O presente trabalho foi motivado pelas condições de comercialização da sardinha verdadeira (Sardinella brasiliensis) fresca, descongelada e processada no município de São Paulo-SP, aparentemente não adequadas. Amostras de sardinhas foram analisadas usando como parâmetros os valores de substâncias que reagem com o ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) e nitrogênio de bases voláteis totais (N-BVT). As amostras foram coletadas e analisadas em três momentos diferentes da cadeia produtiva: ao desembarque na CEAGESP (Companhia de Entrepostos e Armazens Gerais do Estado de São Paulo), durante a comercialização em feiras-livres antes da vigência do defeso da espécie e durante a comercialização em feiras-livres na vigência do defeso da espécie (dezembro a março). Para a sardinha desembarcada na CEAGESP, foram observados os seguintes valores médios ± desvio-padrão: TBARS= 0,18 ± 0,17 mg de aldeído malônico (AM)/ kg e N-BVT= 15,75 ± 2,39 mg/ 100 g. Para a sardinha comercializada em feira-livre antes do defeso, os valores registrados foram TBARS= 0,82 ±0,63 mg AM/ kg e N-BVT= 27,06 ± 2,18 mg/ 100g. Para a sardinha comercializada em feira-livre durante o defeso foram detectados TBARS= 7,14 ± 5,36 mg AM/ kg e N-BVT= 27,69 ± 2,80 mg/ 100 g . Os resultados mostraram haver, para os valores de TBARS, diferença estatisticamente significativa entre a sardinha desembarcada na CEAGESP e a comercializada em feira-livre antes do defeso, bem como entre estas e as comercializadas na vigência do defeso. Já para os valores de N-BVT foi notada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre a sardinha desembarcada na CEAGESP e as comercializadas em feira-livre, porém não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as sardinhas comercializadas em feira-livre antes e durante a vigência do defeso. Na sardinha salmourada foram verificados valores médios de TBARS= 4,07 ± 1,22 mg AM/ kg e N-BVT= 44,32 ± 14,38 mg/ 100 g quando não-lavada; e TBARS= 1,25 ± 0,23 mg AM/ kg e N-BVT= 39,63 ± 4,00 mg/ 100 g quando lavada. Para a sardinha anchovada foram detectados os valores médios de TBARS= 3,71 ± 0,77 mg AM/ kg e N-BVT= 62,96 ± 9,33 mg/ 100 g. Foram ainda comparados valores de TBARS e lisina biodisponível, não se observando correlação significativa entre eles (R2= 0,1732). Apenas a sardinha fresca comercializada na CEAGESP apresentou condição aceitável de consumo. / This work was motivated by the observation of the apparently not adequate trade conditions of the fresh, defrosted and processed Brazilian sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis) in the city of São Paulo-SP. Sardine samples were analysed for thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N). The samples were collected and analysed at three different times in the production chain: on landing at CEAGESP (the Central Warehouse Company of the State of São Paulo), while on sale at the street markets before the species-catching prohibition and while on sale at the street markets during the species-catching prohibition period (December-March). The following results were observed for the sardine landed at CEAGESP (mean ± standard deviation): TBARS= 0.18 ± 0.17 mg malondialdehyde (MDA)/ kg and TVB-N= 15.75 ± 2.39 mg/ 100 g. For the sardines collected at the street markets before the prohibition period, the results were TBARS= 0.82 ± 0.63 mg MDA/ kg and TVB-N= 27.06 ± 2.18 mg/ 100 g. The values detected for the samples collected at the street markets during the prohibition period were TBARS= 7.14 ± 5.36 mg MDA/ kg and TVB-N= 27.69 ± 2.80 mg/ 100 g. The results show a statistically significant difference between the TBARS values for the samples collected at CEAGESP and the ones collected at the street markets before the prohibition period and between the latter and the ones collected at the street markets during the prohibition period. On the other hand, a statistically significant difference was noticed between the TVB-N values for the sardines collected at CEAGESP and the ones collected at the street markets, but there was not any statistically significant difference between the samples collected at the street markets before and during the prohibition period. In unwashed brined sardines the following values were recorded: TBARS= 4.07 ± 1.22 mg MDA/ kg and TVB-N= 44.32 ± 14.38 mg/ 100 g, while for the washed samples the results were TBARS= 1.25 ± 0.23 mg MDA/ kg and TVB-N= 39.63 ± 4.00 mg/ 100 g. For ripened sardine values of TBARS= 3.71 ± 0.77 mg MDA/ kg and TVB-N= 62.96 ± 9.33 mg/ 100 g were detected. TBARS values were also compared to available lysine and no significant correlation was found (R2= 0.1732). Only the fresh sardines landed at CEAGESP showed acceptable condition for consumption.

