Highly automated CNC end milling machines in manufacturing industry requires reliable model for prediction of tool flank wear. This model later can be used to predict the tool flank wear (VBmax) according to the process parameters. In this investigation an attempt was made to develop an empirical relationship to predict the tool flank wear (VBmax) of carbide tools while machining LM25 Al/SiCp incorporating the process parameters such as spindle speed (N), feed rate (f), depth of cut (d) and various % wt. of silicon carbide (S). Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimizing the end milling process parameters to attain the minimum tool flank wear. Predicted values obtained from the developed model and experimental results are compared, and error & LT; 5 percent is observed. In addition, it is concluded that the flank wear increases with the increase of SiCp percentage weight in the MMC.

A paper published by Maniya and Bhatt (2011) (An alternative multiple attribute decision making methodology for solving optimal facility layout design selection problems, Computers & Industrial Engineering, 61, 542-549) proposed an alternative multiple attribute decision making method named as “Preference Selection Index (PSI) method” for selection of an optimal facility layout design. The authors had claimed that the method was logical and more appropriate and the method gives directly the optimal solution without assigning the relative importance between the facility layout design selection attributes. This note discusses the mathematical validity and the shortcomings of the PSI method.

This paper presents some findings of Indian manufacturing sectors viz. automobile (especially two-wheeler), tractor and general manufacturing industry. Various manufacturing strategy issues such as competitive priorities, improvement activities, and performance measures, have been identified and assessed in Indian context. Sector wise comparison of competitive priorities, improvement activities i.e. advanced manufacturing technology (AMT), integrated information systems (IIS), and advanced management systems (AMS), and performance measure, is provided. Our results showed that most of the Indian companies are still emphasizing on quality. However, automobile sector has set to compete globally with high innovation rate, faster new product development, and continuous improvement. It is also observed that Indian companies are investing more in AMS as compared to IIS and AMT. Manufacturing competence index is also computed for each sector.

This paper explains theoretical approach of the four theories of General system Theory (GST) developed by Yourdon (1989) [Yourdon, E. (1989). Modern Structured Analysis. Yourdon Press, Prentice-Hall International, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Senge] while applying it in information technology and subsequently used by caddy (2007) [Caddy I.N., & Helou, M.M. (2007). Supply chains and their management: Application of general systems theory. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 14, 319–327.] in field of supply chain and management. JIT philosophy in core activities of supply chain i.e. procurement, production processes, and logistics are discussed through general system theory. The growing structure of the supply chain poses the implication restrictions and requires a heavy support system, many times a compromise is done while implementing JIT. The study would be useful to understand the general trends generated naturally regarding the adoption of the JIT philosophy in the supply chain.

In this article, an efficient, environmentally benign, solvent-free synthesis of diethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(1-phenyl-3-aryl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylates and their simple oxidative aromatization in presence of selected hypervalent iodine (III) reagents under solvent-free condition at room temperature is demonstrated. All reactions were carried out by grinding the reactant pyrazole substituted Hantzch-1,4-dihydropyridines and hypervalent iodine (III) reagent in a mortar with pestle. [Hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene act as an more efficient oxidizing reagent in comparison to phenyliodine bistrifluoroacetate and iodobenzene diacetate in terms of reaction time and yields. The advantages of present protocol are the environment friendly, short reaction time, mild reaction conditions, and high yields of the products.

Parabolic leaf spring is one of the vital components in vehicle suspension system, and it is commonly used in heavy vehicles. It needs to have an excellent static load bearing capacity and fatigue life too. The purpose of this work is to make computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis of mono parabolic leaf spring and to see the effect of change of material in the optimized leaf. A mono steel leaf spring and a mono leaf spring made of composite material have been selected for this comparative analysis. The material of the mono steel leaf spring is EN45A and Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) as composite material which is having high strength to weight ratio. The mono leaf spring model is having one full length leave with eyes at both ends, two pins in each eye end and a rubber pad on the upper face of leave center. The CAD modelling of parabolic leaf spring has been done in CATIA and for analysis the model is imported in ANSYS workbench. It was shown that the use of composite material instead of steel resulted into large deflection, small variation in stresses and also a large amount of weight reduction.

Magnetic abrasives are important parts of Magnetic Assisted Abrasive Finishing (MAF). Magnetic abrasives are prepared by many processes, but sintering is the one of the best processes to prepare magnetic abrasives. The objective of this paper is to optimize the sintering process parameters. To do that, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used for the optimization of process parameters, Abrasive concentration in ferromagnetic particles (AC)%, Compacting Pressure (CP) N/mm2 and Sintering Time(ST)min. To check the performance of magnetic abrasives Percentage Improvement in Surface finish (PISF) is considered as a response variable. Optimization and prediction are executed through RSM and Central Composite Design (CCD) is used to conduct the experiments. The optimized values of process parameters obtained are AC (19.29%), ST (15min) and CP (6.9 N/mm2) and also predicted values for the response variable are obtained.

Over the years, organizations have witnessed a transformational change at global market place. Integration of operations and partnership have become the key success factors for organizations. In order to achieve inclusive growth while operating in a dynamic uncertain environment, organizations irrespective of the scale of business need to stay connected across the entire value chain. The purpose of this paper is to analyze Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation process for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in India to identify the key enablers. Exhaustive survey of existing literature as a part of secondary research work, has been conducted in order to identify the critical success factors and usefulness of ERP implementation in different industrial sectors initially and examines the impact of those factors in Indian SMEs. Kernel Principal Component Analysis (KPCA) has been applied on survey response to recognize the key constructs related to Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and tangible benefits of ERP implementation. Intuitionistic Fuzzy set theory based Technique of Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is then used to rank the respective CSFs by mapping their contribution to the benefits realized through implementing ERP. Overall this work attempts to present a guideline for ERP adoption process in the said sector utilizing the framework built upon KPCA and Intuitionistic Fuzzy TOPSIS. Findings of this work can act as guidelines for monitoring the entire ERP implementation project.

Kinetics of the oxidation of primary aliphatic alcohols has been carried out using phase transferred monochromate in benzene. Tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (TBPB) are used as phase transfer catalysts (PT catalyst). The reaction shows first order dependence on both [alcohol] and [monochromate ion]. The oxidation leads to the formation of corresponding aldehyde and no traces of carboxylic acid has been detected. The reaction mixture failed to induce the polymerization of added acrylonitrile which rules out the presence radical intermediates in the reaction. Various thermodynamic parameters have been evaluated and a suitable mechanism has been proposed.

This paper deals with the development of an inventory model for Weibull deteriorating items with constant demand when delay in payments is allowed to the retailer to settle the account against the purchases made. Shortages are not allowed and the salvage value is associated with the deteriorated units. In this paper, we consider two cases; those are for the case payment within the permissible time and for payment after the expiry of permissible time with interest. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate our results. Sensitivity analysis are carried out to analyze the effect of changes in the optimal solution with respect to change in one parameter at a time.