The First World War in biscuits

This is a mixed-media exhibition incorporating objects, sound and film, and drawing on archives held at Reading Museum and MERL. It focuses on the role of the Huntley and Palmers biscuit factory in Reading during the First World War.

Promenades in Enlightenment Madrid: the tapestry cartoons and new social spaces

Discusses how the painters of the Royal Tapestry Factory of Santa Barbara in Madrid depicted the new social spaces of the capital in the cartoons designed to be turned into tapestries for Royal apartments. The cultural and sociological role of the 'paseo' or 'promenade' is also considered.

Reframing resistance to change: experience from General Motors Poland

This paper describes the successful introduction of a kaizen scheme in a General Motors factory plant in Gliwice, Poland. Employee value systems changed, despite the presence of strong, pre-existing values that might have inhibited this process. These findings are drawn on to examine the concept of ‘resistance to change’ and replace it with a notion of ‘functional persistence’. Our case study illustrates how assuming this position can aid the development of new work attitudes, as opposed to constraining the old ones.

INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM : Optimization of production system and reliability

The main idea of this research to solve the problem of inventory management for the paper industry SPM PVT limited. The aim of this research was to find a methodology by which the inventory of raw material could be kept at minimum level by means of buffer stock level.The main objective then lies in finding the minimum level of buffer stock according to daily consumption of raw material, finding the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) reorders point and how much order will be placed in a year to control the shortage of raw material.In this project, we discuss continuous review model (Deterministic EOQ models) that includes the probabilistic demand directly in the formulation. According to the formula, we see the reorder point and the order up to model. The problem was tackled mathematically as well as simulation modeling was used where mathematically tractable solution was not possible.The simulation modeling was done by Awesim software for developing the simulation network. This simulation network has the ability to predict the buffer stock level based on variable consumption of raw material and lead-time. The data collection for this simulation network is taken from the industrial engineering personnel and the departmental studies of the concerned factory. At the end, we find the optimum level of order quantity, reorder point and order days.

Six-Day System Test and Component test and System Simulation for Combitanks with Internal heat Exchangers

An international standard, ISO/DP 9459-4 has been proposed to establish a uniform standard of quality for small, factory-made solar heating systerns. In this proposal, system components are tested separatelyand total system performance is calculated using system simulations based on component model parameter values validated using the results from the component tests. Another approach is to test the whole system in operation under representative conditions, where the results can be used as a measure of the general system performance. The advantage of system testing of this form is that it is not dependent on simulations and the possible inaccuracies of the models. Its disadvantage is that it is restricted to the boundary conditions for the test. Component testing and system simulation is flexible, but requires an accurate and reliable simulation model.The heat store is a key component conceming system performance. Thus, this work focuses on the storage system consisting store, electrical auxiliary heater, heat exchangers and tempering valve. Four different storage system configurations with a volume of 750 litre were tested in an indoor system test using a six -day test sequence. A store component test and system simulation was carried out on one of the four configurations, applying the proposed standard for stores, ISO/DP 9459-4A. Three newly developed test sequences for intemalload side heat exchangers, not in the proposed ISO standard, were also carried out. The MULTIPORT store model was used for this work. This paper discusses the results of the indoor system test, the store component test, the validation of the store model parameter values and the system simulations.

Talangfabriken : Om organisation av kunskap och kreativitet i skivindustrin

The purpose of this dissertation is to describe, explain and understand how record companies identify and develop new music and new talent. The analysis is carried out on three levels: individual, organizational and sector level. In a record company, this task formally goes to A&R (Artist and Repertoire). This dissertation takes its point of departure in how the capacity for discovering new talent can be understood in terms of knowledge, creativity and competence and how this capacity is affected in the meeting between the record company and the industry. The theoretical framework of the dissertation spans two sociological fields: the sociology of organizations and the sociology of knowledge. While it takes its organizational starting point in the Knowledge Company Approach, it employs a practice-based approach to discuss knowledge. I argue that within the Knowledge company approach there are two contrasting ways to understand knowledge; a distinction is made between knowledge- and creativity-intensive enterprises. The results show that the record industry’s polarized structure can be seen as a result of the Knowledge Company’s typical problems. The A&R’s work is described as including two phases, one intuitive and one analytical. The intuitive assessment is direct, unconscious and without reflection. This ability has been described as "intuition" and "gut feeling". The analytical phase adds analysis and reflection based on knowledge. The results from the interviews with A&R’s reveal the limit of formal and explicit knowledge not only in the choice of music but also in the marketing strategies. The overarching picture is one in which record companies move in a space characterized by tension between dichotomous forces – art and commercialism, creativity and knowledge, culture and economy, chaos and order, but where opposite poles are not mutually exclusive but complementary.