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La industria alimentaria, concretamente el sector poscosecha, necesita innovar en sus procesos productivos, optimizando los mismos para rentabilizar sus actividades, garantizando productos de calidad capaces de satisfacer las necesidades de los consumidores. La presente tesis doctoral se centra en evaluar el potencial de la espectroscopia VIS-NIR para la caracterización e inspección de la calidad de la fruta tanto fuera de línea como a tiempo real en procesos automatizados. En un primer lugar, la viabilidad de la técnica se estudió a nivel de laboratorio en estado estático (off-line), con el fin de conocer y optimizar las condiciones de medición. Posteriormente, se evaluó la calidad interna y externa de diferentes tipos de frutas como son caqui, nectarina y mango. En una segunda etapa, se llevó a cabo una automatización de los procesos de inspección mediante el desarrollo de nuevos prototipos in-line. Para este propósito, y con el objetivo de completar y corroborar los resultados obtenidos de manera estática, se estudió la integración de dos sondas VIS-NIR en una garra robótica capaz de manipular mangos. Finalmente, se estudió la integración de una sonda VIS-NIR a una cinta transportadora. Los resultados obtenidos a nivel estático han demostrado que la espectroscopia VIS-NIR es un método no destructivo muy prometedor para predecir la astringencia en caqui. Así mismo, ha demostrado ser una adecuada herramienta para clasificar al 100% entre variedades de nectarinas como "Big Top" y "Diamond Ray" con una apariencia externa e interna muy similar, pero con diferentes propiedades organolépticas. De manera similar, fue posible clasificar al 100% variedades como "Big Top" y "Magique" de apariencia externa y composición similar pero distinto color de pulpa., y además se desarrolló un índice de calidad interna (IQI) para evaluar la calidad de las nectarinas. Por lo que respecta a los trabajos off-line realizados con mangos de la variedad "Osteen", fue posible predecir su calidad interna mediante los índices de madurez (RPI) y de calidad (IQI) con un gran rendimiento. A su vez, los ensayos experimentales efectuados con estos mismos mangos bajo la manipulación no destructiva de una garra robótica, demostraron que los mejores modelos eran capaces de predecir tanto la firmeza mecánica, el contenido en sólidos solubles, la luminosidad de la pulpa, así como el índice RPI de las muestras en base a la información obtenida por los acelerómetros instalados en los dedos de la garra robótica. En cuanto a los ensayos realizados de manera in-line, el primer prototipo desarrollado se basó en la integración de dos sondas VIS-NIR en una garra robótica dispuesta con dos acelerómetros. El sistema desarrollado permitió alcanzar una buena estimación de la calidad del mango a través del índice RPI fusionando la información tanto de los espectros VIS-NIR como del impacto no destructivo de los acelerómetros. De este modo quedó demostrado que era posible obtener una predicción similar trabajando de forma in-line como trabajando de manera off-line para la predicción del mismo índice de calidad en mangos. El segundo prototipo in-line desarrollado se basa en la integración de una sonda VIS-NIR en una cinta transportadora para la identificación de distintas variedades y orígenes de manzanas. El prototipo desarrollado permitió registrar resultados de clasificación tan buenos como los efectuados de manera off-line con, por ejemplo, nectarina. De este modo, se puede concluir que la espectroscopia VIS-NIR permite monitorear la calidad y clasificar fruta poscosecha tanto en modo off-line como in-line. Los nuevos prototipos desarrollados aportan claras ventajas respecto a los procesos tradicionales realizados a mano, como son la reducción del tiempo de inspección, la disminución de la cantidad de residuos generados y la posibilidad de inspeccionar toda la producción, obteniendo así un análisis más estandariz / The food industry, concretely the post-harvest sector, needs to innovate in their production processes, optimizing them to make their activities profitable, guaranteeing quality products capable of satisfying the needs of consumers. The present doctoral thesis focuses on evaluating the potential of visible and near infrared spectroscopy (VIS-NIR) for the characterization and inspection of fruit quality both off-line and in real time in automated processes. Firstly, the viability of the technique was studied at the laboratory level in a static mode (off-line), in order to know and optimise the measurement conditions. Subsequently, the internal and external quality of different types of fruits such as persimmon, nectarine and mango were evaluated. Secondly, an automation of the inspection processes was carried out through the development of new in-line prototypes. For this purpose, and with the aim of completing and corroborating the results obtained in a static mode, the integration of two VIS-NIR probes in a robotic gripper capable of manipulating mangoes was studied. Finally, the integration of a VIS-NIR probe to a conveyor belt was studied as an in-line monitoring tool on the inspection process of different apple varieties. The results obtained in static mode have shown that VIS-NIR spectroscopy is a very promising non-destructive method to predict the astringency in persimmon. Likewise, it has demonstrated to be an adequate tool to classify 