Copper- Nickel-Tin (Cu-Ni-Sn) spinodally decomposable alloy of composition Cu-7Ni-4Sn was prepared by using sand casting process. The specimens required for microscopic examination, micro-hardness and wear tests were prepared from heat treated (homogenization, solution and ageing) cast rods. The microscopic examination results revealed that the as-cast dendrite structure was disappeared during the homogenization, solution and ageing processes and forms grains of various sizes with respect to ageing time. The hardness of the alloy was increased from 206 HV at solution treated condition to 235 HV at four hours of ageing. By using pin-on-disc wear tester in dry sliding condition an adhesive wear test was conducted as per L9 orthogonal array by taking parameters of applied load, sliding speed and ageing time. An optimum level of parameter for each case was determined through S/N ratio investigation by considering "smallerthe-better". From this investigation, it was found that the parameter ageing time was the dominant as compared to other two parameters. The significant parameter that affect the response was indicated by the results obtained from ANOVA and these results were agreed with S/N analysis. The developed linear regression equation was validated through confirmation experiments. The wear mechanism was observed on worn out surfaces by selecting appropriate specimens considering applied load and sliding speed for both normal and optimum parameter specimens using scanning electron microscope (SEM).

This paper proposes the methodology for preparing the Cost Value Stream Map (CVSM) which possesses the advantage of measuring the cost involved and time consumed in the production process stream. A value stream map addresses the value addition process in terms of time domain in a production process. CVSM addresses both the time and cost information simultaneously in a production process. This CVSM method equips the study of the production process in detail and helps to figure out the wastages in the process directly in terms of the cost involved in the production. The cost line added alongside the time line in the modified VSM is a simple tool which can be utilised by lean experts in identifying the wastage in production process in terms of the cost involved. CVSM is prepared by collecting data from company in the prescribed format. All this data thus collected can be consolidated to prepare CVSM. A case study is conducted and a CVSM is prepared in a scaffolding pipe manufacturing unit in Kerala.

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PurposeRice is an important grain in Indian scenarios, and the purpose of the research work is to identify the attributes which can be the possible barriers in the traditional rice supply chain network.Design/methodology/approachA multilevel conceptual model is developed based on the literature review, and a field study is conducted by administering a questionnaire from the experts. Fuzzy logic methodology and a ranking score method is applied to identify the rice supply chain performance and the barriers of the traditional rice supply chain network.FindingsThe rice supply chain performance index for the traditional rice supply chain network is obtained, and the performance of the existing rice supply chain is found to be “fair”. The “information flow” is the attribute that can be a critical weak attribute in the traditional rice supply chain network. A proposed model of the blockchain technology-enabled rice supply chain network is developed as a solution for the “information flow” barrier.Research limitations/implicationsThe present research work is focussed on the generalized rice supply chain model of the Indian scenario, and more detailed studies can be carried out based on the regional issues.Originality/valueThe rice supply chain plays an important role in Indian economic development, and hence the current research paper focusses on identifying the barriers and the performance of the existing rice supply chain network.

Zinc-aluminium alloys are cost effective substitute for wide range of applications in the industrial purpose mainly as bearing materials. Zn- 27 Al is the material selected due to its good mechanical and tribological properties. Casting is one of the methods which can be used to fabricate the alloys. Sand casting and stir casting are used to develop Zn- 27 Al alloy. Both mechanical and wear properties were studied. Hardness, tensile strength and impact strength is highest for the stir casted alloy when compared to sand casted Zn-27 Al.. The composition of the prepared alloys justifies the better properties of stir casted alloy and the compositions are analysed by Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis.