Process flexibility and the 'missing levels' problem

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Farncombe
Keyword(s):  
Process Flexibility

A Mixed Toolpath Strategy for Improved Geometric Accuracy and Higher Throughput in Double-Sided Incremental Forming

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Xu ◽  
Huaqing Ren ◽  
Zixuan Zhang ◽  
Rajiv Malhotra ◽  
Jian Cao
Keyword(s):  
Incremental Forming ◽  
Sheet Forming ◽  
Incremental Sheet Forming ◽  
Geometric Accuracy ◽  
Recent Past ◽  
Forming Process ◽  
Process Flexibility ◽  
Formed Part ◽  
Future Work

Incremental sheet forming has attracted considerable attention in the recent past due to advantages that include high process flexibility and higher formability as compared to conventional forming processes. However, attaining required geometric accuracy of the formed part is one of the major issues plaguing this process. The Double-Sided Incremental Forming process has emerged as a potential process variant which can preserve the process flexibility while maintaining required geometric accuracy. This paper investigates a mixed toolpath for Double-Sided Incremental Forming which is able to simultaneously achieve good geometric accuracy and higher throughput than is currently possible. The geometries of parts formed using the mixed toolpath strategy are compared to the desired geometry. Furthermore, an examination of the forming forces is used to uncover the reasons for experimentally observed trends. Future work in this area is also discussed.

scholarly journals Increasing Supply Chain Robustness through Process Flexibility and Inventory

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1476-1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Simchi-Levi ◽  
He Wang ◽  
Yehua Wei
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Process Flexibility ◽  
Supply Chain Robustness

Process Flexibility: A Survey of Contemporary Approaches

2008 ◽  
pp. 16-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Schonenberg ◽  
Ronny Mans ◽  
Nick Russell ◽  
Nataliya Mulyar ◽  
Wil van der Aalst
Keyword(s):  
Process Flexibility

Reconciling process flexibility and standardization: a case study in the automotive industry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anis Assad Neto ◽  
Jessyca Sampaio ◽  
Silvana Pereira Detro ◽  
Fernando Deschamps ◽  
Eduardo Alves Portela Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Process Flexibility

How does the strength of ties influence relationship quality in Chinese megaprojects? The mediating role of contractual flexibility

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhibin Hu ◽  
Guangdong Wu ◽  
Xianbo Zhao ◽  
Jian Zuo ◽  
Shicong Wen
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Process Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Indirect Influence ◽  
Strength Of Ties

PurposeThis study aims to explore the influence of the strength of ties (strong ties and weak ties) on contractual flexibility (term flexibility and process flexibility) and relationship quality among stakeholders in a megaproject network.Design/methodology/approachThis study, via a questionnaire survey, collected 380 valid responses from megaproject professionals (including project managers, department managers and project engineers). The data were analyzed using least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results show that both strong ties and weak ties have positive effects on relationship quality. The introduction of contractual flexibility can help improve relationship quality by combining the positive effects of the strength of ties. Interestingly, the indirect influence of strong ties on relationship quality is mainly due to term flexibility. However, the influence of process flexibility is not significant, while weak ties have an indirect influence through term flexibility and process flexibility.Research limitations/implicationsThis study, while helpful to megaproject management both in theory and practice, is nevertheless subject to several limitations. First, this study only considers the impact of the strength of ties on contractual flexibility and relationship quality; other factors, such as environmental uncertainty, are not explored. Second, the sample data are limited to just a few regions of China. Future research should cover other influencing factors, in order to make the model more substantial; data should also be collected from different cultural and industrial sources, thereby extending and further verifying the results.Originality/valueThis study makes three contributions to extant megaproject literature. First, this study provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the strength of ties. With the distinction between strong ties and weak ties clearly explained, this research furnishes a subtler understanding of relationship governance than has previously been achieved. Second, by precisely identifying the mechanism of how contract flexibility improves contract control and coordination functions, this research offers a complementary view of how contractual flexibility positively contributes to cooperation and relationship quality. Third, this study identifies which dimension of the strength of ties is more influential. This brings a new explanation for the previous controversy and offers some insight into the determinants of how to improve relationship quality in Chinese megaprojects.

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