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The methods of analysis and evaluation used in determining the size and configuration of IBM's San Jose, CA plant are presented. Initial investment and operating costs are compared with manufacturing capacities of different line sizes, and qualitative features of different line configurations are also considered. The line was for production of a main subassembly, consisting of a class 100 clean room, manual work stations, and automatic testing. The size and configuration of the line are the primary concerns. Other factors analyzed are the costs of parts-cleaning equipment, utilization of test equipment, production flexibility, and line management.

In [the Jan. '06 issue] I saw an AMC engine build and the AMC Nationals--I must be dreaming! I had a Hornet with a 0.030-over 360 with 9.5:1 compression, an […]

IBM (San Jose, CA) faced problems in the manufacturing of a new product. It applied principles of computer-integrated manufacturing and continuous flow manufacturing to deal with the problems. Industrial engineers were tasked with layout of the material handling aspect of subassembly processes. A continuous flow manufacturing line was implemented after lower-level, work-in-progress logistics were worked out. Flow systems were modeled and simulated. The result was a layout of the facility, including tools, testers, and material handling equipment. Systematic reviews were held. It was concluded that flow reviews: aid in the analysis of material flow at the individual part level; are useful in showing a heterogeneous staff how a manufacturing line is intended to operate; help identify and resolve problems; and ensure the success of continuous flow manufacturing.

Background:Patients with cerebral cavernous angiomas with symptomatic hemorrhage (CASH) have high risk of disability from recurrent bleeding. Candidate medications to prevent rebleeding in CASH lesions will require multisite clinical trials with standardized data collection.Objective:To report the prevalence and baseline cohort features in CASH patients and establish a research network infrastructure for trials.Methods:This prospective observational cohort study includes adults with radiologically verified CASH lesion within 1-year of consent. Exclusions include prior or planned surgical intervention, spinal location, or prior brain irradiation. Six sites enrolled patients into the screening and clinical assessment portion of the study starting July 2018. Patients also had the option to participate in the follow up biomarker validation at 4 sites. Baseline demographics, clinical and imaging information, and outcomes (mRS, PROMIS-29, NIHSS, and EuroQol-5D) were collected. Biomarker imaging included dynamic contrast enhanced quantitative perfusion (DCEQP) and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) that correlated with symptomatic bleeding. Descriptive statistics were performed and one-sample t-test was used to compare whether mean T-scores for PROMIS-29 domains differed significantly from a reference population.Results:As of May 2020, 849 CASH patients were screened of whom 110 (13%) were eligible and enrolled; 73 also enrolled into the biomarker validation study. Average age at enrollment was 46±16 years at a mean of 4.4 months after symptom onset; 53% were female, 41% were familial, and 43% of CASH lesions were brainstem location. At enrollment, 90% of the cohort had independent functional outcome (mRS ≤ 2 and NIHSS <5). Perceived health problems affecting QoL were reported in >30% (EuroQol-5D). CASH cases had significantly worse anxiety but better depression and social satisfaction scores compared to a general population (all P<0.01). Baseline DCEQP and QSM measures did not differ significantly across sites.Conclusion:We demonstrate feasibility of multisite recruitment of CASH patients and report prevalence of baseline features that will aid in design of clinical trials and inclusion of appropriate outcome measures.