Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Non-Traditional Aisle Design For A Manufacturing Facility Layout, Dale T. Masel, Dean Marinchek

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Methods for designing a facility layout typically assume that the aisles for interdepartmental travel will be parallel to the exterior walls of the facility. However, by putting aisles at an angle to the exterior walls, more direct routes between departments can be created, reducing travel distance. This paper describes a method to create a facility layout that does not have orthogonal aisles and testing of the resulting layouts shows that travel distance is reduced.

Operational-Level Optimization Of Inbound Intralogistics, Hector J. Carlo, Yeiram Martinez

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

This study is concerned with optimizing inbound operations at distribution centers (DCs), warehouses, and cross-docks with staging areas. The objective of the problem is to minimize the makespan required to move all unit loads from the trailers to the flow racks, and from the flow racks to their respective storage locations. It is assumed that a set of inbound trailers with known composition have been assigned and sequenced to inbound dock doors. The following three inbound logistics decisions are simultaneously considered: i) unloaders’ assignment and scheduling, ii) loads-to-flow rack assignment, and iii) assignment and haulers’ scheduling. In this study we …

Understanding Worker Blocking And The Design Process, Russell D. Meller, Lisa M. Thomas

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Designing a distribution center (DC) is a complex process that consists of answering dozens of interrelated questions. From our perspective, the penultimate question is one of which picking methodology is optimal. To answer this question requires a full evaluation of picking methodologies in terms of their ability to meet the expected throughput requirements of the system. In manual picking systems, as throughput requirements increase, worker interaction and blocking increase as well. This implies that being able to estimate the amount of worker blocking in a system is critical to a design effort. Most of the prior research in this area …

Introducing The Concept Of Hyperconnected Mobile Production, Suzanne Marcotte, Benoit Montreuil

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Many globalized businesses are trying to cope with growing competition by strategically expanding their dedicated network of production facilities so as to be able to offer and to deliver time and price competitive offers to their clients across the world. In this paper, exploiting Physical Internet principles, we introduce the concept of hyperconnected mobile production that can alternatively enable businesses to dynamically expand and contract as necessary their production capacity in regions worldwide. First, hyperconnected mobile production exploits open fabs from multiple parties readily available in those regions. Second, these fabs are to rely on plug-and-play production modules. These modules …

A High-Density, Puzzle-Based System For Rail-Rail Container Transfers, Kevin Gue

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

We describe a high-density, puzzle-based storage and transfer system for containers in a rail-to-rail hub for the Physical Internet. The system uses a new algorithm called GridHub, which is able to transfer items in all four cardinal directions simultaneously within a grid. We show how the GridHub system might be used in a rail-rail transfer hub to transfer containers between one side of the grid and a train.

Logistics Models To Support Order-Fulfillment From The Sea, Jennifer Pazour, Ian Shin

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Sea based logistics use maritime platforms to transfer cargo stored on vessels and delivers them ashore. This chapter describes the motivations and logistical requirements of seabasing. The sea base’s organizational structure, its material handling environment, and the internal cargo flow processes of the T-AKE vessel are described. Three seabasing distribution network scenarios -- Iron Mountain, Skin-to-Skin Replenishment, and Tailored Resupply Packages -- are described and mapped to warehousing and distribution networks, characteristics, and decision problems. Finally, related literature is reviewed and open areas for logistics research to support order fulfillment from the sea are identified.

Omnichannel Business-­‐To-­‐Consumer Logistics And Supply Chains: Towards Hyperconnected Networks And Facilities, Benoit Montreuil

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

This paper deals with omnichannel business-­‐to-­‐consumer logistics and supply chains. Its key contribution is the conceptualization of hyperconnected network and facility design options for enabling to meet the challenges toward achieving omnichannel logistics efficiently and sustainably while meeting the timely expectations of clients. These design options exploit key Physical Internet concepts. They encompass the transportation, pickup and delivery of ordered goods, the deployment of products across territories to enable fast response to orders, as well as on-­‐demand production of products across networks of facilities while engaging multiple parties. The options range from current practice to prospective ones that are associated …

Maritime Location Decisions For Lng Bunkering Facilities, Reinier C. Schneider, Iris F.A. Vis

