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A Game Theoretic Approach In Green Supply Chain Management, Hong Shi
A Game Theoretic Approach In Green Supply Chain Management, Hong Shi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Common social issues are usually criticized considering the potential interrelationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and supply chain management. Companies and manufacturers in supply chain networks have been pressured by a growing concern for CSR from governments, organizations, and consumer, and have to bear at least some CSR under policies and regulations. However, naturally, members in a decentralized supply chain network make decisions to maximize their individual net profits. This thesis aims to allocate CSR to members in a non-integrated supply chain over time. Specifically, we formulate a model that crosses through multi-periods by a dynamic discreet Stackelberg game. We …
Development Of Manufacturing Cells Using An Artificial Ant-Based Algorithm With Different Similarity Coefficients, Mohammed Taboun
Development Of Manufacturing Cells Using An Artificial Ant-Based Algorithm With Different Similarity Coefficients, Mohammed Taboun
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Although there exists several ways of solving the cellular manufacturing problem, including several ant-based algorithms, many of these algorithms focus on obtaining the best possible answer instead of efficiency. An existing artificial-ant based algorithm AntClass, was modified so that it is easier to manipulate. AntClass uses Euclidean vectors to measure the similarity between parts, because similarity is used to group parts together instead of distances, the modified version uses similarity coefficients. The concept of heaping clusters was also introduced to ant algorithms for cellular manufacturing. Instead of using Euclidean vectors to measure the distance to the center of a heap, …
Relating Additive And Subtractive Processes Teleologically For Hybrid Design And Manufacturing, Victoria Townsend
Relating Additive And Subtractive Processes Teleologically For Hybrid Design And Manufacturing, Victoria Townsend
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research proposes a methodology for hybrid design and manufacturing -- connecting processes, and silos of information, in a shared system that maximizes the strengths of each process. Additive and subtractive processes (i.e. fused deposition modeling and CNC machining) are focused on in this research. The foundation for the hybrid methodology is a teleological system, which defines a context for interrelationships whereby impact and value can be understood and assessed. Decision making is organized in the analytic hierarchy process, harnessing knowledge of the aforementioned processes to effectively manage complexity in modules and efficiently design and manufacture a part with the …
Stressors, Strains And Social Support: Occupational Experiences Of University Professors, Christin Moeller
Stressors, Strains And Social Support: Occupational Experiences Of University Professors, Christin Moeller
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Recent research investigations indicate that academic work-stress is a significant and growing problem for university professors, with numerous ill effects. General work-stress studies suggest that social support may buffer the negative effect of occupational demands. However, research examining the role of social support on academic work-stress is lacking. The present investigation examined how social support at work from various sources (i.e., colleagues, Department Head, and University Administration) affects the stress experience of university faculty. Questionnaires assessing academic stressors, workplace social support, and several strains were administered to professors of various ranks and specialties. Results indicate that social support at work …
Joint Multi-Item Storage Location Assignment Capacitated Lot Sizing Problem, Sarina Turner
Joint Multi-Item Storage Location Assignment Capacitated Lot Sizing Problem, Sarina Turner
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research develops and solves a mathematical model that combines a dynamic storage location assignment problem with a multi-item capacitated lot sizing problem. The joint multi-item storage location assignment capacitated lot sizing problem aims to model a production warehouse coordinating production with warehouse layout. It examines when to produce an item and how much to produce, then once the item is produced where to place the item in the warehouse. This problem was formulated as a mixed integer program and the objective function was to minimize the costs of production, setup, storage/ retrieval, and handling, and also to implement a …
Analysis, Modeling And Improvement Of Patient Discharge Process In A Regional Hospital, Nancy Khurma
Analysis, Modeling And Improvement Of Patient Discharge Process In A Regional Hospital, Nancy Khurma
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents results of a study conducted jointly with a regional hospital and concerned with the inpatient discharge process. A thorough mapping of the existing process flow and analysis of 1700 historical cases were conducted. Results revealed that in its current form the process is inadequately defined, lacks consistency, and its performance is hard to predict. These issues cause inpatient overstays past their prescribed acute care (so called Alternative Level of Care, or ALC days) and thus at least 8% of available hospital bed capacity is wasted. Key factors extending unnecessary patient stays were identified and used as predictors …
