wafers may not be able to timely detect the equipment-performance drift happening in-between the scheduled measurements. This may cause defects of production wafers and, thereby, raise the production cost. In this paper, a novel virtual metrology scheme (VMS) is proposed for overcoming this problem. The proposed VMS is capable of predicting the quality of each production wafer using parameters data from production equipment. Consequently, equipment-performance drift can be detected promptly. A radial basis function neural network is adopted to construct the virtual metrology model. Also, a model parameter coordinator is developed to effectively increase the prediction accuracy of the VMS. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process in semiconductor manufacturing is used to test and verify the effectiveness of the proposed VMS. Test results show that the proposed VMS demonstrates several advantages over the one based on back-propagation neural network and can achieve high prediction accuracy with mean absolute percentage error being 0.34% and maximum error being 1.15%. The proposed VMS is simple yet effective, and can be practically applied to construct the prediction models of semiconductor CVD processes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...

Basic concepts are proposed for physical bases of jet soil stabilization, and for conditions of equivalent and rational replacement. Relationships are given for determination of the radius of the soil-concrete column, and the volumes of settling soil and replacement grout, as well as the strength of the soil-concrete material. The conclusion that all processes of jet geotechnology submit to analysis, optimization, and refinement on the basis of engineering science is substantiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...