Time-Based Factory Efficiency Analysis | I.C. Engine Assembly Line

Cold test stations are commonly arranged as sequential processes along a complete engine production line. The production line consists of several stations for engine building purposes, and before the engine exits the production line it passes through different validation and testing stations, such as leak testing stations, piston protrusion stations (known as torque to turn stations), and cold test stations. Each of these stations has a sequence of operation that is performed automatically or semi-automatic with the support of an operator. The waiting time until the engine finishes the operation in one station is called “cycle time”. The longer the cycle time the less efficient the production line. Cold testing stations are considered the most complicated and time-consuming, yet important test stations for engine and powertrain development. The lengthy cycle time affects the overall efficiency of the production line. This paper investigates the problem of the cycle time difference between consequent stations and its effect on the overall efficiency of the factory. New techniques and operations research methods are introduced aiming to recover from such a manufacturing obstacle. This research is investigating the limitations of a manufacturing operation standpoint. Each test station is treated as a block that simulates the actual station, and the overall factory workflow is described. Time-based equations governing block time, idling time, and utilization of the system are introduced, and the factory efficiencies are calculated and compared. After identifying the problem, a practical solution is explained.

Key Parameters Affecting Kick Start Performance in Competitive Swimming

The study aims to determine the contribution of kinematic parameters to time to 5 m without underwater undulating and kicking. Eighteen male competitive swimmers started from three weighted positions and set the kick plate to positions 1–5. We used SwimPro cameras and the Dartfish© software. In the on-block phase, we found significant correlations (p < 0.01) between the front ankle angle and block time. The correlations between start phases were statistically significant (p < 0.01) between block time and rear ankle angle, respectively, to time to 2 m; rear knee angle and glide time; block time and time to 5 m; time to 2 m and time to 5 m; and flight distance and glide distance. The multiple regression analysis showed that the on-block phase and flight phase parameters, respectively, contributed 64% and 65% to the time to 5 m. The key block phase parameters included block time and rear knee angle. The key flight phase parameters determining time to 5 m included take-off angle and time to 2 m. The key parameters determining the performance to 5 m during the above-water phase include rear knee angle, block time, takeoff angle, and time to 2 m.

A Comparative Study between Dexamethasone versus Paracetamol Added to Xylocaine in Local Intravenous Anesthesia in Upper Limb Minor Surgeries

Background Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is a technically simple, reliable and costeffective method of regional anesthesia for short operative procedures of the extremities. It is easy to be administered, of lower cost compared with general anesthesia, no need for deep sedation and can be used for emergency operations on extremities for patients with full stomach. Objective Comparison between the anesthetic and analgesic parameters in local intravenous anesthesia by adding Paracetamol and Dexamethasone to xylocaine. Patients and methods This study was carried out in Ain Shams University hospitals for six months (from August 2018 to February 2019) on 45 patients of both sexes aged 20-50 years belonging to ASA I & II undergoing forearm and hand surgeries using IVRA. Results There was no significant difference between group (P), Group (C) as regard sensory, motor recovery times, both had a shorter sensory and motor block time need to an opioid dose as an analgesic dose. Group (D) had the fastest sensory and motor block time and more prolonged recovery time than group (P) and group (C) need less opioid dose as analgesia for controlling pain. As regard postoperative analgesic requirements. Group (D) and group (P) needed less analgesic doses than group (C) but there was no significant difference between group (P) and group (C). Conclusion Addition of 8 mg Dexamethasone as adjuvant to xylocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia led to: Reduction the dose of xylocaine used for IVRA, Shortening the sensory and motor block onset times, Prolong the sensory and motor block recovery times, and Reduction the postoperative analgesic requirement with satisfaction for patient and surgeon.

