Engineering Commons^™

Acuta Enews February 1986, Vol. 15, No. 2

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

President's Message

Party Line

ACUTA Spring Seminar

Columbia University

Data Network Considerations

Project Description- Systems Management and Billing

Project Description- Stations

Bits & Pieces

Lexical Analysis Using Table Look-Up, Brian Keith Smith, Dominic Soda, George Winston Zobrist

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Computerized Work Measurement System, Vrajesh Shah

Theses

This thesis is concerned with the application of computerized work measurement to improve productivity and efficiency of production workers. In doing so, the techniques of MOST (Maynard Operation Sequence Technique) is studied to determine its appropriateness for industrial use. The advantages and disadvantages of the system are studied as to its value to large and small industries.

Investigation Into The Feasibility Of Burning Hazardous Waste In Utility Boilers, Reuben Steinberg

Theses

Disposal of hazardous waste is of major concern in recent years in this country. Declining availability of landfills together with more stringent State and Federal regulations has necessitated the need to consider alternative means of hazardous waste disposal. It was suggested that burning hazardous wastes in presently operating utility boilers might be beneficial to the utilities and offer a solution to this social problem.

This thesis investigates the feasibility of this alternative given the technical, economic and regulatory considerations involved and discusses the findings of adopting this technology for hazardous waste disposal.

Based on the results of this study it …

The Impact Of Fms On Batch Production Processes, Jan-Sheau Ho

Theses

A Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) is an integrated system of combining metalcutting and other processes with materials handling under computer control. With computer control, FMS is capable of processing a variety of different types of workpieces simultaneously. FMS is an approach towards a balancing of high output on the one hand and great flexibility on the other hand. FMS stands as a new technology to improve the productivity of mid-volume, mid-variety production; therefore the manufacturing world will soon feel the impact of FMS.

This thesis attempts to specify what FMS is and how it works, the influence of FMS on …

Acuta Enews January 1986, Vol. 15, No. 1

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

President's Message

Shared Tenant Services at Colleges and Universities

Can you hear me?

Party Line

New Product

The University of Central Florida

Telephone Registration

Accidents Types Des Monteurs De Lignes Du Secteur De La Construction (Annexe), Évelyne Kedl, Lucie Laflamme, Lyne Marinacci

Rapports de recherche scientifique

La première phase du projet dont il est ici question vise à résumer, en un nombre limité d’accidents types, les circonstances dans lesquelles les monteurs de lignes se blessent le plus souvent et les caractéristiques les plus courantes de leurs lésions. À cette fin, les fichiers "pairés" d’accidents des trois entrepreneurs participants et de la CESST ont servi à décrire 236 accidents en utilisant un total de 15 variables. Le traitement de ces données, rétrospectives, a conduit à la reconstruction de six classes d’accidents différentes les unes des autres.

Ces classes se distinguent d’abord par le genre de l’accident. Nos …

Accidents Types Des Monteurs De Lignes Du Secteur De La Construction, Évelyne Kedl, Lucie Laflamme, Lyne Marinacci

Rapports de recherche scientifique

La première phase du projet dont il est ici question vise à résumer, en un nombre limité d’accidents types, les circonstances dans lesquelles les monteurs de lignes se blessent le plus souvent et les caractéristiques les plus courantes de leurs lésions. À cette fin, les fichiers "pairés" d’accidents des trois entrepreneurs participants et de la CESST ont servi à décrire 236 accidents en utilisant un total de 15 variables. Le traitement de ces données, rétrospectives, a conduit à la reconstruction de six classes d’accidents différentes les unes des autres.

Ces classes se distinguent d’abord par le genre de l’accident. Nos …

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. …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

Acuta Enews December 1985, Vol. 14, No. 1985

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Happenings at Duke University Tel-Com

Communications, Bitnet and You or ACUTA Meets the Electronic Age

Data Comm Focus

Party Line

Acuta Enews November 1985, Vol. 14, No. 11

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

University of Missouri

Party Line

President's Message

Questions You Need to Answer before buying Cable

Potpourri

Acuta Enews October 1985, Vol. 14, No. 10

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

President's Message

Party Line

Deju Vu

21st Century Telecommunications

Potpourri

An Investigation Of The Application Of Utility Theory To Determine The Value Of Time: The Demand For Interactive Information Systems In Student Markets, Gordon S. Kalley

Theses

The economic rational of many contemporary businesses is the provision of services or labor saving equipment which their customers' pay for in order• to save themselves time. A major decision such an enterprise must make prior to entry into the market i=_ whether enough of a market exists to make its entry worthwhile. Such firms would be able to make better resource allocation decisions if they could have a quantitative measure of the relationship of their consumer's valuation of time vis a vi money. This study proposes such a measure.

