Julius P. Wong

The Virtual Learning Environment system

The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is an integrated university environment where students can apply for admission over the internet, enroll in the classes offered by VLE after admission, access a complete course, take tests, and interact with the professors as well as classmates. The VLE has tools for administrators, professors and students for performing their duties. VLE supports the goals of a virtual university. The VLE implements specific modules for routine administrative functions of a university environment. VLE provides for student admission, course registration, grade management, and administrative report generation among other functions. It implements all the functions for a student to take the course over the VLE. The VLE allows students to view lectures and access the study material for every topic of the course. The students are given tests at specified times, and answers to the questions are transmitted to the professor automatically. The communication hub of the VLE has an e-mail facility, chat facility, and a multimedia teleconferencing system. In addition, it has all the tools and instructions for a professor to develop the material for a course to be offered through the VLE. It also includes all the day-to-day procedures that a professor must follow once the course is ready for delivery to the students.

Part family formation based on alternative routes during machine failure

Abstract A number of research papers have used different types of similarity/dissimilarity coefficients for determining part families. In cellular manufacturing systems, most machines are capable of performing more than one operation, which makes parts rerouting feasible. When a part is rerouted, it affects the cell performance. Most of the suggested approaches in the literature develop a new similarity coefficient based on mathematical analysis, however, these methods tend to disregard alternative routes during machine failure. The main objective of this paper is to identify part families based on a new similarity coefficient which considers the number of alternative routes available during machine failure. Based on the new similarity coefficient, the part families were identified by using p-median model.

Concurrent engineering: The manufacturing philosophy for the 90's

Abstract Concurrent Engineering (CE) has recently been recognized as a more integrated approach to develope high quality products and bringing them to highly competitive global market at lower price and in significantly less time. In the past few years, an increasing effort has been made to understand and implement the principles of CE. However, there has been insufficient attempt to document these principles systematically. This paper examines the subject of CE and the ongoing studies which emphasize its various functions. A summary is presented and the projection of possible future research is discussed.

Part family formation based on a new similarity coefficient which considers alternative routes during machine failure

A number of research papers have used different types of similarity and dissimilarity coefficients for determining part families. In cellular manufacturing systems, most machines are capable of performing more than one operation, which makes parts rerouting feasible. When a part is rerouted, it affects the cell performance. Most of the suggested approaches in the literature develop a new similarity coefficient based on mathematical analysis, however, these methods tend to disregard alternative routes during machine failure. The main objective of this paper is to identify part families based on a new similarity coefficient which considers the number of alternative routes available during machine failure. Based on the new similarity coefficient, the part families were identified by using a p-median model.

A Totally Integrated Manufacturing Cost Estimating System (TIMCES)

The use of computers in manufacturing has proven to be an effective approach to increase the productivity and to control the manufacturing related costs. Since 1960, computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing have been the subject of discussion in many engineering and trade publications. Due to the initiation of links between computer-aided design and manufacturing, the manufacturing firms have been able to develop a new and sophisticated manufacturing philosophy which is called flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs).

An integrated cost estimating system for concurrent engineering environment

Abstract Concurrent engineering is the simultaneous design of the product and the processes required to produce it as well as to support it. It is a philosophy, not a process. When it is implemented, it can help to reduce product development cycle time for the introduction of high quality products and at low cost. Many tools and methods have been developed for supporting concurrent engineering environment. Often the traditional cost estimating systems are utilized in the concurrent engineering environment. The traditional cost estimating systems are not structured for concurrent engineering. This paper presents the concept of an integrated cost estimating system specifically designed for concurrent engineering (ICESCE). It is designed to work in the concurrent engineering environment and to enhance the power of concurrent engineering. The design of ICESCE consists of four modules: a database module, a central processing module, an interface module, and a utility module.

Development of the shim-joint concept for composite structural members.

This paper describes a shim-joint concept that was developed to improve the efficiency of joints for attaching to composite material structural members. The shim-joint concept reinforces the composite material in the region of the joint with thin metallic layers which permits employing a conventional shear pin joint between the composite members and a mating fitting. Design parameters are defined and design data are established. Improved methods for fabricating the reinforced tube ends and improved testing fixtures are developed. An advanced optimization technique has been applied to the design of the shim joints. It is shown that design parameters can be optimized conveniently by the structural synthesis approach in determining the minimum weight configuration. The results indicate that the shim-joint concept can be successfully applied to composite members without prohibitive attachment weight penalties. Nomenclature a = distance from pin row centerline to tube end D0(Di) = outside (inside )tube diameter Doj(Dij) = outside (inside) tube diameter in attachment area D0p(Djp) = outside (inside) pin diameter I = distance from pin row centerline to back edge of shims LJ = total length of reinforced attachment area (Ls + Lt) Lr =

A finite element-integral equation solution to torsion problem

Abstract The torsion problem can be formulated as a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind and then solved by a finite element method based on a weighted residual technique. This procedure effectively reduces a two dimensional problem to a one dimensional problem, and thereby significantly simplified the computer implementation. The procedure is illustrated by an example and results are compared with the exact solution.

A computer hierarchy structure for electric power utility

Abstract This paper presents a layout for a hierarchial computer system structure for electric power utility. The pyramidal control structure or hierarchial computer system is divided into four levels. These levels include: 1) Corporate computer, 2) Factory computers, 3) Center computers, and 4) Cell/Remote computers. The paper also discusses the domain and the components of the proposed structure.