Effects of Dexmedetomidine as an Analgesic Adjuvant for Surgery of Femur Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Patients who undergo surgery of femur fracture suffer the excruciating pain. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a unique α2-adrenergic receptor agonist with sedative and analgesic properties, whose efficacy and safety are still unclear for surgery of femur fracture. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of addition of DEX to general or local anesthesia in surgery of femur fracture were searched from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database. Patients who received DEX infusion had a significant longer time to rescue analgesia compared with those without DEX coadministration. DEX treatment seemed to reduce the visual analog score; however, the significance did not reach any statistical difference. DEX as an analgesic adjuvant did not reduce the onset of sensory block time, shorten the time to achieve maximum sensory block level, and provide a longer duration of sensory block. The difference in mean sedation scores between 2 groups was not statistically significant. As for adverse effects, DEX therapy significantly increased the rate of hypotension. In conclusion, dexmedetomidine as a local anesthetic adjuvant in femur fracture surgery had a longer duration of rescue analgesia. However, the incidence of hypotension was markedly increased in these patients. It was worth noting that the evidence was of low to moderate quality.

The effect of different doses of chloroprocaine 1% for low dose saddle anaesthesia in outpatient perianal surgery: A prospective randomized study

The present study was designed to investigate saddle anesthesia with different doses of chloroprocaine at the same concentration (0.5%, w/v) in terms of extent of sensory and motor block, recovery from block, time for ambulation and time for urinary voiding. The study was conducted in the department of Anaesthesiology of a tertiary healthcare centre of southern Rajasthan. 120 patients of either sex, aged between 20-50 years, with American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade I/II scheduled for elective perianal surgery in lithotomy position (duration &#60; 40 minutes), were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into three groups (n=40/group), receiving either 10mg, 15mg or 20mg of 1% 2-chloroprocaine in saddle anaesthesia. The effect was noted and compared in terms of extent of sensory and motor block, recovery from block, time for ambulation and time for urinary voiding. All the three groups were comparable with no statistical difference in terms of age, weight, height, BMI, ASA grading and site of injection among the participants of the groups. Number of patients who were able to move from stretcher to operation table and again from operation table to stretcher without help did not differ significantly among all the three groups. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in pre operative and post operative Bromage scores of participants among three groups (p value &#62; 0.05). There was significant difference in the number of anaesthetized dermatomes both pre and post operatively among all the three groups (p value &#60;0.001). Duration of surgery did not differ significantly among the three groups. There was also significant diference in the time for unassisted ambulation post operatively and time for urinary voiding among the three groups (p value &#60; 0.001). 10 mg chloroprocaine may cause early post operative pain while 30 mg dose may cause delayed unassisted ambulation and urinary voiding postoperatively so 15 mg dose can be used as minimum optimal dose for saddle anaesthesia for ultra-short perianal procedures.

Comparative study of intrathecal fentanyl with bupivacaine and fentanyl midazolam with bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia

Spinal anaesthesia is preferred for lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. Bupivacaine is the most popular local anaesthetic for subarachnoid blockade because of less neurotoxicity. Intrathecal bupivacaine alone may be insufficient to provide prolonged post-operative analgesia, even with high sensory block. So, various adjuvants are used like ketamine, midazolam, clonidine, opioids, neostigmine etc. to prolong the effect of local anaesthetic.To compare the effect of intrathecal fentanyl and fentanyl-midazolam combination with hyperbaric bupivacaine for quality of anaesthesia and post-operative analgesia.Study was conducted on 60 patients aged 20-60 years and were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group A received 0.5% bupivacaine heavy 3 ml (15mg) + fentanyl 0.5 ml (25µg) and Group B 0.5% bupivacaine heavy 2.8 ml (14mg) +fentanyl 0.5 ml (25 µg) + midazolam 0.2 ml (1mg). Total volume is 3.5 ml in both groups. They were assessed for quality of block, post-operative analgesia and perioperative complications.Data were compared using t- test(unpaired). The level of significance used was p&#60;0.05. There was a significant difference in onset and duration of sensory and motor block, time to administer first rescue analgesia in group B. Addition of midazolam (1mg) to fentanyl with bupivacaine intrathecally gives better onset & duration of sensory & motor blockade and longer duration of post-operative analgesia.