Resumo A competitividade das empresas do setor de sistemas eletromecânicos de engenharia desempenha um papel fundamental na promoção do crescimento econômico e da inovação. O objetivo deste estudo é desenvolver um índice abrangente para avaliar a competitividade das empresas, com foco na eficiência operacional, posicionamento estratégico e o ambiente internacional. Empregando uma análise fatorial exploratória, os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário aplicado a 280 empresas em Moscou, Rússia. O índice proposto permite uma avaliação dinâmica da competitividade, permitindo a análise de indicadores-chave ao longo do tempo e prevendo mudanças na competitividade. As conclusões revelam fatores críticos que contribuem para a competitividade no sector, permitindo aos decisores formular estratégias para melhorar a sua posição competitiva. Esta pesquisa fornece informações valiosas para formuladores de políticas, profissionais da indústria e pesquisadores acadêmicos no aumento da competitividade das empresas de sistemas eletromecânicos de engenharia e na promoção do desenvolvimento econômico sustentável. As contribuições do estudo para a literatura e sua relevância prática o tornam um recurso valioso para o público acadêmico e do setor. inovação operacional internacional exploratória 28 Moscou Rússia indicadoreschave indicadores chave sector competitiva políticas sustentável 2

Abstract The competitiveness of enterprises in the electromechanical systems engineering sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and innovation. This study aims to design a comprehensive index for evaluating enterprise competitiveness, focusing on operational efficiency, strategic positioning, and the international environment. Employing an exploratory factor analysis, data was collected through a questionnaire administered to 280 enterprises in Moscow, Russia. The proposed index allows for a dynamic assessment of competitiveness, enabling the analysis of key indicators over time and predicting changes in competitiveness. The findings reveal critical factors contributing to competitiveness in the sector, enabling decision-makers to formulate strategies for improving their competitive position. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry practitioners, and academic researchers in enhancing the competitiveness of electromechanical systems engineering enterprises and fostering sustainable economic development. The study's contributions to the literature and its practical relevance make it a valuable resource for academic and industry audiences alike. innovation efficiency positioning environment 28 Moscow Russia decisionmakers decision makers position policymakers practitioners development studys s alike 2

Abstract: Tensile structures represent a notable evolution of construction materials, from their incipient construction using fabrics made with natural fibers to fabrics developed with high-performance synthetic fibers, which show the transformation of engineering and the design of new materials. The purpose of this document is to explore the use of composite fabrics in permanent tensile structural systems in Ecuador. Exploratory descriptive research is carried out, which identifies the types of application through a systematic classification. The results obtained focus on the characteristics of the use of tensile structures, construction region and detail of the technical, mechanical and physical characteristics, from the structural element approach in tensioned systems.

Resumen: Las estructuras tensadas representan una notable evolución de los materiales de construcción, desde su construcción incipiente mediante telas elaboradas con fibras naturales hasta tejidos desarrollados con fibras sintéticas de altas prestaciones, que muestran la transformación de la ingeniería y el diseño de nuevos materiales. El propósito de este documento es explorar la utilización de tejidos compuestos en sistemas estructurales tensados de carácter permanente en Ecuador. Se lleva a cabo una investigación exploratoria de carácter descriptivo, que identifica los tipos de aplicación mediante una clasificación sistemática. Los resultados obtenidos se centran en las características de uso de las estructuras tensadas, región de construcción y detalle de las características técnicas, mecánicas y físicas, desde el enfoque de elemento estructural en sistemas tensados.

Abstract: This article presents a case study, based on the social systems theory, about how the communicative process influences the configuration of labor expectations upon graduation from the university in two groups of engineering students of the Electronics and Mechatronics careers of the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. The methodology, which has an explanatory scope, has a quantitative approach, and makes use of a survey technique and functional method in order to carry out a comparative analysis of the degree of informational interdependencies between the educational, economic and family systems. The results highlight that continuous school paths are possible with economic support from the family and that the work experiences, which consist of communicative situations that influence the type and degree of resonance of the information to condense, are predominantly work alternatives oriented to the automotive industry and activities linked with the design of system. In addition, few intentions for business entrepreneurship and graduate studies can be observed.

