Journal articles on the topic 'Material handling equipment selection'

Choosing the best Material Handling Equipment (MHE) is an aspect that needs to be considered in the industrial sector because the amount of capital involved in the procurement process is very large. Many substantial factors influence the MHE selection process. One popular approach was chosen to resolve the MHE selection issue. The concept of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is popularly used because it can solve and handle conflicting components in the MHE selection process. This study proposes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Multi-Objective Optimization on the Basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) procedures in MHE selection. AHP is proposed to weigh the MHE selection criteria. MOORA is proposed to compute the rankings of the MHE alternatives. Case studies are applied to this problem. The results show that the cost criterion gives the greatest weight in selecting MHE. Other than that, Of the five selected MHE alternatives, Hand Pallet Truck is the MHE that has the best rating.

Better utilization of manpower, providing product flexibility, increasing productivity, decreasing lead time, reduction in handling cost, increased efficiency of material flow, and enhancement of production process are some of the most important issues influencing material handling (MH) equipment selection decision. As a wide variety of MH equipment is available today, selection of the proper equipment for a designed manufacturing system is a complicated task. Selection of suitable MH equipment for a typical handling environment is found to be a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. As the selection process is found to be unstructured, characterized by domain dependent knowledge, there is a need to apply an efficient MCDM tool to select the most suitable MH equipment for the given application. This paper applies weighted utility additive (WUTA) method to solve an MH equipment selection problem. The ranking obtained using the WUTA method is compared with that derived by the past researchers which proves its potentiality, applicability, and accuracy to solve complex decision-making problems.

The handling equipment optimization problem of material handling system for large ships is discussed in this paper. The optimization models for two supply ways which includesshore-to-ship and vessel-to-vesselare proposed respectively, which are converted to linear programming problems in order to analyze large ship material supply handling system of equipment optimization.

Material flow system design problems (i.e. facility layout, material handling equipment selection and specification, flow path design, unit load sizing, cell design, warehousing, routing, etc.) have been predominately modelled independently in the past. Independent consideration of each design problem has reduced the solution complexity, but in the process has caused a loss in problem reality. This paper reviews recent developments in integrated approaches to material flow design and presents a model which integrates material handling equipment selection and specification (including material handling interface equipment) and path/load dependent unit load size. The formulation is solved using the meta-heuristic procedure of tabu search to find good solutions to the more realistic (and more complex) model formulation.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate expert systems (ES) for selection of material handling (MH) equipment on their use of information and generation of equipment, and provide guidelines that can enhance developing them in the future. Design/methodology/approach – Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to evaluate efficiency of ES on their use of information and generation of equipment. Characteristics of benchmark ES are identified to serve as guidelines in developing future ES. Findings – Results of DEA indicate that most ES use a large amount of information that does not commensurate with the number and variety of equipment they generate. Research limitations/implications – The ideal MH equipment for a situation is not known whether it is selected by ES or other procedures. Therefore, this study focusses on efficiency of ES in using information to generate MH equipment without regard to whether ES produce the right equipment for a situation or not. Practical implications – Developers of future ES should consider the efficiency of an ES in using information and generation of equipment, in addition to considering its functions and methodologies. They should utilize means similar to those employed by benchmark methodologies and other ones that can be thought of to economize information and generate more number and variety of equipment, and thus render ES more useful to facility designers and manufacturing managers. Originality/value – The paper presents the first evaluation of ES for selection of MH equipment. The evaluation performed should enhance development of future ES in this field, and can be extended to ES in other application domains.

The concept of linear Diophantine fuzzy sets (LDFSs) is a new approach for modeling uncertainties in decision analysis. Due to the addition of reference or control parameters with membership and non-membership grades, LDFS is more flexible and reliable than existing concepts of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs), Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs), and q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets (q-ROFSs). In this paper, the notions of linear Diophantine fuzzy soft rough sets (LDFSRSs) and soft rough linear Diophantine fuzzy sets (SRLDFSs) are proposed as new hybrid models of soft sets, rough sets, and LDFS. The suggested models of LDFSRSs and SRLDFSs are more flexible to discuss fuzziness and roughness in terms of upper and lower approximation operators. Certain operations on LDFSRSs and SRLDFSs have been established to discuss robust multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) for the selection of sustainable material handling equipment. For these objectives, some algorithms are developed for the ranking of feasible alternatives and deriving an optimal decision. Meanwhile, the ideas of the upper reduct, lower reduct, and core set are defined as key factors in the proposed MCDM technique. An application of MCDM is illustrated by a numerical example, and the final ranking in the selection of sustainable material handling equipment is computed by the proposed algorithms. Finally, a comparison analysis is given to justify the feasibility, reliability, and superiority of the proposed models.

