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In recent years, efforts have been made to produce advanced composite materials in order to lessen environmental impact and to extent sustainability. Traditional materials are largely substituted by composites due to their greater properties like flexural strength, low thermal expansion and high strength. Numerous studies are present that show the process of composite materials reinforcement with natural fiber to improve mechanical and thermal properties. The vital aspect of exploitation of natural fiber in composites is associated with biodegradability. An extensive range of different natural fibers has been used for reinforcement till now. In present work, mechanical properties of jute fiber reinforced epoxy and polyester composites manufactured using Taguchi optimization method are investigated, experimentally. It was found that jute reinforced epoxy composite had better mechanical properties than jute polyester composite. Also, Epoxy-jute composite had lower erosion wear rate than polyester jute composites.

It is a commonly visible scenario in todays' market, especially in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), where the focus is on quantity rather than quality. This paper explains the common high rejection problem of a SME and how the productivity levels were enhanced after the successful implementation of Six-Sigma DMAIC methodology. Once the project completion industry was able to acquire many tangible and intangible benefits, this paper offers a systematic step by step illustration of DMAIC methodology to help the other firms start similar productivity improvement initiatives.

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Six-Sigma is a statistical attitude -not judgment or sentiment. It is about statistical facts that assist the authorities to spotlight their concentration on the progression arrangement rather than on individuals and get assessments based on reality and unbiased information but not on impracticable prospects. Six-Sigma is an integrated approach to involve everything within the organization for reducing defects and variation. It is a combination of all efforts in an association for quality enhancement, quality progress and quality protection to reach the optimum clients satisfaction. The primary objective of Six-Sigma methodology is always directed towards the perfection at any level whether financial or non-financial. Putting efforts rightly and maintaining consistency are the basic concepts behind successful implementation of Six-Sigma. The present work provides a way to examine the Six-Sigma practice in a manufacturing firm with the use of statistical thinking in getting high quality products by reducing the variation and ultimately increasing profit.

1.Six Sigma within small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is rapidly emerging as the new wave of change in Six Sigma. The methodology adopted is Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) of Six Sigma which had been mostly successful so far in large-scale industries. The methodology has been applied to reduce the rejection rate of the engine mounting bracket (EMB) by reducing defects inherent in the processes. The application of Six Sigma project recommendation brought up the process sigma level to 5.24 from 1.64 by reduction in EMB hole diameter variation in the process of machining after die casting. This increase in the sigma level is equivalent to a monitory saving of Rs. 0.260 million per annum which is a noteworthy figure for an industry of such level. This paper provides documented evidence of Six Sigma implementation in a die casting manufacturing unit which has been taken as a representative of a small-and medium-size industry.

Six Sigma is the concept of improving the quality by reducing process variations, making continuous improvements, reducing defect rates and improving the processes. Initially, the concept of Six Sigma focused on defect reduction, cost reduction and value addition. Fundamentally the basic idea of Six Sigma is to improve the process-capability and making the process more reliable along with reducing wastes within industries. Evaluation the implication of applying Six Sigma over the small and medium-sized enterprises is the main purpose of this research work taking a particular case of automobile industries. In the present work, DMAIC methodology of Six Sigma is used to a small seat slider lock nut manufacturing unit to reduce the play issue in K2 seat slider lock in automobile units by reducing defects inherent in the process. After applying Six Sigma methodology, it was found that manufacturing units could earn profits in terms of reducing the wastage as well as improving the quality standard of the product by controlling the play issue in seat slider lock nut mechanism. Result shows that with the application of Six Sigma, process, sigma level brought up to 5.53σ from 1.59σ by varying the seat slider lock nut dimensions/size.