Inventory control is an essential task in production management. An effective inventory control can significantly reduce the holding cost and hence, total production cost. Selecting and implementing a suitable production control system plays an important role in inventory reduction and performance improvement of a production system. Since the introduction of Toyota's just-in-time philosophy, pull control systems have been adopted by numerous companies worldwide, both in the manufacturing and service sectors. This book provides some recent developments in production management and presents modeling and analysis tools for pull production control systems. It contributes by combining theoretical findings and case study analysis results with a practical and contemporary view on how to effectively manage and control production systems. Each chapter in this book focuses on a specific topic in production control systems, allowing readers to identify the chapters that relate to their interests. More specifically, the book is presented in three sections. The first section focuses on the design and implementation aspects of the pull production control systems, as well as performance evaluation approaches for pull systems. The second section presents a recent and comprehensive literature review. Three different case studies on implementation of pull production control systems are presented in the last section. This book can be used as an essential source for students and scholars who need to specifically study the pull control systems. Since the superiority of these systems is controversial, the book can also provide an interesting and informative read for practitioners, managers, and employees who need to deepen their knowledge on pull production management systems.

Cyber-Physical and Gentelligent Systems in Manufacturing and Life Cycle explores the latest technologies resulting from the integration of sensing components throughout the production supply chain, and the resulting possibilities to improve efficiency, flexibility, and product quality. The authors present cutting edge research into data storage in components, communication devices, data acquisition, as well as new industrial applications. Detailed technical descriptions of the tools are presented in addition to discussions of how these systems have been used, the benefits they provide, and what industry problems they could tackle in the future. This is essential reading for researchers and production engineers interested in the potential of cyber physical systems to optimize all parts of the supply chain.

3D Printing for Product Designers closes the gap between the rhetoric of 3D printing in manufacturing and the reality for product designers. It provides practical strategies to support the adoption and integration of 3D printing into professional practice. 3D printing has evolved over the last decade into a practical proposition for manufacturing, opening up innovative opportunities for product designers. From its foundations in rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing has developed into a range of technologies suitable for end-use products. This book shows you how to evaluate and sensitively understand people, process, and products and demonstrates how solutions for working with additive manufacturing can be developed in context. It includes a practical, step-by-step plan for product designers and CEOs aimed at supporting the successful implementation of 3D printing by stakeholders at all levels of a manufacturing facility, tailored to their stage of technology integration and business readiness. It features a wide range of real-world examples of practice illustrated in full colour, across industries such as healthcare, construction, and film, aligning with the strategic approach outlined in the book. The book can be followed chronologically to guide you to transform your process for a company, to meet the unique needs of a specific client, or to be used as a starting point for the product design entrepreneur. Written by experienced industry professionals and academics, this is a fundamental reference for product designers, industrial designers, design engineers, CEOs, consultants, and makers.

Algal Green Chemistry: Recent Progress in Biotechnology presents emerging information on green algal technology for the production of diverse chemicals, metabolites, and other products of commercial value. This book describes and emphasizes the emerging information on green algal technology, with a special emphasis on the production of diverse chemicals, metabolites, and products from algae and cyanobacteria. Topics featured in the book are exceedingly valuable for researchers and scientists in the field of algal green chemistry, with many not covered in current academic studies. It is a unique source of information for scientists, researchers, and biotechnologists who are looking for the development of new technologies in bioremediation, eco-friendly and alternative biofuels, biofertilizers, biogenic biocides, bioplastics, cosmeceuticals, sunscreens, antibiotics, anti-aging, and an array of other biotechnologically important chemicals for human life and their contiguous environment. This book is a great asset for students, researchers, and biotechnologists.

