Themosetting resins are being used increasingly as matrix materials in advanced fibre-reinforced composites. It is well known that the processing conditions used to manufacture the composite can have a major influence on its mechanical integrity in service. In addition, the processing parameters can also affect the ingress of moisture in thermosetting resin and composites. The feasibility of using optical fibre-based sensor systems for monitoring cross-linking reaction has been demonstrated previously. However, little work has been reported on the deployment of a single sensor to study the cross-linking kinetics and the diffusion of moisture. In the current work, four low-cost sensor designs were evaluated for in situ monitoring of the cross-linking reactions of an epoxy/amine resin system. One of these sensor designs was selected and used to investigate in detail the cross-linking kinetics. Excellent correlation was observed between the cross-linking data obtained form the sensors and conventional transmission spectroscopy. Semi-empirical models were used successfully to describe the cross-linking behaviour of the epoxy/amine resin system that was used in this study. Subsequent to monitoring the cross-linking reactions, the fibre-optic sensors were used to study the diffusion of moisture in the cross-linked resin system. Conventional gravimetric measurements were also carried out to enable the correlation with the data obtained from the fibre optic sensors. It was demonstrated that the fibre-optic sensors were capable of giving information on the “localised” diffusion of moisture in the neat-resin plaques. Three previously published models were investigated and localised diffusion of moisture in the neat-resin showed non-Fickian behaviour.

The primary aim of this research programme was to enable damage detection in glass fibre reinforced composites using the reinforcing fibres as the sensing element. In other words, E-glass fibres were used as light guides to detect the fracture of individual fibres, when loaded in tension. This was achieved by monitoring the transmitted light intensity through the reinforcing glass fibres. Two types of glass fibres and matrices were evaluated. In the case of glass fibres, E-glass and custom-made small-diameter (12 µm) optical fibre (SDOF) were used. Three types of low refractive index resin systems with specified failure strains were also used. The basic technology involved illuminating one end of the fibre bundle or composite with a white light or laser source and the opposite end was imaged using a high-speed CCD camera. Acoustic emission monitoring of fibre bundles revealed that there were two types of failures occurring in a bundle, a lower amplitude of the acoustic emission signal (AES) related to the inter-fibre friction and a high amplitude of the AES to fibre fractures. This characteristic was also confirmed by a Weibull statistical analysis where it was demonstrated that a two parameter distribution was present corresponding to two different flaw distributions. In the case of self-sensing composites, it was found that the specific failure modes in the composites (matrix failure, fibre fracture, debonding) generate their characteristic amplitudes of the AES and frequencies. These failure modes were recorded and correlated to the tensile test data. It was demonstrated that the attenuation of transmitted light can be related to the fracture of fibres in the bundle or a composite test specimen. It was found that the image analysis routines were capable of identifying and tracking the survival or fracture of each fibre in the bundle or composite. The results obtained from mechanical loading, acoustic emission and images analysis were cross-correlated.

The growing demand for ever more greener aero engines has led to ever more challenging designs and higher quality products. An investigation into Coordinate Measuring Machine measurement uncertainty using physical measurements and virtual simulations revealed that there were several factors that can affect the measurement uncertainty of a specific task. Measurement uncertainty can be affected by temperature, form error and measurement strategy as well as Coordinate Measuring Machine specification. Furthermore the sensitivity of circular features size and position varied, when applying different substitute geometry algorithms was demonstrated. The Least Squares Circle algorithm was found to be more stable when compared with the Maximum Inscribed Circle and the Minimum Circumscribed Circle. In all experiments it was found that the standard deviation when applying Least Squares Circle was of smaller magnitude but similar trends when compared with Maximum Inscribed Circle and the Minimum Circumscribed Circle. A Virtual Coordinate Measuring Machine was evaluated by simulating physical measurement scenarios of different artefacts and different features. The results revealed good correlation between physical measurements uncertainty results and the virtual simulations. A novel methodology for the automated assessment of leading edge airfoil profiles was developed by extracting the curvature of airfoil leading edge, and the method lead to a patent where undesirable features such as flats or rapid changes in curvature could be identified and sentenced. A software package named Blade Inspect was developed in conjunction with Aachen (Fraunhoufer) University for the automated assessment and integrated with a shop floor execution system in a pre-production facility. The software used a curvature tolerancing method to sentence the leading edge profiles which aimed at removing the subjectivity associated with the manual vision inspection method. Initial trials in the pre-production facility showed that the software could sentence 200 profiles in 5 minutes successfully. This resulted in a significant improvement over the current manual visual inspection method which required 3 hours to assess the same number of leading edge profiles.

This work represents the most comprehensive investigation of silk in the middle Byzantine period to date. The current interpretation of silk as an imperial prerogative confined to elite use is poorly integrated with the body of evidence and lacks explanatory value. The difficult terminology and scattered mentions in written sources limits application of conventional research methods. Although a number of silk fragments survive in institutional collections, the lack of find and contextual information represents a formidable obstacle. This dissertation redefines silk in Byzantium by demonstrating its social importance, contribution to technology development, and integration in the regional economy. Findings are based on intensive analysis of production and consumption data from parallel investigation of texts and textile fragments according to a common framework. To aid data collection and analysis, information technology tools involving relational database methods and digital imaging were devised for this purpose. The evidence suggests that the historical process involving silk was shaped by a continuing cycle of elite differentiation and imitative reproduction, which contributed to the transmission of the material and production in the region. From a broader perspective, this work demonstrates the relevance of textile studies to the interpretation of economic and social history.