Resumen: Este artículo presenta un estudio de caso, basado en la teoría de sistemas sociales, sobre la influencia del proceso comunicativo en la configuración de las expectativas laborales al egresar de la universidad en dos grupos de estudiantes de ingeniería de las carreras de Electrónica y Mecatrónica de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. La metodología tiene un alcance explicativo, utiliza un enfoque cuantitativo y, para realizar un análisis comparativo del grado de las interdependencias informativas entre los sistemas educativo, económico y familiar, se usaron la técnica de la encuesta y el método funcional. Los hallazgos resaltan trayectorias escolares continuas con apoyo económico de la familia y experiencias laborales, las cuales consisten en situaciones comunicativas que influyen en el tipo y grado de resonancia de la información para condensar, predominantemente, alternativas de trabajo orientadas a la industria automotriz y actividades en diseño de sistemas. Además, hay pocas intenciones de emprendimiento de negocios y estudios de posgrado.

Economic transformation and escalating market competitiveness have prompted manufacturers to adopt zero-defect manufacturing principles to lower production costs and maximise product quality. The key enabler of zero-defect manufacturing is the adoption of data-driven techniques that harness the wealth of information offered by digitalised manufacturing systems in order to predict errors. Multi-stage manufacturing systems, however, introduce additional complexity owing to the cascade effects associated with stage interactions. A generic modular framework is proposed for facilitating the tasks associated with preparing data emanating from multi-stage manufacturing systems, building predictive models, and interpreting these models' results. In particular, cascade quality prediction methods are employed to harness the benefit of invoking a stage-wise modelling approach. The working of the framework is demonstrated in a practical case study involving data from a multistage semiconductor production process.

Ekonomiese transformasie en toenemende markmededingendheid het vervaardigers aangespoor om zero-defek-vervaardigingsbeginsels toe te pas met die oog om produksiekoste te verlaag en produkkwaliteit te maksimeer. Die sleutelbemiddelaar van zero-defek-vervaardiging is die gebruik van data-gedrewe tegnieke om die magdom inligting wat deur gedigitaliseerde vervaardigingstelsels beskikbaar gemaak word, vir die voorspelling van foute te benut. Multi-stadium vervaardigingstelsels veroorsaak egter bykomende kompleksiteit as gevolg van kaskade-effekte wat verband hou met stadiuminteraksies. 'n Generiese modulêre raamwerk word voorgestel vir die fasilitering van take wat verband hou met die voorbereiding van data wat uit multi-stadium vervaardigingstelsels voortspruit, die bou van voorspellende modelle en die interpretasie van hierdie modelresultate. In die besonder word metodes vir die voorspelling van kaskadekwaliteit toegepas om die voordeel van 'n stadium-gewyse modelleringsbenadering uit te buit. Die werking van die raamwerk word in 'n praktiese gevallestudie gedemonstreer wat betrekking het op 'n multi-stadium halfgeleier produksie proses.

This article applies a network lens to transactional data in order to improve a food banking network's supply chain design and planning. This study draws on data from FoodForward South Africa. This food bank has compiled a rich dataset of connections between supply chain partners (e.g., donors), the flow of stock (volume of food), and their beneficiary organisations. Our analysis showed an increase in the system's 'moving parts' (increased handling of donations), resulting in a significant imbalance between supply and demand. Additionally, in 2022, the organisation's warehouses received a larger number of smaller-volume donations from a wider variety of suppliers, placing an extra burden on the network.

Hierdie artikel pas 'n netwerklens op transaksionele data toe om 'n voedselbanknetwerk se voorsieningskettingontwerp en -beplanning te verbeter. Hierdie studie is gebaseer op data van FoodForward South Africa, 'n voedselbank wat 'n ryk datastel van verbindings tussen voorsieningskettingvennote (skenkers), die vloei van voorraad (voedsel volume) en hul begunstigde organisasies saamgestel het. Ons ontleding het 'n toename in die stelsel se 'bewegende dele' (verhoogde hantering van skenkings) getoon, wat gelei het tot 'n meer beduidende wanbalans tussen vraag en aanbod. Boonop het pakhuise in 2022 'n groter aantal kleiner-volume skenkings van 'n groter verskeidenheid verskaffers ontvang, wat 'n ekstra las op die netwerk geplaas het.