Today's highly competitive environment and volatile market conditions at national and international level are forcing the manufacturing concerns and its management to adopt the advance automated material handling equipment like mobile robots in a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) to meet the customers' demand regarding quality and variety of product at minimal cost. Selection of a robot is one of the most difficult problems in today's manufacturing environment. The problem has become more challenging due to increasing specifications and complexity of the robot. The main aim of this paper is to develop and implement an integrated methodology based on AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) and M-GRA (Modified Grey Relational Analysis) for the selection of a mobile robot for material handling in FMS environment. In this methodology, AHP technique has been used to assign the relative importance between mobile robot selection attributes and M-GRA technique is applied to determine mobile robot selection utility index. The proposed AHP/M – GRA technique is more suitable for the decision making in the presence of vagueness. The methodology is illustrated by means of an example. The ranking and evaluation of this process will provide a good guidance to the decision maker/user to select the appropriate material handling equipment on the basis of attributes. This is the novel effort in the area of robot selection.

<p>This study aims at the preliminary assessment in designing a complete stand-alone industrial facility to produce injection molded parts for the automotive industry. A draft design solution to allow the company to evaluate the capital investment was performed giving an estimated solution in project profitability. Proposed successive design steps were developed. It includes the definition of input data and information, quantity determination, plat layout diagrams, machine selection, selection of material handling equipment, plant layout design including space requirements of production centers, aísles, support functions. Moreover, the outdoor facility masterplan design is also proposed. Finally, investment calculation via cash flow analysis is calculated.</p>

Bucket elevators are mostly used as transporting method for many industries. Selecting this method commonly depends upon material to be transported, its weight, height, matter. Usefulness of this system totally depends upon type of material to be transporting. This system comes under material handling equipment. In this paper practical application of bucket elevator is considered, where belt drive operated elevator is analysed.

The operation of loading machines requires special attention in the selection of materials for hydraulic devices and the development of recommendations for their operation. Competencies that should be obtained by a specialist operating the handling equipment, include the ability to analyze the operation of the hydraulic system on the basis of these devices and adjust the operating modes of the handling devices. In this paper, a number of experiments on the hydraulic bench. During the experiments, the characteristics of the pressure dependence in the lifting cylinder on the weight of the load and the lifting angle were removed. The considered algorithm of research can be used in the development of methods of laboratory work for the training of specialists in the field of operation and design of loading equipment.

Designing and selecting the material handling system is a vital factor for any production line, and as result for the whole manufacturing system. Poor design and unsuitable handling equipment may increase the risk of having bottlenecks, longer production time and as a result the higher total production cost. One of the useful and effective tools are using “what if” simulation techniques. However, this technique needs effective simulation software. The main objective for this research is to simulate different types of handling system using what if scenario. To achieve the objective of the research, Delmia Quest software has been used to simulate two different systems: manual system and conveyers system for the same production line and analyses the differences in terms of utilization and production rate. The results obtained have been analysed and appraised to induce the bottleneck locations, productivity and utilizations of the machines and material handling systems used in the design system. Finally, the best model have been developed to increase the productivity, utilizations of the machines, material handling systems and to minimize the bottleneck locations.

<em>Supply Chain Management (SCM) memiliki peranan penting dalam pemenuhan permintaan dari upstream hingga downstream. Adanya perkembangan budaya belanja masyarakat dari konvensional beralih menjadi online atau e-commerce mendorong terjadinya perubahan dalam sistem SCM pula, terutama pada downstream supply chain. Perubahan signifikan yang terlihat adalah pada gudang. Pada dasarnya gudang berfungsi sebagai tempat penyimpanan barang sebelum diterima oleh konsumen. Namun, dengan berkembangnya e-commerce dibutuhkan tempat penyimpanan yang dapat menghemat waktu serta memiliki pelayanan dan pengelelolaan yang lebih modern yang disebut fulfillment center. Adapun aspek yang dipertimbangakan untuk memperbaikan pelayanan dan pengelolahan fulfillment center yaitu Material Handling Equipment (MHE), Space yang tersedia, jenis storage, Flow &amp; Rotation, personel, dan management company. Pada penelitian ini bertujuan untuk perancangan perbaikan desain warehouse dengan mempertimbangkan racking selection model untuk memaksimasi jumlah pallet position</em>

