Engineering Commons^™

A Critical Time For Ultra-Wide Band, Gary F. Templeton, Mark B. Schmidt

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a promising class of high-speed wireless communications applications that is projected to significantly change local and wide area network architectures. This article describes the technology, its probable application areas, the environmental forces that are constraining and enabling commercialization, and the prospects for short-term growth for UWB services. Commercial sale and distribution of UWB products has been approved, and widespread sale is expected by 2007.

Inventory Simulation And Optimization Using System Dynamics, Structural Modeling Equations And Genetic Algorithms In The Drivetrain Division Of An Automotive Manufacturer, Marco Sisfontes-Monge

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Strategic planning and control are among the most critical activities that modern enterprises require to succeed in the global economy. This research is an original study that investigated the combination of tools and methodologies in order to apply them to a midwestern tractor manufacturer. The current study identified the constraints applicable to a polishing line in the Drivetrain Division of a major tractor manufacturer interested in exploring alternative techniques to improve its worldwide manufacturing operations.

The specific questions that this project tried to respond are stated as follows:

1. What were the most important variables that affected inventory levels of an …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process, Yitung Chen, Darrell Pepper, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The chemical processing of used nuclear fuel is an integral component of any strategy for the transmutation of nuclear waste. Due to the large volume of material that must be handled in this first step of the transmutation process, the efficiency of the separations process is a key factor in the potential economic viability of transmutation strategies. The ability to optimize the chemical separation systems is vital to ensure the feasibility of the transmutation program.

Systems analysis, or total systems modeling, is one of the strongest tools available to researchers for understanding and optimizing complex systems such as chemical separations …

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The major objective is to create a framework that combines all the strengths of AMUSE’s complicated calculations, well established commercial system process package such as ASPENPLUS, HYSYS and PRO/II and TRPSEMPro’s flexible parameter optimization modules. Development of the process simulation code can be done using the solvent extraction process experience at Argonne National Laboratory and in collaboration with the NCACM.

The major activities of the task are the following:

• Develop a framework for simulating the SFTF process using AMUSE code, commercial process package, such as ASPEN- PLUS, and system engineering model.
• Develop a middleware package that can communicate between the …

Development Of A Flying Eye: A Project-Based Learning Experience, Sema E. Alptekin, Dianne Deturris, Daniel J. Macy, Jon E. Ervin

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The paper describes the design for manufacturability of a prototype product as part of a manufacturing engineering capstone course. The product chosen was a vertically launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)—the “Flying Eye.” The Flying Eye is an autonomous parafoil surveillance platform quipped with sensors, controllers, mechanical components, and software. Once the autonomous UAV is deployed, it is designed to follow a predetermined flight path down to the ground. The design effort of the prototype device took place over a three-year period as a collaborative effort between the Aerospace Engineering and Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering departments at California Polytechnic State University. …

A Multi-Agent Approach For Solving Optimization Problems Involving Expensive Resources, Hoong Chuin Lau, H. Wang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we propose a multi-agent approach for solving a class of optimization problems involving expensive resources, where monolithic local search schemes perform miserably. More specifically, we study the class of bin-packing problems. Under our proposed Fine-Grained Agent System scheme, rational agents work both collaboratively and selfishly based on local search and mimic physics-motivated systems. We apply our approach to a generalization of bin-packing - the Inventory Routing Problem with Time Windows - which is an important logistics problem, and demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our approach.

Cognitive Memory Effects On Non-Linear Video-Based Learning, Katherine Renee Comeaux

LSU Master's Theses

During an informative learning process, information, material, facts and ideas are typically conveyed in a linear arrangement. Individuals are frequently distracted during this process with their attention being diverted to an interruption (Internet, phone call, etc). When presented with any new information, the mind evolves through problem solving and evaluation procedures. The way in which that information is processed and perceived depends on: (a) original presentation (b) examination of material and (c) an individualistic measurement of success. However, when faced with an interruption, the person is forced to deal with non-linear arrangement of information. This research investigates nonlinear presentation or …

Musculoskeletal Disorders In Dentistry, Frank Maurice Pitts

LSU Master's Theses

Because of the common occurrence of pain experienced by dental professionals during the course of a workday and throughout their career, an epidemiological and a field study were performed in an effort to contribute to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry. The aim of the thesis is two fold: to assess the perception of occupational pain and discomfort felt by dentists through a perception based survey and to assess the muscle behavior of dentists during isotonic postures while performing various dental procedures on their first and last patients in a given work day. One hundred (100) dentists participated in …