A model was composed that integrated demand for railway services, systemic capacity design of production factors, operating efficiency, and the financial viability of the designed railway operations of a dedicated rail freight project. The design model incorporated efficiency measures essential to successfully developing new railway systems. The investment in rail infrastructure concerning the geometric parameters and their effect on the project's viability was deduced. A relationship between the geometric layout of track alignment and the hauling process of freight was determined. Results from simulation work to ascertain the operating efficiency informed the design of train-crossing capacity. The effect of inefficiencies on the performance of the production factors and the influence thereof on the rail tariff and the internal rate of return was determined. The design model covered the range of demand from low volumes of dedicated freight to the advent of heavy-haul operations, and will find its application in cases of new green-field projects. The design parameters applied in sub-models were correlated with the results of field tests and individual new railway projects undertaken in Southern Africa. The results of the effect of systemic operating efficiency on the capacity of the rolling stock fleet were illustrated.

Ortopediese toestelle bestaan uit 'n aansienlike deel van ingevoerde mediese toestelle na Suid-Afrika. Deur gevallestudies ondersoek ons die effek van kontekstuele faktore op kennisontwikkeling en -uitruiling in die ortopediese toestelinnovasiestelsel deur die tegnologiese innovasiestelsels-raamwerk te gebruik. Ons bevindinge toon dat dryfvere van kennisontwikkeling en -uitruiling intersektorale samewerking, beskikbaarheid van hulpbronne, bekostigbaarheid van beskikbare toestelle, die skep van legitimiteit vir toestelle en die positiewe eksternaliteite van verwante innovasiestelsels was. Die belangrikste struikelblokke wat geïdentifiseer is, was dié wat intersektorale samewerking belemmer het. Die kritieke rolle van die universiteit en gesondheidsorgakteurs is ook uitgelig. Hierdie bevindinge kan gebruik word om proaktief uitdagings in die innovasiestelsels aan te spreek en om beleid en institusionele meganismes te ontwikkel wat daarop gemik is om die huishoudelike mediese toestelbedryf te bou.

Orthopaedic devices comprise a significant portion of the medical devices that are imported into South Africa. Through case studies, we investigated the effect of contextual factors on knowledge development and exchange in the orthopaedic device innovation system, using the technological innovation systems framework. Our findings revealed that the drivers of knowledge development and exchange were inter-sectoral collaboration, availability of resources, affordability of available devices, creating legitimacy for devices, and the positive externalities of allied innovation systems. The main barriers identified were those that hindered inter-sectoral collaboration. The critical roles of the university and of healthcare actors were also highlighted. These findings may be used proactively to address problems in the innovation systems and to develop policy and institutional mechanisms that are aimed at building the domestic medical devices industry.

Hierdie studie ondersoek die faktore wat dikwels oor die hoof gesien word wat industríele produktiwiteit beïnvloed, met die fokus op arbeid en masjienonderhoud as sleuteldrywers. Omvattende navorsing is onderneem in 'n werkswinkel wat motorkomponente vervaardig om hierdie faktore te identifiseer en te evalueer. Deur gebruik te maak van multi-kriteria besluitnemingsmodelle soos analitiese hiërargie proses, vae analitiese hiërargie proses, tegniek vir orde van voorkeur volgens ooreenkoms met ideale oplossing (TOPSIS), viekriterijumsko kompromisno rangiranje metode, onderneming verspreide toepassingsdiens, en entropie TOPSIS, het die studie verskeie produktiwiteitskriteria gerangskik. Kunsmatige neurale netwerke is toe aangewend om die rangorde te valideer. Die navorsing het die belangrikheid van vervaardigingstoerusting en rou materiaal beklemtoon, en ook die prioritisering van die arbeidsmag. Die implementering van materiaalhanteringstelsels wat daarop gemik is om foute te verminder en produktiwiteit te verbeter, was deurslaggewend. As gevolg van hierdie strategieë het nie-waardetoegevoegde aktiwiteite met 65,56% afgeneem, prosestyd het met 61,03% verbeter, wagtyd het beduidend met 66.66% verminder, mannekrag het met 35% afgeneem, en koste het met 45% afdaal. Hierdie uitkomste het gelei tot 'n noemenswaardige 23% toename in produksievlakke in die kernwinkel. Die studie beklemtoon die doeltreffendheid van innoverende werkmetodes en gestandaardiseerde bedryfsprosedures om produktiwiteit te maksimeer.