Understanding, Measuring, and Improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness: How to Use OEE to Drive Significant Process Improvement explains why the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) measure was created and how it should be used. Based on 20 years of hands on experience applying OEE at over 150 sites, this step-by-step practical guide provides templates, assessments, a comprehensive loss-analysis framework to identify all possible variables that could affect OEE, and supporting spreadsheets to measure and improve OEE. It outlines the different operational situations in which OEE can foster improvements, and the implications, before providing an easy-to-understand template for creating appropriate definitions for all the losses and a loss model. The author explains how to calculate OEE using examples to improve performance, and then shows, in detail, how to use an OEE Loss Analysis Spreadsheet to understand all losses, set an ideal vision, and then classify losses so improvement can be approached in the most sustaining way.

Written by a renowned sustainability expert, Greener Products: The Making and Marketing of Sustainable Brands, Second Edition makes the case for why the people and the planet need products to be made in a different, more sustainable way. The growth of the global middle class, with an additional 3 billion people expected to enter the consumer market by 2030, is putting an unprecedented demand on resources and straining the global supply of raw materials, fossil fuels, food and water. This book provides insights on how to raise the bar on product development and investigates the best practices for making and marketing sustainable brands. Over 40 case studies are analyzed in this book and summarized for the reader to easily see what it is that makes leading companies successful. Analysis on marketing campaigns and greener product development range from leading companies like Apple, Nike, Samsung Electronics, BASF, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and Method. New updated content in this second edition includes: New developments like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with concepts of biomimicry, circular economy, emerging issues management, and eco-innovation. Novel tools and examples for bringing sustainable products to market. New chapter dedicated to natural capital. Analysis of current green marketing methods and market trends. Best practices for making and marketing sustainable brands. For more information, visit the author's book website at www.greenerproducts.biz.

The parameters of competition in business today are changing -- big does not necessarily beat small anymore; fast is beating slow. Agility, speed, and flexibility are the key elements of a successful strategy and execution in the corporate world as wells as in government agencies, health care, and education.. How well will your firm execute its strategy? What barriers exist that inhibit your execution? Are you keeping one eye on tomorrow's customers, while you manage those of today? These are all key questions as we strive to deliver value on an ongoing basis. Simple: Killing Complexity for a Lean and Agile Organization is about agility and simplicity, in which achieving simplicity comes from a focus on the customer. Agility begins with planning, and leadership teams must develop decent vision. Generally, leaders know what they want to do, but many organizations break down, however, I when trying to implement the action plan. With over 25 years of industry, teaching, and consulting experience, the author illustrates how organizations can: Recognize who their true customers are, and appreciate what those customers want Begin to eliminate the products, services, processes and 'work' that gets in the way of delivering value to those customers Focus people and processes towards value creation, even in what are perceived as non-customer centric operations Avoid brand confusion and the 'all things to all people' mentality The complexities of managing in today's world both obscures decision making and layers on challenges that bog an organization down, preventing leadership from understanding what their customers want. By understanding who those customers are, and what they want, leaders can focus innovation strategy and projects in ways that deliver sustainable value. Even in not-for-profit and government agencies, executing in an aligned organization can become the profitable standard business process.

Smart Materials in Additive Manufacturing, Volume 1 provides readers with an overview of the current smart materials widely in use and the techniques for additively manufacturing them. It demonstrates the principles developed for 4D printing in a way that is useful for students, early career researchers, and professionals. Topics covered include modeling and fabrication of 4D printed materials such as dielectric elastomer soft robots, low-voltage electroactive polymers, and stimuli-responsive hydrogels. 4D printing of light-responsive structures, gels and soft materials, and natural fiber composites are also discussed, as is origami-inspired 4D printing, 4D microprinting, and reversible 4D printing. 4D bioprinting and related biomedical applications are outlined as well as functionalized 4D printed sensor systems. Key Features: * Discusses 4D printed shape memory polymers, shape memory alloys, natural fibers, and hydrogels * Covers various types of stimuli, fabrication techniques, multi-physics modeling, and control strategies for 4D printing * Explores 4D printing of dielectric elastomers, liquid crystal elastomers, and electroactive polymers