Introduction The purpose of the study was to evaluate a recently introduced aesthetic restorative system in respect of: • Presentation and organisation of the package. • Its handling characteristics. • Its polishability. • Shade selection procedures and aesthetic outcome. Material and method The material, Esthet.X Micro Matrix system (Dents-ply), was evaluated by general dental practitioners from a clinical research group known as PEER (Product and Equipment Evaluation and Research). The evaluators were asked to use the material, following manufacturer's instructions, in a variety of cases. A questionnaire was designed specifically for this study and the questions were directed to both the dentists and their dental nurses. The results were analysed statistically and represented in visual analogue scales. Result The material was found to be useful and generally well received. Its use was thought to be technique sensitive but good to excellent results can be achieved. Areas where the evaluators thought the product could be improved were also discussed.

Tracing or tracking of an object or a link is needed in many engineering applications. Achieving it in real time applications using MEMS or the traditional accelerometers is also a well-known method. Measuring acceleration in [3] directions is needed in handling equipment, material transfer and in manufacturing industry.In this work, Calibration of accelerometer sensor ADXL335 is carried out first to show the accurate values of „g‟. Then, the measurement of acceleration is carried out as per the code written in Arduino IDE. ADXL335 is interfaced with NODE MCU. NODE MCU uses HTTP protocol to send the measured acceleration values to cloud platform. ThingSpeak is the cloud platform chosen for this purpose. ThingSpeak requires selection of a number of fields. Here we have three values to be taken to cloud (X, Y and Z directions).For display purposes a mobile is used in conjunction with MIT App Inventor. Acceleration record files can be obtained that may be processed further. The application contains three buttons forward, side and vertical which displays the acceleration values across X, Y and Z directions respectively. The acceleration values are further integrated to obtain velocity and displacement .It can be done through 2 ways like ana- log integration and digital integration. But the analog integration is reliable only to measure the sinusoidal steady state values. So the digital integration is much better for obtaining a displacement signal from acceleration. It is possible to use these components for further processing and applications like ultrasonic applications, military devices namely mixers, elevators, mechanically handling equipment‟s and information handling devices like iPad, phones etc.

Purpose Availability of accurate quantity of materials, at correct place and at right time is extremely critical for increasing production effectiveness of any manufacturing organization. This can be achieved through employing an appropriate material handling equipment (MHE) capable of performing the desired operation. Therefore, choosing a right MHE from the available options is a key concern for the success, growth and competitiveness of a manufacturing organization. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and development of an expert system based on quality function deployment (QFD) methodology in Visual Basic 6.0 for selecting the most appropriate industrial truck which is a commonly practiced MHE in any manufacturing organization. Design/methodology/approach A QFD-based approach is adopted to incorporate customers’ needs into the evaluation criteria on the basis of which industrial truck selection is carried out. The applicability of the developed expert system in solving industrial truck selection problems is demonstrated using two illustrative examples. Findings While applying this QFD-based model, CPCD 80x manufactured by Heli is recognized as the most suitable forklift truck for transporting unitized loads within a manufacturing unit with some spatial constraints, and for loading/unloading packages/boxes/cartons and place them at the desired locations in a manufacturing unit, ETV 216 manufactured by Jungheinrich evolves out as the most suitable reach truck. Originality/value Till date, numerous research articles have been published suggesting the applications of various mathematical models, multi-criteria decision-making methods and knowledge-based systems for solving MHE selection problems, and it is intriguing to note that none of the previously adopted methods has proposed a systematic procedure for selection of the evaluation criteria and interrelated the needs of customers with the technical specifications of MHEs while identifying the best alternative for performing a specified operation. These issues can be addressed through application of this developed QFD-based expert system, which can translate customers’ needs into organizational functions that are implementable in the decision-making/selection procedure.