Reliability Consideration In The Design Of Cellular Manufacturing Systems Using Genetic Algorithm, Xiao Wang
Reliability Consideration In The Design Of Cellular Manufacturing Systems Using Genetic Algorithm, Xiao Wang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Note: appendices for this title available . This thesis proposes a multi-objective, mixed integer, non-linear programming model of cellular manufacturing systems (CMS) design to maximize the system reliability and minimize the total system cost simultaneously. The model involves multiple machine types, multiple machines for each machine type, multiple part types, and alternative process routes for each part type. Each process route consists of a sequence of operations. System reliability associated with machines along process routes can be improved by increasing the number of parallel machines subject to acceptable cost. Assuming machine reliability to follow a lognormal distribution, the CMS design …
Supply Planning For A Closed Loop System With Uncertain Demand And Return, Sanjida Sharmin Rouf
Supply Planning For A Closed Loop System With Uncertain Demand And Return, Sanjida Sharmin Rouf
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This proposed model considers a supply network consisting of a manufacturer, its external suppliers, and a remanufacturing facility. The manufacturer, facing an uncertain market demand and return, has two options for supplying parts: either ordering the required parts to external suppliers or remanufacturing used products and bringing those back to 'as new' conditions. We propose a general framework for this multi product, closed loop system and develop a non-linear programming (NLP) model to maximize the total expected profit by optimally deciding quantity of parts to be remanufactured and quantity of parts to be purchased from external suppliers. We solved the …
Worker Scheduling With Induced Learning In A Semi-On-Line Setting, Patrick Rodd
Worker Scheduling With Induced Learning In A Semi-On-Line Setting, Patrick Rodd
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Scheduling is a widely researched area with many interesting fields. The presented research deals with a maintenance area in which preventative maintenance and emergency jobs enter the system. Each job has varying processing time and must be scheduled. Through learning the operators are able to expand their knowledge which enables them to accomplish more tasks in a limited time. Two MINLP models have been presented, one for preventative maintenance jobs alone, and another including emergency jobs. The emergency model is semi-on-line as the arrival time is unknown. A corresponding heuristic method has also been developed to decrease the computational time …
Modeling Of High Speed Water Jets In Air, Anirban Guha
Modeling Of High Speed Water Jets In Air, Anirban Guha
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
High speed water jets in air are typically used in industrial cleaning operations. Vigorous interaction between the jet and the surrounding air brings about an exchange of mass and momentum which results in the spreading of the jet. An experimental investigation of pressure distribution on a target plate placed in the jet flow field has been performed and analyzed. The main purpose of this research is to numerically simulate the flow characteristics of high speed water jets in air. Since, to the best of our knowledge, there is no numerical model to describe the flow physics of high speed jets, …
New Mathematical Model For Assessment Of Concurrent Engineering., Guoli Jian
New Mathematical Model For Assessment Of Concurrent Engineering., Guoli Jian
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Recently, global competition has led to shorter product life cycles and increased technological sophistication. Products are becoming more complex due to rapid technological developments and increasing consumer demands for lower costs, greater variety, and greater performance. At the same time the proliferation of new technologies is rendering products obsolete at an increasingly rapid pace. These market and technology trends lead to the emerging of concurrent engineering. This thesis firstly will give a definition and briefly introduction of concurrent engineering, including its fundamentals, and the benefits of concurrent engineering, its difficulties and caveats. After that this thesis will introduce an implementation …
Modeling And Analysis Of A Reverse Supply Chain Network For Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturing., Hailun (Helen) Zhang
Modeling And Analysis Of A Reverse Supply Chain Network For Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturing., Hailun (Helen) Zhang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The North American lead-acid battery industry gains its environmental edge from its employment of closed-loop life cycle production. Nowadays, the typical new lead-acid battery contains 60 to 80 percent recycled lead and plastics. In this thesis, the closed-loop supply chain of a lead-acid battery manufacturing process has been investigated which extends the traditional supply chain to the entire product life cycle. A new tactical planning model has been developed for the entire closed-loop manufacturing process including purchasing, production, and end-of-life product return and recycling. The model is a multi-objective, multi-echelon mixed integer linear programming model, which minimizes the total costs …