100% between nectarine varieties such as 'Big Top' and 'Diamond Ray' with very similar external and internal appearance, but with different organoleptic properties. Similarly, it was possible to classify 100% varieties such as 'Big Top' and 'Magique' with external appearance and similar composition but different pulp colour. An internal quality index (IQI) was developed to evaluate the quality of nectarines, which can be predicted through VIS-NIR spectroscopy. Regarding the off-line work carried out with mangoes of 'Osteen' variety, it was possible to predict its internal quality through the indexes of maturity (RPI) and quality (IQI) with a high performance. Moreover, the experimental tests carried out with these same mangoes under the non-destructive manipulation of a robotic gripper, showed that the best models were able to predict both the mechanical firmness, the soluble solids content, the brightness of the pulp, as well as the RPI index of the samples based on the information obtained by the accelerometers installed on the fingers of the robotic gripper. Regarding the tests carried out in an in-line mode, the first developed prototype was based on the integration of two VIS-NIR probes in a robotic gripper fitted with two accelerometers. The developed system allowed reaching a good estimation of mango quality through the RPI index. In this way, it was demonstrated that it was possible to obtain a similar prediction working in-line as off-line mode for the prediction of the same quality index in mangoes. The second developed in-line prototype is based on the integration of a VIS-NIR probe in a conveyor belt for the identification of different varieties and origins of apples, achieving a success rate of 98% with the system. The developed prototype allowed to register classification results as good as those carried out off-line with, for example, nectarine. In this way, it can be concluded that VIS-NIR spectroscopy allows monitoring the quality and classifying post-harvest fruit in both off-line and in-line mode, being a tool that allows improving and guaranteeing the correct quality and food safety. The new developed prototypes provide clear advantages over the traditional processes performed by hand, such as the reduction of inspection time, the reduction of the amount of waste generated by destructive quality analysis and the possibility of inspecting full production, obtaining a more standardised analysis of the quality of the products. / La indústria alimentària, concretament el sector postcollita, necessita innovar en els seus processos productius, optimitzant els mateixos per a rendibilitzar les seues activitats, garantint productes de qualitat capaços de satisfer les necessitats dels consumidors. La present tesi doctoral es centra en avaluar el potencial de l'espectroscòpia visible i infraroig pròxim (VIS-NIR) per a la caracterització i la inspecció de la qualitat de la fruita tant fora de línia com a temps real en processos automatitzats. En un primer lloc, la viabilitat de la tècnica es va estudiar a nivell de laboratori en estat estàtic (off-line), a fi de conéixer i optimitzar les condicions de mesurament. Posteriorment, es va avaluar la qualitat interna i externa de diferents tipus de fruites com són caqui, nectarina i mango. En una segona etapa, es va dur a terme una automatització dels processos d'inspecció per mitjà del desenvolupament de nous prototips in-line. Per aquest propòsit, i amb l'objectiu de completar i corroborar els resultats obtinguts de manera estàtica, es va estudiar la integració de dos sondes VIS-NIR en una garra robòtica capaç de manipular. Finalment, es va estudiar la integració d'una sonda VIS-NIR a una cinta transportadora. Els resultats obtinguts a nivell estàtic han demostrat que l'espectroscòpia VIS-NIR és un mètode no destructiu molt prometedor per a predir l'astringència en caqui. Així mateix, ha demostrat ser una adequada ferramenta per a classificar al 100% entre varietats de nectarines com "Big Top" i "Diamond Ray" amb una aparença externa i interna molt semblant, però amb diferents propietats organolèptiques. De manera semblant, va ser possible classificar al 100% varietats com "Big Top" i "Magique" d'aparença externa i composició semblant però distint color de polpa. Es va desenvolupar un índex de qualitat interna (IQI) per avaluar la qualitat de les nectarines. Pel que fa als treballs off-line realitzats amb mangos de la varietat "Osteen" va ser possible predir la seua qualitat interna mitjançant els índexs de maduresa (RPI) i de qualitat (IQI) amb un gran rendiment. Al mateix temps, els assajos experimentals efectuats amb estos mateixos mangos baix la manipulació no destructiva d'una garra robòtica, van demostrar que els millors models eren capaços de predir tant la fermesa mecánica, el contingut en sòlids solubles, la lluminositat de la polpa, així com l'índex RPI de les mostres basant-se en l'informació obtinguda pels acceleròmetres instal¿lats en els dits de la garra robòtica. En quant als assajos realitzats de manera in-line, el primer prototip desenvolupat es va basar en la integració de dos sondes VIS-NIR en una garra robòtica disposada amb dos acceleròmetres. El sistema desenvolupat va permetre aconseguir una bona estimació de la qualitat del mango a través de l'índex RPI fusionant l'informació tant dels espectres VIS-NIR com de l'impacte no destructiu dels acceleròmetres. D'esta manera va