Selective Laser Sintering Additive Manufacturing Technology is a unique and comprehensive guide to this emerging technology. It covers in detail the equipment, software algorithms and control systems, material preparations and process technology, precision control, simulation analysis, and provides examples of applications of selective laser sintering (SLS). SLS technology is one of the most promising advances in 3D printing due to the high complexity of parts it can form, short manufacturing cycle, low cost, and wide range of materials it is compatible with. Typical examples of SLS technology include SLS manufacturing casting molds, sand molds (core), injection molds with conformal cooling channels, and rapid prototyping of ceramic and plastic functional parts. It is already widely used in aviation, aerospace, medical treatment, machinery, and numerous other industries. Drawing on world-leading research, the authors provide state of the art descriptions of the technologies, tools, and techniques which are helping academics and engineers use SLS ever more effectively and widely.

This book is for the people who lead our companies. Our world suffered a staggering blow. We will recover. Many of our companies are still suffering. Some of them will not recover. We're in a time of disruption. A company's culture will play a big part in managing through this disruption. Senior leaders must establish a clear purpose, a strong set of core values, and a plan to translate strategy into action. Companies will be seeking to transform, to become more efficient and resilient. Most attempts to do so fail. They fail because we try to solve the wrong problem with the wrong system. We attempt to change the way people act. But to achieve sustained improvement, we must focus on changing the way they think. Over the last thirty years, we've experimented with Lean, Six Sigma, and other improvement initiatives. Each failed to move beyond average performance and sustain transformational improvement. Average then became a learned behavior. To move forward, we must unlearn some things. We must change our problem definition and our defined systems. And we can do this by framing the problem through the lens of Operational Excellence.

Selective Laser Melting for Metal Matrix Composites explains in detail the essential preparation and characterization methods for this technology, and explores a range of innovative applications. The subject covered by this book has been the focus of increasing levels of research both in industry and academia globally. The authors have drawn on their influential cutting-edge research to provide a much-needed guide for those investigating or applying this technology. The novel material preparation methodologies addressed here provide new opportunities to expand the applications of additive manufacturing, particularly in industries such as aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronics. These applications, as well as the theory behind this technology are also covered in this book, providing a complete guide which is appropriate for engineers in industry as well as researchers.

Omni-Channel Retail and the Supply Chain The days of going to the local department store to buy a television, view the options available, and make a purchase now seem "quaint." The emergence of the internet, smartphones, social media, and other technologies has opened a world of new options for consumers (and businesses) to review, research, and buy online with an ever-increasing array of delivery options. The emergence of e-commerce has resulted in what is commonly known today as "omni-channel" marketing, in which customers engage with companies in a variety of ways, including in a physical store or online via websites and mobile apps. This process puts the supply chain "front and center," as consumers are increasingly demanding and browsing, buying, and returning goods through various channels, not just the traditional "brick and mortar" way. To accomplish this with high levels of service while remaining profitable requires real-time visibility of inventory across the supply chain and a single view of consumers as they continuously move from one channel to another. While this is a boon to consumers, it has made the already complex global supply chain even more challenging to manage. On top of that, the 2020 Covid19 pandemic has accelerated this omni-channel retail trend, as consumers need even more ways to order and additional options for last-mile delivery, such as curbside pickup. Covid19 has exposed a lack of flexibility and readiness, resulting in shortages of everything from toilet paper and meats to personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators. It has been a real-life example of the "bullwhip effect," where variability at the consumer end of the supply chain results in increased variability as one goes upstream towards distributors, manufacturers, and suppliers. This results in shortages, misallocations, and increased costs. No longer can a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of consumer products just "fill the pipeline" and wait for orders to come in. Now, they must anticipate various purchases and delivery items, while at the same time minimizing costs. To do this is no easy task, requiring a Lean, agile, and responsive supply chain. Until now, there was no existing "playbook" for organizations to navigate their way through this new world. This book describes the impact of omni-channel marketing on the supply chain and logistics functions, and is intended to help management meet the needs of not only today's ever-changing world but to anticipate what may be required in the future to achieve superior customer service, profitability, and a competitive advantage.

