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Journal Article

Optimizing Intralogistics in an Engineer-to-Order Enterprise with Job Shop Production: A Case Study of the Control Cabinet Manufacturing

2024-01-16
Abstract This study underscores the benefits of refining the intralogistics process for small- to medium-sized manufacturing businesses (SMEs) in the engineer-to-order (ETO) sector, which relies heavily on manual tasks. Based on industrial visits and primary data from six SMEs, a new intralogistics concept and process was formulated. This approach enhances the value-added time of manufacturing workers while also facilitating complete digital integration as well as improving transparency and traceability. A practical application of this method in a company lead to cutting its lead time by roughly 11.3%. Additionally, improved oversight pinpointed excess inventory, resulting in advantages such as reduced capital needs and storage requirements. Anticipated future enhancements include better efficiency from more experienced warehouse staff and streamlined picking methods. Further, digital advancements hold promise for cost reductions in administrative and supportive roles.
Journal Article

Designing Manual Workplace Systems in Engineer-to-Order Enterprises to Improve Productivity: A Kano Analysis

2024-01-16
Abstract Being an engineer-to-order (ETO) operating industry, the control cabinet industry faces difficulties in process and workplace optimizations due to changing requirements and lot size one combined with volatile orders. To optimize workplaces for employees, current literature is focusing on ergonomic designs, providing frameworks to analyze workplaces, leaving out the optimal design for productivity. This work thus utilizes a Kano analysis, collecting empirical data to identify essential design requirements for assembly workplaces, incorporating input from switchgear manufacturing employees. The results emphasize the need for a balance between ergonomics and efficiency in workplace design. Surprisingly, few participants agree on the correlation between improved processes and workspaces having a positive impact on their well-being and product quality.
Journal Article

Evaluation of Skin Penetration from Less Lethal Impact Munitions and Their Associated Risk Predictors

2023-09-20
Abstract Introduction: The use of less lethal impact munitions (LLIMs) by law enforcement has increased in frequency, especially following nationwide protests regarding police brutality and racial injustice in the summer of 2020. There are several reports of the projectiles causing severe injuries when they penetrate the skin including pulmonary contusions, bone fractures, liver lacerations, and, in some cases, death. The penetration threshold of skin in different body regions is due to differences in the underlying structure (varying degree of muscle, adipose tissue, and presence or absence of bone). Objective: The objective of this study was to further investigate what factors affected the likelihood of skin penetration in various body regions and to develop corresponding penetration risk curves.
Journal Article

Conceptualizing an Urban Operations Vehicle within a Comprehensive Research and Development Program

2023-09-07
Abstract In the last decades we have witnessed an increasing number of military operations in urban environments. Complex urban operations require high standards of training, equipment, and personnel. Emergency forces on the ground will need specialized vehicles to support them in all parts and levels of this extremely demanding environment including the subterranean and interior of infrastructure. The development of vehicles for this environment has lagged but offers a high payoff. This article describes the method for developing a concept for an urban operations vehicle by characterization of the urban environment, deduction of key issues, evaluation of related prototyping, science fiction story-typing of the requirements for such a vehicle, and comparison with field-proven and scalable solutions. Embedding these thoughts into a comprehensive research and development program provides lines of development, setting the stage for further research.
Training / Education

Polymers Bundle

Anytime
This course discusses the properties and applications of thermoplastics, including an overview of the amorphous and semi-crystalline molecular regions found in thermoplastics, and describes common processing methods for thermoplastics, such as injection molding and extruding. Thermosets This course introduces participants to the key characteristics and types of thermosets as well as common processing methods. Courses listed above are available only as part of a TooliingU bundle.  Custom bundles of any five or more ToolingU courses are available upon request as a Corporate Learning Solution.
Training / Education

Introduction to Materials Bundle

Anytime
The following six eLearning courses are included in the Introduction to Materials bundle.  Each course is approximately one-hour in duration. See Topics/Outline for additional details. Introduction to Physical Properties  This course provides an an overview of manufacturing materials and their physical properties, including thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties and introduces volumetric characteristics, such as mass, weight, and density.
Technical Paper

Analysis of the Frequency and Mechanism of Injury to Warfighters in the Under-body Blast Environment

