Volume 14, Issue 4, 2019/Journal Proceedings in Manufacturing Systems

Abstract: Within the manufacturing environment, data is fundamental when it comes to decisions: even if we think about building a bottom up strategy or if we just adjust the operational levels to meet already traced strategic goals. Data availability, accuracy, relevance and consistency are key drivers in decision- making process, irrespective of the level or the moment when decision happens. The way the data is processed to understand what happens and why it happens and as well to drive decisions is essential– there has never existed a best fit in terms of methodology and reaching a high objectivity level – it has always been a challenge. Both data/information and methodology are main contributors to the decision-making process and today the name of the game is the fast dynamics of manufacturing environment: demand forecast variations, multiple technologies, complex capabilities required, end-to-end supply chain synchronization, etc. Industry 4.0 elements touch both data availability (though IOT, Digitization) and methodology (through Smart Data Analytics and overall Cognitive Technologies). Using a case study -referring to OEE calculation -from manufacturing environment, then applying and analyzing few traditional models and principles, with the present paper, the authors propose to evaluate how the Industry 4.0 elements may impact the decisional process in terms of data collection and interpretation, how the data may influence the traditional way of performance calculation and how data may be considered as part of performance indicators calculation.

Key words: decision-making, decisional model, manufacturing, strategy, operational level.

pp. 135-140 View full text

Analysis on the VNFIL data in Romania

Adrian STOICA^1,*, Marilena Doina STOICA²

¹⁾PhD, Professor at Teacher Training Department, Technical University of Civil Engineering, Bucharest, Romania

²⁾Teacher at “Pia Brătianu” School, Bucharest, Romania

Abstract: Romania has introduced the validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL) mechanism since 2004. However, the mechanism should be further developed, especially in relation to the quality assurance, to make the validation more effective, reliable and credible to the stakeholders. For example, it is very important to improve the evidence-based approach to the validation of NFIL by developing tools of collecting and analyzing relevant data from the target groups. To achieve this, we analyze and report in this paper different statistics of the target groups (e.g. candidates tested by the assessment centres) using the database developed by the National Qualifications Authority. Available data for the VNFIL are not too many but this situation is expected to improve in the years to come. That is why use the data collected during the past several years. In this paper, among other statistics the authors have investigated whether the candidates results (pass/fail) differed based on certain period of the year when they took their examinations using the VNFIL procedures. The assumption was that during holidays more than usual (competent) Romanians working abroad come to the country and apply for getting the professional competence certificate. In addition, the study is focused on dissemination and awareness raising activities to inform potential beneficiaries (including the Romanians abroad) about the benefits of the validation process, especially for those with a poorer qualification level, for whom the certification of professional competences could become a real opportunity for better insertion on the labour market.

Key words: Adult education, validation procedures, non-formal and informal learning, evaluation centres, levels of qualifications, European Qualifications Framework, descriptive statistics.

pp. 141-149 View full text

Calculus algorithm for evaluation of gravitational and inertial loads acting on a Gantry industrial robot in pick and place applications

Adrian Florin NICOLESCU^1,*, Cezara Georgia COMAN²

¹⁾ Prof., PhD Eng., Department of Robotics and Manufacturing Systems, University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, Romania

²⁾ Lecturer, PhD Eng., Department of Robotics and Manufacturing Systems, University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, Romania

Abstract: The paper presents the first stage of calculus methodology for optimal structure design of numerically controlled (NC) axes of gantry industrial robot (IR) type. Such calculus methodology can be applied in conceptual design and optimization of mechanical structure for new robot prototypes (with similar general architecture and NC axis structure), or for a correct identification of constructive robot variants of robots having the ability to do a performance check correlated with performances intended to be achieved by the robot within the application that it needs to be integrated (to identify right constructive and functional parameters of a robot for a particular robotic application).

Key words: industrial robot behavior, gantry robot, calculus methodology, NC axis, optimal structure.

pp. 151-156 View full text

Promoting adult education in Romania

Ellinor HAASE¹, Ileana BOERU^2,* and Ligia MIRIȘAN³

¹⁾PhD, Chair of the ICC ‒ International Language Association, Bochum, Germany

²⁾Professor, President of the National Adult Education Association, Bucharest, Romania