Design of Experiments (DOE) is a powerful technique for understanding, characterising and modelling products and processes and improving their performance. Whilst the bulk of its literature revolves around how it should be applied, little attention, if any, is devoted to the manner in which it is being implemented in practice particularly in manufacturing. One objective of this study was to bridge this gap by reviewing practical applications in three manufacturing journals. This revealed not only limited use but also multiple deficiencies. Many of these concerned a lack of familiarity with the concept of aliasing; the use of fractional factorial designs and pooling methods to analyse unreplicated trials; and a misunderstanding of the concepts underpinning the use and interpretation of p-values and factorial effects’ importance measures. With respect to aliasing, a novel simple method for generating its pattern is proposed. Besides its ease of application, it can be linked to the three main criteria for measuring the degree of aliasing (maximum resolution, minimum aberration and generalised minimum aberration) in a manner devoid of mathematical complications. Regarding the use of fractional factorial designs and pooling methods, simulation experiments were used to assess the performance of certain experimentation strategies to arrive at the same conclusions had a full factorial trial been performed. In the context of two-level designs, the L\(_{16}\) together with the Pooling Up method or the Half Normal Probability plot yielded a satisfactory performance. Similarly, the strategy of using the Best Subset selection procedure in conjunction with the L\(_{18}\) design was the best among the examined three-level ones. To attain a robust performance, it was found that the use of small designs such as the L\(_8\) and the L\(_9\) should, as far as possible, be avoided. The concepts concerning the use of the p-values and the effect’s importance measures are clarified and to facilitate communication between Engineers, Managers and Statisticians, an importance measure that can be related to three quality engineering techniques is suggested.

Image processing systems used in Vision Assisted Dimensional Inspection usually output a set of boundary pixels representing the part edges. This boundary information must be divided into several subsets representing the various edges of the actual object, so that comparisons with the nominal part can be made. The purpose of this project is to devise a method to divide the set of pixels obtained from the image processing system into subsets of pixels. Each of these subsets represent an edge in the contour of the actual object. This method must also detect transition points between the adjacent features. This project addresses only planar contours which are composed of straight and circular edges. Two new algorithms have been developed, the first algorithm detects the transition points involving straight edges and the second algorithm finds the transition points when circular features are involved. In addition, the measured features are also matched with their nominal counterparts. The performance of these algorithms are demonstrated by simulated as well as images from the vision system.

Bibliography: leaves 350-402. This thesis is concerned with the process of change and adaptation in four Australian manufacturing companies in the period 1989 to 1996. The thesis seeks to explain the reaction of these companies to the pressures for change, and particularly for the adoption of 'best practice' management prescriptions in the organization of work and human resource management. The operating hypothesis adopted is that the pattern of changes undertaken by manufacturing organizations are shaped by a variety of factors both external to and within the company, but that management beliefs and orientations are a key element in understanding the pace and extent of change. The research is pursued through detailed case studies designed to explore at length pressures for change and continuity in corporate decision-making.

Bibliography: leaves 350-402. / x, 412 leaves ; 31 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis is concerned with the process of change and adaptation in four Australian manufacturing companies in the period 1989 to 1996. The thesis seeks to explain the reaction of these companies to the pressures for change, and particularly for the adoption of 'best practice' management prescriptions in the organization of work and human resource management. The operating hypothesis adopted is that the pattern of changes undertaken by manufacturing organizations are shaped by a variety of factors both external to and within the company, but that management beliefs and orientations are a key element in understanding the pace and extent of change. The research is pursued through detailed case studies designed to explore at length pressures for change and continuity in corporate decision-making. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Economics, 2001

This thesis proposes a design strategy for pleasant touch. Literature is reviewed on the importance of pleasant touch, existing implementations in products and design for tactility. A lack of competence is found on how to design for pleasant touch in the interface of products: functional pleasant tactility. Therefore, a design vision is created by the author as a designer, on how to design functional pleasant tactility. The envisioned design strategy is then implemented through a study where a Bang &amp / Olufsen TV remote control was used as an example case. The study includes three sequential phases: exploring, designing, and evaluating functional pleasant tactility in the given context. Exploring was done through workshops where design students were asked to touch objects with various material properties. Pleasant movements were performed with the objects, and matching functions were imagined, resulting in &lsquo / actions&rsquo / . Those actions were analyzed to discover three underlying themes of inviting, mastery and logic. In the designing phase, those themes were translated into three corresponding design concepts, and worked out into prototypes. In the evaluating phase, those prototypes were tested with that target group, and the results were used to create a final design concept. The study then concludes with a design strategy that is expected to work for the broader context of industrial design, and recommendations for further research with this strategy and different products or companies are also provided.

The notion of sustainability has become an extensive area of research ever since the term emerged in the late 1980s, due to the negative effects of unsustainable production and consumption patterns on environmental stewardship, social equity and economic development. There have been various approaches developed for product design and education within the context sustainability. Biomimicry is one of those approaches, and its implications for product design education have recently started to be explored. In this study, an educational tool - Biomimicry Sketch Analysis (BSA) - was developed and integrated into the idea-generation phase of an educational design project at the undergraduate level in the Department of Industrial Design at the Middle East Technical University (METU). This integration is analyzed throughout the graduate thesis study, to understand and explore the implications of the biomimicry approach for sustainability in product design education. The educational tool within this approach was found as influential among the third year industrial design students for the idea-generation phase, yet the results of this study included both pros and cons for the incorporation of the BSA exercise.