Likely France XI vs Scotland tonight

Following on from various training sessions throughout the week, France’s likely XI against Scotland tonight is as follows.

Lloris – Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra – Kanté, Matuidi, Pogba – Coman, Payet, Giroud.

Cabaye and Griezmann have a chance to make the first team for Les Bleus’s EURO 2016 opener, but otherwise, this is likely to be Deschamps’s first choice XI.

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Five Key Factors to Consider When Performing a Supplier Evaluation

Time to read: 5 min

A supplier evaluation uses both quantitative and qualitative data to assess a manufacturing partner. Quantitative data is numbers-based, or measurable, while qualitative data is descriptive, or language-based instead. For example, the percentage of on-time deliveries is quantitative, but testimonials about a supplier’s ability to fill orders with short lead times is qualitative — make sense?

If you’re looking for 3D printing, injection molding, CNC machining, or urethane casting services, you need to know whether a supplier can deliver on its promises. Because Fictiv works with a vetted network of manufacturing partners, we evaluate suppliers carefully and can help mitigate supply chain risks for you. 

If you’re looking for new suppliers, pay close attention to quality, capacity, risks, costs, and pricing, AKA the five key factors to consider in a supplier evaluation for a new or existing vendor.

Fictiv believes in radical transparency for production quality visibility. 

Quality

Quality is about more than getting good parts, but how does a supplier know that it’s sending you good parts, and what happens if you get bad parts instead? If a partner fails to meet quality requirements, can it pinpoint the reasons why? A supplier with a proven commitment to quality can answer these questions and provide documentation about part quality and their inspections.

When evaluating supplier quality, you should consider the following:

  • Quality management system
  • Quality control processes
  • Quality control documentation
  • Performance history
  • Product/service specifications
  • Samples

Here are some key considerations, questions to ask, and items to look for that will help you gain a good understanding of how a given supplier approaches quality:

Quality Management System

Ask about their quality management system (QMS), which contains their processes and procedures for ensuring quality. Has the supplier implemented a recognized quality standard such as ISO 9001? If so, has the supplier’s QMS been independently certified? Are there supplier audits you can review?

Quality Control Processes

Review the supplier’s quality control (QC) processes, including inspection methods, testing procedures, and quality assurance (QA) protocols. Find out how the supplier monitors and controls quality from the time your order arrives until your parts are shipped.

Quality Control Documentation

Request documentation such as part inspection reports and material certifications, then review these documents to verify that the supplier has processes in place and can provide evidence of compliance. For example, can the supplier furnish a certificate of analysis (COA) for a batch of USP Class VI medical plastics?

Performance History

Ask about the supplier’s performance history and request metrics such as their scrap rate. Also, consider how past quality issues could affect your own products. Suppliers won’t advertise their shortcomings, but those that are committed to continuous improvement have processes in place to track corrective actions and implement preventive measures.  

Product/Service Specifications

Define the level of quality that you expect from the supplier. Provide information such as part tolerances, allowable component or material substitutions, and any standards or ratings (such as UL 94 V0 flame resistance) that you need to meet.

Samples

Request samples to assess supplier quality firsthand. For example, if an injection molder claims to be able to provide parts with specific surface finishes, ask if samples with different finishes are available. If they’re not, are there photographs of past projects you could review? 

Capacity

Capacity is the maximum amount of production that a manufacturer can achieve or maintain. As a potential customer, you need to know what a supplier’s capacity means in terms of your business. For example, if an injection molder says they’re at 75% capacity, can it fill your current order on time and process a subsequent order that’s twice as large?

As a best practice, avoid choosing new suppliers who are at less than 60% capacity since a lack of demand could indicate a lack of competitiveness. If a supplier is over 80% capacity, however, you could risk production delays or stock-outs. This 60% to 80% “sweet spot” is a good general rule, but remember that this percentage will change over time — without proper capacity planning in place, a supplier may be unprepared.  

How can you evaluate a supplier’s capacity?