quedar demostrat que era possible obtindre una predicció semblant treballant de forma in-line com off-line per a la predicció del mateix índex de qualitat en mangos. El segon prototip in-line desenvolupat es va basar en la integració d'una sonda VIS-NIR en una cinta transportadora per a l'identificació de distintes varietats i orígens de pomes. El prototip desenvolupat va permetre registrar resultats de classificació tan bons com els efectuats de manera off-line. D'aquesta manera, es pot concloure que l'espectroscòpia VIS-NIR permet monitorar la qualitat i classificar fruita postcollita tant en mode off-line com in-line. Els nous prototips desenvolupats aporten clars avantatges respecte als processos tradicionals realitzats a mà, com són la reducció del temps d'inspecció, la disminució de la quantitat de residus generats pels anàlisis destructives de qualitat i la possibilitat d'inspeccionar tota la producció, obtenint així un anàlisi més estandarditz / Cortés López, V. (2018). Innovations in non-destructive techniques for fruit quality control applied to manipulation and inspection lines [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/110969 / TESIS

This master thesis consider the proposal for quality improvement of an industrial process. There are recomended proposals and methods for improvement of current situation of processing on the production of provided information here.

The aim of this research was to explore how examiners achieve and maintain high quality assessment during marking and moderation of the BGCSE (Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education) Home Economics coursework in Botswana. In 2000, localization of the Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (COSC) to the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) took place as per the recommendations of the Revised National Policy on Education (RNPE) document. This new certificate system, marked locally, allows for varied modes of assessment, with more emphasis being placed on continuous assessment. This also means that the assessment is school-based, with teachers centrally involved. As is procedure with this kind of assessment, it is subjected to moderation. However, implementation of this new assessment approach exposed, among other challenges, challenges in establishing dependability of teachers’ assessment, possible increase in teacher workload, teachers’ lack of expertise and confidence in undertaking the assessment scheme. This study, among other things, considers the forms of moderation used by the BGCSE to establish consistency in school-based assessment (SBA) and in so doing, it identifies that a dual form of moderation is used. The main research questions guiding this investigation were: <ul> <li>How are teachers and moderators trained so that they may be competent examiners?</li> <li>How is quality assured during marking of coursework?</li> <li>How does the examining body (BEC) Botswana Examination Council ensure that the examiners adhere to the quality control mechanisms?</li> </ul> This was a qualitative study and the sources of data were semi-structured interviews, document analysis and the research journal. The eight respondents who participated in this study were Home Economics teachers, moderators from senior secondary schools and subject experts from the examining body who were all non-randomly sampled from across the country. Purposive sampling was used based on the respondents’ characteristics relevant to the research problem. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis to describe the phenomenon under inquiry and obtain detailed data. Major findings revealed inconsistencies between teachers and moderators’ marks, and that even though there are procedures that underpin a high quality assessment regime, there is little monitoring by the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) to ensure adherence by the examiners. Other key concerns included examiners’ dissatisfaction about training and inadequate official support and guidance to equip them as competent examiners in general. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted

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<p>The capability of continuously producing good quality products with high productivity and low cost is critical for manufacturers. Generally, products are made up of components, which enable the product to perform its purpose. A complex product may be assembled from many components through multiple assembly stages. Any quality defects in a component may build up in the product. A good understanding of how the quality of components impacts the quality of products in a complex manufacturing system is essential for keeping the competitiveness of a manufacturer. </p> <p>In this research, a series of quality management models are proposed based on studying the relationship between component quality and product quality. Optimal quality control leads to increased competitiveness of a manufacturer, since it helps reduce cost, increase production, and limit environmental impact. The research starts from studying the tolerance allocation problem, which is fundamental of managing the tradeoff between quality, productivity, cost, and waste. First, a tolerance allocation method that minimizes cost is proposed. This model jointly considers process variation and tolerance specifications. The relation between manufacturer, user, design, and