The results of the investigations into the technological formation of new wear-resistant polymer composites based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filled with disperse synthetic and natural compounds are presented. The efficiency of using PTFE composites reinforced with carbon fibers depends on many factors, which influence the significant improvement of physicomechanical characteristics. The results of this research allow stating that interfacial and surface phenomena of the polymer–solid interface and composition play a decisive role in PTFE composites properties. Fillers hinder the relative movement of the PTFE molecules past one another and, in this way, reduce creep or deformation of the parts, reducing the wear rate of parts used in dynamic applications as well as the coefficient of thermal expansion. The necessary structural parameters of such polymer composites are provided by regimes of process equipment.

The sharing economy is becoming increasingly popular in many sectors also thanks to the fact that not only young generation, but people of almost all ages are digitally literate, and therefore they readily participate in sharing economy practices. A very important part of their motivation comes from the knowledge that it is a great way to save money, but a no less important reason is the philosophical aspect, which is consistent with efforts to promote more sustainable consumption practices that prioritize access over ownership. The sharing economy has become a subject of interest not only among researchers and practitioners but also among policymakers and stakeholders who are concerned about the further extension of digital ecosystems. Fortunately, theorists from many fields, such as the commercial economy, gift economy, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, etc., pay due attention to this phenomenon. However, there is still room for focused exploration of this entrepreneurial and innovative approach from specific views in order to bring useful findings and insights on given issues. The intention of this study is to analyze the existing related literature and categorize sharing economy-based business models in relation to traditional business models. Potentially, this study can also contribute to a better understanding of the perspectives of the sharing economy in the transition of SMEs towards the Industry 4.0 paradigm.

In this study, a systematic review on production scheduling based on reinforcement learning (RL) techniques using especially bibliometric analysis has been carried out. The aim of this work is, among other things, to point out the growing interest in this domain and to outline the influence of RL as a type of machine learning on production scheduling. To achieve this, the paper explores production scheduling using RL by investigating the descriptive metadata of pertinent publications contained in Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. The study focuses on a wide spectrum of publications spanning the years between 1996 and 2024. The findings of this study can serve as new insights for future research endeavors in the realm of production scheduling using RL techniques.

Characterising existing approaches to operational complexity, it can be stated that for those metrics are characterful different factors used as variables such as product structure, machine composition, number of technological functions performed by machine, and others. Moreover, the complexity metrics using the information content as a basis can be divided into two groups: those which define complexity as an absolute entropy quantity, and metrics defining complexity as the relative entropy magnitude. Our view on the operational complexity is based on an assumption that process complexity value obtained as a sum of the partial complexities is not so important than a balanced operational complexity value expressing relative quantity to equilibrium levels. Accordingly, this paper introduces the novel operational complexity measure that initially identifies operational complexities of individual machines based on the number of parts, machines and operations. In the subsequent steps, these sub-measures are used to define summary complexity measure involving two balanced operational complexity characteristics. The novel measure can be effectively used to find the most suitable layout design alternative. For the purpose to prove its effectiveness, on two practical cases where tested its practicability by comparing it to the complexity indicator expressing the sum of the partial complexities.

This paper focuses on the modeling of assembly supply chain (ASC) systems in order to establish a framework generating topological classes of ASCs. Subsequently, structural parameters of the networks levels are explored with the aim to generate all possible non–repeated ASC structures. In this paper, we also define several structural complexity metrics indicators, such as the index of vertex degree that is adopted from the Shannon«s entropy theory as well as other pertinent complexity indicators. After the application of these indicators to ASC structures, we benchmark complexity indicators based on predefined criteria. Research results are especially applicable at the early configuration design stage to make a decision about a suitable networked manufacturing structure that will satisfy the production functional requirements and will make managerial tasks simpler and more cost effective.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) presents the key innovative solution to automatically capture and track the movement of material items throughout an entire supply chain. In this article, we explore influences of RFID technology implementation on cost and profit efficiencies. For this purpose a mathematical model of supply chain cost structure and functions was created to analyse the impacts. The model, which has also been verified through a case study approach, is aimed to examine the economical impact of RFID implementation at an automotive original equipment manufacturer and its suppliers. To analyse the impact of the traceability system using RFID technology, a cost reduction parameter will be used. Since in automotive supply chains the functional dependence of individual parts is changing in the upstream and downstream supply chain, only certain parts will be calculated with their complete functions and relations.