Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Predicting The Cost Per Flying Hour For The F-16 Using Programmatic And Operational Variables, Eric M. Hawkes

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes operational and programmatic data from all Air National Guard and 13 of 14 active duty F-16C/D Fighter Wings (FW) from 1998 to 2004 in search of explanatory variables that influence a wing's Cost Per Flying Hour (CPFH). Using data from both the Air Force Total Ownership Cost database and from the Air Force Knowledge Systems database, this research evaluates the predictive ability of the following nine explanatory variables: aircraft age, average sortie duration, MajCOM, base location, utilization rate, percent engine type, percent block, percent deployed, and previous year's CPFH, the last four of which were previously untested. …

Categorizing High Energy Laser Effects For The Joint Munitions Effectiveness Manual, James A. Markham

Theses and Dissertations

With the high risk and cost in fielding High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems, the development process must include computer simulation models of weapon system performance from the engineering level up to predicting the military worth of employing specific systems in a combat scenario. This research effort focuses on defining how to measure lethality for HEL weapons in an Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) scenario. In order to create an effective measure for direct comparison between the emerging laser weapon system and existing conventionally delivered weapons, lase time in seconds is presented as a measure comparable to rounds required to cause …

Using Narrated Powerpoint Presentations For Distance Learning, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Dr. Savory highlights his use of narrated powerpoint slides for the development of his distance education course. In addition,he highlight the strucutre and assessment approaches used for his course.

Risk Management For The Construction Of Power Plants In Egypt, Amir Ibrahim Abouseif

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Dynamic Lot Sizing With Batch Ordering Using Simulated Annealing, Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan Aly

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Matter Of Priorities: Effects Of Increased Opportunities For Extracurricular And Non-Traditional Learning Experiences On Student Time Management And Attitudes, David Spurlock, Daniel J. Bailey, Susan L. Murray, Andrew S. Ricke

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Many schools are emphasizing non-traditional and extracurricular learning experiences for undergraduate engineering students. These include activities such as incorporating servicelearning projects into the classroom, involving students in design competitions (e.g., solar car, formula car races), and promoting involvement in traditional campus organizations. Often this emphasis is in response to changes in ABET requirements, desires of future employers, and needs to improve student retention. What are the effects of emphasizing these sorts of activities on student attitudes and time management decisions? We examine the influences on students' priorities for allocating their time and their perceptions of the relative importance of available …

Pnl Applied To Economics, Barbara Diaz, Tomohiro Takagi, Sema E. Alptekin

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This work is a continuation of Zadeh’s research on Precisiated Natural language. Precisiated Natural Language (PNL) provides a system for computation and deduction of propositions expressed in a natural language. The importance of PNL for economics is discussed. The improved process of PNL is presented using a real world example from economics.

Executable Model Development From Architectural Description With Application To The Time Sensitive Target Problem, Luis M. Diaz Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

As the Department of Defense (DoD) moves to a capabilities-based approach for requirements definition and systems development, it has become necessary to conceptualize and evaluate our needs at the System of Systems (SoS) level. Desired capabilities are often achievable only through seamless integration of many different systems. As the classical systems engineering approaches are not suited to effectively handle the complexity of SoS level concepts, an architectures-driven approach has emerged as a way of defining and evaluating these new concepts. While the use of architectures for documenting and tracking interfaces and interoperability concerns is generally understood, architectural analysis and the …

A Case Study On Implementation Of Quality Function Deployment Into The Design Process Of A Small Job Shop, Benjamin A. Thomson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The majority of research involving Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was focused on large consumer based companies and not small job shop business-to-business companies. This case study involved the implementation of QFD into the design process at Reynolds & Co., a small job shop in Terre Haute, IN. The specific objectives of the research were to find the QFD concepts that apply to the improvement of Reynolds & Co.'s (small job shop) design process. The next objective was to reduce the average design time associated with Reynolds & Co.'s design process. The final objective of this case study was to reduce …

Acuta Enews May 2005, Vol. 34, No. 5

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

Board Approves Slate of Nominees

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

Tech Talk: Proxy Appliances Are Network Rules Enforcers................. Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

Nominate Now for ACUTA Ruth A. Michalecki Leadership Award

Volunteer at Annual Conference

Dues Notices to Mail May 2

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

Regional Workshop: Strategic Trade-offs in Campus Wireless Mobility

DC Update.................... Whitney Johnson, Retired, No. Michigan Univ.