This book gathers original findings, both theoretical and experimental, related to various cutting-edge topics in the design and modeling of mechatronic systems, including multiphysics problems. It presents peer-reviewed papers from the first installment of the Mechatronics 4.0 workshop, which was jointly organized by the Laboratory of Mechanics, Modeling and Manufacturing (LA2MP), National School of Engineers of Sfax, Tunisia, and the QUARTZ Laboratory, Higher Institute of Mechanics of Paris, SUPMECA, France. The event follows in the tradition of the Workshop on Mechatronic Systems (JSM2014), organized by the same universities, while shifting the focus to the concept of Industry 4.0. As this new type of industry is emerging as the convergence of the virtual world, digital design, and management with real-world products and objects, the chapters gathered here highlight recent work on mechatronics systems that are expected to help shape the industry of tomorrow. Thanks to a healthy balance of theory and practical findings, the book offers a timely snapshot for the research and industrial communities alike, as well as a bridge to facilitate communication and collaboration between the two groups.

Deadlock problems in flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) have received more and more attention in the last two decades. Petri nets are one of the more promising mathematical tools for tackling deadlocks in various resource allocation systems. In a system modeled with Petri nets, siphons are tied to the occurrence of deadlock states as a structural object. The book systematically introduces the novel theory of siphons, traps, and elementary siphons of Petri nets as well as the deadlock control strategies for FMS developed from it. Deadlock prevention methods are examined comparatively. The many FMS examples presented to demonstrate the concepts and results of this book range from the simple to the complex. Importantly, to inspire and motive the readera (TM)s interest in further research, a number of interesting and open problems in this area are proposed at the end of each chapter.

Deadlock Resolution in Automated Manufacturing Systems is directed to control, computer, electrical, mechanical, and industrial engineers, researchers and scientists. It will be useful for designers in the automation and control disciplines in industry and academia who need to develop the control methods, tools and software to improve the performance of automated flexible manufacturing systems.

In this innovative and important study, Heather Tilley examines the huge shifts that took place in the experience and conceptualisation of blindness during the nineteenth century, and demonstrates how new writing technologies for blind people had transformative effects on literary culture. Considering the ways in which visually-impaired people used textual means to shape their own identities, the book argues that blindness was also a significant trope through which writers reflected on the act of crafting literary form. Supported by an illuminating range of archival material (including unpublished letters from Wordsworth's circle, early ophthalmologic texts, embossed books, and autobiographies) this is a rich account of blind people's experience, and reveals the close, and often surprising personal engagement that canonical writers had with visual impairment. Drawing on the insights of disability studies and cultural phenomenology, Tilley highlights the importance of attending to embodied experience in the production and consumption of texts.

Presented here in lively text and over 650 color photographs are the toys that have been played with and collected by ardent fans of George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy for twenty years. The action figures, accessories, playsets, and spacecraft of the Rebellion and the Empire are displayed in a colorful and easily referenced format. The gaming equipment, model kits, playthings, promotional items, puzzles, and weapons produced from 1977 through 1997 are examined as well. Not stopping there, this sweeping survey includes an overview of the most popular items from the rest of the ever-expanding Star Wars collectibles universe. Newly revised prices are included in the captions; listings for toys both loose and mint-in-the-package are provided whenever appropriate. Rounding out this practical guide are a short history of science fiction films, an examination of action figures, and a bibliography.

3D Printing in Medicine and Surgery: Applications in Healthcare is an advanced book on surgical and enhanced medical applications that can be achieved with 3D printing. It is an essential handbook for medical practitioners, giving access to a range of practical methods, while also focusing on applied knowledge. This comprehensive resource features practical experiments and processes for preparing 3D printable materials. Early chapters cover foundational knowledge and background reading, while later chapters discuss and review the current technologies used to engineer specific tissue types, experiments and methods, medical approaches and the challenges that lie ahead for future research. The book is an indispensable reference guide to the various methods used by current medical practitioners working at the forefront of 3D printing applications in medicine.

This book covers additive manufacturing of polymers, metals, ceramics, fiber reinforced polymer composites, energy harvesting materials, and biomaterials. Hybrid manufacturing is discussed. Topology optimization methodology is described and finite element software examples are provided. The book is ideal for graduate students and career starters in the industry.

