Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Use Of Incremental Adaptation And Habituation Regimens For Mitigating Optokinetic Side-Effects, David A. Graeber

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The use of incremental and repeated exposures regimens have been put forth as effective means to mitigate visually induced motion sickness based on the Dual Process Theory (DPT) (Groves & Thompson, 1970) of neural plasticity. In essence, DPT suggests that by incrementing stimulus intensity the depression opponent process should be allowed to exert greater control over the net outcome than the sensitization opponent process, thereby minimizing side-effects. This conceptual model was tested by empirically validating the effectiveness of adaptation, incremental adaptation, habituation, and incremental habituation regimens to mitigate side-effects arising from exposure to an optokinetic drum. Forty college students from …

A Framework For The Implementation Of An Iso 9000 Based Certification Program For Printed Circuit Board Manufacturers, Adam Y. Maamoun

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

ISO 9000:2000 is the newest version of the ISO 9000 family of standards. Unlike the 1994 version, it does not distinguish between servicing, testing and designing standards. It emphasizes quality improvement rather than quality control and briefly explains how to implement the Plan-Do-Check- Act (PDCA) cycle for improvement and the use of statistical techniques to improve the quality of process and product instead of controlling the quality of the output. The thesis explains why companies need to be certified and how to implement quality improvement programs.

The objective of this thesis is to provide generic certification guidelines for printed circuit …

Crash Quality- An Approach For Evaluating Spending On Quality Improvement Initiatives, Labiche Ferreira

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The quality movement has become popular among corporations big and small for one reason: empirical evidence suggests that quality and productivity (and hence profitability) are linked. Unfortunately, while many firms accept that quality and productivity go together, few actually track the gains associated with their quality improvement programs. Companies also tend to spend on quality improvement with no indication or estimation of the impact of funding on the targeted process. It would be of great value to know: (1) the impact of spending to enhance the product/process quality level, and (2) the point at which expenditures for quality improvement are …

Integration Of Artificial Neural Networks And Simulation Modeling In A Decision Support System, Kenney Lecroy

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A simulation based decision support system is developed for AT&T Microelectronics in Orlando. This system uses simulation modeling to capture the complex nature of semiconductor test operations. Simulation, however, is not a tool for optimization by itself. Numerous executions of the simulation model must generally be performed to narrow in on a set of proper decision parameters. As a means of alleviating this shortcoming, artificial neural networks are used in conjunction with simulation modeling to aid management in the decision making process. The integration of simulation and neural networks in a comprehensive decision support system, in effect, learns the reverse …

Surface Mapping And Automatic Tool Path Generation, Labiche Ferreira

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

With the use of machine vision systems in the manufacturing cycle of a product, the lead time for producing the final product has been substantially reduced. Efforts in the past have aimed at automating the tasks right from the drawing board stage to final production of the product. Such technologies include CAD, CAM, and CAPP. However the task of tool path (NC code) generation has not yet been fully automated. In the current techniques, the user plays a crucial role in the NC code generation process. There is an increasing trend for using machine vision systems in the fabrication of …

Mrp, Jit, And Opt: A Comparison On The Production Floor, Donna M. Denicole Christopher

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In order to compete in manufacturing, industry realizes it must work more efficiently with its resources. Three manufacturing techniques have been developed to assist industry in this challenge --MRP, JIT, and OPT. This paper compares these three techniques. It concentrates on the factors that affect production after vendor materials are in-house. A brief discussion of some of the implementation difficulties a company may face during the transition to a new philosophy is also addressed. Finally, a case study of a low volume, highly technical military project is evaluated and analyzed.

Management Considerations Of Productivity Issues For Local Government, Scott M. Gilbertson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report examines the issues needed to be addressed by a municipal manager and provides guidelines to follow when establishing a productivity measurement and improvement program. Examined in detail is the relationship of the municipality's quality of service delivery in relationship to productivity. The concerns of productivity in the public sector at the national and local levels are also identified.