With a foreword from Jean-Marie Schaller, founder and creative director of Louis Moinet, this book introduces some of the most elegant watches the horological world has to offer, including several one-of-a-kind pieces that have never before appeared in print. Many of these ateliers handcraft both the watches and their complicated mechanical movements in-house. The level of expertise and craftsmanship involved is truly dazzling. Featuring such stunning timepieces as the 15.48 Driver Watch, the Andreas Strehler Time Shadow and the Antoine Preziuso Chronometer, Tourbillon of Tourbillons, this expertly curated collection of watch profiles will catch the eye of any true enthusiast. Steve Huyton looks beyond the price tag, featuring affordable options of particular artistic merit as well as pieces from the luxury end of the scale. Discover the hidden gems of the watchmaking business - 60 independent artisans counted among the finest makers in the world. Includes the work of: Hajime Asaoka, Felix Baumgartner (Urwerk), Aaron Becsei, Vincent Calabrese, Konstantin Chaykin, Bernhard Lederer (BLU), Masahiro Kikuno, Vianney Halter, Antoine Preziuso and Andreas Strehler, among others.

"Chemistry and Lithography" provides a comprehensive treatment of the chemical phenomena in lithography in a manner that is accessible to a wide readership. The book presents topics on the optical and charged particle physics practiced in lithography, with a broader view of how the marriage between chemistry and optics has made possible the print and electronic revolutions of the digital age. The related aspects of lithography are thematically presented to convey a unified view of the developments in the field over time, from the very first recorded reflections on the nature of matter to the latest developments at the frontiers of lithography science and technology.

Part I presents several important chemical and physical principles involved in the invention and evolution of lithography. Part II covers the processes for the synthesis, manufacture, usage, and handling of lithographic chemicals and materials. Part III investigates several important chemical and physical principles involved in the practice of lithography. "Chemistry and Lithography" is a useful reference for anyone working in the semiconductor industry.

Longcase clocks were invidually hand-made during the golden age of change that took place between the late seventeenth and mid-nineteenth centuries. Longcase clocks with their seventeenth century clock-making technology were innovative and incorporated an accurate pendulum clock within an attractive piece of domestic furnishing. This invaluable book is essential reading for all those who own and collect longcase clocks as well as clock repairers, horologists and conservationists.

Most books about continuous and process improvement are written in a textbook format with straightforward information and plenty of graphs and charts to convey the points being made. Sometimes, even the best step-by-step instructions can escape even the most adamant of followers for an improvement method in determining exactly how to apply what they've learned. Taking a different approach, Focus and Leverage is presented in an engaging business-novel format and is a sequel to the authors' bestselling book, Epiphanized, Second Edition. The primary characters remain the same, but this time the storyline features two different industries: Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and Healthcare (hospital) environments. This book expands and highlights the two improvement methods first introduced in the appendix section of Epiphanized: the Interference Diagram (ID)/Intermediate Objectives (IO) map (ID/IO Simplified Strategy) and Multiple-Drum-Buffer-Rope (M-DBR). Both of these innovative methods are the result of some much-focused thinking that allows for multiple improvement methods, and steps, to be combined into a single thinking process tool. This groundbreaking new method is designed to save time and money and allows faster and better results to be achieved. The two storylines move the reader through the necessary system analysis, problem identification, and solution implementation. The novel format aids in presenting several realistic situational discussions as well as a multitude of graphs and figures to explain the step-by-step process for success. The storyline of this book weaves some well-known and some not-so-well-known thinking tools into the problem-solving sphere to provide you with an understanding of how to first discover and then overcome issues not readily known or expected at the start of any project.