Sharing Best Practices across industries and functions is an accepted approach to continuous improvement. The Benchmarking trend of the 1990s has evolved with the help of competitive analysis, performance excellence awards, and other corporate recognition programs into an ongoing documentation of what works. Bob Camp introduced benchmarking against a Best Practice based on his work at Xerox in the 1980s. Case studies abound documenting Best Practice functions and processes. Some case studies use the words "Best Practice" without evidence that the process, results, or methods are, indeed, superior. What is missing is a comprehensive model for assessing and writing a Best Practice that provides sufficient information to use as an effective benchmark. This book provides that comprehensive model. Today's consumers expect products and services to be of high quality, reliable, and user-friendly. This is the result of years of continuous improvement and innovation by producers. Although many organizations strive for excellent results, there is still room for improvement. Unfortunately, leaders don't always have methods and tools to measure or assess that degree of excellence. If leaders could use a tool to discover how good their approaches and methods are, and how excellent their achieved results are, they could plan further improvements. The goal is to achieve excellent results. The tool described in this book guides leaders to achieve that excellence.

How can we increase the number of exceptional leaders in our organizations? Why is it that, despite having the best minds and hands at work, organizations aren't seeing a significant increase in their financial numbers? How can the maximum number of people continuously generate fabulous results for themselves and for their organizations? These are some of the most pressing questions currently in organizations and form the basis for Achieving Unstoppable Success in Any Economy. This book presents the seven divine mantras for business leaders, corporate heads, entrepreneurs, and professionals to maximize leadership potential. With masterful insight and brilliant simplicity, Payal Nanjiani has distilled some of the most powerful leadership and success wisdom available for both professional and personal leadership into seven practical lessons that leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs can immediately apply to send morale and productivity soaring in these challenging and uncertain business times. Known for her coaching and consulting work with many of the world's leading CEOs and organizations, Payal helps business professionals understand the significance of the I-Power in leadership. It highlights with certainty that for anyone to achieve unstoppable success in their job and business, and for any organization to be successful, it's the leader who must be unstoppable first. This book serves as a wake-up call-it's time individuals and organizations change the way they approach the human side of business, of leadership, and of success. Our society and the world at large cannot continue to withstand the increasing shortage of exceptional leaders and the widening gap between the successful few and the unsuccessful many. The challenge must be addressed in new ways to develop exceptional leaders who can deal with the immense complexities and business challenges of today. This book serves as a guide to an organic growth of people who lead and succeed regardless of the economy. The book is designed to help you become a highly inner-self-directed individual and take your leadership and business to new levels. It offers seven divine mantras that will enable you and your colleagues to move through hardship and achieve unstoppable success regardless of the economy. You will discover how to strategically direct your inner leader to leverage your potential. Ultimately, this deeply inspiring book reveals a remarkable step-by-step system that will restore trust, commitment, and spirit within your organization while transforming the way you think, act, and behave in the process. For more than 21 years, Payal Nanjiani has been sharing with Fortune 500 companies and many of the most successful entrepreneurs her success formulas that has made her one of the most sought-after leadership advisors in the world. Now, for the first time, through this book Payal makes her proprietary process available to you, so that you can deliver your best while helping your organization break through to a new level of success regardless of the economy. "In a world where burn out is becoming more common, it is imperative for leaders to constantly undergo self-reflection and assess their inner well-being and take stock of their emotions and encourage their team to do so as well. Emotional pain, if not tackled, could take a toll on innovation and productivity leading to a trickle-down negative effect. This book by Payal Nanjiani helps leaders undergo that much-needed self-reflection and solve the critical problem of productivity." Senthil Radhakrishnan, Administrative Chief and Clinical Neurosurgical PA at Duke "Payal gives practical tips to show that a positive attitude and small incremental changes can give you the ability to stand out and lead with or without authority. A must-read for a natural leader at any level!" Michelle Proctor, Principal Business Operations Officer "In Payal's latest book, she shares profoundly deep insights and amazing motivation for everyone to develop the mindset of leadership." Swami Mukundanda, renowned spiritual Guru "While there is no perfect formula for success as a leader, author Payal provides us with some intriguing insights on how working with our inner self can set us up on the track to be a successful leader." Shankari Rajangam, Ph.D., Neuroscientist, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke

