Jaimal Singh Khamba

Structural Equation Modelling for Manufacturing Competency and Strategic Success Factors

As global business competition shifts from efficiency to innovation and from enlargement of scale to creation of value, management needs to be oriented towards the strategic use of human resources. Core and managerial competencies are not specific to any occupation. One could demonstrate the competency of “teamwork” or “client orientation”, for example, in performing any job. Specific technical competencies are not included in the model of United Nations competencies for the future. To complement the core competencies, individual departments may choose to define functional competencies related to their respective areas of work. This research involves development of model for Manufacturing Competency and Strategic Success for automobile manufacturing unit. The model has been developed by using SEM based on AMOS 21.0

An investigation into the ultrasonic machining of co-based super alloy using the Taguchi approach

This paper determines the effectiveness of the ultrasonic machining process with Stellite 6 in terms of the material removal rate and surface finish quality of the workpiece produced. Stellite 6 is the most generally useful cobalt alloy, having excellent resistance to many forms of mechanical and chemical degradation over a wide temperature range. Practical aspects are given on the characteristics of Stellite 6 as functions, type of abrasive slurry, their size and concentration, nature of tool material, and power rating of the machine. The optimum combination of various input factors for the ductile chip formation in the machining of Stellite 6 has been determined by applying the Taguchi multi-objective optimisation technique and F-test. The analysis of results has been done using the statistica 7.0 software and results obtained are validated by conducting the confirmation experiments. The results show the considerable improvement in multiple S/N ratios as compared to initial cutting conditions.

The effect of machining parameters on surface roughness and material removal rate with cryogenic treated wire in WEDM

Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) has been used widely for the manufacturing of dies, moulds, punches and machine parts. The machining performance is affected by process parameters and type of wire electrode used. Increased cutting speed and improved accuracy can be realised in terms of high performance wire electrodes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cryogenic treated brass wire electrode on surface roughness and material removal rate for WEDM. This paper describes the influence of various machining parameters (including pulse width, time between two pulses, wire tension and wire feed) on surface roughness and material removal rate by using one variable at a time approach. Improvement in surface roughness was observed for lower values of pulse width and higher values of time between two pulses. Under same conditions, deep and shallow cryogenic treated wire electrodes shows significant improvement in machining rate over untreated wire electrodes.

Influence of technological innovation on performance of small manufacturing companies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine various technological innovation influencers (TIIs) in small manufacturing firms. It introduces a study framework of technological innovation and evaluates the relevance of four TIIs to building and sustaining the competitiveness of Indian firms. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on an in-depth survey of 135 firms located in India’s Northern region. Multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the correlation between TIIs and manufacturing firm performance (MFP) for these firms. Findings The findings verify that entrepreneurial capability, technology infrastructure capability and government initiatives are the most important TIIs for small firms. The findings are also validated by using statistical t-test and canonical correlation analysis. Research limitations/implications This study uses a single informant as the source of information on each firm. The study is limited to small-scale firms in the Northern region of India. Also, the study has been conducted excluding the service sector. Originality/value Recent studies have advocated various TIIs and discussed their impact on MFP. This paper examines the determinants of technological innovation in small manufacturing firms. It introduces a study framework of technological innovation and examines the relevance of four TIIs to building and sustaining the competitiveness of Indian firms.

Exploring manufacturing competencies of a two wheeler manufacturing unit

The two wheeler industry of India is one of the most dependable industries as every person has at least a two wheeler with him, if not any four wheeler. Earlier there were scooters like Bajaj Chetak, Priya but with evolution of motorcycles like splendor, splendor+, etc. the scooter market started declining but with arrival of gearless scooters like Honda Activa, Scooty Pep, etc. the market place has become increasingly competitive in recent time and industries are facing tough test of improving products and thus market share. The competitiveness among industries is an important issue. Competency development is a vital tool to enhance the competitiveness of industries. Based, on aggregate performance of a firm, it comprehensively explores the varying importance of manufacturing competencies and drives of industrial competitiveness. Hence by, exploring the manufacturing competencies of a two wheeler industry, one can reflect the competitiveness of two wheeler manufacturing industry as a whole. This study presents various factors of manufacturing competencies affecting industrial competitiveness as the significance of these competencies is increasing day by day in two wheeler manufacturing industry.

