Automation effects

Fewster, M. and Graham, D. (1999), Software Test Automation Effective Use of Test Execution Tools, Addison-Wesley, London. 

To obtain the best from an automated analysis, it is important that only a robust manual method is considered for automation. To use automation effectively, the following factors should be considered before attempting any work on a method. 

Endsley, M.R. and Kaber, D.B. (1999). Level of automation effects on performance, situation awareness, and workload in a dynamic control task. Ergonomics, 42(3), 462—492. 

The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated on two rqjresentative NDT techniques intapretation of data acquired with an ultrasonic rail inspection system and interpretation of eddy-current data from heat exchangers in (petro-)chemical industry. The results show that it is possible to provide a high level of automation in combination with efficient operator support for highly variable NDT measurements where up to now use of automated interpretation was only limited. 

The Ukrainian Research Institute of Pipes and Metallurgy Automation Research Institute have effective developments in the field of NDT in metallurgy (pipes and rolled stock). Other organisations were experts are working with success in the NDT field are ... 

The more effective deflvery of natural gas is being realized by the use of computerized operation centers that allow rapid responses to the variations ia gas demand. Automated valves, more precise measuting systems, and high speed communication networks make it possible to closely monitor and manage the transmission and deflvery of natural gas. This translates iato improved service and cost effectiveness. 

Separate sample blanking requires an additional analytical channel, and is therefore wasteflil of both reagents and hardware. An alternative approach that is used on several automated systems, eg, Du Pont ACA, BM-Hitachi 704, Technicon RA-1000, is that of bichromatic analysis (5) where absorbance measurements are taken at two, rather than one, wavelength. When the spectral curves for the interference material and the chromogen of the species measured differ sufficiently, this can be an effective technique for reducing blank contributions to assay error. Bichromatic analysis is effective for blanks of both the first and second type. 

SoHd carbon dioxide is produced ia blocks by hydrauHc presses. Standard presses produce blocks 25 x 25 x 25 cm, 50 x 25 x 25 cm, or 50 X 50 X 25 cm. A 25-cm cube of dry ice weighs 23 kg, allowiag for about 10% sublimatioa loss duriag storage and shipment (some 27-kg blocks are also produced). Dry ice is about 1.7 times as dense as water ice, whereas its net refrigerating effect on a weight basis is twice that of water ice. Automation and improved operating cycles have iacreased dry-ice press capacities so that one 50 x 50 x 30 cm press can produce more than thirty metric tons of dry-ice blocks per day (42). 

Foley, M. and Bernardon, E. 1990 Thenuoplastic Composite Manufacturing Cost Analysis for the Design of Cost-Effective Automated Systems. SAMPE Journal, 26(4), Cl-IA. 

The strengths of ICP-OES are its speed, wide linear dynamic range, low detection limits, and relatively small interference effects. Automated instruments with... 

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