Since the success of products significantly depends on the quality of product performance, inadequate management of the product design process can lead to improper performance of products that can result in significant long-term business losses. Design for Profitability: Guidelines to Cost Effectively Manage the Development Process of Complex Products presents a design guideline for complex product design and development that enables you to cost-effectively improve the technical performance of your products and consequently improve your competitiveness in the marketplace as well as improve profitability. The book helps you improve the competitiveness of your organization in the market and eventually improve profitability. It presents a mobile robots design guideline based on an empirical study of the mobile robots design process. This is an unprecedented guideline based on the empirical investigation of the internal aspects of the design process of complex products for cost-effectively enhancing the competitiveness in the market. The book also presents a hybrid lean-agile design paradigm for mobile robots. In addition, it points out key approaches and risks to manage the product development process efficiently. In designing complex products and integrated systems, industrial designers face a dilemma of cost-effectively striking a balance between product development time and product performance attributes. This book shows how and when value is added in product design and development through identifying statistically the most and least correlated design activities and strategies to product performance attributes. Introducing a new paradigm in the field of engineering design, the book gives you key approaches to efficiently manage the product development process.

Addressing 30 statistical myths in the areas of data, estimation, measurement system analysis, capability, hypothesis testing, statistical inference, and control charts, this book explains how to understand statistics rather than how to do statistics. Every statistical myth listed in this book has been stated in course materials used by the author's clients, by employers, or by experts in training thousands. Each myth is an unconditional statement that, when taken literally and at face value, is false. All are false under some conditions while a few are not true under any condition. This book explores the conditions that render false the universality of the statements to help you understand why. In the book, six characters discuss various topics taught in a fictional course intended to teach students how to apply statistics to improve processes. The reader follows along and learns as the students apply what they learn to a project in which they are team members. Each discussion is like a Platonic dialogue. The purpose of a Platonic dialogue is to analyze a concept, statement, hypothesis, or theory through questions, applications, examples, and counterexamples, to see if it is true, when it is true, and why it is true when it is true. The dialogues will help readers understand why certain statements are not always true under all conditions, as well as when they contradict other myths.

The Quality Improvement Field Guide: Achieving and Maintaining Value in Your Organization covers the key aspects that quality professionals must know to attain mastery in their field. After reading this book, readers will not only gain an understanding of the key quality improvement concepts, but will gain the practical insight required to implement them correctly. The book starts with a brief history of quality and quality management, including the necessary quality documents. It describes key quality standards, including ISO 9001:2008, the upcoming ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 9004:2008. Next, it explores quality deployment concepts such as capturing the voice of the customer, the Kano model, quality function deployment, and quality policy deployment. SMART goals, SWOT analysis, and key process indicators are also addressed. The book covers the seven classic quality tools: flowchart, Ishikawa diagram, Pareto diagram, scatter diagram, histogram, check sheet, and run chart. It also identifies the seven new management and planning tools: affinity diagram, tree diagram, process decision program chart, matrix diagram, prioritization matrix, interrelationship digraph, and activity network diagram. Presenting methods for failure prevention and detection, the text explores measurement system analysis, gage repeatability and reproducibility studies, and the basics of maintaining a calibration system. It examines the various aspects of continuous quality improvement, complaints management, and the use of 8D reports for reporting on failures. The book describes the four types of measurement scales and various measuring devices a quality professional may encounter and also contains a glossary that explains the basic quality-related terminology. Describing each quality method with sufficient detail so that readers can immediately apply them, this book is an ideal guide for anyone new to the field of quality as well as experienced quality professionals who need a quick overview.

This book comprises select papers presented at the Conference on Innovative Product Design and Intelligent Manufacturing System (IPDIMS 2020). The book discusses the latest methods and advanced tools from different areas of design and manufacturing technology. The main topics covered include design methodologies, industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, and advances in robotics among others. The contents of this book are useful for academics as well as professionals working in the areas of industrial design, mechatronics, robotics, and automation.