An Application Of Parallel Computation To Collaborative Optimization, Shahab Nayyer

LSU Master's Theses

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) has evolved as a discipline which provides a body of methods and techniques to assist engineers in solving large scale design problems. There are many frameworks for formulating MDO problems. These frameworks can be broadly classified as single-level or bi-level formulations. Collaborative Optimization (CO) is one of the popular bi-level formulations to solve an MDO problem. There are numerous design optimization problems which are highly CPU time intensive and require a long simulation time. With the advent of cheaper and faster available PC’s, distributed parallel computer clusters have become very popular. These clusters provide large computing …

A Study Of Distributed Clustering Of Vector Time Series On The Grid By Task Farming, Arun B. Nayar

LSU Master's Theses

Traditional data mining methods were limited by availability of computing resources like network bandwidth, storage space and processing power. These algorithms were developed to work around this problem by looking at a small cross-section of the whole data available. However since a major chunk of the data is kept out, the predictions were generally inaccurate and missed out on significant features that was part of the data. Today with resources growing at almost the same pace as data, it is possible to rethink mining algorithms to work on distributed resources and essentially distributed data. Distributed data mining thus holds great …

Participatory Evaluation And Improvement Of Cassava Processing Machines For The Eastern Zone Of Tanzania, V Silayo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Cassava processing machines previously introduced in Tanzania were chippers and graters of the International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) design. Popularization of such machmes in Tanzania required thorough participatory testing with stakeholders. When tested with farmers in Muheza and Kibaha districts average throughputs were 11-18 kg/h, 752 kg/h and 270 kg/hfor the manual chipper, engine-powered chipper and the engine-powered grater, respectively. Despite their low throughputs the manual chipper and the grater were Veo difficult to operate, and therefore demanded improvement. Improvement on these machines included modifications on the design for increased throughput, ease of operation and safety. The improved machines …

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design: Quarterly Report October 1-December 31, 2004, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) and Transmutation Research Program- University Participation Program (TRP-UPP) supported by Department of Energy of the United States have been developing many important technologies for the transmutation of nuclear waste to address long-term disposal issues. While successfully embedding AMUSE module into a dedicated System Engineering Model (TRPSEMPro), developed by the Nevada Center for Advanced Computational Methods (NCACM) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas collaborating with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), ANL is interested in further simulating the Light Water Reactor (LWR) Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (SFTF) combining commercial process simulation and analysis packages and core …

Comparative Study Of The Dynamics Of Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser And Downer Of Equal Diameters, Samwel V. Manyele

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The microscopic flow dynamics of the 100-mm internal diameter riser/downer circulating fluidized bed (CFB) unit were monitored using a solids concentration fiber optic probe. The comparison was conducted by comparing radial profiles Of the dynamic parameters derived from time-series analysis techniques (statistical and chaos analyses). The solids concentration signals used were recorded under similar operating conditions (gas velocity of 8.0 m/s and solids flux of 100 kg/m2s). Similar axial elevations were compared (entrance and fully developed sections of die reactors). A1 each loca!ion, the signals were sampled a! afrequency of 970 Hz for duration of 30 seconds. It was observed …

Aeration Efficiency Of A Three-Phase Fluidized Bed Bioreactor During Food Industry Wastewater Treatment, S Manyele

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The implementation Of a three-phase fluidized bed bioreaclor (TPFBB) in food- processing wastewater (FPW'W) treatment is reported. This study includes the modification Of the air distributor (plate design and gas-liquid mixing) for the bioreactor and resting of its aeration efficiency under different liquids. The aeration efficiency for wastewater samples collected from a soft drink processing industry and tannin processing industry (TANWA T) and tap water were compared. The aeration efficiency parameters studied include bed expansion, air holdup. volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient, and alpha factors. The variation of these parameters With air flow rates were studied at different liquid heights, …

Usefulness Of Technology Life Cycle In Tanzania: The Case Of The Ipl Developed Technologies, Abdallah Chungu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study sought to identify the adoption rate of technologv innovations developed by the Institute Of Production Innovation (IPI) at the University Of Dar-es-Salaam since 1984 to 1997 using a sigmoid shaped curve (S-shaped curves) to predict the life cycles of the respective technologies. Depending on the stimuli imparted to the specific technology, some of such technologies for instance, cinva ram and block making machines with hollow/spacer/louver exhibited longer life period as indicated by a series Of infer-connected S-curves. Other technologies including but nor limited to sunflower oil processing kit-winnowers, scorcher with one stove, seed roller, standard wheelbarrow, and manual …