This study delves into the often-overlooked factors influencing industrial productivity, focusing on labour and machine maintenance as key drivers. Extensive research was undertaken in a core shop producing automotive components to identify and assess these factors. Using multi-criteria decision models (MCDM) such as analytic hierarchy process (AHP), fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), viekriterijumsko kompromisno rangiranje (VIKOR) method, enterprise distributed application service (EDAs), and Entropy TOPSIS, the study ranked various productivity criteria. Artificial neural networks were then employed to validate these rankings. The research emphasised the significance of manufacturing equipment and raw materials, following the prioritisation of the workforce. Implementing material handling systems aimed at reducing errors and enhancing productivity proved pivotal. As a result of these strategies, non-value-added activities (NVA) decreased by 65.56%, process time improved by 61.03%, waiting time reduced significantly by 66.66%, manpower decreased by 35%, and costs decreased by 45%. These outcomes translated into a notable 23% increase in production levels in the core shop. The study underscores the efficacy of innovative work methods and standardised operating procedures in maximising productivity.

ABSTRACT The growing development in the automation of technological processes requires process engineers to know basic aspects of automatic regulation systems. In Plan E of Chemical Engineering, the subject Instrumentation and Controls is taught so that the graduate can conceive a regulation and control scheme for a technological process. The objective of the work is: Design a support software for Topic 3 of the Instrumentation and Controls subject, for the tuning of controllers using different criteria and the analysis of continuous time automatic regulation systems of technological processes. The AnaReg_V1 software was designed, which in the main window presents the regulation system block diagram that serves as an interface for the exchange of information, allowing to obtain the parameters of the first-order approximate model, tuning of either controllers or regulators of different types via different adjustment criteria and graph the temporal behavior of the regulation system variables. It is presented how employing AnaReg_V1 is obtained the approximated model, the tuning of an integral proportional controller according to the Ziegler-Nichols criterion and the temporary behavior of the variables of the regulation system taking as a study case the heat exchanger temperature control.

RESUMEN El creciente desarrollo en la automatización de procesos tecnológicos impone que los ingenieros de procesos conozcan aspectos básicos de los sistemas de regulación automática. En el plan E de Ingeniería Química se imparte la asignatura Instrumentación y Controles para que el egresado conciba un esquema de regulación y control para un proceso tecnológico. El objetivo del trabajo es: Diseñar un software de apoyo al Tema 3 de la asignatura Instrumentación y Controles, para el ajuste de controladores bajo diferentes criterios y el análisis de los sistemas de regulación automática de tiempo continuo de procesos tecnológicos. Se diseñó el software AnaReg_V1, el cual en la ventana principal presenta el diagrama de bloques de un sistema de regulación que sirve de interfaz para el intercambio de información, permitiendo obtener los parámetros del modelo aproximado de primer orden, ajustar controladores o reguladores de diferentes tipos bajo diferentes criterios de ajuste y graficar el comportamiento temporal de las variables del sistema de regulación. Se presenta como con AnaReg_V1 se obtiene el modelo aproximado, el ajuste de un controlador proporcional integral según el criterio Ziegler-Nichols y el comportamiento temporal de las variables del sistema de regulación tomando como caso de estudio el control de la temperatura de un intercambiador de calor.

This work on STEAM and education for sustainable development was undertaken across a series of collaborative case studies as formative research on the inclusion of Indigenous technologies and knowledge practices in teacher education. We noted that, despite the current academic imperative to decolonise southern African education, one seldom finds the inclusion of Indigenous technologies and Indigenous heritage practices in the contemporary classroom. Teachers we worked with were highly interested in their Indigenous knowledge heritage. Yet, they reported that they, and the young teachers they work with, simply do not have the heritage knowledge capital to include Indigenous knowledge systems in their teaching. Other challenges they face are the time it takes to engage community knowledge holders, and to find knowledge relating to school subject disciplines. The teachers observed that students prioritise modernity over Indigenous heritage and technologies, often undervaluing the latter as a forgotten past. Three exploratory cases delved into teacher education's response to challenges through co-engaged work, and this paper synthesises the emerging evidence-aiming to refine pedagogical tools for integrating Indigenous knowledge into STEAM education. A cultural-historical approach was used to frame the study and to derive insights and inferences in co-engaged lesson design research with teachers.