Canadian Commission Says VoIP Must Have 911 Emergency Service

Welcome New Members

Web Tip: Listserv & Resource Library...................... Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA Computer Services Mgr.

ACUTA Online Press Room

A Simulation Analysis Of Factors Influencing The Flexibility Of Cellular Manufacturing, Manocher Djassemi

Industrial Technology and Packaging

The performance of cellular manufacturing (CM) systems in a variable demand and flexible workforce environment has been examined using simulation modelling. Discrepancies between academicians and practitioners' findings with respect to flexibility and uneven machine utilization in CM systems are discussed. The views of two parties were incorporated in simulation models to rectify the existing discrepancies. While the results of this study confirm the previous findings of academicians regarding the deterioration of the performance of CM in a variable product mix situation, it appears that those results may be significantly influenced by considering a flexible workforce. The simulation results show that …

The Effect Of Level Of Automation And Operator-To-Vehicle Ratio On Operator Workload And Performance In Future Uav Systems, Ryan J. Wasson

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The military intends to increase the number of UAVs in service while at the same time reducing the number of operators (Dixon, Wickens & Chang; 2004). To meet this demand, many of the current UAV operator functions will need to be automated. How automation is applied to modern systems is not fixed. Levels of automation exist along a continuum from fully manual to fully automatic. Two proposed levels of automation for future UAV systems are Management by Consent (MBC), where the operator selects the task to be executed, and Management by Exception (MBE), where the computer selects the task to …

Acuta Enews April 2005, Vol. 34, No. 4

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This Issue

Nominate Now for ACUTA Ruth A. Michalecki Leadership Award

From the President .................................Tamara Closs, Georgetown Univ,

Tech Talk: Make Sure Your VolP Equipment Stays Cool ........................... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

Web Tip: Listserv & Resource Library ....................... Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA Computer Services Mgr.

To Wire or Not to Wire New Construction............... Geoff Tritsch, Compass Consulting lntl. lnc.

Caller lD Spoofing: Another Kind of identity Theft....... Corinne Hoch, Nuala Hallinan, Columbia Univ.

DC Update......................... Whitney Johnson, Retired, No. Michigan Univ.

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

Welcome New Members

ACUTA Online Press Room

A Method For Classification Analysis On Simultaneous Product Defects, Jason S. Trahan

Masters Theses

There have been many advancements that share similar tools and techniques that help reduce the manufacture of nonconformities. These include computer-aided analysis, design reviews, total quality management, multivariate analysis, process monitoring and control, and root cause analysis to mention a few.

This work details the methodology developed for manufacturing companies to predict attribute defects. Injection molding was used to demonstrate the proposed methodology. Data were collected on a variety of tool design and construction attributes thought to affect the performance of a tool. The independent variables consisted of categorical and numerical data types. The dependent variable was a nominal four-tuple …

Quantifying Vulnerability To Critical Infrastructure, Barry Charles Ezell

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Military and civilian leaders have the responsibility to protect our Nation's critical infrastructure, communities, and symbols of American power from terrorists, home and abroad, as well as from natural disasters. To this end, assessments are conducted to reduce vulnerability. The literature offers multiple definitions of vulnerability and measurement has not been adequately addressed. Thus, the purpose of this research has been to develop and deploy a systems-based model that quantifies vulnerability to critical infrastructure. This research defines critical infrastructure vulnerability as a measure of the susceptibility of critical infrastructure to threat scenarios. Vulnerability is a function of (1) threat scenario, …

A Systems Methodology For Measuring Operational Organization Effectiveness: A Study Of The Original Equipment Computer Manufacturing Industry, 1948 To 2001, Teddy Steven Cotter

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Optimizing operational organizational effectiveness is the central, although often unstated, goal of engineering management and systems engineering research and applications. Two fundamental problems remain to be addressed in pursuit of this goal. First, despite over fifty years of research in various disciplines, there is still no universally accepted definition of organizational effectiveness. Second, no methodology exists to identify the domains, dimensions, and determinants of operational organizational effectiveness and dynamically model operational organizational effectiveness within a given population.