Six Sigma Methodology In Automobile Industry., Muhammad Hasib
Six Sigma Methodology In Automobile Industry., Muhammad Hasib
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In a mature industry like the Truck industry, competition is getting harder and harder. A few strong manufactures are doing there very best to cut cost in order to gain market shares from the others within the market. To be able to generate cost Savings Company must be flexible & prepare to adapt & implement new ideas. This thesis was carried out at the International Truck & Engine Corporation Garland Assembly Plant, Texas, which employs 1000 employees. The Plant Assembles Heavy duty & Severe service Trucks. The purpose of this Research is to Investigate, Study, & analyzes the existing process …
Quality Prediction In Manufacturing System Design., Omayma Abdel Aziz Nada
Quality Prediction In Manufacturing System Design., Omayma Abdel Aziz Nada
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Manufacturing system design can significantly affect the resulting product quality level. Therefore, the early prediction of product quality, as affected by manufacturing system configuration decisions, can enhance the manufacturer's competitiveness through achieving higher quality levels at lower costs in a responsive manner. In this research, a conceptual framework is proposed for the proactive assessment of product quality in terms of the manufacturing system configuration parameters. A new comprehensive model that can be used in comparing different system configurations based on quality is developed using Analytic Hierarchy Process. In addition, a hierarchical fuzzy inference system is developed to model the ill-defined …
Modeling Reliability Considerations In The Design And Analysis Of Cellular Manufacturing Systems., Kanchan Kumar Das
Modeling Reliability Considerations In The Design And Analysis Of Cellular Manufacturing Systems., Kanchan Kumar Das
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Reliability plays a vital role in the overall performance of cellular manufacturing systems (CMSs). Machine failures significantly impact the fulfillment of due dates and other performance criteria, despite the option of part rerouting to alternative workstations. These facts suggest a need for the consideration of machine reliability during the operation allocation process. Attempting to improve a system's reliability invariably results in higher costs. It follows that the ideal strategy for achieving optimum balance lies in an approach that integrates both cost and reliability information. A mixed integer multi-objective mathematical programming model that incorporates machine reliability and cost considerations is developed …
Evaluation Of The Reliability Of An Ergonomic Decision System., Derek Ian Dawson
Evaluation Of The Reliability Of An Ergonomic Decision System., Derek Ian Dawson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
A novel approach deemed the Ergonomic Decision System (EDS) was designed to address the physical requirements of modern industry. The EDS, as the name implies, is a system that uses a series of questions and resulting choices to determine the path to the most appropriate ergonomic analysis tool for a given occupational task. The face validity of the EDS has been established through an extensive review of literature. Reliability was evaluated both within and between subjects. In two facilities, 6 Jobs were chosen based upon both injury and illness data and the differing physical requirements of each. These Jobs were …
Quality Control And Improvement Of The Aluminum Alloy Castings For The Next Generation Of Engine Block Cast Components., Robin Francis
Quality Control And Improvement Of The Aluminum Alloy Castings For The Next Generation Of Engine Block Cast Components., Robin Francis
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research focuses on the quality control and improvement of the W319 aluminum alloy engine blocks produced at the NEMAK Windsor Aluminum Plant (WAP). The present WAP Quality Control (QC) system was critically evaluated using the cause and effect diagram and therefore, a novel Plant Wide Quality Control (PWQC) system is proposed. This new QC system presents novel tools for off line as well as on line quality control. The off line tool uses heating curve analysis for the grading of the ingot suppliers. The on line tool utilizes Tukey control charts of the Thermal Analysis (TA) parameters for statistical …
A Unified Robotic Kinematic Simulation Interface., Zhongqing Ding
A Unified Robotic Kinematic Simulation Interface., Zhongqing Ding
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Robotic controller and application programming have evolved along with the application of computer technologies. A PC-based, open architecture controller, off-line programming and simulation system integrated in "one-box" solution presents the latest advancement in robotics. Open architecture controllers have been proven essential for all aspects of reconfiguration in future manufacturing systems. A Unified Reconfigurable Open Control Architecture (UROCA) research project is under way within the Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) Centre at the University of Windsor. Applications are for industrial robotic, CNC, and automotive control systems. The UROCA proposed architecture is a reconfigurable system that takes the advantages of different control structure …