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is one of the upcoming fuels to be used for more sustainable shipping activities in the maritime sector. For a widespread adoption by end-users, a refuelling network requiring capital intensive investments, needs to be in place. From a macro perspective of suppliers of LNG, it makes sense to develop the infrastructure at strategic locations that capture as many vessels and ships as possible. The goal of this research is to develop a facility location model that can contribute to the location selection of LNG facilities in a new fuelling network. The new model will fit the …

Methodology For Choosing An Appropriate Inland Vessels As A Floating Distribution Centers, Andrea Seidlova, David Sourek

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

The primary goal of this paper is to propose a methodology for the choice of an appropriate vessel type under the specific condition of floating distribution center. The right choice of the appropriate type of vessel has a fundamental influence on the long-term success of city logistic projects with water transport. In this paper, we propose a methodology for vessel choice according to its inner layout and technology of handling. The possibility of an application in practice will be defined for each option.

Integrated Versus Sequential Scheduling And Assignment At A Unit Load Cross-Dock, Arpan Rijal, Marco Bijvank, Rene De Koster

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Within a cross-dock, the assignment of trucks to dock-doors and the scheduling of trucks to be processed are two major operational decisions. Conventionally, assignment and scheduling decisions are made sequentially. However, solving the two problems sequentially can lead to sub-optimal solutions because the objectives of the two problems are in conflict with each other. To gain further insights, we create an integrated model which is capable of simultaneously scheduling and assigning trucks at cross-docks. We contrast the integrated model with a sequential model which first schedules trucks for processing and then assigns them to dock-doors. Experiments demonstrate that the integrated …

A Heuristic Approach To Storage System Design With Simultaneous Assignment Of Goods, Tobias Staab, Willibad A. Gunthner

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

In the paper at hand, we analyze the planning of manually operated storage systems consisting of different storage areas. When solving design problems like dimensioning or equipment selection, the assignment of goods to storage areas has to be considered. Based on a general model to describe the geometry and performance calculation of a warehouse, we present a heuristic approach to assign goods to storage areas while simultaneously determining the design of the storage areas in a way that generates the lowest running costs. Our approach aims to support planners during the rough planning stage by providing a quick overview of …

Intermodal Hubs In The Physical Internet, Nadeepa Wickramage, Bill Ferrell

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Distribution of finished goods is currently an effective but inefficient process that consumes significant quantities of fossil fuel to move empty assets. This results in increased costs that are passed to the consumer and unnecessarily increased carbon emissions. The Physical Internet (PI) is focused on shared logistics that could prove to be an important element of next-generation logistics systems. The idea is to store and transport goods in anonymous standard-sized containers so that transportation and warehousing can be efficiently shared by many companies including competitors. If implemented, this idea has the potential of dramatically increasing efficiency thereby reducing fuel consumption …

Analyzing Order Throughput Times In A Milkrun Picking System, J. P. Van Der Gaast, M.B. M. De Koster, Ivo J.B.F. Adan

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

E-commerce fulfillment competition evolves around cheap, speedy, and time-definite delivery. Milkrun order picking systems have proven to be very successful in providing handling speed for a large, but highly variable, number of orders. In this system, an order picker picks orders that arrive in real time during the picking process; by dynamically changing the stops on the picker’s current picking route. The advantage of milkrun picking is that it reduces order picking set-up time and worker travel time compared to conventional batch picking systems. This paper is the first in studying order throughput times of multi-line orders in a milkrun …

A Lagrangian Relaxation For Capacitated Single Allocation P-Hub Median Problem With Multiple Capacity Levels, Ching-Jung Ting, Kuo-Rui Lu

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

In this paper we consider a capacitated single allocation p-hub median problem with multiple capacity levels (CSApHMPMC) in which the decisions are to determine the location of p hubs and their capacity levels, the single allocation of non-hub nodes to hubs in the logistics network. This problem is formulated as an integer programming model with the objective of minimizing the sum of total transportation cost and fixed cost of the selected p hubs with established capacity levels. A Lagrangian relaxation (LR) approach is proposed to solve the CSApHMPMC. The Lagrangian function that we formulated decomposed the original problem into smaller …

Period Batch Control - A Production Planning System Applied To Virtual Manufacturing Cells, Z. Tesic, B. Stevanaov, V. Jovanovic, M. Tomic, C. Kafol