Conversation Exchange Dynamics: A New Signal Primitive For Computer Network Intrusion Detection, John C. Mceachen, John M. Zachary, Junling Wang, Kah Wai Cheng

United States Navy: Publications

As distributed network intrusion detection systems expand to integrate hundreds and possibly thousands of sensors, managing and presenting the associated sensor data becomes an increasingly complex task. Methods of intelligent data reduction are needed to make sense of the wide dimensional variations. We present a new signal primitive we call conversation exchange dynamics (CED) that accentuates anomalies in traffic flow. This signal provides an aggregated primitive that may be used by intrusion detection systems to base detection strategies upon. Indications of the signal in a variety of simulated and actual anomalous network traffic from distributed sensor collections are presented. Specifically, …

Intelligent Simulation-Based Lot Scheduling Of Photolithography Toolsets In A Wafer Fabrication Facility, Amr Arisha, Paul Young

Conference papers

Scheduling of a semiconductor manufacturing facility is one of the most complex tasks encountered. Confronted with a high technology product market, semiconductor manufacturing is increasingly more dynamic and competitive in the introduction of new products in shorter time intervals. Photolithography, being one of the processes repeated often, is a fabrication bottleneck. Lot scheduling within photolithography is a challenging activity where substantial improvements in factory performance can be made. The proposed scheduling methodology integrates two common approaches, simulation and artificial intelligence. Using detailed simulation modeling within a structured modeling method, a comprehensive model to characterize the photolithography process was developed. An …

Academic Audit Of Afit Programs In Systems Engineering, United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board

AFIT Documents

This report provides an assessment and recommendations for the systems engineering educational programs at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). The Air Force needs in systems engineering education are briefly summarized, followed by an analysis of the educational program at AFIT. Based on the assessment of AFIT's program, a set of recommendations are given for improving the programs and their utility to the Air Force. Appendices to the report contain additional information on the AFIT programs and an assessment of other graduate systems engineering programs in the US.

Comparison Of Sampling Methods For Flatness Evaluation Using Cmm, Ashish Singhal

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Efficient part feature verification using Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) requires efficient sample point selection as well as accurate zone fitting. This work deals with flatness tolerance evaluation and the Least- Square (LS) technique is used to compute tolerance zone. In regard to the sampling strategy there are several methods commonly employed in Coordinate Measuring Machine inspection literature. The appropriate method is selected according to the accuracy requirement, the geometry features of the work piece, and the condition of the machine producing the work piece. This research focuses on the five sampling methods: Hammersley sequence sampling, Halton-Zaremba sequence sampling, Random sampling, …

Using Simulation Techniques To Evaluate Group Technology Heuristics: A Recommended Methodology For Comparison And Optimization, Ashley Nolen Akerman

Masters Theses

Machine cell formation is an important issue in industrial and manufacturing engineering. Properly assigned machine cells can improve manufacturing system efficiencies and decrease unnecessary material movement. To address the need for proper cell formation techniques a myriad of heuristics have been created that attempt to optimize the grouping of machines. Further, much industrial engineering research has been conducted on the application of simulation technology to manufacturing system evaluation.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the combination of traditional machine grouping heuristics with simulation technology and to create a generalized meta-model based upon this evaluation. This investigation analyzes the …

Acuta Enews December 2004, Vol. 33, No. 12

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

From the President............................. Tamara J . Closs, ACUTA President, Georgetown University

Tech Talk: Pseudowire............................ Kevin Tanzillo, Dux Public Relations

Cell-Phone Directory to Be Published?

Web Tip: lnfo about and from ACUTA Events........................ Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA Computer Svcs. Mgr.

Member Sites to See 5 Board Report.................. Cormine Piscopo, Providence College

DC Update................ Whitney Johnson, Retired, Northern Michigan Univ.

Welcome New Members

Integration Of Lean Manufacturing And Value Engineering Techniques To Improve The Internal Distribution System In A Manufacturing Company, Sripadjaraj Prahladaraj

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The XYZ Corporation is located in Lafayette, Georgia. The company produces cooking ranges for the North American market. It has 1500 employees with a daily production capacity of 1000 to 1500 cooking ranges. The company is implementing lean manufacturing techniques to improve their performance. One of their projects is to develop a distribution system, which will help in streamlining the internal distribution of Very High Pressure (VHP) adhesive tapes. The aim of this research is to develop a lean distribution system by applying techniques of lean manufacturing systems. To understand the existing process of distribution, a flow diagram was created. …