  • Ask about the supplier’s current production levels and whether they are typical.
  • Visit the supplier’s facility (if possible) and observe its production processes.
  • Evaluate the supplier’s ability to meet rush orders and adjust order quantities.
  • Consider how the supplier allocates resources, including personnel and materials.
  • Ask about the supplier’s inventory management practices, such as just-in-time inventory.
  • Assess the supplier’s financial stability and consider its ability to grow with you.

Fictiv secured $100M in funding to solve supply chain risks and accelerate time to market.

Risks

Supplier risks are wide-ranging and include everything from material shortages to human-caused and natural disasters. As a potential customer, it’s your job to evaluate supplier risks in terms of the following:

  • Visibility
  • Delivery
  • Market fluctuations
  • Image and compliance

Naturally, there’s some overlap with quality and capacity considerations. By compiling a supplier scorecard, however, you can evaluate individual suppliers and compare them.

Visibility

For publicly-traded companies, annual revenues and growth forecasts are usually available online. Determining the financial situation of a privately-held company is more challenging, but this lack of visibility is an opportunity to evaluate a supplier based on its openness to your inquiries.

Delivery

What is the supplier’s on-time delivery performance, and how could a human-caused or natural disaster affect this? For example, if a potential supplier is located on the U.S. Gulf Coast, does the company have a disaster plan for hurricanes?

Market Fluctuations

Material prices and labor rates have risen in recent years. In addition to asking how a supplier avoids stockouts, find out if there have been recent price increases. Also, at a time when skilled labor is especially hard to find, is the supplier struggling to find workers? 

Image and Compliance

A supplier’s legal, environmental, or regulatory violations could pose a risk to your company’s reputation. A business that’s facing fines or legal fees may also pass along some of those costs to customers. As part of your due diligence, it’s best to review the supplier’s history.

The DFM assistance that Fictiv provides helps designers to reduce CNC machining costs.

Costs and Pricing

Last but not least, evaluate suppliers in terms of costs and pricing, but don’t look at these numbers alone. Smaller manufacturers with fewer employees and less overhead may be able to offer lower prices, but can they maintain them? Also, partnering with a small supplier can become a big problem if your orders are a major part of its business. Without adequate cash flow from other sources, the company may not be able to order the materials that you need.

Conversely, a large supplier may be too busy to provide your order with the attention that it deserves. Or, you could become dependent on a workforce or equipment set that is difficult to replace. Paying more for critical parts from a large supplier can be difficult, but it can also lower your risk exposure. With large companies, it’s usually best to be in the top third of a supplier’s business by volume. Generally, you’ll receive better service this way and are less likely to be dropped in favor of a larger customer.    

Simplify Supplier Evaluation and Get the Parts You Need

Supplier evaluations are complicated, and there’s more to consider than whether you receive good parts at the lowest price. For example, if you need design for manufacturing (DFM) assistance, will you be able to get it? Fictiv works with a carefully vetted network of expert manufacturing partners and provides DFM assistance along with our response to your request for a quote. We can also help you go from prototype to production, seamlessly. 

For complex parts at ridiculous speeds, and for less stress during supplier selection, create a Fictiv account and upload your part drawing today — discover the Fictiv difference!

Official | Benjamin Mendy joins AS Monaco

AS Monaco have announced the signing of French youth international left-back Benjamin Mendy on a five year contract.

The 21 year old joins from Marseille for a fee believed to be worth around the €15m mark.

Mendy had been hoping to join a Premier League club, but no interested English party was willing to bid sufficiently for the player within Marseille’s required timeline.

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Official | Lucas Lima joins Nantes

Ligue 1 side Nantes have officially announced the signing of Brazilian left-back Lucas Lima from Portuguese side Arouca.

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The 24 year old has signed a four year contract with Les Canaris and Lima will wear the number six shirt.

He serves as a replacement for Emir Lenjani, who Nantes decided they were not going to attempt to sign after his loan spell from Rennes during the 2015/16 campaign.

