摘要:

The Finniston Committee, in reviewing manufacturing industry, highlighted the need to achieve an engineering dimension in the UK through improved industrial technical management. Engineers contribute to manufacturing industry by bringing about new developments such as improved materials and processes and by exploiting innovations such as optical fibres and automation. In the UK less significance is attached than in Germany or Japan to the middle ground of manufacture, i.e. the processing of feedstocks into components and subassemblies. Yet this area has the greatest impact on the cost and quality of end products, and the contribution of the engineer is critical to production efficiency. UK industries must learn to sustain manufacturing businesses by raising engineering standards on the shop floor. Management plans, which are mainly financial, need to be supplemented by action plans for renewal of the busines dealing with vital long term issues. Engineers should make an increased contribution to management of British business and many engineers are able to meet this challenge.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0001

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The paper identifies the essential features of tracking systems and describes the basic ranging facilities that were available during the early years of the Second World War on the metric radar systems. With the advent of centimetric radar and the development of both low- and high-angle systems, tracking in range elevation and bearing was realised. In the discussion of the following two decades, with the emphasis on radioastronomy and satellite communication and the requirement for large apertures, the Jodrell Bank Mk. I and the Goonhilly I systems are considered and the transition from analogue to computer control noted. The need for fast scanning, realised by monopulse techniques, is then examined and reference is also made to the application of ‘hill-climbing’ techniques. The paper continues with an account of missile tracking strategies and the significance of the guidance law. In the final Section the problems arising from system disturbances are discussed, and recent work based on Kalman filtering is mentioned in that context. In conclusion it is noted that the development of tracking systems has been sustained by the progress and integration of the computing and control disciplines.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0002

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The information revolution is promised to bring about social and economic changes rivalling those following the industrial revolution of two centuries ago. Three factors which are the prime determinants of changes are the advance of technology providing the ‘push’ the increasing demands of the commercial world generating the ‘pull’ and the pressures of society which will, increasingly, modulate the speed of change. The markets for information systems are developing fast. However, there have been excessively optimistic predictions about the advent of the so-called ‘office of the future’, which are not being realised. This has led to disappointment in some quarters. The reality is that market-application-led uses of the new information systems are advancing fast, whereas technology-driven innovations, like Prestel, have produced disappointing results. The paper concentrates on two new system concepts which are based on close study of applications; one relates to the office and one to the home. Each contains the key elements which will recur progressively in all information handling systems in the future:(a)the integration of previously separate products into a coherent system(b)the ability of one workstation to perform more than one task(c)the convergence of data processing, text and image handling, and telecommunications towards a common course.The paper then examines some of the implications for employment in the next decade in consequence of systems of this kind which inevitably will pervade our society.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0003

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Labour productivity, important to industrial competitiveness, is difficult to measure and is inadequately approached by many managers, including engineers. Efficiency(or performance) alone does not ensure high productivity; the usefulness or relevance of the work done needs to be taken in to account. A working definition of labour productivity is suggested, and productivity indices used by British Telecom in past years are considered. A more satisfactory way of measuring year-on-year productivity improvement, without necessarily measuring an absolute value, is sketched. The main factors making for increased labour productivity in telecommunications operating businesses are said to be improved technology, substitution of capital for labour, working-method changes, computerisation, motivation and manpower planning. These factors interlock complexly, and various examples are given, drawn from the author's experience with British Telecom. Quality and productivity are stated to be fully compatible, not antagonistic. Manpower planning is briefly discussed. The engineer's responsibility to society is argued to include an obligation to contribute to the solution of employment problems stemming from increased labour productivity.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0004

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

In the introduction to the Address, the author outlines his own unique position, as an officer of all three bodies, the BEAMA, the BSI and the IEE, a position and concern that prompts and qualifies him to speak about their interrelationship and how and why that should be developed further. Standards, how they are prepared, and their importance in improving the efficiency and profitability of industry, are discussed as the principal interface of the BEAMA, the BSI and the IEE. The government's recognition of the importance of standards and its determination to enhance their status was expressed in the White Paper: ‘Standards, quality and international competitiveness’, and the accompanying ‘memorandum of understanding’ with the BSI. The salient points of these documents and their implications for the BSI, the BEAMA and the IEE are explored with comments on the readiness of the three bodies to respond and cooperate in achieving the common goal: an efficient and internationally competitive industry.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0005

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Industrial employment in the UK is declining steadily, and so we need to encourage the production of well designed, reliable and competitive goods that will sell at home and overseas. It is inevitable that electrical engineering in general and electronics in particular must play a large part in increasing our production efficiency and will feature in many of our successful products. Therefore it is important that we ensure a steady flow of able graduates from our universities. This will be difficult at a time when both the universities and industry are under pressure owing to the rapid rate of change in technology and the poor economic situation. Significant changes are taking place in our schools and universities that will affect the output of graduates in terms of both number and quality. There is an urgent need to change the bias in our education system and to encourage a Government policy in favour of engineering. Those of usin the universities and in industry should work more closely to influence chage in this direction.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0006

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Poisson's equation in cylindrical symmetry is solved numerically assuming that at each electrode there is an unlimited supply of charges of zero energy; positive charges at the positive electrode and negative charges at the negative electrode. A solution is obtained corresponding to zero electric field at each electrode surface; this defines the maximum possible current flow of each charge polarity. The numerical technique is based on a perturbation of the solution appropriate to parallel-plane geometry and is carried out for a ratio of electrode radii ranging from 1 to 400. In the case of the external emitter configuration, the increase in charged-particle current afforded by bipolar flow in comparison to unipolar flow can be significant. Application to the electron-beam pumping of vacuum ultraviolet excimer lasers is briefly considered.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0007

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The author discusses the education of professional engineers in Belgium and shows how the particular structure and content of the courses has been influenced by the special needs of Belgian industry. The educational goals are examined and proposals for change are made, particularly in the area of continuing education.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0010

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Management for quality involves the integrated actions and reactions of all operating functions within an organisation. The key is the environment set by the chief operating officer. There is no organisational panacea or magic recipe which well provide an effective quality programme. However, there are basic principles and practices which are common to all successful quality programmes. The quality programme is designed to provide a product or service which is suitable for its intended purpose. As customers are seldom philanthropic organisations, this suitability means having the right product at the right place at the right time and at the right time and at the right cost. The successful quality programme requires each activity to: (a) know the product or service requirements applicable to their function and (b) endeavour to carry out the activities correctly first time. The programme will also have a means of measuring the effectiveness of each activity in meeting its quality objective. The paper discusses the principles and practices of a quality programme as well as alternative approaches to preparing a successful programme. The method of applying these principles in the most effective manner is one of the challenges facing management today.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0011

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Modern computer-based manufacturing systems are comprehensive and tightly integrated. Working with them offers the design engineer opportunities to use more efficient methods to maintain and use engineering data. For the unprepared, the introduction of these systems can cause considerable problems. Engineeers need to be aware of the opportunities and risks associated with manufacturing systems.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1983.0012

出版商:IEE    

年代:1983

数据来源: IET