The present work deals with the calculation and the investigation of possible reductions of CO2 emissions in manufacturing a metal formed product. The industrial sector plays a significant role in the recent increase of the oncentration of Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere, which is responsible for the advancing global warming. As an answer to fiscal and financial intervention of government policies aimed at counteracting this phenomenon, the environmental impact of products became a key aspect of a company’s strategy. However, literature still lacks effective methods and quantitative studies that look into the details of a single manufacturing process, discussing its environmental aspects and how they can be influenced by changes in the technological parameters. In an attempt to do that, an example of quantification and minimization of the carbon emissions occurring during the two manufacturing steps of the fabrication of an Al 6061 disc is provided. Electrical energy consumption occurring during the shearing and the upset forging of a billet was found by means of nonlinear finite element analysis and converted into CO2 emissions with a carbon emission signature value (CES). Environmental impact and frictional properties of both traditional lubrication and two non-conventional ecologically benign lubricants (palm oil ester and used cooking oil ester) were experimentally tested and are included in the study. A gradient-based optimization algorithm was implemented to determine the optimal geometry of the billet before the compression as well as the lubricant that minimize the total carbon emissions, within the proper technological limitations and constraints on the final product quality. A clear and effective method which would represent an auxiliary decision tool for a manufacturer in the metal forming sector is hereby presented. Results show that the selection of the manufacturing options can have an influence of more than 13% on the overall CO2 emission. / Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-12-19 16:39:12.071

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This thesis examines the use of distributed discrete-event simulation techniques as part of an aid to the design of highly automated batch manufacturing systems. The methodology and objectives of the design of highly automated batch manufacturing systems are described and an assessment is made of the use of modelling and simulation as part of the method . Criteria are developed for a simulator used during the . detail design stage. The different approaches taken by existing simulation systems to building and configuring simulation models and their use of particular simulation techniques are described. Limitations on simulation models due to the sequential processing of event-lists and activity scans are identified in a review of the problems of simulation that current existing distributed simulators have been designed to answer. The advantages of concurrent and distributed computing and in particular, a tightly-coupled multi-microprocessor computing engine for executing the normally batch-processed computing tasks of simulation are identified . A novel approach to the distr~bution of the computational tasks in a distributed simulation system is described and the operation of a simulator built using this approach to simulate the operation of highly automated batch manufacturing systems is also described.The question of whether such a distributed simulator of highly automated batch manufacturing systems satisfies the criteria is examined on the basis of an analysis of the operation of the simulator. It is shown that a number of advantages in the areas of level of detail, configuration, parallel processing and speed of execution can be achieved through the use of distributed computing and multi-processing techniques for simulation during the detail design stage of highly automated batch manufacturing systems.

This thesis investigates the determinants of innovation in the New Zealand manufacturing sector by addressing the issue in three main parts. First, an extensive literature review is undertaken to identify definitions of innovation. A number of hypotheses are then proposed based on the international literature. Secondly, supported by the New Zealand Manufactures and Exporters Association (NZMEA), a unique dataset was collected via an Internet-based instrument, the Innovation Survey of the Manufacturing Sector. A series of regression models were then used to test the proposed hypotheses. The final part of the research involved a number of in-depth company interviews that approached the topic from a different perspective and complemented the qualitative analyses by further investigating issues that were unresolved from the survey. The research results suggest that “micro” (i.e. very small) firms may not be very innovative, and identified that practical skills and co-operation are crucial factors influencing innovation in the New Zealand manufacturing sector.

In recent years, the nasal route has received a great deal of attention as convenient and reliable method of systemic administration of drugs, due to its benefits of reduced pain, precise drug delivery and eliminated risk of intravenous needles. The pharmaceutical industries are facing a competitive challenge introducing novel devices for the nasal drug delivery, which is better than commercially available, unit dose and squeeze bottle sprayers. The purpose of this study is to develop such a device for the nasal drug delivery that would satisfy the needs of the patients, physicians and pharmacist. An electronically controlled multi-dose nasal drug delivery device is developed as a result of the study. The parts of the device are designed to satisfy customer needs. The developed parts are redesigned for manufacture and assembly, considering the DFMA principles. The conceptual design was tested for its functionality by developing working prototypes of using rapid prototyping techniques. Suitable materials and manufacturing processes for parts of the device are determined, and the manufacturing and assembly cost of the device is estimated to justify affordability.