Resumen: Este artículo presenta el desarrollo de una herramienta de cálculo de los residuos de los modos críticos de oscilación para un sistema eléctrico, utilizando datos del análisis modal de PowerFactory de DIgSILENT. El problema planteado es de gran importancia en los sistemas eléctricos actuales, los cuales se caracterizan por operar sus elementos al límite y si estas oscilaciones, no son adecuadamente amortiguadas, pueden causar fallas en la generación al reducir el nivel de estabilidad del sistema. PowerFactory es una herramienta de ingeniería para analizar sistemas eléctricos, utilizado ampliamente en la industria e investigación. Este software cuenta con un lenguaje propio de programación, a saber, DIgSILENT Programming Language (DPL), el cual permite procesar variables de interés desde el análisis modal, mismas que pueden ser usadas en otros dispositivos del sistema, como son los estabilizadores de sistemas de potencia (PSS). Mediante programación de las variables de interés, se calcula el residuo de los modos críticos de oscilación. Así, el cálculo del residuo requiere del procesamiento de la matriz de estados A facilitada directamente por PowerFactory y de la construcción de las matrices de las variables de entrada B y salida C, respectivamente, por medio de programación DPL para diferentes escenarios operativos del sistema eléctrico de potencia. La metodología de cálculo se ha aplicado a sistemas eléctricos disponibles en la literatura especializada en estabilidad oscilatoria en la cual se aplica la herramienta para observar la dinámica de los modos de oscilación con y sin PSS, siendo estos últimos sintonizados mediante el residuo calculado.

Abstract: This paper presents the development of a tool to calculate the residue of the critical oscillation modes for an electrical system obtained through the DIgSILENTs PowerFactory modal analysis tool. This problem is essential in current electrical systems that are characterized by operating their elements at the limit, and if these oscillations are not adequately damped, they can cause generator failures by reducing their level of stability, making the system vulnerable. PowerFactory is an engineering tool to analyze electrical systems, widely used in industry and research. This software has its own programming language, DIgSILENT Programming Language (DPL), providing the capability to process variables of interest from the modal analysis, which can be used in other system devices, such as power system stabilizers (PSS). The residue of the critical oscillation modes can be calculated by programming the variables of interest. Consequently, the calculation of residue requires the processing of the state matrix A provided directly by PowerFactory, whereas it is possible to construct the matrices of the input variables B and output variables C, respectively, by means of DPL programming for different operating scenarios of the electrical power system. The calculation methodology has been applied to electrical systems from the literature specialized in oscillatory stability. The tool is applied to observe the dynamics of the oscillation modes both with and without PSS, the latter being tuned by the calculated residues.

Abstract In Brazil, 65% of the electric power production comes from hydroelectric power plants (HPPs). In some cases, these power plants divert the course of rivers, resulting in regions impacted by the absence of water, which are known as reduced fow sections (RFS). These sections are regulated by legislation and aim to maintain the minimum fow necessary to preserve the fauna, flora, fish, and human consumption in the region. Depending on the time of year, this minimum flow, also known as ecological flow (residual flow), can reach significant values, resulting in the interruption of power generation in these HPPs. This article presents a study case of two hydroelectric power plants located in different Brazilian states. The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility of implementing auxiliary generator groups that can operate uninterruptedly at different drop heights while ensuring the preservation of residual flow during low flow periods or taking advantage of the overflow flow by spillways during high flow periods. This auxiliary system would use the same set of structures and transmission systems as the main power plant, minimizing environmental impacts and implementation costs, allowing this solution to be implemented in HPPs that face this type of problem in Brazil. The results obtained indicate that HPPs with larger reservoirs have a greater ability to maintain residual flows with minimal generation loss and that run-of-the-river power plants are the most impacted by the maintenance of residual flow. Brazil 65 . (HPPs) cases rivers water RFS. RFS (RFS) fauna flora fish region year , flow) values states plant costs runoftheriver run river 6 (HPPs (RFS