Interactive information systems, whose viability depends to a large degree …

Basic Concepts In Cad & Cam, Chao-Ming Liu

Theses

As the computer revolution is nearing its end, CAD/CAM concepts are being widely accepted and evolving rapidly. This thesis begins with a disscussion of the significance and advantages of CAD/CAM and their relationship with automation. Hardware and software components involved are then introduced. Product design under CAD is done by computers. Computers perform engineering analysis, necessary calculations, and dynamic simulation to complete the complex design. The geometric elements and operational primitives are provided by a data base system. The major components of CAM are then introduced. The term CAM is used in a broader sense to include CAPP, MRP, NC, …

The Flexible Manufacturing System And Its Development In Taiwan, Chi-Shuan Liu

Theses

FMS is a new kind of manufacturing system which is flexible enough to handle a limited variety of parts. It usually consists of three main components: machine tools, a material handling system, and a computer control system. The material handling system is the key to integrating manufacturing cells into the FMS. The machine tools used in FMS are programmable and computer-controlled, having the ability to change their operation process rapidly to deal with product changeovers and part design changes. The digital computer used in FMS has the capability of handling various manufacturing processes which are not capable of being controlled …

Acuta Enews September 1985, Vol. 14, No. 9

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

President's Message

Party Line

Inevitable result of breakup of AT&T is reduction of jobs

The Shape of Phone Calls to Come: Dial 'M' for Muddle

Consultant's Corner

Top 17 Installation Screw-Ups

Acuta Enews July & August 1985, Vol. 14, No. 7 & 8

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Party Line

Super-phone of future eyed by FCC

How Cellular Technology Works

The University of Chicago

Acuta Enews June 1985, Vol. 14, No. 6

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Party Line

Northwestern Phone System

New voice and data features for Centrex

LASS: Putting the telephone customer in charge

Human Factors In The Design Of Computer Graphics Input/Output Interfaces, Michael Uche Amadi

Theses

Computers are used for solving problems of various kinds and therefore, if the users are to fully benefit from the systems, they must be considered during the earliest stages of the system development. There are three major classes of computer users namely: naive, managerial, and scientific-technical. These users have different characteristics that the designer must consider within his/her system. Only by including such distinctions will these user groups each be able to perform at their respective optimum levels. Just as there are different users, there are also numerous applications to which computers can be applied. This thesis will be restricted …

Analysis And Application Of Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems, Mansuk Bae

Theses

It is the intent of this thesis to analysis the practical applications of Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS) as a vital aid in the development of material handling operations within a variety of business sectors.

An evaluation of basis concepts, structural components, practical applications and benefits, and future accessments of AGVS, in terms of material handling are fully discussed. Additionally, a computerized simulation model that calculates "How many Automatic Guided Vehicles Are Needed?" under specific factory conditions and external environmental factors, is both tested and result evaluated.

The author concludes that the use of AGVS as a method for material …

The Accident Prevention Responsibilities Of Management, Kenneth A. Hogue

Theses

The principles of industrial safety described in this paper are discussed from the viewpoint of the industrial supervisor. Maintaining a safe work environment is considered to be a prime responsibility of line supervisors. Accident prevention is viewed as avoidance of unsafe acts and conditions. Guidelines are suggested which enable the the supervisor to impart a safety consciousness on the worker. The Occupational Safety and Health Act and its practical implications are discussed from the standpoint of reporting, correction of unsafe conditions, and penalties. Recommendations are made in the areas of training, communication, and employee motivation.

Standardization, Certification Its Impact On Electronic Systems Manufacturing, Lawrence M. Johmann

Theses

This thesis is a result of an in-depth study of the standardization and certification process in various countries throughout the world. The study was undertaken due to the general lack of readily available information on the subject and problems the author encountered while involved in standardization and certification activities at his previous place of employment.

The thesis discusses product and process standardization and certification and its impact on electronic systems manufacturers. First, the need for standardization and certification is established and its history is reviewed, then the various types and classifications are addressed. Subsequently, standardization in the United States, in …

The Impact Of Microcomputers On Engineering And Technical Management Functions, Salvatore Savino

Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of managers as to the effect of computers on management functions.

Manager perceptions were determined by using a ratio scale of value ranging between 0 and 100. Findings are based on questionnaire responses of 121 top, middle, and lower managers in 120 firms in the United States.

Several hypotheses were examined in the study relative to (1) perceived computer impact on management levels, (2) perceived computer impact on the traditional functions of management, (3) perceived computer impact on levels and functions of management (interaction).

Support was provided for hypothesis of …

Effect Of Federal Income Tax Regulations On Small Business Decision Making, Leon V. Stanisz

Theses

A comparison of small business organizations was performed in order to see how each is directly or indirectly effected by Federal income tax regulations. Each small business form was examined thoroughly in order to objectively assess organizational advantages and disadvantages and how they are effected by different tax requirements and regulations.

Business expenditures were analyzed to see how and where they could be utilized to the fullest. The thesis tried to examine as thoroughly as possible the cost and the value of these "fringe benefits" both to the company and to the individuals.

The results conclude that any type of …

Managing The Transition Of An Army Program From Engineering Development Into Production, Thomas Joseph Thomas

Theses

An overview of the entire Army Research, Development, and Acquisition process is presented. The research, development, test and evaluation phases are detailed. Special emphasis is placed on the Army Producibility Engineering and Planning Program. Examples of the different elements of our Army Production program are described. Finally, the focal point during the transition, the Milestone III and the events surrounding it, are discussed.

Application Of Manufacturing Resources Planning To Repetitive Manufacturing Environments, Irma L. Yuen

Theses

Most of the methodology for Manufacturing Systems has been devoted to Job Shops. Frequently the assumption has been made that, because Job Shops are the most complicated their methodology should fit Repetitive Manufacturing as well.

For years the Repetitive producers had been ignored as Production and Inventory Control Techniques were developed, implemented and refined to assist discrete Job Shops environments with Material Planning problems.

The application of modern Production and Inventory Control Techniques especially MRP II in the Repetitive Manufacturing Industries is receiving increasing attention from experts in the Production and Inventory Control field.

During the research for this Thesis …