Fictiv Appoints Former Twilio Executive Lynda Smith to Board of Directors

Time to read: 2 min

SAN FRANCISCO – March 10, 2023 – Fictiv, the operating system for custom manufacturing, today announced the appointment of Lynda Smith to its Board of Directors.

Smith brings over 35 years of experience in product, marketing, sales, and general management across a diverse set of hardware and software industries and has spent over 25 years working in the area of high-technology products and services. In her capacity as Chief Marketing Officer for several industry-leading companies, including Twilo, Jive, Genpact, Nuance, and Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Smith has successfully driven product marketing, product management, corporate marketing, field marketing, demand creation, channel marketing, developer outreach, marketing research, strategy development, and M&A.

“I’m honored to join the board of directors at an esteemed digital manufacturing company like Fictiv and am looking forward to contributing to its continued success,” said Smith. “I am eager to leverage my experience and partner with the talented individuals on the board to drive growth, innovation, and shareholder value.”

Smith’s global background is extensive with hands-on work in the U.S., Europe, India, China, and other major markets. Today, Smith serves as a consultant for Unity Technologies and is an advisor for a variety of developer-focused companies from low-code development platforms to smart contracts and cryptocurrency. Smith is on the Boards of Coderpad and Clickatell and teaches as a lecturer in the Engineering School at Stanford University.

About Fictiv

Fictiv is the operating system (OS) for custom manufacturing that makes it faster, easier, and more efficient to source and supply mechanical parts. Its intelligent OS, supported by best-in-class operations talent, orchestrates a network of highly vetted and managed partners around the globe for fast, high-quality manufacturing, from quote to delivery. To date, Fictiv has manufactured more than 20 million parts for early-stage companies and large enterprises alike, helping them innovate with agility and get products to market faster.

Liverpool keep tabs on Moussa Sissoko

Newcastle’s midfielder Moussa Sissoko remains on Liverpool’s shortlist for summer transfer window targets, according to L’Équipe.

The Magpies have already rejected a proposal from Hamburg worth €12m, with Rafa Benitez ideally wanting to keep the player on their books as they fight on in the second division of English football next season.

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Sissoko has no intention of remaining on Tyneside, hoping to find a club with European football for the 2016/17.

MAIN TYPES OF POWER PLANTS AND THEIR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

Main Types of Power Plants and Their Architectural Features

Main Types of Power Plants and Their Architectural Features

Power plants are the backbone of modern energy infrastructure, supplying electricity to industries, homes, and public services. These plants are designed to convert various forms of energy into electrical power efficiently and reliably. Depending on the energy source, power plants vary significantly in their architecture, operational features, and environmental impact.

1. Thermal Power Plants

Thermal power plants are the most widely used type of power plants globally. These plants generate electricity by burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, or oil to produce steam that drives turbines connected to generators.

Architectural Features:

Boilers and Steam Turbines: The main components include massive boilers to generate steam and turbines to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy.

Cooling Towers: Essential for dissipating excess heat, these structures dominate the architecture of most thermal power plants.

Fuel Storage and Handling: Thermal plants require extensive infrastructure for storing and transporting fuel, including large tanks and pipelines.

 

Thermal power plants are often criticized for their environmental impact, but advancements in technology are improving their efficiency and reducing emissions. For example, modern thermal plants are integrating waste-to-energy power plant construction principles to convert industrial and municipal waste into fuel, reducing landfill usage while generating electricity.

2. Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear power plants generate electricity through nuclear fission reactions, where atoms are split to release massive amounts of energy. These plants are known for their high energy output and relatively low carbon emissions.

Architectural Features:

Reactor Buildings: The reactors, housed in reinforced concrete buildings, are designed to contain radiation and prevent environmental contamination.

Cooling Systems: Similar to thermal plants, nuclear power plants use extensive cooling systems to manage the heat produced during fission.

Containment Domes: These domes are critical for safety, shielding the environment from potential radiation leaks.

 

Nuclear power plants require meticulous planning and robust safety measures. While the initial construction cost is high, the operational cost is relatively low, making them a reliable source of clean energy.