Photovoltaic System Design for a Contaminated Area in Falun – Comparison of South and East- West Layout

In this thesis the solar part of a large grid-connected photovoltaic system design has been done. The main purpose was to size and optimize the system and to present figures helping to evaluate the prospective project rationality, which can potentially be constructed on a contaminated area in Falun. The methodology consisted in PV market study and component selection, site analysis and defining suitable area for solar installation; and system configuration optimization based on PVsyst simulations and Levelized Cost of Energy calculations. The procedure was mainly divided on two parts, preliminary and detailed sizing. In the first part the objective was complex, which included the investigation of the most profitable component combination and system optimization due to tilt and row distance. It was done by simulating systems with different components and orientations, which were sized for the same 100kW inverter in order to make a fair comparison. For each simulated result a simplified LCOE calculation procedure was applied. The main results of this part show that with the price of 0.43 €/Wp thin-film modules were the most cost effective solution for the case with a great advantage over crystalline type in terms of financial attractiveness. From the results of the preliminary study it was possible to select the optimal system configuration, which was used in the detailed sizing as a starting point. In this part the PVsyst simulations were run, which included full scale system design considering near shadings created by factory buildings. Additionally, more complex procedure of LCOE calculation has been used here considered insurances, maintenance, time value of money and possible cost reduction due to the system size. Two system options were proposed in final results; both cover the same area of 66000 m2. The first one represents an ordinary South faced design with 1.1 MW nominal power, which was optimized for the highest performance. According to PVsyst simulations, this system should produce 1108 MWh/year with the initial investment of 835,000 € and 0.056 €/kWh LCOE. The second option has an alternative East-West orientation, which allows to cover 80% of occupied ground and consequently have 6.6 MW PV nominal power. The system produces 5388 MWh/year costs about 4500,000 € and delivers electricity with the same price of 0.056 €/kWh. Even though the EW solution has 20% lower specific energy production, it benefits mainly from lower relative costs for inverters, mounting and annual maintenance expenses. After analyzing the performance results, among the two alternatives none of the systems showed a clear superiority so there was no optimal system proposed. Both, South and East-West solutions have own advantages and disadvantages in terms of energy production profile, configuration, installation and maintenance. Furthermore, the uncertainty due to cost figures assumptions restricted the results veracity.

Avaliação do grau de contribuição das normas de garantia da qualidade ISO-9000 no desempenho competitivo das empresas

Este trabalho avalia o grau de contribuição da implementação de um sistema de garantia da qualidade, em conformidade com as normas de garantia da qualidade (ISO 9001, 9002 e 9003), na competitividade das indústrias. Para o desenvolvimento do tema, discute-se inicialmente as normas da série ISO 9000, identificando-se sua origem, os objetivos, a aplicação e os requisitos existentes, bem como a forma e o impacto de sua implementação. Posteriormente, analisa-se a competitividade no sentido amplo, identificando-se os fatores determinantes da competitividade, tanto no nível interno como externo às empresas, definindo-se as estratégias genéricas de competição bem como as principais dimensões selecionadas para a obtenção do sucesso no curto, médio e longo prazos. A partir de então, analisa-se a forma como as normas ISO 9000 influenciam os fatores determinantes da competitividade, para posteriormente avaliar o impacto recaído sobre as principais dimensões de competição. O trabalho se encerra com o relato das conclusões sobre o tema proposto, obtidas a partir do confronto das observações colhidas ao longo do trabalho com os resultados de pesquisas existentes.

