Design Project Articles Master Degree

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12475/48

Como parte de las Colecciones Especiales, la Biblioteca cuenta con los Artículos de Proyecto y Carteles de Investigación (Poster) sometidos para la obtención del grado de los estudiantes de la Escuela Graduada. Recursos disponibles: 1. Artículos de Proyectos - 2008 en adelante. 2. Carteles de Investigación - 2018 en adelante.

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1D and 2D Hydraulic Modeling to Estimate Bridge Scour: A Case Study
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2021) García-Santiago, Kettsy; Villalta Calderón, Christian A.
Scour is the effect of erosion of soil surrounding a bridge foundation due to fast-flowing water. This dynamic phenomenon can be categorized as the most common cause of bridge failures. Therefore, scour depth at piers and abutments should be estimated during the preliminary bridge design phase. This project will compare scour depth values for an existing bridge’s foundation applying 1D and 2D hydraulic modeling. The bridge to be evaluated is located in the Municipality of San Germán, Puerto Rico and crosses the Rosario River. The 1D hydraulic model was performed using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s computer program, Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System, and for the 2D hydraulic model, the community version of Surface-water Modeling System from Aquaveo was used. The result of this project indicates that the use of 2D hydraulic models is the best approach to estimate scour depth in bridges. Key Terms ⎯ Bridges, HEC-RAS, Hydraulic Modeling, Scour, SMS
1x16 Post Weld Continuity
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2021) Martínez Adorno, Valerie; García Sandoval, María
Laser welding is a critical process of medical device used for the manufacturing process of spinal cord stimulation leads that brings different offenders. The highest for 1x16 family is continuity failure with 4% of rejection rate. It intended to improve the process with a new post weld continuity as an early detection point to avoidscrap and recover the unit as RWK. Improvement consists of to change the manual inspection for an automatic that allows to maximize the inspection time with an improvement of 68 seconds. Benefits from improvements include product output, yield, less scrap, process performance and financial area. Process performance is evaluated by the technique of the operator with the automatic check through unit position, time and correct inspection order. A P-chart results demonstrate the improve and control in continuity with a rejection rate of 3.6%. The welding process will continue to be evaluated to reducing the % rejection.Key Terms – Continuity, Laser welding,Medical Devices, Scrap.
3D Vibration Isolation Systems Modeling for Air Handling Units
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2014) Aponte Rivera, Alfredo; Rodríguez, Héctor M.
Spring isolators systems are commonly used in a variety of ways in today’s construction industry. They are an essential part of the design of many mechanical systems that are in need of absorbing and dissipating unwanted vibrations. In the construction industry, vibration isolation systems have been installed without completely understanding how these systems are selected. The goal of this paper is to create a tool that will make the selection process easier for designers and installers. A Matlab© [1, 4] computer program will be created to give graphical models of the steady state vibrating motion of an Air Handling Unit (AHU) with a selected vibration isolation system. The program will be able to simulate any model with the phenomena of a vibrating rigid body on a resilient supported element which will be caused by a vibratory force, or moment, that is generated within the body, creating unbalance. This program will also be able to calculate the natural frequencies of the mode in order to make sure that it will not cause the model to fall under the unwanted effect of resonance that will eventually cause our model and its supports to fail. Key Terms - Isolators, Natural Frequency, Resonance, Vibration Isolation.
5S Method Implementation in Power Department’s Warehouse of the Tren Urbano of Puerto Rico
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2013) González Madera, Ismael; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
The Tren Urbano of Puerto Rico has a lot of material, equipment and tools to make the maintenance works. Many of them are electrical and there is a Power Department to make them. This department has been having problems to maintain the warehouse organized due the high volume of materials, their continuous use, and little space. To have an effective organization in the warehouse, the 5S method was implemented with five phases: sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain. In the first phase, the unnecessary materials, equipment, and tools were removed from the warehouse. During the second phase, the items that remained in the warehouse were arranged by use frequency and in a logical manner; and then were cleaned in the third phase. In the fourth, the first three phases were upheld with a checklist. In the last phase, training was continuously provided to maintain the habit. The organized warehouse improved time to find the materials, equipment, and tools; as well as avoid losing them. Also, no accidents and better results were obtained in electrical testing. Key Terms ⎯ Equipments, Management, Materials, Set in Order, Shine, Sort, Standardize, Sustain, Tools, Visual Management.
5s Techniques to Optimize Classroom Organization
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2020) Moreno López, Stephanie L.; González Miranda, Carlos J.
