Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Value-Based Product Structure Evaluation For Disassembly, Shivakumar Viswanathan, Venkat Allada

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Designing for the ease of end of life (EOL) disassembly is an important design function. The product structure that is the spatial relationships between the parts of the product and the value distribution over them plays an important role in determining the ease and profitability of disassembly. This paper presents a conceptual methodology to determine the effect of the spatial precedence on the desired value precedence of the product. The methodology introduces a digraph called the bureau graph to model this relationship between the spatial and value precedence structures. Based on this modeling indices are derived that provide a holistic …

Productivity Improvement At A High-Tech State-Owned Industry--An Indonesian Case Study Of Employee Motivation, Adik A. Soedarsono, Susan L. Murray, Yildirim Omurtag

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The purpose of this case study was to identify the level of employee motivation at an Indonesian high-tech state-owned company. Comparisons were drawn between labor and management as well as Indonesian and Western industrial environments. The overall results provide insight into employee motivation and the potential for productivity improvement that should prove beneficial to management at state-owned and privately owned companies in Indonesia and the Pacific Rim. The study can also help Westerners appreciate culture differences and productivity challenges in this developing country.

A Mentoring Guide For Female Faculty In Engineering, Susan L. Murray, Linda M. Manning, Catherine A. Riordan, Elizabeth Cummins, Philip B. Thompson

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One widely accepted method for increasing the chances of success of female engineering and science students and faculty alike is to provide access to female role models and mentors. In this article we offer to new female faculty, and to those who would mentor them, an annotated list of text and electronic resources that address most of the most important challenges facing new female faculty in science and engineering.

A Technology Assessment Survey For Web Based Higher Education Programs, Earl A. Evans, Susan L. Murray

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Advances in communications and computer technology, as well as in human-computer interfaces, have enabled concurrent advances in Web-based education. A number of case studies concerning applications of Web-based education for both distance learning and on-campus programs have been published. Primarily, these studies have focused on individual assessments of the web-based technologies. In contrast, this paper will provide a broad based assessment of applied web-based technology for higher education. This research was conducted via a survey completed by university and college faculty from numerous 4-year institutions. To gain an effective assessment, eleven categories of web-based course delivery tools, such as chatrooms …

Effectiveness Of An On-Line Graduate Engineering Management Course: A Preliminary Study, Rosemarie Maffei Evans, Madison Daily, Susan L. Murray

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the summer of 1997, the University of Missouri-Rolla's (UMR) Engineering Management Department began offering its first completely Web-based course. This graduate level course, Advanced Production Management, was designed to utilize a combination of Web-based tools to create a conducive, yet non-traditional, learning environment for its students. The students in the course did not physically have to attend any lectures and only met for an initial and final class period. The remainder of the course was conducted exclusively via Web-based tools. Accordingly, the Engineering Management Department commenced a research effort to determine the effectiveness of this new learning environment. This …

On-Line Team Project Communication Tool Set, Halvard E. Nystrom, D. R. Risco

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Team projects offer a valuable mechanism for effective learning. However, communication within the team, with the instructor and between different teams is a challenging task that can greatly limit the effectiveness of the learning experience. Some of the tools and concepts that are being developed for distance learning applications can be used to enhance team project communication within teams that are geographically separated as well as for in-campus teams. This article documents a set of on-line tools that allow for asynchronous team participation and timely monitoring and feedback by the instructor.

A Hybrid System For Well Test Analysis, Edward A. May, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Petroleum well test analysis is a tool for estimating the average properties of the reservoir rock. It is a classic example of an inverse problem. Visual examination of the pressure response of the reservoir to an induced flow rate change at a well allows the experienced analyst to determine the most appropriate model from a library of generalized analytical solutions. Rock properties are determined by finding the model parameters that best fit the observed data. This paper describes a framework for hybrid network to assist the analyst in selecting the appropriate model and determining the solution. The hybrid network design …

A Transmission-Constrained Unit Commitment Method, Chung-Li Tseng, Chao-An Li, S. S. Oren, C. S. Cheng, A. J. Svoboda, R. B. Johnson

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The paper presents a transmission-constrained unit commitment method using a Lagrangian relaxation approach. The transmission constraints are modeled as linear constraints based on a DC power flow model. The transmission constraints, as well as the demand and spinning reserve constraints, are relaxed by attaching Lagrange multipliers. The authors take a new approach in the algorithmic scheme. A three-phase algorithm is devised including dual optimization, a feasibility phase and unit decommitment. A test problem involving more than 2500 transmission lines and 2200 buses is tested along with other test problems