Numerous difficulties are encountered when attempting to measure and improve productivity. Many of these difficulties are presented and several are discussed in detail. To overcome the identified difficulties, there are a number of techniques available, some of which are recently …

A Student Performance Evaluation Method For An Intelligent Simulation-Based Tutoring System, Camille Marie Dixon

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Intelligent simulation-based tutoring systems (ISTS) present intriguing and complex environments for the training of high performance skills. These skills involve the manipulation of objects within time and space constraints.

As with any tutoring system, there must exist a performance measurement methodology. Within an ISTS there is a module which functions as a tutor and a module which functions as a student modeler. These fundamental modules are required to make effective individualized tutoring decisions. However, each of these modules rely on information from a performance measurement system or evaluation system.

The objective of this research was to establish a performance evaluation …

Some Reasons Why New Technologies Are Not Always Successful - Specifically Directed Toward Cim, Shuk Fong Lai

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

To keep the competitive edge, many companies constantly implement new technologies. However, the implementation of these new technologies are not always successful. Why?

Problems with implementation of new technologies can be either technical or managerial. This paper presents research limited to management problems and suggests the necessary changes. It also outlines the important factors in the decision-making process and the criteria for a successful implementation of a Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system. Many experts believe that CIM is the ultimate solution to slow and reverse the decline of the U.S. global manufacturing market. However, some companies that have implemented CIM …

An Overview Of Machine Vision, Juan C. Telchi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this paper is to examine new ideas and other useful information on the most recent advances in the robotic vision field. A visual system model was introduced and the basic components of this model were explained. The principal areas in robotic vision were researched. This included two dimension and three dimension vision sensors. Industrial applications and future developments of machine vision systems were addressed. A survey was done to summarize the vision system market and the robot market share worldwide.

Geographic Information Systems: The Developer's Perspective, Johnn B. Henris

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Geographic information systems, which manage data describing the surface of the earth, are becoming increasingly popular. This research details the current state of the art of geographic data processing in terms of the needs of the geographic information system developer. The research focuses chiefly on the geographic data model--the basic building block of the geographic information system. The two most popular models, tessellation and vector, are studied in detail, as well as a number of hybrid data models.

In addition, geographic database management is discussed in terms of geographic data access and query processing. Finally, a pragmatic discussion of geographic …

Efficient Algorithms For The Fixed Charge Problem, Ahmad Abdulah Moreb

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The main thrust of this research is to develop four solution procedures for the Fixed Charge Problem. All are based on approximating the fixed charge component by strictly polygonal linear components. The first procedure uses the functions technique to approximate the fixed charge; then linear programming with the restricted-basisentry technique is used to arrive at the final solution. Although this method starts with an approximated version of the fixed charge component, it arrives at an exact value to the objective function without the need for re-evaluating the objective function. The other three solution procedures are based on approximating the fixed …

Dynamic Performance-Based Student Model For An Intelligent Simulation Training System, Jenifer M. Sargeant

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Student modeling has been the subject of research since the mid-1970's. A student model is an evolving description of what the student knows about the subject domain. Much of the previous research has concentrated on evaluating a student in performing cognitive tasks. The Intelligent Simulation Training System (ISTS) applies the techniques of Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Tutoring Systems and Expert Systems to simulation-based training. The ISTS Student Model is unique in that it evaluates the student in performance-based tasks. It monitors and records the student's ability to maintain relationships between objects in space and time. The scope of this research was …

Economic Design Of Lot-By-Lot Acceptance Sampling By Attributes, Michael S. Wall

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Risk-based sampling plans have long been the accepted standards in the practice of acceptance sampling for quality control. Usually the economic consequences of a given sampling plan are assessed by experience and intuition at best. With the availability of high speed computers and well-proven statistical methods, economically-optimal sampling pl a ns can now be developed so that much of the guesswork is removed. This study first surveys these methods for deriving economically-optimal sampling plans. Then, recognizing the reluctance in government and industry to abandoning ris k-based design of sampling plans, a method is explored which poses a compromise between the …