Effect of Different Wire Electrodes on the Performance of WEDM

In this paper, the effect of different wire electrodes used in wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) on the machining characteristics of AISI D3 die steel has been presented. Three process parameters, namely type of wire (brass wire, zinc coated wire and composite wire), pulse on time and peak current have been considered. The process performance is measured in terms of cutting speed and surface roughness. The research outcome will identify the important parameters and their effect on performance characteristics while machining AISI D3 material with different wire electrodes. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of multilevel factorial design indicated that all the selected parameters have significant effect on the performance characteristics. The study indicated the improvement in surface roughness with brass wire over other wires. Maximum cutting speed was obtained with composite wire as compared to zinc coated and brass wire. Additionally, scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination highlighted important features of machined work piece surface.

An Investigation on Wear of Shallow Cryogenic Treated Wire in Wedm

The wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is widely used for machining workpieces having complex geometries. A wire electrode of diameter 0.25 mm is moved coaxially between two guides and electrical energy in the form of electrical pulses is applied to remove material from the workpiece. In this study, the effect of key process parameters on wire wear of shallow cryogenic treated brass wire electrode used in WEDM was investigated experimentally. Five process parameters, namely Type of wire, Pulse width, Time between two pulses, Wire tension and Servo reference voltage have been considered. Taguchi experimental design has been applied to investigate the optimal parameters for minimum wire wear ratio (WWR). The experimental results indicate that Type of wire; Pulse width and Time between two pulses have a significant effect on WWR. The analysis of variance of mean and analysis of variance of S/N ratio on data was performed to identify the significant factors in order to establish the relative significance of parameters for WWR. It is found experimentally that shallow cryogenic treatment decreases the WWR. Increasing pulse width increases the WWR, where as increasing Time between two pulses decreases WWR. The results have been validated by three confirmation runs for optimum WWR.

Structural equation modelling of technology innovation model using AMOS for Indian MSMEs

Small enterprises typically make a large contribution to manufacturing employment in poor countries. However, the developmental contribution of most of them is limited to generating subsistence employment of last resort. Hence, in the face of fast labour force growth and limited employment absorption in other sectors, developing country governments have mounted efforts to improve productivity and earnings in these firms. Technology innovation is considered to be essential for the survival and growth of individual firms. It is not only the means to increase production, improve quality and develop new products but also increases competitiveness, expands exports and ultimately ensures uninterrupted economic growth. The present study is directed towards justifying the support of technology innovation initiatives (TII) in improving manufacturing performance of MSMEs. Using AMOS 22.0 software structural equation modelling (SEM) of TI model was done. After constructing the model, it was analysed that SEM_TI model values was obtained to near fit values. This implies that the TII can be helpful for Indian small firms in improving the overall manufacturing performance in terms of reduction in the cost of production, extension in range of products, improvement in product life cycle, market share and mean sales profitability.

Impact of manufacturing competency on strategic success of an automobile manufacturing unit

Strategic success of the industry depends upon the manufacturing competencies, that is, the competitive advantage, the industry has with the parameters of better quality and reliability, which will lead to increasing the sales and creating a sound customer base, for greater market share thus returning with more profit, growth and expansion. Competitive priorities are the operating advantages that a firms processes must possess to outperform its competitors. The operating advantage for the industry is assessed, evaluated, and measured with the parameters of cost, quality, time, design, flexibility, etc. The present research is designed to come up to the level of the expectations of the industrialists, policy makers, designers of the competencies, specially, the manufacturing competencies upon which the whole strategic success of the industry depends.

Analysis of Major Problems Faced by Small Firms in North India

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been noted to play a significant role in promoting economic growth in less developed countries, developing and also in developed countries. Worldwide, the micro and small enterprises have been accepted as the engine of economic growth of any nation. Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of the economies, because it trigger employment, output, export, poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, economic development etc. in developed as well as in developing countries. It is more important to developing countries as the poverty and unemployment are burning problems. MSMEs have been playing a momentous role in overall economic development of a country like India where millions of people are unemployed or underemployed. Therefore, the growth of small sectors is essential for the growth in the GDP, employment generation, total manufacturing production and export. India, being one of the fastest growing economies of the world, needs to pay an honest attention for the utmost growth of MSMEs for its increased contribution in above areas.