a supply chain is composed of a complex sequence of processing stages, ranging from raw materials supplies, parts manufacturing, components and end-products assembling, to the delivery of end products. in the context of supply chain management, supplier selection decision is considered one of the key issues faced by operations and purchasing managers to remain competitive. therefore, requiremen...

The ultimate goal of Patternless Casting Manufacturing (referred to as PCM) is how to obtain the casts by casting the sand mold directly. In the previous PCM, the resin content of sand mold is much higher than that required by traditional resin sand, so the casts obtained are difficult to be sound and qualified products, which limits the application of this technique greatly. In this paper, the...

The paper focuses on the identification and resolution of conflicts and contradictions in complex systems. By constructing simple, computerbased bottom-up models of an exemplar complex system, we show the potential for the emergence of multi-phase macro-level outcomes. We then show how these discontinuous phase-shifts may be modelled as contradictions, and from there, how TRIZ tools can be used...

This paper describes design principles that were extracted from the profiles of products redesigned to be more environmentally benign. These extracted principles will be used to support the work of creating a Design for Environment (DfE) methodology called ENVRIZ that provides product designers with a procedure for creating more environmentally benign products and overcoming environmental contr...

In order to increase their competitiveness, companies need have five important capabilities in the product development process, namely, ability identify customer and environmental requirements, convert them into technical create innovative designs, determine best improvement alternatives. Based on a literature survey, previous studies are still inadequate incorporating these simultaneously effe...