In 1982, ownership of Matchbox die cast toys, the most popular metal vehicles in the world, passed from Lesney to Universal. The toys produced under Universal's ownership are documented in this thorough text. It includes the vehicles and a wide variety of other toys manufactured under the Matchbox logo, including infants' educational toys, dolls, and puzzles. This is the third in a series (preceded by Lesney's Matchbox Toys: The Superfast years, 1969-1982 and Lesney's Matchbox toys, Regular Wheel Years, 1947-1969, published by Schiffer Publishing) of marvelous Matchbox books by Charlie Mack. In this revised edition, he has gathered fine color photographs of all the vehicles, their variations, and the other toys produced by Universal. Additional materials include lists of places of interest for the collector to visit and mail order sources.

Protective clothing and equipment used for firefighters protect them against their harsh working environment loaded with strong thermal hazards, elevated environmental temperatures, low oxygen concentration and smoke. This book describes an in-depth review of firefighting clothing and equipment, and explicitly addresses the performance of protection and comfort in textile engineering, clothing design, and evaluation. Covered topics include protection and comfort requirements for firefighting clothing and equipment, testing methods, standards and performance evaluation, smart firefighting clothing for first responders and numerical modeling of performance of firefighting clothing. Key Features Presents complete overview about the requirements of firefighters' protective clothing/thermal protective materials Addresses performance of protection and comfort Includes human thermoregulation system and responses to firefighting working environment Discusses SMART firefighting clothing and equipment Suggests "how to improve the wear comfort?

This book explores the mechanics of rotor spinning machines. It discusses the open-end spinning machine rotor's vibrations and bearings as well as the kinematics of the rotor's drive as individual drive or central drive, both as a reducing drive and multiplying drive. It examines explanations for the rotor's power requirements through different techniques such as Shirley institute (UK) and Zurich Federal Institute. It also covers power distribution inside the machine, different mechanisms of the machine, and air flow inside the spinning machine.

One of the major discussions in the business world is: How do we get our human capital assets more engaged in the organization? Current Gallup Polls state that 85% of our employees are not engaged within their organizations. Employee Empowerment fully analyzes this workplace condition, which is a major concern for most CEOs. The solution proposed by this book is the introduction of the TLS (Theory of Constraints - Lean - Six Sigma) Continuum Empowerment model, which comprises three levels of empowerment - Management, Cross-Functional Team, and Individual. The first is the empowerment that comes from upper management to the organization as a whole. The second level is the empowerment that comes from the various cross-functional teams and the final level is from the individuals themselves through their ability to take ownership in the processes in which they are involved. The end solution in the book is that if we can get the human capital assets to take ownership of the processes (that is, empower the front-line employees), it will increase the level of engagement. If they become more engaged they will empower the organization at all levels to introduce sustainable change management to resolve problems within the organization. One of the tools of individual empowerment is the use of the Six Sigma toolbox. This book makes the case that when human capital assets take ownership of the processes, then we have greater engagement, and thus a more empowered organization.

Shelving Guide: Business and Management / Strategic Planning / Leadership / Operations Culture, Strategy, Execution. These three components forge the path to realized potential. The Blendification (R) System breaks down and rebuilds these core concepts within your company's DNA, setting the foundation for an energizing, engaging, and impactful organization. It is based on the belief that many organizations fail to maximize their potential because they simply do not comprehend the magnitude of their personal and collective untapped capabilities. Many workplaces are stuck in "second gear," not quite embracing and pursuing their full potential. Corporate missions are based on market dominance and incremental profit growth, leaving a massive blind spot in terms of the connection between employees, customers, and communities. This short-sightedness may provide a clear focal point, but it leaves the company, its leadership, and its employees with limited sustained motivation to realize potential. The Blendification (R) System embraces the connection between culture, strategy, and execution using the Strategy Whiteboard and integrating emotional and system intelligence into the following three-step model: Strategic Analysis including Culture Strategic Focus, Strategic Outcomes, and Strategic Actions Strategic Execution The Blendification (R) System connects culture, strategy, and execution in a meaningful way that fosters an inspired, exceptional workforce. By focusing on the unifying purpose within each organization, the platform promotes alignment between leadership and employees setting a clear, strong foundation in which every individual can thrive. With this foundation in place, organizations activate their employee's potential who then take care of their customers. By fully engaging those with whom organizations directly interact, these individuals then become the spark that ignites community-wide advancement. This is not a theory-based, philosophical book. This is an in-depth operating system by which organizations reshape their infrastructure to realize potential. The methodology outlined in The Blendification (R) System creates agile and efficient action, maximizing success in periods of economic expansion and times of uncertainty such as the COVID-19 outbreak, the Great Recession, and 9/11. By following the structure outlined in The Blendification (R) System and using the Strategy Whiteboard, organizations will move beyond financial success to uplifting employees, customers, and entire communities.

