The residual tensile and compressive strengths of specimens cut from composite plates subjected to repeated impact at various energy levels were measured. The 16-ply quasi- isotropic composite plates were 2 mm thick, fabricated from Hercules AS4/3501-6 car bon/epoxy prepreg. Impact energy level and number of impacts were found to be major factors influencing strength degradation. However, strength degradation was limited to the region near the impact point.

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -Over the last several months, the cries to become lean and low cost have echoed all the way from the halls of government to the smallest company's back room. In times of severe economic challenge, the natural reaction is to make decisions that can make an organization become as lean and focused as possible. This paper aims to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach -This paper discusses the benefits and pitfalls associated with lean manufacturing management starting from the kernel idea that pleasing the customer should be at the root of all effort leading through the ravages of overzealous application of "lean to the max." Elements of lean discussed in this paper address organizational waste, human resources, distributed design, supply chain management, customer management, and the financial system. Findings -Potential solutions and recommendations are made to help organizations become lean yet remain committed to being centered on the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction. These benefits and pitfalls may be seen as outcomes based on the degree to which lean is implemented. Originality/value -This paper reviews the popular lean manufacturing environment and makes practical recommendations to new adopters to avoid failures due to the improper application of "lean" to their organization.

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