2018-11-12
2018-22-0014
During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, improvised explosive devices were used strategically and with increasing frequency. To effectively design countermeasures for this environment, the Department of Defense identified the need for an under-body blast-specific Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin (WIAMan). To help with this design, information on Warfighter injuries in mounted under-body blast attacks was obtained from the Joint Trauma Analysis and Prevention of Injury in Combat program through their Request for Information interface. The events selected were evaluated by Department of the Army personnel to confirm they were representative of the loading environment expected for the WIAMan. A military case review was conducted for all AIS 2+ fractures with supporting radiology. In Warfighters whose injuries were reviewed, 79% had a foot, ankle or leg AIS 2+ fracture. Distal tibia, distal fibula, and calcaneus fractures were the most prevalent.
Technical Paper

Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin Oblique Vertical Testing

2018-11-12
SC18-22-0008
Abstract - The Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin (WIAMan) was developed to assess injury in Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFTE) and laboratory development tests of vehicles and vehicle technologies subjected to underbody blast (UBB) loading. While UBB events impart primarily vertical loading, the occupant location in the vehicle relative to the blast can result in some inherent non-vertical, or off-axis loading. In this study, the WIAMan Technology Demonstrator (TD) was subjected to 18 tests with a 350g, 5-ms time duration drop tower pulse using an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) energy attenuating seat in four conditions: purely vertical, 15° forward tilt, 15° rearward tilt, and 15° lateral tilt to simulate the partly off-axis loading of an UBB event. The WIAMan TD showed no signs of damage upon inspection. Time history data indicates the magnitude, curve shape, and timing of the response data were sensitive to the off-axis loading in the lower extremity, pelvis, and spine.
Technical Paper

Optimizing Occupant Restraint Systems for Tactical Vehicles in Frontal Crashes

2018-04-03
2018-01-0621
The objective of this study was to optimize the occupant restraint systems for a light tactical vehicle in frontal crashes. A combination of sled testing and computational modeling were performed to find the optimal seatbelt and airbag designs for protecting occupants represented by three size of ATDs and two military gear configurations. This study started with 20 sled frontal crash tests to setup the baseline performance of existing seatbelts, which have been presented previously; followed by parametric computational simulations to find the best combinations of seatbelt and airbag designs for different sizes of ATDs and military gear configurations involving both driver and passengers. Then 12 sled tests were conducted with the simulation-recommended restraint designs. The test results were further used to validate the models. Another series of computational simulations and 4 sled tests were performed to fine-tune the optimal restraint design solutions.
Magazine

Tech Briefs: April 2018

2018-04-01
Laser Detecting Systems Enhancing Survivability and Lethality on the Battlefield Designing With Plastics for Military Equipment Engine Air-Brakes Paving the Way to Quieter Aircraft Nett Warrior Enhancing Battlefield Connectivity and Communications XPONENTIAL 2018 - An AUVSI Experience Communications in Space: A Deep Subject First Air-Worthy Metal-Printed RF Filter Ready for Takeoff Validation of Automated Prediction of Blood Product Needs Algorithm Processing Continuous Non-Invasive Vital Signs Streams (ONPOINT4) Using a combination of non-invasive sensors, advanced algorithms, and instruments built for combat medics could reduce hemorrhaging and improve survival rates. Calculation of Weapon Platform Attitude and Cant Using Available Sensor Feedback Successful development of mobile weapon systems must incorporate operation on sloped terrain.
Technical Paper

Human Foot-Ankle Injuries and Associated Risk Curves from Under Body Blast Loading Conditions

2017-11-13
2017-22-0006
Under body blast (UBB) loading to military transport vehicles is known to cause foot-ankle fractures to occupants due to energy transfer from the vehicle floor to the feet of the soldier. The soldier posture, the proximity of the event with respect to the soldier, the personal protective equipment (PPE) and age/sex of the soldier are some variables that can influence injury severity and injury patterns. Recently conducted experiments to simulate the loading environment to the human foot/ankle in UBB events (~5ms rise time) with variables such as posture, age and PPE were used for the current study. The objective of this study was to determine statistically if these variables affected the primary injury predictors, and develop injury risk curves. Fifty below-knee post mortem human surrogate (PMHS) legs were used for statistical analysis. Injuries to specimens involved isolated and multiple fractures of varying severity.
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