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Period Batch Control (PBC) system has been known for its implementation with the classical group technology (GT) cells, and it has been known for its simplicity. The main production planning decisions concern the choice of the period length and the stage number and contents. Also, in order to better integrate the production planning with the application of GT cells at the shop floor, the concept of virtual manufacturing cells has been applied. Since virtual cells configurations are changing periodically, a model for implementing the PBC system into virtual manufacturing cells environment is developed. The model enables alignment of the PBC …

Pilot Programs For Veterans Transition To Engineering Fields, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Anthony W. Dean, Carol L. Considine, Karina Arcaute, Petros Katsioloudis, Mileta Tomovic, Thomas B. Stout, Connor Schwalm, Jennifer G. Michaeli, Yuzhong Shen

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Veterans, through their active service, frequently receive training in highly skilled technical areas. However, they may lack a theoretical background in underlying engineering principles. They also need additional support with the transition from a highly structured military environment to an environment with more ambiguous time constraints and different sorts of responsibilities. Moreover they are facing challenges which are specific for their student population. Therefore, enabling multiple mechanisms which would support them and provide them necessary guidance are especially important at universities with large veteran populations such as at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Hence, there is a need for …

Analysis Of Va Sacramento Medical Center Capacity Using Discrete Event Simulation, Tatiana Alejandra Cardona

Masters Theses

"The development of simulation models continues to provide effective solutions to a wide range of problems in healthcare systems. In the research presented within this thesis is the development of a representative and validated discrete event simulation model for the purpose of evaluating additional capacity. The study consists of a detailed exploratory analysis, verification and validation tests of the simulation results, and a thorough design of experiments. The exploratory analysis consisted of developing simulation models that provide similar characteristics found in the data. The design of experiments consisted of generating scenarios of various bed additions in the hospital units of …

Data Analysis For Driving Pattern Identification And Driver's Behavior Modeling In A Freeway Work Zone, Hari Narayanan Vijaya Raghavan Nadathur

Masters Theses

"A variety of methods are used by Departments of Transportation (DOT) for informing drivers about upcoming work zones. One such method is work zone signage configuration. Signage plays an important role in work zones to provide guidance to drivers when conditions on the road vary from normal. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of different configurations, by law, before implementation of new signage designs that deviate from the national standards.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices, including road markings, highway signs, and traffic signals. In …

Applications Of Simulation And Optimization Techniques In Optimizing Room And Pillar Mining Systems, Angelina Konadu Anani

Doctoral Dissertations

"The goal of this research was to apply simulation and optimization techniques in solving mine design and production sequencing problems in room and pillar mines (R&P). The specific objectives were to: (1) apply Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to determine the optimal width of coal R&P panels under specific mining conditions; (2) investigate if the shuttle car fleet size used to mine a particular panel width is optimal in different segments of the panel; (3) test the hypothesis that binary integer linear programming (BILP) can be used to account for mining risk in R&P long range mine production sequencing; and (4) …

Multi-Level Evolutionary Algorithms Resource Allocation Utilizing Model-Based Systems Engineering, Bhanuchander Reddy Poreddy

Doctoral Dissertations

"This research presents an innovative approach to solve the resource allocation problems using Multi-level Evolutionary Algorithms. Evolutionary Algorithms are used to solve resource allocation problems in different domains and their results are then incorporated into a higher level system solution using another Evolutionary Algorithm to solve base camp planning problems currently faced by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Two models are introduced to solve two domain specific models: a logistics model and a power model. The logistic model evaluates routes for logistics vehicles on a daily basis with a goal of reducing fuel usage by delivery trucks. The evaluation includes …

A Domain Independent Method To Assess System Of System Meta-Architectures Using Domain Specific Fuzzy Information, Louis Edward Pape Ii

Doctoral Dissertations

"This research proposes a domain independent method to build and assess systems of systems (SoS) architecture models. A simplified meta-architecture containing each component system's participation and a first order, binary, system-to-system interface is proposed. The method describes how to elicit desired SoS attributes from stakeholders. Measures of the attributes depend on systems' participation and interfaces, that is, on the SoS architecture. The goal is to model a realizable SoS configuration, optimized over multiple attributes. Key attribute measures are combined in a fuzzy inference system to assess an overall fitness measure for any SoS in the meta-architecture. A genetic algorithm is …