An Object-Based Evolutionary Algorithm: The Nesting Solution, Kanchitpol Ratanapan, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The nesting problems have received considerable attention and have been addressed by a variety of algorithms. Recently, evolutionary algorithms have been adopted for solutions. Most of these algorithms, however, require a search in one-dimensional space; thus a transformation of the problem to a single dimension, as in the sequencing problems, is needed. Unfortunately, this restricts the search space. In this study an object-based evolutionary algorithm for the nesting problems is proposed. The methodology is created in a true two-dimensional space, allowing object-based mechanisms and object-based evolutionary operators to perform effectively on the space without restricting search alternatives. Implementation of the …

A Robust Unit Commitment Algorithm For Hydro-Thermal Optimization, Chao-An Li, R. B. Johnson, A. J. Svoboda, Chung-Li Tseng, E. Hsu

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a unit commitment algorithm which combines the Lagrangian relaxation (LR), sequential unit commitment (SUC), and optimal unit decommitment (UD) methods to solve a general hydro-thermal optimization (HTO) problem. We argue that this approach retains the advantages of the LR method while addressing the method''s observed weaknesses to improve overall algorithm performance and quality of solution. The proposed approach has been implemented in a version of PG&E''s HTO program, and test results are presented.

Total Quality Management And Corporate Financial Performance: An Analysis Of The Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award Criteria, Alice Brigid Beechner

Doctoral Dissertations

"The impact of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) Performance Excellence Criteria on corporate financial performance is examined. Three independent studies were performed to assess this relationship. The first included Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) winners. The second study involved 69 firms identified as Total Quality Management (TQM) firms and for the final study a sample of large American corporations who completed surveys which provided an estimate of the score the companies would have received on a MBNQA assessment were examined. The method for assessing the financial strength for all three studies was the metric Market Value Added …

A Parallel Genetic-Neuro Scheduler For Job-Shop Scheduling Problems, H. C. Lee, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Despite relentless efforts on developing new approaches, there are still large gaps between schedules generated through various planning systems, and schedules actually used in the shop floor environment. An effective schedule generation is a knowledge intensive activity requiring a comprehensive model of a factory and its environment at all times. There are four main difficulties that need to be addressed. First, job shop scheduling belongs to a class of NP-hard problems. Second, it is a highly constrained problem that changes from shop to shop. Third, scheduling decisions depend upon other decisions which are not isolated from other functions. Thus, it …

Engineering Management And Industrial Engineering: Six One Way, A Half Dozen The Other, Susan L. Murray, Stephen A. Raper

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To some people engineering management (EM) is a specialty within Industrial Engineering (IE), to others EM is broader than IE. Comparing the histories of the two disciplines shows a clear distinction. Both disciplines have their roots in the work of engineering pioneers at the turn of the century. Work in motion and time study, along with other efficiency driven techniques, was the beginning of IE. Both IE and EM can trace their roots to the era of scientific management and the work of the early pioneers. A noted change for IE occurred after World War II when many programs shifted …

Integrating Core Industrial Engineering Courses Through A Manufacturing Case Study, Susan L. Murray

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a summary of research conducted by a team of students from the University of Missouri-Rolla. The manufacturing processes at a local firm were evaluated. The case study illustrates the benefits of applying ergonomic, safety, work measurement, and quality assessment tools together. Additionally this team approach illustrates the importance of educating engineering students to think across course and discipline lines. The paper concludes with generalized recommendations for other educational applications.

A Robust Unit Commitment Algorithm For Hydro-Thermal Optimization, Chao-An Li, Chung-Li Tseng, E. Hsu, R. B. Johnson, A. J. Svoboda

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a unit commitment algorithm which combines the Lagrangian relaxation (LR), sequential unit commitment (SUC), and optimal unit decommitment (UD) methods to solve a general hydro-thermal optimization (HTO) problem. The authors argue that this approach retains the advantages of the LR method while addressing the method''s observed weaknesses to improve overall algorithm performance and quality of solution. The proposed approach has been implemented in a version of PG&E''s HTO program, and test results are presented.