In open pit operations, the loading equipment drives production but the haulage fleet drives costs. Most quarries in Malawi face challenges in shovel-truck productivity due to factors which require optimization of mine operations. The case of Njuli quarry is used to come up with a model that can be applied by quarries in Malawi. Loading and haulage costs account as much as 50 – 60 % of a company’s total operation cost hence it is necessary to maintain an efficient shovel-truck system. This research optimized the shovel-truck productivity per day, applied the queuing theory to the haul cycle, and suggested ways to improve the efficiency of materials handling operations. Examining a match between truck body size and shovel bucket size yielded the size of the load, cycle time and number of trips in an hour. The cycle time depended on the weight of the equipment, the horsepower of the engine, haul distance, and condition of the road plus dump area. Quarry companies in Malawi will apply this new knowledge to improve equipment selection and maximize the tonnage of aggregates produced per day to meet production targets.

Adoption of lean production in managing the production operations with a cleaner production due to of environmental concerns positively drive new manufacturing paradigm in the manufacturing environment. This leads to this study being carried out, in order to investigate the extent of which these practices has been adopted in Malaysia’s manufacturing industry. The finding revealed that good performance in environmental practice in tandem with the appraisal of labour safety in material handling has helped the respondents to successfully sustain the quality and durability of products, improves the operation efficiency, as well as production’s productivity. Aside from that, the correlation test results between all items in LP and CP have a significant positive relationship with each other where the appraisal in the selection of equipment from CP practices have a very strong relationship with the improvement of working conditions that resulted from the adoption of LP practices. These potentially make both practices as the best approach that has potential to be integrated together to support the development of a sustainable manufacturing practice principally in Malaysia’s manufacturing industry.

Scheduling Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) can increase production speed and accuracy. It because FMS has an ability to process various variety of product at same work station. However, FMS need efficient allocation of resources, for example: allocation of material handling equipment. This paper presents production scheduling FMS modelling to 24 jobs and 4 machines considering stacker crane. Coloured Petri Nets (CP-Nets) is the programming language which used to simulate model because it’s simplicity. This model consists two main model activities. The first one is Physical Activity (PA) which related to every activity that involve physical movement, including stacker crane processes. PA consist five CP-Nets models: loading/unloading station, stacker crane, machine, picking mechanism, and pallet stocker. The second activity is Logical Expression (LE) which related to the rules on how FMS should operate. LE consist three CP-Nets models: machine selection, pick-up request, and stage two procedure. A simulation and numerical report show utilization level of all machines around 80-84% and stacker crane 8,74%.

This paper presents a complete case study for designing and manufacturing chain parts for chain conveyor use for a harvest shallot for a real. The process of harvesting shallot in Vietnam is being done manually. Mechanization, automation of the harvest process has been demanded by farmers. In the harvest shallot equipment, the chain conveyor system is used to handling the desired orbit to the packing position. Shallots are uneven in size, distributed in a certain size range. Chain conveyor systems with the chain was non-standardized were choiced. Therefore, a complete design is required to meet requirement. The design procedures are: (1) calculation of the expected loads that exert on the chain during operation, (2) selection of materials, (3) designing the different parts of the chain taking into account safety, assembly process and economic considerations. The final design was justified and validated. The chain of chain conveyor system is working properly and safety under real conditions.