How many IT books have you read that are long on theory and short on practical application? They are interesting, but not very impactful. They provide a framework from which to think and understand, but lack a process from which to act. Addressing this urgent need for the IT community, The Lean IT Field Guide explains how to initiate, execute, and sustain a lean IT transformation. Illuminating a clear path to lean IT, the authors integrate more than two decades of combined experience to provide you with a proven method for creating and sustaining a true lean IT workplace. This field guide not only highlights the organizational techniques of more agile and lean processes, but also the leadership work required to help management adopt these new approaches. Based on proven methods from different industries, including banking, manufacturing, insurance, food and beverage, and logistics, the book details a clear model that covers all the components you need to achieve and sustain a favorable work environment and culture in support of lean IT. Filled with anecdotes and case studies from actual businesses, the book includes pictures, templates, and examples that illustrate the application of the lean methods discussed.

With the rapid expansion of ink jet printing, textile printing and allied industries need to understand the principles underpinning this technology and how it is currently being successfully implemented into textile products. Considering the evolution of new print processes, technological development often involves a balance of research across different disciplines. Translating across the divide between scientific research and real-world engagement with this technology, this comprehensive publication covers the basic principles of ink jet printing and how it can be applied to textiles and textile products. Each step of the ink jet printing process is covered, including textiles as a substrate, colour management, pre-treatments, print heads, inks and fixing processes. This book also considers the range of textile printing processes using ink jet technology, and discusses their subsequent impact on the textile designer, manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer and the environment.

Visible knowledge is a tool nearly lost in the West, but it has been used to great effect by Toyota in its 50-year march from noncompetitiveness to its current status as the second largest automobile company in the world. It is key for the 50% growth in market share Toyota plans for this decade despite worldwide overcapacity in the auto business. This book presents the reader with a systematic approach to create, capture, and display knowledge in a way that allows development teams to optimize the design of their products and production processes. Visible knowledge not only applies to knowledge management, but provides a means of collaboration to facilitate better decision-making in the development process. This book has evolved out of a manuscript that Allen Ward, the foremost U.S. expert on lean product development, was writing at the time of his untimely death. It is not intended to be a treatise of Lean product development methods. Quite the opposite-it is focused on one small piece, "visible knowledge." It is, however, one technique that Dantar Oosterwal and Durward Sobek have found to be very effective at Harley-Davidson and other places, and a tool that can make a difference whether used by itself or as a starting point for a larger journey into Lean product development. In completing this work, Oosterwal and Sobek kept the aim true to Allen's original intent. The preface and first three chapters are essentially Allen's original intellectual contribution. They have made editorial changes to improve readability and clarity of explanation. Throughout, they have attempted to preserve Allen's voice in the writing, even keeping the narrative in first person as it was originally written. They have also added a fourth chapter that highlights some practical ways to apply the ideas presented in earlier chapters, illustrated with case examples from their experience.

One of the greatest challenges for the apparel industry is to produce garments that fit customers properly. "Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design" addresses the need for improved characterization of our populations in order to tailor garments according to size, weight, and shape of consumers. This book reviews techniques in anthropometry, sizing system developments, and their applications to clothing design.

Part one considers a range of anthropometric methods. The text discusses the range of sizing systems, including data mining techniques, useful for bridging the gap between ergonomists and designers. Chapters examine three-dimensional anthropometric methods and multivariate and bivariate analysis for identifying key body dimensions. Part two then explains how to analyze anthropometric data to develop appropriate sizing systems. Here, the book discusses classification and clustering of human body shapes, the importance of national surveys, and using the data obtained to ensure inclusive design strategies. The book covers sizing systems developed for particular groups, apparel size designation, and the potential for international standardization. It considers the advantages of 3D body scanning and computer-aided design, and the use of body motion analysis to address ease allowance requirements of apparel.

