Neutron Radiation Embrittlement

The PDCA cycle, also known as the Deming Cycle or Shewhart Cycle, is an iterative four-step management method used for the control and continuous improvement of processes and products. It provides a simple and effective approach for solving problems and managing change, ensuring that ideas are tested on a small scale before being implemented organization-wide.

Kanban, meaning "visual card" or "signboard" in Japanese, is a scheduling system integral to the Toyota Production System. It uses visual cues, typically cards, to trigger action and manage workflow. It is a "pull" system that signals the need to move materials within a manufacturing facility or from an outside supplier into the production facility.

A thermal lance, or thermic lance, is a tool that cuts materials using the intense heat from the oxidation of iron. It consists of a steel tube packed with steel rods. Pressurized oxygen is fed through the tube, and the tip is ignited. The iron in the lance acts as fuel, burning in the oxygen stream to create a high-velocity, high-temperature jet.

The United States fire classification system, standardized by NFPA 10, categorizes fires into five main classes based on the type of fuel. Class A includes ordinary combustibles like wood and paper. Class B covers flammable liquids and gases. Class C is for fires involving energized electrical equipment. Class D pertains to combustible metals, and Class K is for cooking oils and fats.

ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil) is a widely used bulk industrial explosive. It consists of a simple mixture of porous ammonium nitrate (AN) prills, which act as the oxidizer, and a fuel oil (FO), typically diesel, which is the fuel. ANFO is classified as a blasting agent due to its relative insensitivity, requiring a booster charge to detonate. Its low cost makes it dominant in mining and construction.

Spin coating is a procedure for depositing uniform thin films onto flat substrates. An excess of a coating solution is placed on the substrate, which is then rotated at high speed. Centrifugal force spreads the solution, and solvent evaporation or curing solidifies the film, with the final thickness determined by viscosity, concentration, and spin speed.

FMEA is a systematic, bottom-up, inductive method for identifying potential failure modes in a system, product, or process. For each failure mode, it assesses the potential effects or consequences, their severity, likelihood of occurrence, and the ability to detect them. The goal is to prioritize and mitigate high-risk failure modes before they occur.

A foundational economic fact is that the total monetary volume of business-to-business (B2B) transactions significantly surpasses that of business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions. This is because a single finished consumer product often involves a long supply chain with multiple B2B transactions—from raw materials to manufacturing components to wholesale distribution—before the final B2C sale occurs.

Powder coating is a dry finishing process where a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer powder is applied to a surface, typically electrostatically, and then cured under heat. The powder particles are charged, causing them to adhere to the grounded substrate. Heating melts the powder, allowing it to flow and form a continuous, durable, and high-quality finish, often superior to conventional paint.

Hot gas welding is a fabrication process that joins thermoplastic materials using a stream of heated gas, typically air, to soften the surfaces. A specialized heat gun directs the hot gas onto the joint area and a plastic filler rod simultaneously. As the base material and the rod melt, they are pressed together, fusing upon cooling to form a continuous, solid bond.

Numerical Control (NC) is the automated control of machining tools using a program composed of precisely coded alphanumeric data. This program dictates the tool's path, feed rate, speed, and other operational parameters. Early NC systems utilized punched paper tape as the input medium, marking a significant technological leap from manual control via handwheels or physical templates.

Class D fires involve combustible metals, alloys, or metal compounds, such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, and lithium. These fires are exceptionally hazardous as they burn at extremely high temperatures and can react explosively with common extinguishing agents like water or carbon dioxide. Water, for instance, in some cases, in contrary to popular believes, can dissociate into hydrogen and oxygen, fueling the fire. Specialized dry powder agents are required for extinguishment.

A matrix method of structural analysis fundamental to the finite element method (FEM). It models a structure as an assembly of elements connected at nodes. The method relates nodal forces \({R}\) to nodal displacements \({D}\) through a global stiffness matrix \([K]\), expressed as \([K]{D} = {R}\). Solving this system of linear equations yields the unknown nodal displacements.

A structured methodology for creating new products, typically involving analysis, concept development, and synthesis. It is an iterative cycle where designers research user needs, brainstorm ideas, create prototypes, and test them to refine the final product. This process ensures that the end product is both functional and meets market demands effectively before full-scale production.