Becoming a Supervisor tells the story of Trevor who works as one of the production team in a small company that makes toy boats. He is thrust into the role of supervisor unexpectedly when his general manager reacts to his constant suggestions of how things could be better. When the GM becomes ill, Trevor struggles to take up the slack for several months until a new GM arrives. The core of the book follows Trevor's growth under the coaching of Julie, his new GM. As Trevor deals with one challenge after another, Julie guides him on a journey to learn the core skills needed by all front-line leaders. The reader takes away four key ideas: (1) Front-line leadership skills are not too complicated to learn. (2) These skills are something that they can develop in themselves, regardless of what their organization does. (3) Tools and skills are there to help solve real business problems; implementing the tools is not a strategy. (4) In your role as supervisor (directing or responsible for others) you have to look after the mission of the company AND look after your people - doing only one is not an option. Essentially, this book is intended to give hope to a new supervisor or team lead. They will finish the book knowing that the skills they need can be learned and aren't that difficult to acquire. It is designed to introduce the central skills that any supervisor has to be able to master at least with a basic working competency: instructing, leading, and making improvements in their own area. It introduces some of the more widely used tools that a new supervisor may need. More importantly, it ties these tools and skills to solving particular problems. Readers will understand that the tools are not important for their own sake, but only to the extent that the tools serve the larger objective of the organization. This book is designed to give the reader an entertaining and hopeful story about the very difficult transition from worker to supervisor, from being one of the crew to directing the crew. It is an emotionally tough transition, and the idea that someone could see a model of how it can work out will be helpful to folks new in a leadership role. Finally, the book provides a reference to other sources of information that will let the reader extend their learning about each of the tools or skills referenced in the contents.

This book offers the latest research advances in the field of Industry 4.0, focusing on enabling technologies for its deployment in a comprehensive way. This book offers successful implementation of technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, autonomous and collaborative robots, cloud computing, and up-to-date guidelines. It investigates how the technologies and principles surrounding Industry 4.0 (e.g., interoperability, decentralized decisions, information transparency, etc.) serve as support for organizational routines and workers (and vice versa). Included are applications of technologies for different sectors and environments as well as for the supply chain management. It also offers a domestic and international mix of case studies that spotlight successes and failures. Features Provides a historical review of Industry 4.0 and its roots Discusses the applications of technologies in different sectors and environments (e.g., public vs. private) Presents key enabling technologies for successful implementation in any industrial and service environment Offers case studies of successes and failures to illustrate how to put theory into practice Investigates how technologies serve as support for organizational routines and workers

This edited volume brings together a group of expert contributors to explorebthe opportunities and the challenges that Industry 4.0 (smart manufacturing) is likely to pose for regions, fi rms and jobs in Europe. Drawing on theory and empirical cases, it considers emerging issues like servitization, new innovation models for local production systems and the increase in reshoring. Industry 4.0 and Regional Transformations captures the complexity of this new manufacturing model in an accessible way and considers its implications for the future. It will be essential reading for advanced students and researchers and policy makers in regional studies, industrial policy, economic geography, innovation studies, operations management and engineering.