Learning Curve Model For Interrupted Production, Behzad Zarkoob

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Traditionally the learning curve technique has been applied to the case of continuous production. In such cases the cost par unit declines by a constant or staged percentage due to the learning phenomenon. Although this technique has been an important management tool to predict cost and productivity, there are other factors that wil~ affect the learning curves and its forecasts. One of these factors is "forgetfulness," which is caused by program interruptions for a significant period of time. It is expected that due to the interruption a relearning process may have to take place. The objective of this report is …

Continuous Statistical Distribution Curve Fitting And Analysis Tool, Gerald Robie

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper reports on the implementation and utilization of a micro-computer based simulation modeling verification and validation tool. The interactive software tool, written in BASIC, computes and displays the frequency distribution of a given set of input data, computes appropriate parameters for a continuous statistical distribution which the user selects as likely to represent the population from which the input data sample was obtained, performs several goodness-of-fit analyses on the resultant distribution and provides sensitivity analysis capability on the input data, distribution type selection and distribution parameters.

The Use Of A Portable Microcomputer As A Data Collection Tool To Support Integrated Simulation Support Environments: A Concept, James E. Wilkinson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Advances in simulation methodology, and the computer support systems to implement these methodologies, have led to the development of integrated simulation support environments. These environments, or collection of software tools, seek to aid the analyst in developing models, data management and analysis, and data presentation.

While an integrated simulation environment provides a more organized structure for managing and performing simulation projects, and provides a database management structure for storing, manipulating, and analyzing data, they do not address the actual process of going out and obtaining the data. As a result, many of the common problems associated with poor problem and …

The Creation Of An Expert System For Teaching Piano Lessons, Carol Chew

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Combining the arts with science and technology has had many beneficial results. Computers and music have been connected for many years. Computers have been used in music composition, electronic keyboards, music publishing and digital sound processing. Artificial intelligence has been used in creating expert systems for training people in various fields. An attempt will be made to tie together expert systems for training with current computerized music technology.

This research report proposes that an expert system be developed to teach piano lessons. The fields of music and artificial intelligence will be drawn upon in developing this expert system structure. While …

Capacity Planning In A Discrete Item Manufacturing Environment, Ali M. Alsebaiee

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Capacity planning is a medium-to-long- term production planning tool that enables management to better understand how the demand of its customers have and will affect the available capacity planning. For a successful production and planning control system, management needs to consider the availability of not only the materials and component, but also the required manufacturing capacity. Several capacity planning techniques that deal with capacity planning in a discrete item manufacturing (job shop environment) are discussed in this report. These are Resource Requirement Planning, Rough Cut Capacity Planning, Capacity Requirement Planning, Operation Sequence, Input Output, and Simulation. A computerized capacity planning …

Corrosion Ability And The Chemistry Of Mercuric Chloride And Related Compounds, Martin R. Kruger

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research project found that a solution of methanol and methylene chloride saturated with mercuric chloride was very effective at diffusing through a paint film and destroying an aluminum barrier below. The project also found evidence that mercuric chloride chemically reacts with dimethylformamide and dimethysulfoxide. The project concluded that corrosion of metals in an organic solvent media is best studied by thermal analysis.

The Application Of Expert Systems To Automated Storage And Retrieval, Robert E. Mcdonald

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report discusses the major functions, decisions, and strategies of automated storage and retrieval systems (AR/RS). The report surveys the essential features of expert systems and discusses how they can be applied in automated warehousing environments. A blackboard expert system architecture was examined and found to be a flexible and responsive control system for automated warehousing applications. A simple AR/RS expert system was constructed using an expert system software package. A warehousing simulation was performed which compared the expert system’s performance to a typical AR/RS control system. The expert system produced increased efficiency of operation because of the intelligent rules …

Snap, A Contract Pricing Tool For The Micro-Computer, Kris Luella Hoffman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The amount of time required during the contracting process from the solicitation of bids through contract award can be significant. Two of the main problem areas are evaluating the contractor’s proposal and completing the negotiation process. The SNAP system was developed to simplify Negotiations with Automated Pricing using the microcomputer. SNAP can track three separate positions during negotiations and provide hour/dollar summaries for each of these positions by cost account, lot, department, and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Evaluation worksheets and department summaries can be produced to provide the evaluators with different perspectives of the same work effort. SNAP will also …

Development And Testing Of A Heuristic Line Balancing Program For A Microcomputer, Dean B. Creech

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Development, operation, and testing of a heuristic line balancing program for a microcomputer are discussed. Tasks are grouped into work stations along an assembly line such that the number of work stations required is minimized.