processing are embedded in the cost model. To solve the tolerance allocation problem from the root cause, i.e., the variations in production processes, a second tolerance allocation model is then provided. This model considers both product design (tolerance selection) and operation planning (or production rate selection). Relations among production rate, production cost, processing precision, and waste are considered. Furthermore, a new process control model that extends traditional statistical process control techniques is proposed. Data acquired from a manufacturing system are usually in the forms of time series, and anomalies in the time series are generally related to quality defects. A new method that can detect anomalies in time series data with long length and high dimensionality is developed. This model is based on recurrent neural networks, and the parameters of the neural networks can be trained using data acquired during routine operation of a manufacturing system. This is very beneficial because often, there are few data labeled as anomalies, since anomalies are hopefully rare events in a well-managed system. Last, quality control of remanufacturing is studied. A component-oriented reassembly model is proposed to manage the varied quality of returned component and varied needs of customers. In this model, returned components are inspected and assigned scores according to their quality/function, and categorized in a reassembly inventory. Based on the reassembly inventory, components are paired under the control of a reassembly strategy. A reassembly-score iteration algorithm is developed to identify the optimal reassembly strategy. The proposed model can reassemble products to meet a larger variety of customer needs, while simultaneously producing better remanufactured products.</p> In summary, this dissertation presents a series of novel quality management models to keep manufacturers’ competitiveness. These models are based on studying factors that impact component and product quality at multiple stages of a product life cycle. It was found that analyzing the relationship between component and product quality is a very effective way of improving product quality, saving cost, and reducing environmental impact of manufacturing.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Engineering: Industrial Date: 11 October 2016 / This research investigates Transnet‟s Foundry Quality System, focusing on the quality issues in the Foundry. This includes determining the total cost of quality for the business, investigating the impact of the specific defects on the productivity of the business. Two products were analysed namely, the top centre casting and the brake shoe holders. Root cause analysis was done on each stage of the Foundry process to understand the causes of defects. Data was collected and analysed and most of the defects that occur were found to be the result of poor quality management which consequently causes low productivity and low profits. Also identified was a lack of skilled personnel in specific areas in the Foundry. Furthermore data collection as part of the quality system in the Foundry is not effectively executed and this implies that performance cannot be fully measured. Non Compliance reports from customers were analysed and the total cost of quality was calculated to be R1 214 690.73 based on the data that was available. The impact of defects on productivity was also analysed for the financial year 2014/2015 and it was calculated to be 47% for the brake shoe holders. The target for the Foundry for the financial year was R4 048 799.30 for the actual productivity in sales amounted to R 1 915 510.60. For the top centre the estimated target for the financial year 2014/2015 was R6 271 500.00 and the actual productivity amounted to R3 305 250.00. Statistical process control charts were drawn and it was discovered that some of the machines owned by the business are not capable of producing to specification. Qualifound was identified as a framework to improve the Transnet foundry quality system. It is recommended that top management be educated in the concept of cost of quality and its impact on business profitability and that skilled quality coordinators be appointed to facilitate continuous quality maintenance. / MT2017

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Six Sigma is a business improvement strategy that aims to improve process performance using a structured methodology that identifies and removes the causes of defects in manufacturing and business processes, while implementing the lean concepts attempts to remove wasteful activities from those processes. In practice, the Six Sigma strategy and the Lean philosophy are combined and often viewed as one integrated philosophy, where the philosophy of Lean Six Sigma simultaneously removes wasteful activities from a process and reduces the variability of that process. This thesis research reviews the concepts and implementation of Lean thinking, Six Sigma strategy, and the integrated concept of Lean Six Sigma, with emphasis in service organizations. Most importantly, this thesis summarizes the critical success factors for implementing Lean Six Sigma within a service business environment and categorizes them within a proposed multi-level taxonomy that can be used by service business units and service providers to improve the .success of Lean Six Sigma implementation