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The study presents a practical application of multi-criteria standardization of machines and devices in the design of the automated production processes in industry 4.0 and its direct impact on the economic aspects of an enterprise, along with a comparison of the state before and after the implementation of the proposed changes. The solutions recommended in the article also fit into the assumptions of low-carbon development by implementing solutions that reduce energy consumption. The research carried out and presented in the text confirmed the effectiveness of the described solution. The study also presents examples confirming the correctness of implementing standardization, synergy and coherence in the design of production processes. Additionally, a new advanced eLean application was presented to support production processes in the field of Lean Management. The Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) module currently implemented in the industry is concerned with ensuring the maximum efficiency of machines and devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of zone reinforcement of cast steel L120G13 with Al2O3 macro-particles on the corrosion resistance of the composite obtained in this way. The obtained results allow us to conclude that strengthening of cast steel with corundum, the aim of which was to significantly increase the abrasive wear resistance, did not significantly deteriorate corrosion resistance. SEM tests show that a permanent diffusion layer interface is formed at the boundary between cast steel and corundum. In this area, simple manganese segregation and reverse iron and chromium segregation were found. These elements pass from the liquid alloy to the surface layer of the corundum particles, causing the aluminium and oxygen to be pushed deep into the corundum grains. Corrosion tests indicate comparable corrosion resistance of cast steel L120G13 and the composite L120G13 + Al2O3. Moreover, no intergranular corrosion was found in the matrix of the composite and no signs of pitting corrosion were found in the areas of the interface between the phases of the composite. This information is extremely important from the point of view of the material's service life. Observations of breakthrough of both materials obtained during fracture after potentiodynamic corrosion tests, immediately after freezing in liquid nitrogen, indicate cracking with plastic features and increased resistance to dynamic forces of cast steel L120G13 and the composite L120G13 + Al2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to attempt to use barley malt as a natural, organic binder in the technology of molding sand. TGA analysis of the binder was performed, during which temperatures of thermal decomposition of its components were determined. The results of TG/DTG analysis show that a loss of ~75% of mass of the MB binder is organic matter. Over 50% of this is starch. The results indicate the possibility of using a binder made of barley malt as a binding material for quartz sand grains. This fact was confirmed by tests carried out with use of SEM. During the observations, it was found that barley malt forms smooth bridges connecting individual grains of quartz sand. The typical properties of molding sands with barley malt were also determined, compared to sands containing commonly used binders. At the same time, the influence of the content of this binder on flowability, permeability, strength properties, and wear resistance was assessed. It has been found that increasing the binder content in molding mass results in an increase in strength and wear resistance, as opposed to flowability and permeability. Test castings were also made. It was found that the addition of a binder made of barley malt has a positive effect on the surface quality of castings. This was confirmed by roughness measurements of the test castings. At the same time, a tendency to excessive gas evolution during pouring was shown, with higher contents of this binder. Moreover, greater amounts of barley malt in the molding sand (MB 5%) as compared to the lower content (MB 2%) increased the thickness of the burnt layer of the sand by 25%. This is due to the exothermic reaction when more binder is burnt. It is extremely important from the point of view of the regeneration of molding sand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of a study on influence of Cr, Mo and Al on the microstructure, abrasive wear and corrosion resistance of Ni-Mn-Cu cast iron in the as-cast and heat-treated conditions are presented. Because of the chilling effect of first two elements (tendency to create hard spots), graphitising Al was added to the alloys, with the highest concentration of Cr and Mo. All castings in the as-cast condition showed an austenitic matrix, guaranteeing good machinability. Heat treatment of raw castings, consisting in annealing at 500 °C for 4 h, resulted in partial transformation of austenite. As a result the carbon-supersaturated acicular ferrite, morphologically similar to bainitic ferrite was formed. The degree of this transformation increased with increasing concentrations of Cr and Mo, which successively decreased the thermodynamic stability of austenite. A change of matrix structure made it possible to significantly increase hardness and abrasive-wear resistance of castings. The largest increment of hardness and abrasion resistance was demonstrated by the castings with the highest total concentration of Cr and Mo with an addition of 0.4% Al. Introduction of Cr and Mo also resulted in an increase of corrosion resistance. In the heat-treated specimens, increasing the concentration of Cr and Mo resulted in a successive decrease of the depth of corrosion pits, with an increase in their number at the same time. This is very favourable from the viewpoint of corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]