A Template-Based Conceptual Modeling Infrastructure For Simulation Of Physical Security Systems, Ashu Guru, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Although simulation is one of the most innovative and cost-effective tools for modeling and analyzing a system, simulation studies often fail to provide any useful results. One reason is attributed to the fact that model formulation depends on the skills of the analyst. This paper describes a research to develop a conceptual modeling infrastructure to assist a simulation analyst in specifying components for studying physical security systems. The modeling framework has been programmed as an internet-based web application. Using the application, the successful development and implementation of a physical security simulation model will be aided by a defined scientific methodology …

Lead-Free Solder Joint Reliability – State Of The Art And Perspectives, Jianbiao Pan, Jyhwen Wang, David M. Shaddock

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

There is an increasing demand in replacing tin-lead (Sn/Pb) solders with lead-free solders in the electronics industry due to health and environmental concern. The European Union recently passed a law to ban the use of lead in electronic products. The ban will go into effect in July of 2006. The Japanese electronics industry has worked to eliminate lead from consumer electronic products for several years. Although currently there are no specific regulations banning lead in electronics devices in the United States, many companies and consortiums are working on lead-free solder initiatives including Intel, Motorola, Agilent Technologies, General Electric, Boeing, NEMI …

Acuta Enews November 2004, Vol. 33, No. 11

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This Issue

From ACUTA Headquarters....................... Jeri A. Semer, CAE, Executive Director

Tech Talk........................ Kevin Tanzillo, Dux Public Relations

Overheard on the Listserv: Revising Work-Flow Processes

Web Tip: Products and Services Search Available .... Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA Computer Svcs. Mgr.

Providing Network and Voice Services to Remote Locations....................... Dave Barta, Univ. of Oregon

Board Report.......................... Carmine Piscopo, Providence College

DC Update.................. Whitney Johnson, Retired, Northern Michigan Univ.

Welcome New Members

Evaluation Of Bus And Truck Automation Operations Concepts, H.-S. Jacob Tsao, Lan Zhang, Lin Lin, Deepa Batni

Faculty Publications

Traffic congestion will continue to worsen and likely worsen at a faster rate than ever. People throughput and freight throughput have become critical issues for California and the rest of the nation. PATH has funded with approximately $125K a research project entitled “Evaluation of Bus and Truck Automation Scenarios” jointly proposed by Jan Botha (Principal Investigator) of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Jacob Tsao (Co-PI) of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at San Jose State University. This report summarizes the major findings of the research conducted by Professor Tsao and his assistants with approximately $44K out of …

Logistics Network Design With Differentiated Delivery Lead Time: A Chemical Industry Case Study, Michelle Lee Fong Cheong, Rohit Bhatnagar, Stephen C. Graves

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Most logistics network design models assume exogenous customer demand that is independent of the service time or level. This paper examines the benefits of segmenting demand according to lead-time sensitivity of customers. To capture lead-time sensitivity in the network design model, we use a facility grouping method to ensure that the different demand classes are satisfied on time. In addition, we perform a series of computational experiments to develop a set of managerial insights for the network design decision making process.

Two-Echelon Repairable Item Inventory System With Limited Repair Capacity Under Nonstationary Demands, Hoong Chuin Lau, Huawei Song

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We study a repairable item inventory system under limited repair capacity and nonstationary Poisson demands, motivated by corrective maintenance of military equipment. Our goal is to minimize the cost of both spare and repair resource allocation. We propose an efficient analytical model that combines optimization modeling and queuing theory.

A Periodic-Review Inventory Model With Application To The Continuous-Review Obsolescence Problem, Yuyue Song, Hoong Chuin Lau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper we consider a stochastic-demand periodic-review inventory model with sudden obsolescence. We characterize the structure of the optimal policy and propose a dynamic programming algorithm for computing its parameters. We then utilize this algorithm to approximate the solution to the continuous-review sudden obsolescence problem with general obsolescence distribution. We prove convergence of our approximation scheme, and demonstrate it numerically against known closed-form solutions of special cases.

Job Scheduling With Unfixed Availability Constraints, Hoong Chuin Lau, C. Zhang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Standard scheduling theory assumes that all machines are continuously available throughout the planning horizon. In many manufacturing and service management situations however, machines need to be maintained periodically to prevent malfunctions. During the maintenance period, a machine is not available for processing jobs. Hence, a more realistic scheduling model should take into account machine maintenance activities. In this paper, we study the problem of job scheduling with unfixed availability constraints on a single machine. We first propose a preliminary classification for the scheduling problem with unfixed availability constraints based on maintenance constraints, job characteristics and objective function. We divide our …