³⁾Professor, Manager of the County Library "Gheorghe Sincai", Oradea, Romania

Abstract: Starting from a rather difficult situation of adult education in Romania in early 90’s ‒ the collapse of cultural houses and popular universities, little and hardly trained staff, low salaries etc.‒ insufficient promoted to adults and with a few perspectives for the future, the German experts together with the Romanian and partly British colleagues developed a functional system of adult training in the organizations of the cultural sector. The project was completed between 1992 and 2008, but has continued to be sustainable until now. The paper responds to issues related to the specific way of designing the training plan, the teaching-learning-assessment methods used etc., as well as the feedback obtained from the participants that contributed to the improvement of the project’s activities. In this way, the project represented an example of good practice whereby adult education can gain an important place in the cultural education. Along with other components of the educational infrastructure (e.g. schools, community centers for lifelong learning, etc.), libraries and cultural centers play an important role in disseminating education and culture to the rural population. Moreover, given this important role these cultural institutions were linked in regional and national networks, and the Project was easier to be implemented using this educational and cultural infrastructure. The main conclusion is that, from the beginning, focusing on training for permanent staff in a range of different fields ‒ organisational, personnel, financial management, needs analysis, marketing, training for teachers etc. – the project was very successful from the point of view of its stakeholders and may serve as an example for similar situation. Also, one of the main results of the DVV International described project is that it formed the basis on which the future projects of the meantime established organizations, APUR and APUR-International, continued to build on.

Key words: Adult education, functional system, strategy, testimonies, staff training, training methodology.

pp. 157-160 View full text

Comparative analysis of policy approaches related to non-formal and informal learning in European countries

Ramona Camelia SILVESTRU (BERE)^1,*, Cătălin Ionuț SILVESTRU²

¹⁾ PhD, Lecturer, Department of Metal Structures, Management and Graphic Design, Technical University of Constructions of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

²⁾ Assoc. Prof., PhD, Department of Informatics and Economic Cybernetics, University of Economic Studies of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

Abstract: As each country has had its own pace in developing arrangements for validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL), taking into account the Council Recommendation from 2012, the interest in the present article is to analyse and compare policy approaches used in several European countries. The countries selected, namely France, Romania and Poland, have all joined the European Union prior to the issuing of the Recommendation, for which reason it is presumed that the content of the recommendation may have contributed to mobilizing endeavours for validation, based on the existing framework. The selection of countries included in the analysis was performed based on a set of criteria that would enable comparison of similar countries in size (territorial, population), as well as type of state government (unitary), while also looking at EU member states that joined the EU at different moments in time. Thus, the present article briefly presents specificities for each country, based mainly on information provided in different European reports (e.g. CEDEFOP reports and database on VNFIL approaches in the respective countries), while also highlighting aspects that could be taken into account as possible improvements in the content of the Romanian policies. Quality assurance for the recent mechanisms is to be further analysed, since the qualification acquired by the individual by use of VNFIL is similar to that obtained in formal education, given possible trust issues related to quality assurance mechanisms for VNFIL. Thus, further analyses may focus on stakeholders involved, and on quality assurance mechanisms within validation systems.

Key words: validation, public policy, non-formal learning, informal learning, comparative analysis, assessment and certification.

pp. 163-168 View full text

New FEM approach including technological patterns for automotive spot welding parts

Tudor George ALEXANDRU^1,*, Bogdan VERDETE¹, Cristina PUPĂZĂ², Adrian Florin NICOLESCU²

¹⁾ Assistant Prof. PhD. Student, Robots and Manufacturing Systems Department, University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, Romania

²⁾ Prof. PhD., Robots and Manufacturing Systems Department, University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, Romania

Abstract: In the automotive industry, spot welding is one of the most productive and widespread sheet metal joining processes that benefits from a high degree of automation. To meet the increasing market demands for welded assemblies, engineers rely on virtual prototyping technologies as a comprehensive way of capturing the related underlying physics aspects. This allows for accurate welding parameters to be derived. Even so, the existing approaches achieve only a generalized structural behavior, focusing more on how the load is distributed at assembly rather than welded junction levels. The present paper combines global and detailed finite element modeling techniques that include technological patterns for simulating spot welded assemblies. The approach takes into account the effects of geometric variations occurring in the proximity of spot welds. The electrode indent is modeled by deploying variable thickness shell elements. The weld nugget is idealized by user defined cross section beams that are linked to the parts with explicit multi point constraints. The gap between the sheets is materialized by nodal offsets. Altogether, the given concepts allow engineers to achieve an accurate description of the stress and displacements at both assembly and welded junction levels. As a consequence, the cycle time of spot welding processes can be significantly lowered, considering optimal parameters and derived fixture configuration.

Key words: spot welding, automotive, welding parameters, finite element method, Nastran.

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