This research project was focused in the 5s methodology for the improvement of an elementary classroom. The 5s is defined as a method of five steps that seeks to improve working space, eliminate waste and improve efficiency within the service industry. This methodology can be utilized to improve any service or space. In this research the 5s tool can be utilized to improve the organization and time management with a small classroom that provides tutoring services for elementary students. An organized space is fundamental for the proper classroom management techniques. In order to optimize space and improve time management in the classroom the 5s methodology was used. The name of the steps is derived from the Japanese language. These are: Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, Shitsuke. Its beginnings were in the Toyota Corporation in 1960 with the objective of achieving a well-organized and clean working environment that could be sustained permanently. This research seeks to optimize a small classroom, improve lesson plans being carried and time management, promote organization skills and positive habits. This is important for appropriate classroom management techniques such as increased students focus, promote self-awareness of shared space, reduce waste, reduce negative impact in the lesson plan and increase student’s motivation. The 5s methodology brings a structure and tools to improve a process by optimizing and increasing efficiency in the service field. In this case optimized space and organization for the results in an elementary tutoring classroom. Key terms ⎯ classroom, improve, management, optimize
Acceptance Testing for Thermoplastic Injection Molds
(Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico, 2020) Arias Geraldo, Pavel; Nieves Castro, Rafael A.
The injection molding process is the most important of all plastics processing processes due to its variety of uses and applications. The primary element of an injection molding process is the mold itself. Molds are expensive pieces of equipment that often cause their share of problems due to improper acceptance procedures. This research was limited to thermoplastic injection molds. The data was collected through interviews by phone. Practices with professionals during the acceptance process of a mold were discussed to gather an insight of the current situation. The results pointed out that many companies should implement and improve their acceptance procedures to avoid delays and money losses due to an improper methodology. A methodology was provided for molders based on scientific molding tests and it was evidenced that an acceptance procedure is needed for new molds. Key Terms ⎯ Acceptance testing, mold, plastic processing, scientific molding.
Accommodating expanding company personnel after office building space limit has been reached
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2016) Miranda Irizarry III, Jovino; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
For this project, the problem of needing to further hire employees after a company has reached its maximum employee limit was considered to be solved. Several options were put to use in an effort to stave off exceeding the limit thus risking business stagnation and losing projects to competitors. The objectives were met by a combination of sending employees to work from home, reorganizing the office layout, and reusing the cafeteria to make space for more desks. All these measures were taken at the expense of employee productivity/morale to various degrees, and as such, to ensure that the effect is not too drastic, an employee satisfaction survey was developed to be recurrently deployed between each process step. Other options considered, but not employed, included adding trailer space for rent and ultimately moving to a new building, the latter of which is still recommended if the hiring tendency is maintained. Key Terms ⎯ Employee limit, Office layout, Building capacity, Work-from-home.
Accurate deliverables bookkeeping for quality audit compliance
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2016) Negrón, Miguel E.; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
The inaccurate bookkeeping of deliverables can have a significant impact in a project’s performance. It puts the project manager in a difficult position to track effectively and efficiently the project’s progression and creates non-conformances in the company’s project execution process which puts the company’s quality standard at risk. To further understand this issue and reduce the number of non-conformances found by the Quality department audits, a Define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) was performed. From the study performed, it was found that by adding a mistake proofing into the bookkeeping process, through the creation and implementation of an MS Outlook macro, the number of findings or non-compliances of inaccurate deliverables bookkeeping was drastically reduced. Key Terms ⎯ Define-measure-analyze improve-control (DMAIC) phases, Deliverable, Mistake proofing, Process Performance and Capability.
Achieving High Performance Level for Remote Working
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2022) Reyes Castillo, Eduardo; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
After the COVID-19 pandemic many employees were forced to work from home. Most of these employees were showing low performance when working remotely. The low performance was associated with the different distracting factors depending on each individual. A small group of engineers were studied in an effort to help them regain performance when working remotely. It was found that with clear broken-down objectives, constant remote engagement, team progress monitoring and the correct tracking tool, high performance was achieved. Key Terms ⎯ Home distractions, Remote empathy, virtual collaboration, working afterhours, high performance.
ACI-HERZOG Pretreatment Plant Effluent Surfactant Reduction
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2021) Cardona Girona, Joshua; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
ACI-HERZOG is the firm contracted to maintain and operate the Puerto Rico Tren Urbano system. As part of their duties, they are required to wash down train cars periodically. The water generated from the wash down process must be treated for pH and temperature, in accordance with federal and state pretreatment regulations. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency released more strict regulations with regards to stormwater discharges. With the possibility of pretreatment standards also becoming more stringent, the firm may eventually be required to treat their process waters for surfactants. Thus, a proposal was put forth to install an activated carbon filtration system with a caustic soda regeneration system. To this end, company carwash effluent and surfactant data was compiled, and, through a series of volume conversions and surfactant calculations, it was determined that a skid mounted, double vessel 1 ton, 16 gallons per minute GAC system can achieve the project goal of reducing the surfactant levels in the carwash effluent by at least 50 % of its current average. Key Terms ⎯ Activated carbon, effluent, regeneration, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate.