It is difficult to introduce highly versatile automation using robots to handling deformable objects such as thread, cloth, wire, long beams, and thin plates in plant production processes, compared to the handling of rigid objects. Office equipment handles deformable objects such as paper and plastic. Problems unique to these objects is caused by speeding up such equipment and demand for upgrading its accuracy. In agriculture and medical care, automatic, intelligent handling of deformable objects such as fruit and animals has long been desired and practical systems sought. Deformable objects whose handling should be versatiley and accurately automated are classified into two groups based on handling: (A) Flexible, mostly thin, fine objects capable of elastic deformation (B) Soft objects easily crushed, such as soft fruits or animals The problem in handling the first group is controlling object deformation of an infinite degree of freedom with a finite number of manipulated variables. In contrast, a significant problem in handling the second group is often how to handle them without exerting excessive stress and how to handle them safely and reliably. The handling of these two groups differ greatly in mechanics and control theory, and this special issue focuses on the first group — flexible objects — mechanical collection and transport studies, control, and software. Recent studies on their handling are classified into four groups for convenience based on handled objects and types of handling task: (a) Control of deformation, internal force, and vibration or path planning of flexible objects (mainly thin plates and beams) using single or multiple manipulators. (b) Task understanding in insertion of elastic into rigid parts and vice versa, and the study of human skills to help robots accomplish these task. (c) Approaches on improved accuracy, intelligent control, and vibration damping in handling and transfer of sheets and strings with low flexural rigidity, represented by paper or wire. (d) Strategies for grasping and unfolding sheets such as cloth whose flexural rigidity is almost nil. For (a), studies are active on deformation control by two robot hands attempting to grasp cloth. 1-3) In the automobile industry, so-called flexible fixtureless assembly systems are advancing in which two robots process or assemble parts in mid-air without a fixed table to reduce lead time and cost. These systems are mostly developed assuming handled parts are rigid. Nguyen et al. work assuming parts such as sheet metal whose deformation must be taken into consideration.1) Nakagaki et al. propose form estimation that considers even plastic deformation in wire handling by robots, in connection with the development of robots for electric wire installation.4) Many studies cover flexible wire as elastic beams,3-9) but comparatively few focus on bending deformation of thin plates. This special edition includes a paper by Kosuge et al. on thin-plate deformation control. Vibration control of grasped objects becomes important as speed increases. Matsuno kindly contributed his paper on optimum path planning in elastic plate handling. In controlling the deformation of elastic bodies, the mechanics of objects handled is often unknown. This special issue features a paper by Kojima et al. on an approach to this problem by adaptive feed-forward control. For (b), we consider three cases: (1) A cylindrical rigid body inserted into a hole on an elastic plate. (2) An elastic bar inserted into a hole on a rigid body. (3) A tubular elastic body put on a cylindrical rigid body. This special issue carries papers on these problems by Brata et al., Matsuno et al., and Hirai. For (2), a paper by Nakagaki et al.10) covers electric wire installation. For (3), the paper by Shima et al.11) covers insertion of a rigid axis into an elastic hose. Robot skill acquisition is an important issue in robotics in general, and the above papers should prove highly interesting and information because they treat studies by comparing robot and human skills in accomplishing work and acquiring concrete skills knowledge. For (c), attempts are made to theoretically analyze sheet handling mechanisms and control developed based on trial and error, and to structure design theory based on such analysis. These attempts are related to the increased accuracy and speed and enhanced intelligence of sheet-handling office automation equipment such as printers, facsimile machines, copiers, and automated teller machines. Yoshida et al. conducted a series of studies on the effects of guides forming paper feed paths and of inertia force of paper by approximating sheets with a chain of discrete masses and springs.12-14) This special edition also features a study on sheet sticking and jamming. Okuna et al. handles a system of similar nature, mechanical studying the form of paper guides.15) Introducing mechanisms to control the positioning of sheets is effective in raising sheet transfer accuracy. Feedback control that regulates feed roller skew angle as a manipulated variable is proposed.16) Increased reliability in separating single sheets from stacked effectively reduces the malfunction rate in sheet-handling equipment. Ways of optimizing the form of sheet-separation rollers17) and estimating frictional force between separation gates and sheets 18) are also proposed. This special issue contains a proposal by Nakazawa et al. of a mechanism that uses reactive sheet buckling force, made in connection with development of a newspaper page turner for the disabled as technology for separating single sheets. Dry frictional force is most widely used for transporting sheets, but is not stable and may even act as an obstacle to improving accuracy. Niino et al. propose a sheet transfer mechanism that uses electrostatic force.19) For improving the accuracy of flexible wire transmission, this special issue carries a study on transporting flexible thin wire through tension control at multiple points, from a study by Morimitsu et al. on optical fiber installation. The thickness of wire used in equipment is becoming increasingly slim and flexible, along with the equipment it is used in. Tension control in the production process is an important factor in the manufacture of such thin wire. Production efficiency constantly calls for increased transfer speed. It has thus become important to estimate air resistance and inertia and to measure and control the tension of running wire. Studies20,21) by Batra, Fraser, et al. which deal the motion of string in the spinning process provide good examples for learning analytical techniques for air drag and inertia. In string vibration where inertia dominates, attempts are made