Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Using Mathematica To Aid Simulation Analysis, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

As computer power has increased, so has the capability of software developers to write programs that assist people with time-consuming tasks. Mathematica is such a program. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how Mathematica, a symbolic programming environment, can be used to aid simulation analysis. In addition to a general discussion of Mathematica’s uses, advantages, and disadvantages, several examples will be presented. The examples include using Mathematica for distribution fitting, queueing analysis, random number generation, and creating a surface plot for optimization.

Acuta Enews December 1995, Vol. 24, No. 12

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

From the President

Cabling for the life of your network

Planning today

FRED fights fraud

From ACUTA Headquarters

Cumulative Average Pricing Method For Estimating Average Service Life, Mahendra Babu Hosangadi

Masters Theses

The study determined if accuracy of estimation of retirement price of industrial equipment was affected by using a cumulative average pricing (CAP) method at varying conditions of inflation rate, service life, and life characteristics. The study also determined the accuracy of estimating the average life of unaged data by simulated plant record (SPR) method. Thirty-six experiments were conducted at varying conditions of inflation rate, curve type and average life. The study was conducted for two left modal curves, two symmetrical modal curves and two right modal curves at 20 and 40 years average life using three different inflation rates: 3%, …

Validation Of Operational Multiscale Environment Model With Grid Adaptivity (Omega), Gordon R. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

The Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) is improving the military's capability to forecast dosage and hazard levels due to release of chemical, biological, and nuclear agents. During Operation DESERT STORM the military realized the need for models to predict risk levels for military personnel assigned proximate to missile attacks. One project associated with this is the continuing development of the Operational Multiscale Environmental Model with Grid Adaptivity (OMEGA). DNA has sponsored AFIT to validate OMEGA with focus on incorporating weather data obtained from Air Force Combat Climatology Center for the period of the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident. The physics of the model …

A Methodology To Assess Post-Launch Efforts To Counter Mobile Tactical Ballistic Missile Launchers, Wayne H. Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense has a requirement to quantify the force enhancement effects from various configurations of an envisioned multilayered Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system. TMD research accomplished to date has focused primarily on the pre-launch and in-flight tactical ballistic missile (TBM) operational phases while ignoring the post-launch phase during which mobile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs) are vulnerable to attack. No methodology currently exists to measure the effectiveness of various post-launch counter-TEL system configurations or their potential contribution to the overall TMD mission. This research uses the decision analysis technique of influence diagrams to model the post-launch counter-TEL process using notional variable …

Decision Support Model For Municipal Solid Waste Management At Department Of Defense Installations, John F. Muratore

Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on the development of a decision support model to identify the preferred strategy for managing municipal solid waste using the principles of decision analysis theory. The model provides an effective decision making tool to evaluate and compare different municipal solid waste management strategies. The users of this model, the Environmental Manager or decision maker at a given installation, can enter installation-specific waste stream characteristics, treatment and disposal costs, and material buy-back prices to determine the expected value for various alternative strategies. The strategy having the greatest expected value is considered the preferred alternative. In calculating the expected …

Exmis: An Expert System For The Autonomous Onboard Command System (Aocs), Kevin D. Benedict

Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study is the creation of a prototype expert system called EXMIS (EXpert MIssile System) that performs the flight termination logic sequence of the Autonomous Onboard Command System (AOCS). The AOCS is a proposed system that would take the "man-in-the-loop" out of the self-destruct decision making process and place the entire decision on the launch vehicle. Through the use of a six degree of freedom trajectory program called BOOST, simulated flight data for four different flight scenarios is obtained. The launch vehicle selected for the simulations is the Peacekeeper ICBM. EXMIS is developed using an expert …

A Psychological Perspective On Service Segmentation Models: The Significance Of Accounting For Consumers' Perceptions Of Waiting And Service, Ziv Carmon, J. George Shanthikumar, Tali F. Carmon

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

We examine how service should be divided and scheduled when it can be provided in multiple separate segments. We analyze variants of this problem using a model with a conventional function describing the waiting cost, that is modified to account for some aspects of the psychological cost of waiting in line. We show that consideration of the psychological cost can result in prescriptions that are inconsistent with the common wisdom of queuing theorists derived according to the conventional approach (e.g., equal load assignments). More generally, our intention in this paper is to illustrate that aspects of the psychological cost of …

Acuta Enews November 1995, Vol. 24, No. 11

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In This Issue

From the President

Voice Cellular Services at CMU

CTI for Universities Network 2000 at UTMB

From ACUTA Headquarters

Acuta Enews October 1995, Vol. 24, No. 10

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In This Issue

From the President

Disaster Recovery: Part ll

PBX Call Processing Basics

Cal State lnstalls Intelligent Payphones

From ACUTA Headquarters

System Dynamic Modeling Of Activity And Flow Relationships In Plant Layout Problems, Gary Allen Weaver

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The problem of determining an optimal plant layout involves the distribution of machinery, service areas, and storage spaces. The solution is usually determined for a specific period of time and static in nature. Planning for the plant layout is normally performed at the onset of new construction, or major refurbishment of an existing facility. In addition, plant layouts are renewed when a significant productivity decrease is experienced over long periods of time and linked to material flow problems, and when an expanding company plans for major capital expenditures in equipment and space. Due to the dynamic nature of business the …

A Simulation Study Of Quality Index In Machine-Component Grouping, Hamid Seifoddini, Manocher Djassemi

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Simulation modeling is employed to determine the effectiveness of quality index in screening machine-part matrices for the development of cellular manufacturing systems.