Análise e melhoria de layout de processo na indústria de beneficiamento de couro

A aplicação de técnicas de estudo de sistemas em ambientes industriais com grande concorrência, é cada vez mais significativa devido às modificações e flexibilidade de produção exigidas. A aplicação de técnicas de análise e ajustes de layouts são algumas destas técnicas que podem trazer resultados competitivos positivos. O presente trabalho descreve os tipos de layouts existentes, com suas aplicações, vantagens e desvantagens com a finalidade de analisar e propor melhorias em layouts de processo na indústria coureira. O trabalho enfoca ainda os principais pontos a serem considerados quando da criação de um novo layout ou do ajuste e/ou melhoria de um existente. Para tal, foi realizado um estudo de caso utilizando a técnica de Melhoria de Layout de Silveira (1998), com a aplicação do Planejamento Sistemático de Layout em um layout de processo do setor da Secagem, característico em uma indústria beneficiadora de couro. Os resultados obtidos traduzem o re-arranjo de seus postos de trabalho com redução do fluxo de material de acordo com a aproximação de postos com relações de afinidade. Essa alteração possibilitou uma melhor organização espacial dos postos de trabalho e um melhor controle da produção, através da separação natural dos lotes. A metodologia adotada pode ser utilizada como ferramenta de melhoria nos demais setores, tanto da própria empresa, como do mercado coureiro em geral.

Decisões estratégicas de produção como suporte a uma estratégia de negócios : um estudo de caso na indústria de fertilizantes

A formulação de estratégias de produção deve estar em consonância com a estratégia de negócios da empresa. Neste trabalho, um estudo de caso simples, formulou-se um conjunto de planos de melhorias para uma fábrica de fertilizantes, com objetivo de realizar as mudanças em capacidades e custos de produção das atividades existentes, melhorando assim sua competitividade. O foco deste trabalho foi na determinação das melhorias das atividades de produção necessárias para que a unidade de análise atinja padrões de competitividade compatíveis com as demais unidades do grupo, através da utilização de indicadores de benchmarking internos da empresa e da comparação dos mesmos aos resultados obtidos na unidade de análise, identificadas as lacunas de desempenho da empresa. A partir da identificação das lacunas, foram propostos os planos de ação de melhorias, para que a unidade de análise mudasse do patamar em que se encontrava para a condição de melhores práticas, dando, assim, suporte à estratégia de negócios da empresa. Os resultados dos planos de melhorias executados, bem como uma nova estratégia de Produção implantada, não prevista, decorrente de um processo de formação de uma nova empresa, mostraram-se efetivos na obtenção dos objetivos perseguidos. Para este estudo, em produção de commodities, a escala de produção mostrou-se como determinante para atingir custos industriais competitivos.

Memórias de trabalhadores do Vital Brazil: um diálogo entre a saúde e a comunidade

O estudo teve como proposta identificar na comunidade do Morro do Vital Brazil referências que indicassem sentido de coletividade e continuidade. Essa comunidade, como pretendido apontar, teria sua origem, nas décadas de 1920 e 1930, no entorno do Instituto de Hygiene, Sorotherapia e Veterinária do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, hoje, Instituto Vital Brazil. Por ser fábrica farmacêutica, a produção necessitaria de mão-de-obra, que no caso estudado, passou a morar no morro atrás do Instituto, mas ainda em seu território. Dessa origem, surge uma comunidade com características de cooperação, união e associativismo. Com a prosperidade da fábrica, cresce o número de moradores e inicia-se um conjunto de domicílios e famílias também possuidores de aspectos em comum. Essas identidades possibilitam um encontro com o poder público na forma de políticos e políticas, como o Programa Médico de Família. Com esse último, interesse inicial da pesquisa, nasceu a relação entre a pesquisadora em questão, médica no posto PMF Vital Brazil, e evidenciou performances dos moradores que indicavam um pertencimento e lugar de fala diferenciado. O estudo apontou características da comunidade e dos atores que contribuíram na criação desse coletivo, utilizou como metodologia a história oral.