This research synthesizes a systems engineering methodology for identifying the domains, dimensions, and determinants of and dynamically modeling operational organizational effectiveness for an …

Development Of A Statistical Model For Process Control To Eliminate Sink Marks In Injection Molded Products, Kurt Frederick Hayden

Masters Theses

Customer demands for high-quality, defect-free injection-molded products are ever increasing. In order to satisfy these quality requirements, much effort is spent monitoring and controlling variable data such as cycle time, part weight, and dimensions. Attribute defects such as sink or splay are often overlooked in the development of process control systems. However, customers reject products because of these attribute defects. Industrial control systems based upon process variables and product design variables can detect conditions that may result in the molding of products with attribute defects. The systems can then correct the process prior to the molding of these defective products. …

Modeling Multilevel Supply Chain Systems To Optimize Order Quantities And Order Points Through Mathematical Models, Discrete Event Simulation And Physical Simulations, Alok K. Verma

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Managing supply chains in today's distributed manufacturing environment has become more complex. To remain competitive in today's global marketplace, organizations must streamline their supply chains. The practice of coordinating the design, procurement, flow of goods, services, information and finances, from raw material flows to parts supplier to manufacturer to distributor to retailer and finally to consumer requires synchronized planning and execution. Efficient and effective supply chain management assists an organization in getting the right goods and services to the place needed at the right time, in the proper quantity and at acceptable cost. Managing this process involves developing and overseeing …

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design: Quarterly Progress Report January 1-March 31, 2005, 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 calculation of …

F-111 Systems Engineering Case Study, Air Force Center For Systems Engineering, G. Keith Richey

AFIT Documents

The systems engineering lessons from the F-111 program will facilitate learning by emphasizing practical applications and resulting outcomes to the current processes and tools used on today s programs. The student will understand the long-term consequences of systems engineering as implemented on the F-111 and its effect on cost, schedule, and operational effectiveness. The reader can then postulate outcomes of alternate decisions at the program/system level.

Acuta Enews March 2005, Vol. 34, No. 3

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

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

Did You See the Post?

Nominate for ACUTA Board of Directors

Tech Talk: Holographic Storage................... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux Public Relations

Abandoned Cable May take Unexpected Bite.................. Frank Bisbee, www.wireville.com

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

ACUTA Member Sites to See

Web Tip: Questions, Anyone?....................... Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA Computer Svcs. Mgr.

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

Welcome New Members

ACUTA Online Press Room

A Multiple-Case Analysis Of Lean Six Sigma Deployment And Implementation Strategies, Peter M. O'Rourke

Theses and Dissertations

Lean and Six Sigma are recent developments in continuous improvement methodology that have been popularized by several high-profile companies. The success and complementary nature of these methodologies has led to their combination into a single methodology, commonly called Lean Six Sigma or Lean Sigma. Although there is considerable literature available and many consultants involved with Lean Six Sigma, very little published research addresses the practical experiences of companies that have implemented Lean Six Sigma. The research question for this research is: How and why are certain private sector implementations of Lean Six Sigma successful or unsuccessful? The investigative questions further …

Feasibility Study Of Variance Reduction In The Thunder Campaign-Level Model, Earl M. Bednar

Theses and Dissertations

As an Air Force Chief of Staff endorsed topic, Air Force Studies and Analyses Agency (AFSAA) requested an effective and efficient way to reduce the variance in analysis results from THUNDER. THUNDER is a large-scale discrete event simulation of campaign-level military operations and is used to examine issues involving the utility and effectiveness of air and space power in a theater-level, joint warfare context. Given the large number of stochastic components within THUNDER, results are produced with highly variable measures of effectiveness (MOEs), causing difficulties in evaluating alternative force structures, weapon systems, etc. This work responds to AFSAA's request by …

On The Use Of Surrogate Functions For Mixed Variable Optimization Of Simulated Systems, John E. Dunlap