The model is built primarily using the Hoffman (1963) procedure with modifications described by Gehrlein and Patterson (1975). For purposes of comparison the Rank Positional Weight technique (Helgeson and Birnie, 1961) is also included in the model.

Testing included thirty-seven different balances using problems from the literature. For each balance, both Rank Positional Weight and Hoffmann solutions were obtained in the forward and reverse directions. …

Utilization Of Expert Systems In The Work Place: Performing Project Software Cost Estimation On Training Systems, Henry A. Marshall

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report investigates the use of an expert system to aid project engineers at the Naval Training Systems Center in making decisions concerning the requirements of the computer systems used in simulators. For a prototype system domain, the author chose an expert system that would generate a software development cost estimate. This system questions the user about the features and options required on the training system. The expert system then analyzes the information to generate a “lines of code” estimate. A selected model will combine various factors to generate s value answer for the user. The capabilities and features …

A Monte Carlo Approach To Ridge Discriminant Analysis, Lee Wooldridge

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A combined analytical and empirical method to define human performance measures is required for effective automated training. In theory, performance measures can be weighted and combined in a single first order equation upon which an automated training system can track a student's comparative skill level. A form of multivariate discriminant analysis was the statistical technique incorporated into the measurement selection and weighting scheme. (Vreuls and Wooldridge 1977). As with regression analysis, this discriminant technique was subject to debilitating problems such as overfit and undesirable inaccuracies in the coefficients. The author developed and implemented an adjustment to the discriminant function analogous …

Simulation Model To Evaluate Performance Of Operational Systems And Their Impact On Repair Shop Activity At A Navy Field Site, James T. Newell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents the background and procedures leading to development of a simulation model to analyze the impact of certain decision variables on operational system performance and workloads as the repair facility of a typical Navy field site. The research examines the impact of maintenance support concepts, as implemented by changes in the decision variables, associated with the broader application of Automatic Test Equipment. The initial effort consisted of data collection and field site surveys which culminated in defining a work flow model illustrating typical repair facility operations. The work flow model is translated into a computer simulation model. The …

Software Quality Assurance, Edward C. Soistman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The problems associated with software development and use are investigated from a management point of view. Having identified the critical aspects of effective software management, an approach is suggested for the creation and implementation of a software quality assurance program, Particular attention is focused on the concept of Life Cycle Procurement as currently utilized by the Department of Defense. The research was accomplished in two phases. The first consisted of an extensive literature search, seminar attendance and participation in several working groups assigned the responsibility for establishing software quality assurance guidelines. The second phase involved direct participation in the development …

An Introduction To The Winograd Discrete Fourier Transform, Janice S. Agnello

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper illustrates Winograd's approach to computing the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). This new approach changes the DFT into a cyclic convolution of 2 sequences, and illustrates shortcuts for computing this cyclic convolution. This method is known to reduce the number of multiplies required to about 20% less than the number of multiplies used by the techniques of the Fast Fourier Transform. Three approaches are discussed, one for prime numbers, one for products of primes, and lastly one for powers of odd primes. For powers of 2 Winograd's algorithm is, in general, inefficient and best if it is not used. …

Methods And Techniques Used For Job Shop Scheduling, Yoo Baik Yang

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The job shop scheduling problem, in which we must determine the order or sequence for processing a set of jobs through several machines in an optimum manner, has received considerable attention. In this paper a number of the methods and techniques are reviewed and an attempt to categorize them according to their appropriateness for effective use in job shop scheduling has been made. Approaches are classified in two categories: a) analytical techniques and b) graphical methods. Also, it should be noticed that this report does not include all the attempts and trials, especially the heuristic approaches.

Application Of Fire Protection Models In Urban Planning, Ronald George Thomas

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.