Fábrica de Software : um estudo de caso na Dataprev, sob a ótica da estrutura organizacional

The aim of this case study was to investigate how the evolutionary process of the development of software, especially the change of paradigm for the factory software, has affected the structure of the Board of Relacionamento, Desenvolvimento e Informações - DRD at a public company called Dataprev and also reflecting or not a return to the model taylorist-fordist of the organization on production. For this study, there were interviews and a questionnaire applied, as well as documentary and literature review on the following topics: organizational structure, factory software, taylorism and fordism. From the data collected and analyzed, in the perspective studied, it was understood that there is not a return to the model taylorist-fordist to organize the production in the process of adopting the concept of a software factory in Dataprev. In addition to that, there was a flexibility in the organizational structure of its units of development - the softwares factories Dataprev.

Fábricas de software e a academia: análise da formação acadêmica em informática no município do Rio de Janeiro

As Brazil wants to be perceived as a competitor in providing computer applications and system development services in the global market, the concept of Software Factory gains importance. The metaphor for the 'Factory', when applied to the activity of software development, is used to describe organizations which produce software with a minimum quality standard and at competitive costs. However, the term 'Factory' recalls Fordist concepts, which have been challenged for a few decades in the manufacturing industry. This study analyzed university curricula and how students and teachers perceive the concept of Software Factory and assessed them in relation to the Fordism ------------ post-Fordism /continuum/. It was observed that some of the teachers who have influence over curricula define Software Factories according to Fordist concepts. It was also observed that, despite opportunities for improvements, curricula are adequately structured with regards to the skills a professional at these organizations must possess. We conclude that education provided at the programs being analyzed is adequate, but that it must be supplemented by companies or by the professionals themselves so that the knowledge acquired in the programs may be put in practice.

Fábrica de software: até que ponto fordista?

Due to the crisis over rigid automation that occurred around 1960, management models essentially fordist, have gradually become more flexible. The software factories, however, that emerged in the nineties manufacturing the most advanced technological products, adopted eminently fordist controls and seem to be going contrary to the evolutionary cycle that organizations tend to follow. The alternation between rigid and flexible management models of these software factories, observed under continuum fordism (0) ______ (1) post-fordism, as well as the limitations of the metaphor that emerges given the nature of the software they manufacture, constitutes the object of the study.

Melhoria do pilar "manutenção planejada" da TPM através da utilização do RCM para nortear as estratégias de manutenção

O atual ambiente competitivo, onde baixo custo, alta qualidade e um grau crescente de customização são exigências para a sobrevivência das empresas, tem influenciado as ações dos profissionais de manutenção com vistas ao aprimoramento das políticas de manutenção. Como resultado, tem-se na área de manutenção industrial, uma grande quantidade de métodos, software, modelos e ferramentas de gestão disponíveis. Dentre eles, dois métodos se destacam: o RCM (Reliability Centered Maintenance ou Manutenção Centrada em Confiabilidade), de origem norte-americana, e a TPM (Total Productive Maintenance ou Manutenção Produtiva Total), de origem japonesa. A TPM promove a integração total entre homem, máquina e empresa, onde a manutenção dos meios de produção passa a constituir uma responsabilidade de todos. A utilização da TPM contempla a implementação de pilares de sustentação, sendo um deles, a manutenção planejada. Entretanto, a TPM não especifica a estratégia a ser adotada pela manutenção planejada. O RCM é uma metodologia lógica de procedimentos que objetiva estabelecer uma manutenção preditiva e preventiva para alcançar, de maneira efetiva e eficiente, os níveis de segurança e confiabilidade requeridas para cada equipamento. Considerando um ambiente com a TPM já implementada, o objetivo deste trabalho é a melhoria do pilar Manutenção Planejada da TPM através da utilização do RCM para nortear as estratégias de manutenção em empresas industriais. A sistemática proposta é ilustrada através de um estudo de caso na indústria de conformação de metais.