to control vibration by boundary shaking22,23) and feed-forward/back control.24) For (d), highly versatile robots for handling cloth are being developed, and the software technology for automatic cloth selection and unfolding by robot hands is a popular topic.25-27) Ono et al. comment on the nature of problems in developing intelligent systems for handling cloth and similar objects whose bending rigidity is low and which readily fold and overlap—a paper that will prove a good reference in basic approaches in this field. Mechanical analyses are indispensable to studies on (a) through (c). In contrast, information technology such as characteristic variable measurement, image processing, and discrimination, rather than mechanical analyses, play an important roles in studies on (d). This special issue features a study by Hamashima, Uraya et al. on cloth unfolding as an example of such studies. Studies up to now largely assumed that properties of grasped objects did not change environmental influences such as temperature and humidity. Such influence is often, however, a major factor in handling fiber thread and cloth. This special issue has a paper contributed by Taylor, who studies handling method to prevent influence by such environmental factors. The objective of this special issue will have been achieved if it aids those studying the handling of flexible objects by providing approaches and methodologies of researchers whose target objects differ and if it aids those planning to take up study in this field by providing a general view of this field. References: 1) Nguyen, W. and Mills, J., ""Multi-Robot Control For Plexible Fixtureless Assembly of Flexible Sheet Metal Auto Body Parts,"" Proceedings of the 1996 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, 2340-2345, (1996). 2) Sun, D. and Shi, X. and Liu, Y., ""Modeling and Cooperation of Two-Arm Robotic System Manipulating a Deformable Object,"" Proceedings of the 1996 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, 2346-2351, (1996). 3) Kosuge, K., Sakaki, M., Kanitani, K., Yoshida, H. and Fukuda, T., ""Manipulation of a Flexible Object by Dual Manipulators,"" IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, 318-323, (1995). 4) Nakagaki, H., Kitagaki, K., Ogasawara, T. and Tukune H., ""Handling of a Flexible Wire -Detecting a Deformed Shape of the Wire by Vision and a Force Sensor,"" Annual Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (ROBOMEC'96), 207-210, (1996). 5) Wakamatsu, H., Hirai, S. and Iwata, K., ""Static Analysis of Deformable Object Grasping Based on Bounded Force Closure,"" Trans. of JSML, 84-618 (C), 508-515, (1998). 6) Katoh, R. and Fujmoto, T., ""Study on Deformation of Elastic Object By Manipulator -Path Planning of End -Effector-,"" J. of the Robotics Society of Japan, 13-1, 157-160, (1995). 7) Yukawa, T., Uohiyama, M. and Inooka, M., ""Stability of Control System in Handling a Flexible Object by Rigid Arm Robots,"" JSME Annual Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (ROBOMEC'95), 169-172, (1995). 8) Yukawa, T., Uohiyama, M. and Cbinata, G., ""Handling of a Vibrating Flexible Structure by a Robot,"" Trans. JSME, 61-583, 938-943, (1995). 9) Sun, D. and Liu, Y., ""Modeling and Impedance Control of a Two-Manipulator System Handling a Flexible Beam,"" Trans. of the ASME, 119, 736-742, (1997). 10) Nakagaki, H., Kitagaki, K. and Tukune, H., ""Contact Motion in Inserting a Flexible Wire into a Hole,"" Annual Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (ROBOMEC'95), 175-178, (1995). 11) Shimaji, S., Brata, A. and Hattori, H., ""Robot Skill in Assembling a Cylinder into an Elastic Hose,"" Annual Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (ROBOMEC'95), 752-755, (1995). 12) Yoshida, K. and Kawauchi, M., ""The Analysis of Deformation and Behavior of Flexible Materials (1st Reprt, Study of Spring-Mass Beam Model of the Sheet,"" Trans. of JSME, 58-552, 1474-1480, (1992). 13) Yoshida, K., ""Analysis of Deformation and Behavior of Flexible Materials (2nd Report, Static Analysis for Deformation of the Sheet in the Space Formed by Guide Plates),"" Trans. JSME, 60-570, 501-507, (1994). 14) Yoshida, K., ""Dynamic Analysis of Sheet Defofmation Using Spring-Mass-Beam Model,"" Trans. JSME, 63-615, 3926-3932 (1997). 15) Okuna, K., Nishigaito, T. and Shina, Y., ""Analysis of Paper Deformation Considering Guide Friction (Improvement of Paper Path for Paper-Feeding Mechanism),"" Trans. JSME, 60-575, 2279-2284, (1994). 16) Fujimura, H. and Ono, K., ""Analysis of Paper Motion Driven by Skew-Roll Paper Feeding System,"" Trans. JSME, 62-596, 1354-1360, (1996). 17) Shima, Y., Hattori, S., Kobayashi, Y. and Ukai, M., ""Optimum of Gate-Roller Shape in Paper Isolating Methods,"" Conference of Information, Intelligence and Precision Equipment (IIP'96), 61-62, (1996). 18) Suzuki, Y, Hattori, S., Shima, Y. and Ukai, M., ""Contact Analysis of Paper in Gate-Roller Handling Method"", Conference on Information, Intelligence and Precision Equipment (IIP'95), 19-20, (1995). 19) Niino, T., Egawa, S. and Higuchi, T., ""An Electrostatic Paper Feeder,"" J. of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering, 60-12,1761-1765, (1994). 20) Batra, S., Ghosh, T. and Zeidman, M., ""An Integrated Approach to Dynamic Analysis of the Ring Spinning Process , PartII: With Air Drag,"" Textile Research Journal, 59, 416-424, (1989). 21) Fraser, W., Ghosh, T. and Batra, S., ""On Unwinding Yarn from a Cylindrical Package,"" Proceedings of Royal Society of London, A, 436, 479-438, (1992). 22) Jacob, S., ""Control of Vibrating String Using Impedance Matching,"" Proceedings of the American Control Conference (San Francisco),468-472, (1993). 23) Lee, S. and Mote, C., ""Vibration Control of an Axially Moving String by Boundary Control,"" Trans. of the ASME, J. of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, 118, 66-74, (1996). 24) Ying, S. and Tan, C., ""Active Vibration Control of the Axially Moving String Using Space Feedforward and Feedback Controllers,"" Trans. ASME, J. of Vibration and Acoustics, 118, 306-312, (1996). 25) Ono, E., Ichijo, H. and Aisaka, N., ""Flexible Robotic Hand for Handling Fabric Pieces in Garment Manufacture,"" International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, 4-5,18-23, (1992). 26) Paraschidis, K., Fahantidis, N, Petridis, V., Doulgeri, Z., Petrou, L. and Hasapis, G, ""A Robotic System for Handling Textile and Non Rigid Flat Materials,"" Computers in Industry, 26, 303-313, (1995). 27) Fahantidis, N., Paraschidis, K, Petridis, V., Doulgeri, Z., Petrou, L. and Hasapis, G., ""Robot Handling of Flat Textile Materials,"" IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, 4-1, 34-41, (1997).