Abstract Nowadays, despite the implementation of new wind farms in Brazil, it still is difficult to form partnerships with companies in the sector, which significantly contributes to the gap in information provided by national literature and the lack of knowledge about the mechanical behavior of wind turbines subjected to transient wind effects. Therefore, through a Research and Development Project to optimize and improve modeling in wind systems, the Brazilian electric power company Eletrobras Furnas aims to facilitate the construction of smaller wind turbines to supply energy to regions far from the Brazilian coast that do not have high generation potential due to the incidence of low-speed winds. Two relevant aspects directly linked to the performance of this kind of structures are: (i) determining their natural frequency and (ii) ensuring that this frequency does not coincide with any external vibration frequency that the structure may experience in its lifetime. Wind turbines are complex systems with many degrees of freedom and their own frequencies associated with the respective mode shapes in which they naturally vibrate. These frequencies are inversely related to the mass and directly related to the stiffness of the structure. Thus, through numerical modeling using the Finite Element Method, the present article aims to list some of the main factors that can affect the prediction of the natural frequency of a real-scale wind turbine prototype and to evaluate its dynamic behavior, considering its rotor revolution frequency, its blade passing frequency and the wind characteristics of its operating area. Nowadays Brazil sector effects Therefore lowspeed low speed winds i (i ii (ii lifetime vibrate Thus Method realscale real scale area

Overloading of heavy vehicles reduces pavement life and increases pavement life cycle costs. As part of Namibia's strategy to control heavy vehicle overloading on the road network, weighbridge facilities have been constructed at strategic locations on primary routes (trunk roads). The study analysed the extent of heavy vehicle overloading on Namibian trunk roads, as well as the effectiveness of existing overloading mitigation measures. The dataset comprised heavy vehicle loading information from the year 2015 to 2019, from ten static weighbridge facilities. The parameters investigated include overloading magnitude, the effect of overloading on road pavement life, and the effectiveness of current overload mitigation measures. The results showed that 13.3% of the vehicles weighed were overloaded, with a compounded decrease in overloading of approximately 0.5% per annum. Despite the overloading decrease, the study found that the estimated road service life was reduced by as much as nine years over the study period. High levels of weighbridge avoidance and poor stakeholder coordination in mitigating overloading were identified. The study recommends deploying high-speed weigh-in-motion systems, an increase in fines charged for overloading offenses, and developing a demerit point-based system for habitual offenders to strengthen mitigation measures.

RESUMEN En Cuba la formación de especialistas en automática se realiza mediante la carrera de Ingeniería en Automática que tiene dentro de sus disciplinas fundamentales, la disciplina Sistemas de Control. Para el desarrollo de prácticas de laboratorios, los estudiantes trabajan en dispositivos físicos o remoto, presencial o a distancia mediante Sistemas de Laboratorios Remoto. Sin embargo, los Sistemas de Laboratorios Remoto no implementan mecanismos de control de acceso para impedir que los estudiantes se enfrenten a las prácticas de laboratorios sin las habilidades necesarias. La presente investigación presenta una solución a la problemática planteada a partir del desarrollo de un modelo para la toma de decisiones sobre el control de acceso a las prácticas de laboratorios. La propuesta es descrita mediante un flujo de trabajo en cuatro componentes y se emplean técnicas de inteligencia artificial para modelar el conocimiento causal con la utilización de Mapas Cognitivos Difusos. Para la validación de los resultados se combinaron varios métodos y técnicas encaminados a comprobar la hipótesis planteada. El diseño experimental propuesto demostró la correlación de las variables de la investigación.

ABSTRACT In Cuba, the training of specialists in automation is carried out through the Automation Engineering career that has Control Systems as one of its fundamental disciplines. For the development of laboratory practices, students work on physical or remote devices, face-to-face or remotely through Remote Laboratory Systems. However, Remote Laboratory Systems do not implement access control mechanisms to prevent students from facing laboratory practices without the necessary skills. This research presents a solution to the problem raised from the development of a model for decision-making on access control to laboratory practices. The proposal is described through a workflow in four components and artificial intelligence techniques are used to model causal knowledge with the use of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps. For the validation of the results, several methods and techniques were combined aimed at verifying the proposed hypothesis. The proposed experimental design demonstrated the correlation of the research variables.