Improving Enterprise Business Processes With Systems Analysis And Design Methodologies And Tools., Anas Radwan Kazaal
Improving Enterprise Business Processes With Systems Analysis And Design Methodologies And Tools., Anas Radwan Kazaal
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Enterprises have to be organized in a business process oriented way. This is in order to be successful in a changing and challenging business environment including uncertainty and complexity in managing business and manufacturing processes. The main objective of this thesis is to implement comprehensive modelling methodologies and tools that capture all useful information included within the enterprise business processes. This has been achieved first through implementing the Systems Analysis and Design (SAD) methodologies and tools for integrating the business design processes. The implementation should recognize the enterprise organization view, data and information view, function view, and also product/service view. …
Triz Theory And Automotive Safety Systems Development, Lu Wang
Triz Theory And Automotive Safety Systems Development, Lu Wang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Engineering design tasks involve a wide range of theories and methods. Most of the existing engineering practices aim at mapping given requirements and demands into a list of specifications describing a feasible product. Nevertheless, formal design theories are only available at later design phases, which are performed after a feasible design concept has been proposed and verified. The bottleneck of new product development projects usually lies in the generation of initial feasible concepts. Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), originated in Russia, was developed to address this issue of generating the initial concepts. In this thesis, we analyze the development …
Decision Making In Complex Collaborative Engineering Design., Jing Gao
Decision Making In Complex Collaborative Engineering Design., Jing Gao
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Engineering design process has often been an independent decision-making process, in which mainly design engineers are involved. With the market globalization and increasing competition, in order to fully satisfy the customers' requirements, products become more and more customized and complex. Therefore, it is impossible for most design tasks to be performed following traditional procedures to meet those requirements. An integrated approach is needed to deal with this issue. Currently, there are many researchers working on complexity, collaboration, negotiation, and decision-making problems respectively. But none of the researchers considered all of them together. This should be the approach to solve the …
An Innovative Engineering Design Model By The Aid Of Triz Methodology And Cae Technology., Ning (Nathan) Yu
An Innovative Engineering Design Model By The Aid Of Triz Methodology And Cae Technology., Ning (Nathan) Yu
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents research that advocates process, methods and new technology for performance related robustness improvements in product development. Rapid advances in technology in recent years have set new demands on product development. As a consequence, an increasing variety of products are built on heterogeneous technologies. Specialists from different engineering disciplines must cooperate to a greater extent than before in order to understand the products. Increased cooperation and heterogeneous technologies in products set high demands on rapid product development models in order to deliver products of high quality in short lead time, at low cost. One of the most important …
Effect Of Lead-Time Variations On The Operations Of Supply Chain Networks., Niloofar Mahmoudi
Effect Of Lead-Time Variations On The Operations Of Supply Chain Networks., Niloofar Mahmoudi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis focuses on analyzing the value of information sharing on supply chain network. A multi-stage, multi-period, multi-product, inventory-planning model with seasonal demand is used to study the impact of information sharing and lead-time variations on the operational costs of supply chain network. A mixed-integer programming model is used to integrate the production and distribution planning processes throughout the supply chain. The results of the model confirm that using updated demand information may cause a considerable reduction in the forecast errors which has an order-of-magnitude effect on overall cost reduction throughout the supply chain. Paremetric analysis is performed to study …
Optimal Acquisition Policy For A Supply Network With Discount Schemes And Uncertain Demands., Liping Ma
Optimal Acquisition Policy For A Supply Network With Discount Schemes And Uncertain Demands., Liping Ma
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study uses a mathematical programming approach in which a series of Mixed Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) models are developed to represent a supply network for a manufacturer dealing with various quantity or volume discount schemes from suppliers, as well as incorporating uncertain product demands that follow Normal distributions. Furthermore, the manufacturer's optimal acquisition policy and production level are obtained simultaneously by solving the models with an objective of maximizing the expected value of the manufacturer's profit. Although complicated by the employment of an integration function, the mathematical models are solved by a GAMS program with integrated SBB, CONOPT, MINOS, …