With its distinguished editors and international contributors, this work is an essential reference, particularly due to the specific combination of aspects of anthropometry and the sizing of clothing, for researchers, garment designers, students, and manufacturers in the clothing and fashion industry.
Reviews techniques in anthropometry, sizing system developments, and their applications to clothing designExamines 3D anthropometric methods and multivariate and bivariate analysis for identifying key body dimensionsCovers sizing systems developed for particular groups, apparel size designation, and the potential for international standardization

"Fashion Supply Chain Management Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technologies" looks at the application of RFID technologies in such areas as order allocation, garment manufacturing, product tracking, distribution and retail. As supply chains in the textiles and fashion industry become ever more complex and global, and as the shift to mass customization puts more pressure on a rapid and flexible response to customer needs, monitoring and improving supply chain efficiency in the industry becomes crucial. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies offer a unique opportunity to achieve these goals.

This book reviews the role of RFID technologies in the textiles and fashion supply chain to improve distribution, process management and product tracking, garment manufacturing, and assembly line operations. It also explores how RFID technologies can improve order allocation in the supply chain, and how these technologies can also be used for intelligent apparel product cross-selling. Its chapters also discuss measuring the impact of RFID technologies in improving the efficiency of the textile supply chain, and modeling the effectiveness of RFID technologies in improving sales performance in fashion retail outlets.

"Fashion Supply Chain Management Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technologies" is a comprehensive resource for academic researchers, industry managers, and professionals within the fashion industry.
Looks at the application of RFID technologies in order allocation, garment manufacturing, product tracking, distribution, and retailReviews RFID technologies in the textiles and fashion supply chain for improving distribution, process management and product tracking, garment manufacturing, and assembly line operationsFocuses on measuring the impact of RFID technologies on efficiency, and modeling the effectiveness of RFID technologies in improving retail outlet sales

Paul Newman wore his Daytona Rolex every single day for 35 years until his death in 2008. The iconic timepiece, probably the single most sought-after watch in the world, is now in the possession of his daughter Clea, who wears it every day in his memory. Franklin Roosevelt wore an elegant gold Tiffany watch, gifted to him by a friend on his birthday, to the famous Yalta Conference where he shook the hands of Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. JFK's Omega worn to his presidential inauguration, Ralph Lauren's watch purchased from Andy Warhol's personal collection, Sir Edmund Hillary's Rolex worn during the first-ever summit of Mt. Everest...these and many more compose the stories of the world's most coveted watches captured in A Man and His Watch. Matthew Hranek, a watch collector and NYC men's style fixture, has travelled the world conducting firsthand interviews and diving into exclusive collections to gather the never-before- told stories of 76 watches, complete with stunning original photography of every single piece.

Given its importance for consumer satisfaction and thus brand success, apparel fit is a major challenge for retailers and brands across the industry. Consequently there have been major developments in sizing research and how it can be used in apparel design. This book reviews how these developments are affecting clothing design for different groups of consumers.
Part one identifies various aspects of body shape, size, volume and the psychological aspects of designing apparel. This section covers topics such as body shape and its influence on apparel size and consumer choices, sizing systems, body shape and weight distribution (with a discussion of the Body Volume Index (BVI) versus the Body Mass Index (BMI)), and the psychological and sociological factors influencing consumers choice of apparel. Part two outlines the challenges in understanding the sizing and shape requirements and choices of particular customer groups. This section discusses apparel designed for infants and children, older consumers, overweight and obese consumers, plus size Black and Latino women, apparel design for Asian and Caucasian ethnic groups, sizing requirements for male apparel, maternity apparel, intimate apparel for varying body shapes, and the challenges of designing headwear to fit the size and shape of Western and Asian populations.
Designing apparel for consumers provides an invaluable reference for apparel designers, manufacturers, and R&D managers in the textile industry, as well as postgraduate students and academic researchers in textiles.
Reviews developments affecting clothing design for different groups of consumersIdentifies various aspects of body shape, size, volume and the psychological aspects of designing apparelOutlines the challenges in understanding sizing and shape requirements and choices of particular customer groups"

This is an illustrated history of Australian manufactured toys from 1900-1965, drawing on the authors authoritative collection. The book documents the production of each toy with beautiful colour photographs accompanied by relevant text about the toy and manufacturer.