Asynchronous Distance Learning Technology: The Instructor's Perspective, Earl Alexander Evans

Masters Theses

"Advances in communications, computer technology and human-computer interfaces have enabled concurrent advances in Web-based education. A number of case studies concerning applications of Web-based education for both distance learning and on-campus programs have been published. Primarily, these studies have focused on individual assessments of the Web-based technologies. In addition, these published studies have generally highlighted the successes while little discussion about failed attempts has been presented in the literature.

In contrast, this thesis provides a broad-based assessment of applied Web technology for higher education. This research was conducted via a survey completed by twenty five university and college faculty from …

Technology Acquisition And Utilization In Metal Goods, N. Alp, B. Alp, Yildirim Omurtag

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper analyzes the technology acquisition and utilization process in metal goods manufacturing organizations through a survey instrument which is conducted in the Mid-West region of the US. The goal of this study is to identify the channels, types, reasons, impacts, difficulties, and limitations of technology acquisition and utilization process in metal goods sector.

Artificial Neural Network Based Model For Computation Of Injection Mould Complexity, Rawin Raviwongse, Venkat Allada

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The cost of injection mould construction depends primarily on the mould complexity. The ability to estimate the mould complexity before releasing the final drawings for construction purposes will greatly help the designers to understand the implications of their design on cost. Mould complexity depends on several factors such as part geometry, parting line, materials, and number of cavities per mould. In most industries, the mould complexity evaluation is performed manually based on past experiences of mould makers. Faced with a shortage of experienced mould makers, there is a pressing need for development of computer-aided tools for mould complexity evaluation. In …

Innovative Applications Of Groupware For Solving Engineering Design Problems, Leslie F. Monplaisir, Colin Othniel Benjamin, Choayuan Lu

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In these case studies, groupware was used as a group decision-making environment to assist teams evaluating a quality function deployment framework for risk management and agile manufacturing system designs. In the first case, teams identified customers' requirements and risk categories for a research and development project. They then mapped the relationship between these customer requirements and the risk categories. In the second case, cross-functional teams collaborated in selecting the best layout for a cellular manufacturing facility. These experimental findings support the use of group decision systems by design and project teams required to manage R&D projects or to design agile …

Self-Assessment Of Total Quality Management Programs, Hung Yi Wu, Henry Allen Wiebe, John Politi

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Total quality management (TQM) has been increasingly accepted as a management philosophy. Criteria such as those contained in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) often guide TQM implementation. However, reports indicate that fully assessing TQM efforts is difficult and hiring experts to help with this task is expensive. Using survey instruments is an attractive alternative to full-scale assessment. Despite the availability of many papers covering organizational performance assessment, few instruments specifically address TQM evaluation. Furthermore, none of the TQM assessment instruments has been subjected to rigorous validation; thus, only modest confidence can be placed in results obtained from their …

Hydro Unit Commitment In Hydro-Thermal Optimization, Chao-An Li, E. Hsu, Chung-Li Tseng, A. J. Svoboda, R. B. Johnson

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the authors develop a model and technique for solving the combined hydro and thermal unit commitment problem, taking into full account the hydro unit dynamic constraints in achieving overall economy of power system operation. The combined hydrothermal unit commitment problem is solved by a decomposition and coordination approach. Thermal unit commitment is solved using a conventional Lagrangian relaxation technique. The hydro system is divided into watersheds, which are further broken down into reservoirs. The watersheds are optimized by network flow programming (NFP). Priority-list-based dynamic programming is used to solve the hydro unit commitment (HUC) problem at the …

A Biologically Inspired Connectionist Architecture For Directing Attention To Salient Visual Field Objects, David Lee Enke

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In an attempt to incorporate basic visual attention abilities into existing artificial vision systems, a neural model of the bidirectional interactions within and between the brain regions believed to be involved in human visual attention has been developed. This model currently gives an artificial vision system the ability to attend to salient, or pop-out features and objects within the vision system''s field of view. After a review of the physiology of human visual attention, a network model of the aforementioned neural interactions is presented, followed by a demonstration of its performance.

