Research Article
Geometric Design of Bread in Iran: A Mathematical Approach to Waste Reduction and Supply Chain Efficiency
Majid Ghorbani*
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
43-48
Received:
24 August 2025
Accepted:
9 September 2025
Published:
9 October 2025
Abstract: Bread plays a vital role in the Iranian diet, yet the country faces significant challenges in flour consumption and bread waste. While cultural and nutritional aspects of bread have been extensively studied, the impact of its geometric design has received limited scholarly attention. This paper employs a mathematical approach to examine how the geometry of bread influences production efficiency, packaging, storage, and shelf life in Iran. By analyzing common Iranian bread types—including Sangak, Barbari, Lavash, and Taftoon—and comparing them with international examples such as baguettes in France, shokupan in Japan, tortillas in Mexico, and naan in India, the study demonstrates that geometric form is directly linked to flour efficiency and waste reduction. Using mathematical concepts—particularly surface-to-volume ratio analysis and optimization principles—the research highlights the potential of adopting standardized geometric designs to minimize staling, improve storage density, and reduce distribution losses. Findings suggest that moderately thick, rectangular flatbreads with perforations can balance cultural traditions with modern efficiency by slowing moisture loss while improving stackability and packaging fit. Beyond technical implications, the study offers practical recommendations for policymakers and bakers, indicating how geometry-based innovation can complement existing quality and behavior interventions to address Iran’s flour-waste challenge. Overall, the paper contributes to food engineering and supply-chain scholarship and underscores the importance of geometric design as a tractable, data-driven lever for waste reduction in the Iranian bread system.
Abstract: Bread plays a vital role in the Iranian diet, yet the country faces significant challenges in flour consumption and bread waste. While cultural and nutritional aspects of bread have been extensively studied, the impact of its geometric design has received limited scholarly attention. This paper employs a mathematical approach to examine how the geo...
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Research Article
Mathematical Model of the Assembly Robot Performance in Automated Manufacturing
Kizito Paul Mubiru*,
Nalubowa Maureen Ssempijja
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
49-58
Received:
23 September 2025
Accepted:
5 October 2025
Published:
30 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.mma.20251003.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Robot performance in automated manufacturing supports the competitive edge in manufacturing industries, enhancing customer sustainability and reducing operational costs. The robot cell controller must therefore optimize the operational tasks in the assembly of components or parts of the product to support automated manufacturing strategies for the manufacturing plant. This study proposes a Markov decision process model for robot performance in a steel assembly plant. The performance of the robot is characterized as a Markov chain, and its operational cost matrix represents the expected reward for the Markov decision process problem. This study utilized hourly data for two consecutive weeks. The principal challenge addressed focused on determining the best product assembly option to reduce the assembly expenses of the robot cell. We considered a multi-period planning horizon, where the optimal decision was determined for assembling or not assembling additional products based on the demand and availability of finished assembled products. The model was tested, and the results demonstrated the existence of an optimal state-dependent decision and assembly expenditure of managing the robot cell of the steel assembly plant. As a cost optimization strategy for managing robot cells, improved efficiency and resource utilization for assembled products were realized, supporting automated manufacturing initiatives of the steel assembly plant used in the case study.
Abstract: Robot performance in automated manufacturing supports the competitive edge in manufacturing industries, enhancing customer sustainability and reducing operational costs. The robot cell controller must therefore optimize the operational tasks in the assembly of components or parts of the product to support automated manufacturing strategies for the ...
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