Adequate Selection of Design Flood Frequencies for the Evaluation of Scour and Scour Countermeasures of Critical Bridges, and their Impact on the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority’s Bridge Program
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2023) Torres Ruiz, Carlos G; Villalta Calderón, Christian A.
Federal regulations require all bridges, over waterways, to be designed for scour resistance and all existing bridges to be evaluated for scour vulnerability. Scour evaluations are typically based on the hydraulic design flood frequency of a 100- year flood event. Existing bridges determined to be unstable due to observed scour or assessed high potential for scour are deemed scour critical. When designing a new bridge or evaluating a scour critical bridge to determine the total scour depth, the selection of a hydraulic design flood frequency is one of the most important parameters. Various equations to evaluate scour are available, however many of them are considered conservative and leading to overestimation of the scour total depth. This overestimation could have an impact on the Puerto Rico Bridge Program, which has almost 500 scour critical bridges, all requiring flood monitoring and, consequently, greater resources. Key Terms – Bridge Scour, Hydraulic Design Flood Frequency, Scour Total depth, Scour Critical Bridges.
Administración de los materiales y recursos humanos en construcción de viviendas
(Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico, 2023) Fernández R., Jorge V.; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
Este artículo presenta la aplicación de la metodología DMAIC para gestionar un proyecto de instalaciones mecánicas, eléctricas y de plomería (MEP). La metodología DMAIC se basa en la recopilación de datos que nos permita Definir, Medir, Analizar, Mejorar y Controlar para garantizar la rentabilidad del proyecto. El enfoque de esta metodología es identificar y eliminar ineficiencias mejorando la calidad y el rendimiento y así lograr minimizar las pérdidas de mano de obra y asegurar la finalización oportuna del proyecto. Para lograr estos objetivos, se llevó a cabo una evaluación exhaustiva del costo total del proyecto, teniendo en cuenta tanto los materiales como la mano de obra requerida. En la investigación se concluye que la comunicación efectiva, la gestión eficiente y la asignación adecuada de recursos son elementos cruciales para el éxito de los proyectos MEP. Se sugiere realizar mediciones más precisas y un análisis de costos más detallado en el futuro para mejorar aún más esta metodología y maximizar los resultados obtenidos. Términos clave ⎯ Análisis, Comunicación, Evaluación, Revisión
Administrative Strategies for Small Woodwork Business: Puertas y Diseños
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2014) Gómez Rosario, Edna N.; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
Puertas y Diseños is a woodwork business that has recently suffered financially from the deficiency of business. This paper presents the study of such woodwork business in order to provide alternatives to improve profitability. The objective was overview all alternatives to increase 10% of the business profits by 2015. The steps to achieve the objective were: analyze the actual functionality of the Puertas y Diseños, research many studies made for businesses with similar situations, and provide many alternatives to help increase profitability. The study concluded that the proper alternatives to increase profits for Puertas y Diseños are the recycling of materials, saving 2% in costs, and establishing the owner an annual salary $36,000. Using these alternatives at the end of the period August 2014-15, the business will gain an equivalent of 9.7% of yearly profits that is $3,724. Key Terms ⎯ Business Administration; Cost Control; Small Business; Woodwork.
Adopción y mejora de CRM en el ciclo de ventas de ACTEL SRL: Una plataforma unificada para la gestión y simplificación de interacciones
(Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico, 2023) Taveras Vargas, Héctor Ricardo; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
Este proyecto aborda los desafíos de eficiencia operativa de Actel SRL, una empresa tecnológica multinacional. Se propuso reducir en un 30% las interacciones del personal de ventas con plataformas comerciales mediante acciones estratégicas, tácticas operativas y comerciales. El análisis de la literatura destacó la importancia del CRM, señaló su complejidad y la necesidad de un marco sistemático. La metodología incluyó entrevistas, mapeo del ciclo de ventas y recomendaciones específicas. La conclusión resaltó la viabilidad de los objetivos del proyecto solamente con las acciones tácticas, aunque las estratégicas y comerciales son las que ofrecen los mayores beneficios a largo plazo. Al reducir las interacciones en un 30%, mediante las acciones recomendadas, se logró mejorar la eficiencia operacional y el clima organizacional en el área de ventas. Términos clave ⎯ gestión de relaciones, creación de valor, ecosistema, rentabilidad
Aero Repairs Documentation Cycle Time Reduction By Lean Application
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2014) Negrón Rivera, David A.; Torres, Edgar
In our daily life and world, with a diversity of industries and services, from health to manufacturing, all kind of products; many of them care apply Lean concepts or tools to perform important improvements to their service or products. Value Stream Map (VSM) is one of the lean tools than can help to reduce the problem discussed on this article “cycle time reduction. One of the major opportunities of Aero Consulting Company (X) is that the average cycle time of each project is around 280 days. The main goal of this project is to evaluate the current state and develop a future state VSM to reduce the cycle time by 40%. Currently delivery of each project consists of at least three milestones, named as: Early-Milestone (EM), Mid-Milestone (MM), and Final Milestone (FM). Each of these milestones has several delays, once the action items have been implemented the new cycle time will be reduced to 123 calendar days. This represent to an overall cycle time reduction of 56%. Key Terms - Cycle time, Lean, Manufacturing, VSM.
