Özkan Kayhan, 030990095, 1st Week

Unilateral Tolerance (Technical Drawing, Machining)

Previous Answer

A unilateral tolerance is one in which the variation from the specified dimension is permitted in only one direction, either negative or positive.
(Mikell P. Groover; Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 3^rd Edition; pg 80)

New Answer (Better)

A unilateral tolerance allows a dimension to vary either above or below basic size, but not both. A unilateral tolerance is also shown using "+" or "-" symbol but one amount is "0", indicating no variation is allowable in that direction.

(Precision Machining Technology, Peter J. Hoffman, pg. 213)

Natural Language Processing (Artificial Intelligence)

Previous Answer

Traditionally, obtaining information from a database in the computer memory has required the utilization of computer programmers to translate questions in natural language into "queries" in some machines language. Natural-language interface with database systems are in various stage of development. These systems allow a user to obtain information by entering English or other language commands in the for of simple, typed questions.

Software shells are available, and they are used in such applications as the scheduling of material flow in manufacturing and the analyzing of information in databases. Significant progress continually is being made on computer software that will have speech synthesis and recognition(voice recognition) capabilities in order to eliminate the need to type commands on keyboards.

(Kalpakjian S., Schmid S.R.,Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, 5th Edition, pg.1232)

New Answer (Better)

The term "Natural Language Processing" (NLP) is normally used to describe the function of software or hardware components in a computer system which analyze synthesize spoken or written language. The "natural" epithet is meant to distinguish human speech and writing from more formal languages, such as mathematical notations or programming languages, where the vocabulary and syntax are comparatively restricted.

(Natural Language Processing for Online Applications, Peter Jackson, pg. 2)

Direct Labor Costs (Accounting)

Previous Answer (Better)

The direct labor cost is for the labor directly involved in manufacturing (productive labor). This cost includes all labor from the time raw materials first are handled to the time when the product is finished. This period generally is referred to as floor-to-floor time. For example, a machine operator picks up a round bar from a bin, machines it into the shape of a threaded rod, and places it into another bin. The direct-labor cost is calculated by multiplying the labor rate (hourly wage, including benefits) by the time that the worker spends producing the part.

(Kalpakjian, S., Schmid, S. R., Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, 5th ed., p. 1262)

New Answer

Direct labor costs are composed of all labor costs related to the time spent manufacturing a product. This category typically includes the wages of direct labor personnel, plus fringe benefits, payroll taxes, bonuses, and any other type of special compensation.

(The Cost Management Toolbox, Lianabel Oliver, pg. 23)

Circular Interpolation (CNC)

Previous Answer

The inputs required for the path are the coordinates of the end points, the coordinates of the center of the circle and its radius and the direction of the tool along the arc.

(Kalpakjian S.,Schmid S.R.,Manufacturing Engineering and Technology 5th edition,p. 1158)

New Answer (Better)

The method of circular contouring is called circular interpolation. It is commonly used profiling on CNC vertical and horizontal machining centers, as well as on lathes and many other CNC machines, such as simple milling machines, routers, burners, water jet and laser profilers, wire EDM, and others.

Circular interpolation is used for programming arcs or complete circles in such applications as outside and inside radii (blend and partial), circular pockets, spherical or conical shapes, radial recesses, grooves, corner breaks, helical cutting, even large counter-bores, etc. The CNC unit will interpolate a defined arc with a very high precision, if the necessary information is given in the program.

(CNC Programming Handbook 2nd Edition, Peter Smid, pg 235)

Cost Reduction (Management)

Previous Answer

Cost reduction requires a study using relative costs as an important parameter. The unit cost of a product can vary widely. Unless highly automated, assembly operations for such products can become a significant portion of the overall cost.Cost reductions can be achieved by a thorough analysis of all the cost incurred in each phase in the manufacture of a product. Some opportunities for cost reduction are following:

- Simplifying part design and the number of subassemblies required.
- Specifying broader dimentional tolerances and allowing rougher surface finish.
- Using less expensive materials
- Investigating alternative methods of manufacturing
- Using more efficient machines and equipment

(Kalpakjian S., Schmid S.R., Manufacturing engineering and technology, 5th Edition, pg. 1265)

New Answer (Better)

Every business can reduce its costs. The need for doing so is even more urgent in times of recession, but cost reduction is always important. It shouldn't take failing banks, tightened credit and federal bailouts to make people realize that keeping costs down is important. However, in many cases when times are good, managers get sloppy. Sometimes the money is rolling in so fast that cost reduction seems irrelevant. The danger is that times don't stay good, and if an organization doesn't make cost reduction a priority in good times and bad, it will be left in the dust when times turn bad.

(Cost Reduction and Optimization for Manufacturing and Industrial Companies, Joseph Berk, pg 1)