An Object-Based Evolutionary Algorithm For Solving Rectangular Piece Nesting Problems, Kanchitpol Ratanapan, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nesting problems have been tackled by researchers using a vast number of algorithms in the past. Most of the algorithms, however, need to perform on a one-dimensional space. Therefore, the problem must be transformed into a one-dimensional space problem similar to the travelling salesman problem. Consequently, loss of solutions due to the dimensional reduction may occur. In this study, an object-based evolutionary algorithm for rectangular piece nesting problems is proposed. This methodology is created on truly two-dimensional space, allowing new mechanisms (i.e., individual representation, initialization, etc.) and new object-based genetic operators (i.e., hill-climbing, mutation, and recombination operators) to perform effectively …

Derivation Of Fuzzy Membership Functions Using One-Dimensional Self-Organizing Maps, Thomas E. Sandidge, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper discusses a system of self-organizing maps that approximate the fuzzy membership function for an arbitrary number of fuzzy classes. This is done through the ordering and clustering properties of one-dimensional self-organizing maps and iterative approximation of conditional probabilities of nodes in one map being the winner given that a node in the other map is the winner. Application of this system reduces fuzzy membership design time to that required to train the system of self-organizing maps.

Managing Cultural Differences For Engineers, Halvard E. Nystrom

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Understanding cultural issues, developing cross-cultural communication skills and recognizing the need to effectively apply these skills in the global arena are becoming critical success factors for an increasing number of engineers. To address these needs, an engineering management class has been developed at the University of Missouri-Rolla, USA, that uses a team project approach as the major method to achieve the learning objectives. The student teams develop training manuals for dealing with engineers from specific international cultures, based on the material learned in class as well as personal interactions with individuals of the specific ethnic background. An application of this …

Short-Term Resource Scheduling With Ramp Constraints [Power Generation Scheduling], Chung-Li Tseng, Chao-An Li, A. J. Svoboda, R. B. Johnson

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper describes a Lagrangian relaxation-based method to solve the short-term resource scheduling (STRS) problem with ramp constraints. Instead of discretizing the generation levels, the ramp rate constraints are relaxed with the system demand constraints using Lagrange multipliers. Three kinds of ramp constraints, startup, operating and shutdown ramp constraints are considered. The proposed method has been applied to solve the hydro-thermal generation scheduling problem at PG&E. An example alone with numerical results is also presented

Service Quality Using The Deviation-Score Approach To Fit In Contingency Theory In A U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Setting, Donald Robert Groh

Doctoral Dissertations

"The purpose of this study is to learn how organizational work unit context, structure, and processes relate to service quality. The theoretical basis for the research is that organizational work units should be structured based on the work that they perform. If the work that a unit performs is highly variable, then the work unit should be structured in such a way as to provide flexibility, that is, few rules and procedures and highly decentralized decision making. If the work that a unit performs is not variable, then the work unit should be structured to provide a non-varying product or …

Applying Informal Cooperative Learning Groups Techniques In The Classroom, Susan L. Murray

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The application of informal cooperative learning (CL) groups techniques in the courses including operation research, and computer simulation, is discussed. The informal CL activities can be accomplished in small groups consisting of two or three students. It increases student participation and revitalizing passive lecturers. Students work example problems or homework problems in groups.

An Approach To Just-In-Time Implementation In Discrete Parts Manufacturing, Phillip Gregory Shirey

Masters Theses

"Just-In-Time manufacturing is a philosophy that encourages waste reduction and the elimination of non-value-added activities. The processes affected include office and shop personnel. When successfully implemented, JIT accounts for improved production lead time cycles, reduced inventories, improved employee morale, reduced cost of goods, and continuous improvements of the total business process.

This thesis identifies real world problems many medium size U.S. manufacturing companies now face, and an approach to JIT implementation in discrete parts manufacturing. The approach includes developing strategies to motivate the employees and to implement the tools and techniques of JIT, Total Quality Management, ISO 9001, and MRP …

Automatic Pcb Inspection Algorithms: A Survey, Madhav Moganti, Fikret Ercal, Cihan H. Dagli, Shou Tsunekawa

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

The importance of the inspection process has been magnified by the requirements of the modern manufacturing environment. In electronics mass-production manufacturing facilities, an attempt is often made to achieve 100% quality assurance of all parts, subassemblies, and finished goods. A variety of approaches for automated visual inspection of printed circuits have been reported over the past two decades. In this survey, algorithms and techniques for the automated inspection of printed circuit boards are examined. A classification tree for these algorithms is presented and the algorithms are grouped according to this classification. This survey concentrates mainly on image analysis and fault …