3. Hydroelectric Power Plants

Hydroelectric power plants use the kinetic energy of flowing water to generate electricity. These plants are widely used due to their renewable energy source and low operational costs.

Architectural Features:

Dams and Reservoirs: The dam stores water in a reservoir, creating potential energy that is converted into electricity when the water flows through turbines.

Turbines and Generators: Located at the base of the dam, these components are essential for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Spillways: These structures are designed to manage water flow and prevent flooding during heavy rainfall.

 

Hydroelectric power plants are typically large and require significant infrastructure investment. They are most effective in areas with consistent water flow, but their construction can disrupt ecosystems and displace communities.

4. Renewable Energy Plants

Renewable energy plants, such as solar, wind, and geothermal plants, are becoming increasingly popular due to their minimal environmental impact and sustainability.

Solar Power Plants:

Photovoltaic Arrays: Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, often covering vast areas in deserts or rural regions.

Energy Storage Systems: Batteries store excess energy for use during low sunlight periods.

Wind Power Plants:

Turbines: Large wind turbines capture wind energy and convert it into electricity.

Grid Connections: Wind farms require robust infrastructure to transmit electricity to the grid.

Geothermal Power Plants:

Drilling Infrastructure: Wells are drilled into geothermal reservoirs to access heat from beneath the Earth’s surface.

Turbines and Heat Exchangers: These systems convert geothermal energy into electricity.

 

Renewable energy plants are often built in decentralized power plant configurations, where smaller plants are distributed across various locations instead of relying on a single large facility. This approach improves grid stability, reduces transmission losses, and enhances energy accessibility in remote areas.

5. Waste-to-Energy Power Plants

Waste-to-energy power plants are a unique type of facility that converts municipal solid waste into electricity. These plants play a dual role in waste management and energy production.

Architectural Features:

Incinerators: These systems burn waste at high temperatures, reducing its volume and generating heat for electricity production.

Air Pollution Control Systems: Filters and scrubbers minimize emissions and comply with environmental regulations.

Energy Recovery Systems: These systems capture heat generated during incineration and convert it into electricity.

 

The efficiency of a waste-to-energy power plant depends on advanced technologies, such as heat recovery systems and optimized combustion processes. These plants are increasingly being adopted as a sustainable solution to manage urban waste while addressing energy shortages.

6. Combined Cycle Power Plants

Combined cycle power plants utilize both gas and steam turbines to maximize energy output from a single fuel source. They are highly efficient and commonly used for natural gas-based electricity generation.

Architectural Features:

Gas Turbines and Heat Recovery Systems: Gas turbines generate electricity, while waste heat is captured and used to power a steam turbine.

Cooling Towers: Essential for managing the heat produced during the combined cycle process.

Compact Design: These plants are often smaller in size compared to traditional thermal plants.

 

Combined cycle power plants are known for their high energy efficiency and lower emissions compared to conventional thermal plants. They represent a step forward in sustainable energy generation.

7. Decentralized Power Plant Configurations

In recent years, the concept of decentralized power plant configurations has gained momentum. This approach involves building smaller power plants closer to the point of energy consumption rather than relying on large centralized facilities. Decentralized configurations offer several benefits:

Reduced Transmission Losses: Electricity does not need to travel long distances, improving overall efficiency.

Increased Resilience: Power generation is distributed, reducing the impact of outages at a single location.

Enhanced Scalability: Smaller plants can be easily added to meet growing energy demands.

 

Decentralized configurations are particularly effective for renewable energy plants and microgrids, where flexibility and adaptability are critical.

Conclusion

The architectural features of power plants are as diverse as the energy sources they utilize. From traditional thermal and nuclear plants to innovative waste-to-energy facilities and renewable energy systems, each type of power plant plays a vital role in meeting global energy needs. Advanced technologies, such as waste-to-energy power plant construction, decentralized power plant configurations, and innovations improving the efficiency of a waste-to-energy power plant, are shaping the future of energy infrastructure. As we transition toward a more sustainable energy landscape, the continued evolution of power plant architecture will be key to achieving our environmental and energy goals.