Meanings Of Workplace Bullying: Labelling Versus Experiencing And The Belief In A Just World., Jennifer W. Out
Meanings Of Workplace Bullying: Labelling Versus Experiencing And The Belief In A Just World., Jennifer W. Out
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Workplace bullying has been identified as a growing occupational stressor among health care professionals (Mayhew & Chappell, 2001; Quine, 1999, 2002). However, estimates of the prevalence rates of workplace bullying have been found to vary considerably. Studies relying on self-labelling consistently report lower prevalence rates than do those that present participants with lists of predefined negative acts (e.g., Mikkelsen & Einarsen, 2001; Salin, 2001). The purpose the present study was to explore the process of self-labelling among nurses experiencing workplace abuse. A total of 385 nurses registered as members of the College of Nurses of Ontario completed surveys containing scales …
A Decision Framework For Product Global Outsourcing In Small And Medium-Sized Companies., Hui Meng
A Decision Framework For Product Global Outsourcing In Small And Medium-Sized Companies., Hui Meng
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research will focus on small and medium-sized companies. A decision framework of Product Global Outsourcing (PGO) will be presented. This framework integrates and links the elements that could have impacts on product global outsourcing decision-making, and systematically analyzes the decision-making process step by step. The objective of this framework is to present a simplified and reified approach of PGO decision-making for small and medium-sized companies. The framework is organized in five main levels: (1) environment analysis - the identification of the actual situations surrounding and impacting upon the company, including the external and internal environment; (2) total cost analysis …
Optimization And Visualization Of Rapid Prototyping Process Parameters., Ahmed M. El Shenawy
Optimization And Visualization Of Rapid Prototyping Process Parameters., Ahmed M. El Shenawy
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The optimal selection of rapid prototyping (RP) process parameters is a great concern to RP designers. When dealing with this problem, different build objectives have to be taken into consideration. Using virtual rapid prototyping (VRP) systems as a visualization tool to verify the optimally selected process parameters will assist designers in taking critical decisions regarding modeling of prototypes. This will lead to substantial improvements in part accuracy using minimal number of iterations, and no physical fabrication until confident enough to do so. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate that virtual validation of optimally selected process parameters can significantly …
Integrated Supply Chain Design Using Multi Criteria Mixed Integer Programming., Ramesh Majety
Integrated Supply Chain Design Using Multi Criteria Mixed Integer Programming., Ramesh Majety
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research focuses on following key Supply Chain Design questions: determining supplier selection, production quantities, inventory locations and sizes, transportation option selection and transportation quantity in a multi stage, multi level supply chain. A Novel Integrated Supply Chain Design Framework that integrates Production Costs, Transportation Costs, First Time Quality and Supplier On-Time Delivery criteria has been proposed and implemented. Mixed Integer Linear Programming models were developed and four classes of problems were solved. Real world automotive industry data was used for testing and verifying these models. Key new knowledge, both data dependent and data independent, was gained in the course …
Supervisory Control Of Machine Tool Feed Drives., Rami Shahin
Supervisory Control Of Machine Tool Feed Drives., Rami Shahin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
While motion control of machine tool feed drives is the targeted application. The goal of this study is to explore the relative performance potentials of supervisory control systems against the classical servo control systems; Reconfiguration aspects at the control level are the scope of this study. One of the most essential nonlinear problems faced during modeling and control stages of the CNC machining systems is called backlash. Reversal of motion for each moving axis can lead to that area of disengagement where backlash occurs due to inherently unavoidable clearance between linkages of the machine tool feed drive system. Due to …
A Data Exchange System In E-Manufacturing., Xinhui Zhong
A Data Exchange System In E-Manufacturing., Xinhui Zhong
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The emergence of the Internet has fundamentally changed the way that people communicate and view the world. As a new manufacturing paradigm, e-Manufacturing is about using the web-enabled and tether-free infotronic technologies for manufacturing operations. Although e-Manufacturing has already been an often-mentioned topic, in the past decade, practical implementation has been slow to develop due to insufficient technologies to handle information flows connected with e-Manufacturing. Recently, there is considerable interest in the area of Internet enabled distributed systems. Examples of these works include online part measurement [Grimaldi, 1998] and Distributed Rapid Prototyping Via the Internet [Tay, 1999]. The research target …