Dr. H. James Harrington and Frank Voehl have gathered together the thoughts and ideas of more than 20 of the most creative innovation thought leaders from business, professional practice, and academia in this compelling book. The thought leaders look at innovation from almost every angle - their statements offer an unparalleled view of innovation and provide a depth of insight that is extraordinary. Harrington and Voehl's reflection on each chapter, and on the sections within the book, provides useful links between themes and reinforces the relationships between many of the ideas. Anyone interested in innovation (practitioner or researcher) will benefit from this global thought collection. The contributors' multiple perspectives, models, practical examples, and stories provide a sense of innovation that no single writer could ever capture. A company's future growth will only come through successful innovation. This book is organized around Dr. Harrington's innovation pyramid, which consists of the 16 building blocks required to bring about significant improvements in an organization's ability to deliver creative products. It highlights the principles and recommendations in ISO's new innovation standard 56002 and provides many new concepts that are not included in the standard. It includes a free, powerful, and valuable online customized innovation maturity analysis. Following three unassailable facts will strike you as soon as you read this book: 1. Innovation is the new mantra; whether you're involved in a not-for-profit, for-profit, service sector, or governmental organization. 2. Understanding that innovation and creative activities penetrate into every part of an organization requiring multiple perspectives that drive a new way of thinking and working that impacts the organization's culture, social operations, and commercial context that impacts the total organization, and not just new products or services. 3. Innovation is an exciting adventure. Total Innovative Management Excellence (TIME): The Future of Innovation (978-0-367-43242-3, 340635) draws on insights from around the globe in order to be competitive in fast-moving technologies.

To meet the needs of today, engineered products and systems are an important element of the world economy, and each year billions of dollars are spent to develop, manufacture, operate, and maintain various types of products and systems around the globe. This book integrates and combines three of those topics to meet today's needs for the engineers working in these fields. This book provides a single volume that considers reliability, maintainability, and safety when designing new products and systems. Examples along with their solutions are placed at the end of each chapter to test readers' comprehension. The book is written in a manner that readers do not need any previous knowledge of the subject, and many references are provided. This book is also useful to many people, including design engineers, system engineers, reliability specialists, safety professionals, maintainability engineers, engineering administrators, graduate and senior undergraduate students, researchers, and instructors.

The Handbook of Natural Fibres, Second Edition, Volume One: Types, Properties and Factors Affecting Breeding and Cultivation covers every aspect of natural fibers, their breeding, cultivation, processing and applications. This volume features fundamental discussions of each fiber, covering different stages of breeding and cultivation. Natural fibrous resources, both lignocellulosic and protein ones, are renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic, making them an important source of sustainable textile solutions. A broad range of natural fibers are covered in this book, including cotton, jute, kenaf, flax, hemp, sisal, ramie, curaua, pineapple, bamboo, coir, sheep wool, and more.

Redwood Decks: Ideas and Plans for Contemporary Outdoor Living is absolutely packed with more than 200 big, full-color photographs of fabulous decks from around the country, along with plans and building instructions for do-it-yourselfers. These great deck photos serve as a valuable resource for homeowners shopping around for exciting deck ideas. Here you can find ideas for overcoming problem slopes, incorporating treasured trees, encircling spas, creating conversation pits, and enhancing gardens. It shows how simple additions, such as stylized railings or varied floor patterns, can evoke images of Japanese gardens or colonial elegance. For those who want to undertake their own construction project, there's a cut-out planner along with blueprints and lots of helpful hints to get you started. Redwood Decks is a complete start-up kit for anyone looking for ways to refocus their life in the great outdoors.

These proceedings gather contributions presented at the 3rd International Conference of Mechatronics and Cyber-MixMechatronics/ICOMECYME, organized by the National Institute of R&D in Mechatronics and Measurement Technique in Bucharest, Romania, on September 5th-6th, 2019. Reflecting the expansion mechatronics, it discusses topics in the newer trans-disciplinary fields, such as adaptronics, integronics, and cyber-mixmechatronics. With a rich scientific tradition and attracting specialists from around the globe - including North America, South America, and Asia - ICOMECYME focuses on presenting the latest research. It is mainly directed at academics and advanced students, but also appeals to R&D experts, offering a platform for scientific exchange. These proceedings are a valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to invest in research and who are open for collaborations.