Theses and Dissertations

This research considers the efficient numerical solution of linearly constrained mixed variable programming (MVP) problems, in which the objective function is a black-box stochastic simulation, function evaluations may be computationally expensive, and derivative information is typically not available. MVP problems are those with a mixture of continuous, integer, and categorical variables, the latter of which may take on values only from a predefined list and may even be non-numeric. Mixed Variable Generalized Pattern Search with Ranking and Selection (MGPS-RS) is the only existing, provably convergent algorithm that can be applied to this class of problems. Present in this algorithm is …

Effectively Managing The Air Force Enterprise Architecture, Jamie P. Sharkey

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force is developing and implementing an enterprise architecture to meet the Clinger-Cohen Act's requirement that all federal agencies use an architecture to guide their information technology (IT) investments. However, this act does not provide guidance on how to effectively manage an enterprise architecture. Prior research applied maturity models and competency stages to manage an enterprise architecture by defining layers of enterprise architecture management maturity. However, these efforts tend to view enterprise architecture development as a one-time planning process rather than an iterative progression. Enterprise architecture is not a one-time exercise, but rather it is an on-going effort within …

Passwords: A Survey On Usage And Policy, Kurt W. Martinson

Theses and Dissertations

Computer password use is on the rise. Passwords have become one of the primary authentication methods used today. It is because of their high use that organizations have started to place parameters on passwords. Are password restrictions a nuisance? What are some of the consequences that result as organizations place the burden of their computer security on passwords? This thesis analyzes the results of a survey instrument that was used to determine if individuals are using similar techniques or patterns when choosing or remembering their passwords. It also looks at how individuals feel about using passwords. In addition, the authors …

Project Portfolio Management: An Investigation Of One Air Force Product Center, Bryan D. Edmunds

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last two decades, reducing product development times in the DoD has been the focus of many committees, commissions, and research efforts. Despite the implementation of numerous recommendations, the DoD still struggles with long acquisition cycle times. This research is part of the Air Force Cycle Time Reduction Research Program (CTRRP), which grew out of the Cycle Time Reduction Action Plan, developed in 1998. This research focuses on the portfolio management (project selection and resource allocation) part of the CTRRP. The purpose of this research effort was to investigate the use of portfolio management within the Air Force. Specifically, …

Performance Based Service Acquisition: A Quantitative Evaluation Of Implementation Goals And Performance In The United States Air Force, Dylan D. Pope

Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to maximize cost savings in the rapidly growing services sector, the DoD established a Performance Based Service Acquisition (PBSA) strategy that focuses on evaluating contractor performance based on their ability to meet desired outcomes rather than the means to which the outcomes are obtained. In April 2000, Dr. Gansler, then Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, mandated that 50 percent of all eligible service acquisitions be awarded using PBSA methods by FY 2005. Since then very little research has been focused on USAF implementation of PBSA and the progress and attainment of the PBSA …

Comparing Management Approaches For Automatic Test Systems: A Strategic Missile Case Study, William C. Ford

Theses and Dissertations

From 1980 to 1992, the DoD spent over $50 billion acquiring Automatic Test Systems (ATS) used to test weapon systems. At that time, procuring unique ATS to support single weapon systems was the norm. In 1994, the DoD made a dramatic change to their ATS acquisition policy; common ATS that supported multiple weapon systems was preferred over ATS tailored to support a single weapon system. Expected benefits of this new policy included: more reliable equipment, increased supportability, decreased cost, smaller logistics footprint, and decreased manning. To date, the common ATS initiative has garnered little support AF-wide due to lack of …

Air Force Jp-8 Fuel Distribution System: A Statistical Analysis To Determine Where And When To Sample, Eric J. Heath

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Petroleum Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio collects JP-8 sampling data, but this data doesn't undergo analysis to determine the health of the base-level JP-8 fuel distribution system. Commanders possess no known confidence level when assessing base-level fuel health. Therefore, the objective of this research is to assess Air Force base-level fuel sampling data to determine the base-level sampling point that ensures a quality and healthy product at the aircraft. Also, this research seeks to identify how often correlation sampling should take place. Sample test pass rates are analyzed from three locations, receipt, storage, and vehicles/aircraft, …