Agile Software Release Management
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2018) Cuesta, William R.; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
The Agile Software Release Management is a process standardization focused on how software is released in a manufactory using agile methods. The paper includes the development process with the data collected, the tools used, and the analysis of the results. The project’s main objectives were accomplished, however continuous evaluation of software release has to be undertaken.Key Terms ⎯ Agile, release, software, tools.
Aircraft Wing Spanwise Air-Load Distribution using MATLAB
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2014) Holguino Borda, Jonathan; Rodríguez, Héctor M.
Aircraft design is a complex task that involves the interaction between aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics and structures. In particular, the structural design tasks involve the consideration of a significant number of load conditions that affect the performance of the aircraft from the moment it takes off to the execution of its mission and eventual landing. A critical aspect in the design of aircraft structures is the determination of the aerodynamic loads. These loads are especially important for the design of air lifting components such as wings and tails. The required level of detail and accuracy for these loads depend on the stage in the design process. For example, during the concept and preliminary design stages, the aerodynamic loads could be estimated using simplified analytical approaches such as the Schrenck method, Diederich method, and Fourier series, among others. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development of a Matlab© tool to determine the air loads for the preliminary design of wing structures using the Shrenck method. The tool requires the user to provide basic geometric information about the wing and airfoil aerodynamic data. The output provides the wing lift, drag, shear, moment, and torsional loads distributions. This information can be used then by the structural designer to perform the structural evaluation of the wing structure. As shown in the article, the results compare very well to published results. Key Terms - Loads to Airplane, Lift to Spanwise, Matlab Airplane, Air-load Distribution.
Airfoil Design Using Blade Element Momentum Theory
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2015) Lobeto Sanfeliz, Rodrigo; Restrepo Torres, Bernardo
A wind turbine is a device designed to extract kinetic energy from the wind and convert it to mechanical energy, which in turn can be equivalent to electric power. On this work we will focus on the aerodynamics of wind turbines and on the overall effect that aerodynamic variables have on the rotor’s performance. For this purpose, test three (3) different airfoil configurations a rotor’s blade to determine which design will optimize our power production at the same time it reduces manufacturing costs and efforts. Key Terms - Betz Limit, Blade Element Momentum Theory, Blade Element Theory, Power Coefficient.
Algorithm for User-friendly Password Policy
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2017) Hernández Liang, Jorge; Cruz, Alfredo
Password based security has become prevalent as the de facto measure against intrusion. Computer systems rarely focus on usability, and little research has been done to change the current, near universal method of implementation. This paper explores the weaknesses found in password based systems and how they can be mitigated. This will conclude with a new set of algorithms for validating passwords and creating baselines for setting minimum required strengths for password defense. This new metric allows for a wider diversity of possible passwords while maintaining security by assigning value to certain characteristics and requiring a minimum amount of security be achieved before accepting the password instead of relying on static requirements in minimum length and presence of character types. The new approach embraces password diversity and allows for trade-offs of different password elements in order to allow users to use a wider array of strategies at the moment of generating their passwords. Key Terms  Computer Security, Passwords, Privacy, Usability.
Alternate Raw Material Supplier Validation
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2019) Valerín Díaz, Melissa; Nieves Castro, Rafael A.
This article discusses the Process Validation of Over the Counter Pharmaceutical Product using alternate supplier of raw material. The primary ibuprofen drug substance supplier for GSK Ibuprofen family products informed that they have not recovered from a natural disaster that impacted their facilities. As a result of this natural disaster, the supplier shut down production of ibuprofen indefinitely. In order to alleviate ibuprofen drug shortage imposed by primary supplier’s facility shut down, GSK Puerto Rico has identified potential alternate supplier of Ibuprofen for the current Ibuprofen OTC products. To conduct this project, DMAIC methodology was used in order to have a better understanding of the process to increase efficacy and identify areas of opportunity to improve. GSK Puerto Rico is responsible for the 100% of the Ibuprofen family products for US domestic sales and Ibuprofen family represents 58% of GSK 2019 volume plan. The company will be able to supply the expected volume of Ibuprofen family products to the customers and the volume plan will be achieved with the validation of alternate ibuprofen supplier for Ibuprofen family products. Key Terms - DMAIC, Process Validation, Raw Material, Supplier Qualification.