Acuta Enews September 1995, Vol. 24, No. 9

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Awards presented at 24th Annual Conference

New Board of Directors looks forward to 1996

Board Report

Welcome New Members

Host needed for Winter Seminar

President's Message

Driving smart on the Info Highway

Traffic Control For Automated Highway Systems: A Conceptual Framework, H.-S. Jacob Tsao

Faculty Publications

This paper proposes a conceptual framework for designing a traffic control scheme. It adopts a top-down approach to defining major design steps starting with high-level feature definition. With the desired features defined, the top-down approach then identifies and defines moves and related planning and movement functions that are required for supporting the desired features. The paper takes a systems view and identifies the safety issues regarding the movement coordination of the large number of vehicles on an Automated Highway System (AHS).

The Process Of Technology Transfer: A Case Study Of The National Aero-Space Plane Program, Brett T. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Due to reduced funding levels and increased pressure towards cooperation with industry, government research and development (R&D) organizations are becoming increasingly involved in the transfer of technology to the commercial sector. However, the process of technology transfer is complex, and transfer activities are being applied inconsistently across the Department of Defense. This research explores the approaches, processes and mechanisms to accomplish technology transfer. A comprehensive literature review documents many of the transfer concepts that have been proposed or are currently in use. A detailed case study then examines the technology transfer efforts of an advanced government research organization: the National …

A Study Of The Factors Associated With Successful Technology Transfer And Their Applicability To Air Force Technology Transfers, James B. Rose

Theses and Dissertations

Although the United States is a world leader in scientific research, it lags behind some economic powers in the application of technologies. As quality and manufacturing excellence were critical to US competitiveness in the l98Os, so is commercializing technologies in the 199Os. With billion dollar budgets and exceptional scientific talent, the potential for fruitful technology transfer is abundant. By definition, federal-to-commercial technology transfer is the ability to leverage national investments in technology beyond their traditional customer base. The technology can be physical devices, processes, knowledge, or proprietary information. Unfortunately, and despite exhaustive legislative efforts, US industry has fallen behind its …

Assisting Defense Conversion Technology Transfer Efforts. A Case Study Of Ohio's Miami Valley, Marissa C. Salvador

Theses and Dissertations

Major changes in the geopolitical environment and the social and economic needs of the United States have resulted in resources being shifted away from national defense. Although the expected decrease in defense spending should not be harmful in macroeconomic terms, it can be devastating locally. To mitigate the effects of the drawdown, individual states and local communities must search for ways to bolster their local economies. One avenue that can be pursued to enhance future economic growth is the transferring of technologies to the commercial sector. Intermediary organizations have emerged to facilitate the process of technology transfer by serving as …

An Empirical Investigation Of The Integrated Weapon System Management Concept Of Seamless Processes, Timothy H. Surabian

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the way four Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) single manager organizations operationalized the Integrated Weapon System Management (IWSM) concept of "seamless processes." In this thesis, the IWSM concept of "seamless processes" refers to the degree of integration between acquisition and sustainment organizations. Four SPO organizations were involved in six case studies. This research focused on the way "seamless processes" affect the shifting of the organizational "center of gravity" within or between single manager organizations. An interview questionnaire was administered to 13 Product Center managers and 6 Logistics Center managers. The interview questions focused on IWSM in general, …

An Evaluation Of Cost Metrics Used Within Aeronautical Systems Center, Kevin M. Byrne

Theses and Dissertations

Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) system program offices rely on cost metrics to acquire information on program effectiveness and organizational improvement. This study was an attempt to determine the effectiveness of ASC’s cost metrics. The effectiveness of the metrics were determined by the desirability of the behaviors which are exhibited when individuals utilize the specific metrics. Using an expert panel to evaluate the metrics, data was collected using the Group Research Laboratory for Logistics located in Armstrong Laboratory at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. Metric diagnostic charts were utilized to arrange the data into a format which would provide effectiveness information. The …

Aggregating Organizational Performance Metrics Using The Analytic Hierarchy Process, Bret L. Indermill

Theses and Dissertations

Measurement provides factual information which is necessary for effective control of business processes. Implementing a Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy is a common process in many organizations today. The United States Air Force is using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria to measure organizational performance in implementing the Quality Air Force (QAF) initiative. Unfortunately, the Baldrige-based unit self-assessment (USA) process is an inconsistent measure due to its subjectivity, and is also time consuming to use. This study determined that a new USA method based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was not a significant improvement over the existing QAF-USA …