Single-row layout is widely used within GT cells, in facilities that implement JIT, and sometimes with FMS. The three types of single-row layout, including linear, U-shape, and semi-circular layout are introduced firstly. Based on the lower selling price of customers’ demand, the components of manufacturing cost are analyzed secondly. Then the relationship between the manufacturing cost and objectives of single-row layout are described. Meanwhile, the models related to several parts of manufacturing cost of single-row layout are set up respectively. Finally, the simulation of these models for three types of single-row layout is running in QUEST. After analyzing the simulation results, conclusions are obtained: (1) area and labor utilization of linear layout are higher than the others, (2) material handling cost of semi-circular is lowest among these three types of single-row layout, and (3) equipment utilization of them are almost the same. This research results will provide the references in selecting the types of single-row layout based on manufacturing cost.

In facing ever-growing technology of audio peripherals, there is a concern of balancing in delivering technical knowledge to students dealing with audio recordings in the Music Department at Putra University, Malaysia (UPM). It seems to be difficult for them to do current multitrack recordings and at the same time maintaining the aesthetic aspect of past technology. In other words, if one preserves the recorded item, they have also to care about the specific features coming with these recordings. It is not the primary recorded subject alone they may have to consider. There is an urgency to migrate the recorded material such as cassette tapes that come in varying forms ranging from Ferric-Oxide, to Cro2, and Metal. These carriers are warranted to be extracted and migrate onto a more stable medium, not only in general as everywhere in the world, but also since it has become the university policy that equipment’s exceeding certain years will be disposed of. The selection focuses on the recording materials that includes live musical performances, multitrack musical compositions, and final recording projects. In this context the ‘recording’ may just mean the audio information. It is important for any archive to establish a general policy with regard to the limits of its collection as was pointed out repeatedly (Schuursma, 2010). Viewing from the perspective of preservation (Musib, 2015) of content, a lack of awareness in handling these carriers may lead to complications when extracting the signal from still available machines. The paper is intended to discuss the challenges and requirements in the process of signal extractions using exemplarily the two formats, namely the 4-track recorder and the digital standalone multitrack machine.