A Comparison Of Consistent Versus Inconsistent Scheduling Rules In A Flow Shop Environment, Nicola Gismondi

Theses and Dissertations

A consistent scheduling rule is one which will ensure a job's priority (relative to all other job's) will remain constant as it moves from queue to queue in a production system. Previous research concerning flow shop priority scheduling rules focused on comparison of either consistent or inconsistent rules. Conversely, this study sought to provide additional insight by comprising consistent and inconsistent rules in a flow shop environment The Air Force uses both types of rules in maintenance and logistics scheduling. Time and money can be saved if the scheduling managers can better understand the effect of consistency on a system. …

A Model For Forecasting Pollution Prevention Life Cycle Costs For Air Force Major Weapon Systems, Mark E. Garner, Jennifer S. Kirchoffer

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort developed a modification to the HAZMAT program so that the program could provide the user with the capability to generate an estimate during the concept exploration and design phases for the total costs associated with hazardous materials usage in a major weapon system. Using the HAZMAT database, a spreadsheet was developed which projects a cost for a weapon system based on its total surface area and the number of aircraft to be produced by performing an analogy with a similar weapon system. The modification uses algorithm which are based on the hazardous material substances rather than processes …

Tracking Air Force Pallets Using Rfid Technology: A Concept Study, Gary A. Gross

Theses and Dissertations

The lack of asset visibility experienced at Aerial Ports of Embarkation (APOEs) during Operation Desert Storm is a phenomenon that has occurred in every major conflict for the last 40 years. The costs associated with this lack of control directly relate to the combat readiness and capability of supported units. This study examined the possibility of installing a Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) system to track Department of Defense 463L pallets worldwide. Performance characteristics of commercially available RF-ID systems were summarized, and a conceptual Air Mobility Command (AMC) tracking system was presented. For purposes of concept study, Amtech Corporation's Intellitag RT …

Just In Time Manufacturing: A Migration From Materials Requirements Planning, Scott A. Koehler

Theses and Dissertations

Manufacturing planning and control systems play an important role in an organization's effectiveness. Over the past twenty to thirty years, U.S. manufacturing companies have faced increasing competition for market share from Japanese and other Pacific rim countries. This thesis will investigate the evolutionary path followed by manufacturing companies that have implemented various manufacturing planning and control systems. Specifically, Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) and Just In Time (JIT) production will be analyzed. MRP is a means of convening demand for the final product into a requirements schedule for the various components comprising that product. The JIT philosophy calls for continuously improving …

Acuta Enews August 1995, Vol. 24, No. 8

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In This Issue

From the President

ISDN at MSU

Disaster Recovery

From ACUTA Headquarters: Emeritus Membership Status approved

Addition Of Automatic Dimensioning Feature To D-M-E’S Ultimate Mold Base Design Software, Cori L. Brown

Masters Theses

There have been many improvements in the plastics industry over the past few years. One of these areas is in the design of injection molds. This area has been enhanced by the use of Computer-Aided Design systems and furthered by the creation of specialized mold design software. The Ultimate^® design system from D-M-E has made a mold designer's job much easier by automating much of this process. This project extends the function of this software by adding an automatic dimensioning feature that will make the mold design process less tedious and less time consuming. This addition will also standardize …

Development Of A Mold Trial Procedure For Establishing A Robust Process, Marc R. Vander Kooi

Masters Theses

To reduce variation in the injection molding process it is essential to understand the effect of process, mold, and material variables on critical part characteristics. Gaining a thorough understanding of these variables is often difficult due to the limited time manufacturers typically have available for mold trials. To address this issue, the Premier Class Injection Molding consortium (PCIM) has performed numerous experiments relating to shot-to-shot repeatability. Using the PCIM data set and experimentation procedures as a base, a procedure was developed to collect data during a mold trial. Incorporating small experiments and statistical analysis, the new procedure allows meaningful data …

Methods For Monitoring Process Control And Capability In The Presence Of Autocorrelation, Daniel J. Zalewski

Theses and Dissertations

When standard control charts are applied to a process whose measurements of quality exhibit autocorrelation, the performance of those charts can be considerably different than that expected when no autocorrelation is present. To model this performance, the existing definitions of assignable and chance causes of variation are extended to account for the variation induced by the autocorrelation structure. The application of statistical thinking toward continuous process improvement using the proposed taxonomy is discussed. A method to select control limits which yield a specified average run length in the absence of assignable causes of variation and which is suitable for use …

Acuta Enews July 1995, Vol. 24, No. 7

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Board report

President's message

Wiring today for tomorrow

Card technology

DC at a glance

From ACUTA Headquarters

Acuta Enews July 1995, Vol. 24, No. 7

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Board report

Presidents message

Wiring today for tomorrow

Card technology

DC at a glance

From ACUTA Headquarters