Kinematic Modeling Of An Automated Laser Line Scanning System, Kiran Sunil Deshmukh

Wayne State University Theses

This research work describes the geometric coordinate transformation in an automated laser line scanning system caused by movements required for scanning a component surface. The elements of an automated laser scanning system (robot, laser line scanner, and the component coordinate system) function as a mechanical linkage to obtain a trajectory on a component surface. This methodology solves the forward kinematics, derives the component surface, and uses inverse kinematic equations to characterize the movement of the entire automated scanning system on point trajectory. To reach a point on the component, joint angles of robot have been calculated. As a result, trajectory …

การลดของเสียในกระบวนการผลิตอุปกรณ์ส่งและรับสัญญาณ, กนกวรรณ บุญฤทธิ์ศักดิ์

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อลดปริมาณของเสียอุปกรณ์ส่งและรับสัญญาณทางแสงที่เกิดจากค่าแรงเฉือนของการยึดติดระหว่างชิ้นส่วนเลนส์บนแผ่นประกอบวงจรไฟฟ้าชนิดยืดหยุ่น (FPCBA: Flexible Printed Circuit Board Assembly) ซึ่งมีกระบวนการผลิตเริ่มจาก (1) นำแผ่นประกอบวงจรไฟฟ้าชนิดยืดหยุ่น (FPCBA) ที่ผ่านการประกอบวงจรอิเล็กทรอนิกส์แล้วมาทำความสะอาด (2) หยอดกาวชนิด Urethane Acrylate (UA) จำนวน 8 ตำแหน่งบนแผ่น FPCBA (3) ยิงและอบด้วยแสงยูวี (4) หยอดกาวชนิดEpoxyสีดำ (5) อบด้วยความร้อน ดำเนินการวิเคราะห์หาสาเหตุโดย (1) ศึกษาความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างค่าแรงเฉือนที่ได้กับจำนวนการเกิดสีขาวขุ่นของกาวUA บนแผ่น FPCBA (2) ตรวจสอบลักษณะข้อบกพร่องของการยึดติดกาวด้วยกล้องจุลทรรศน์เล็กตรอนแบบส่องกราด (3) วิเคราะห์องค์ประกอบของชนิดคราบกาวและตรวจหาหมู่ฟังก์ชันด้วยเครื่อง FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer) (4) วิเคราะห์หาขั้นตอนที่ทำให้เกิดของเสีย โดยพิจารณาจากขั้นตอนท้ายไปหน้า (5) ดำเนินการปรับปรุง ผลการศึกษาพบว่า 1) ค่าแรงเฉือนมีค่าลดลงเมื่อมีจำนวนตำแหน่งของกาวUA เปลี่ยนสีจากใสเป็นขาวขุ่นมากขึ้น 2) ลักษณะของเสียกาวUAขาวขุ่นเกิดขึ้นที่ขั้นตอนการทำความสะอาด โดยวิธีทำความสะอาดของพนักงานมีอิทธิพลมากที่สุด ซึ่งลักษณะของเสียกาวUA ขาวขุ่นเกิดจากกาวUA ที่ไม่ยึดติดบน FPCBA ซึ่งเกิดจากการทำความสะอาดที่ไม่เพียงพอ 3) ระยะทางในการทำความสะอาดต่อก้านสำลีและการทำซ้ำที่ใช้เช็ดทำความสะอาด ส่งผลต่อการเกิดกาวUAขาวขุ่น 4) การใช้สารระเหยทำความสะอาดชิ้นงานชนิด IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) ที่มีจุดเดือด 82.6°C ซึ่งใกล้เคียงกับอุณหภูมิที่ใช้ในขั้นตอนการอบชิ้นงานเท่ากับ90±5°C ซึ่งเป็นขั้นตอนสุดท้าย เป็นสาเหตุให้กาวUA เปลี่ยนสีจากใสเป็นขาวขุ่น เนื่องจากไอระเหยที่ไล่ออกไม่หมด 5) การใช้สารระเหยชนิดเมธนอล (Methanol) ที่มีจุดเดือด 64.7°C ทดแทน IPA พบว่าของเสียจากกาวUA ขาวขุ่นลดลงจากเดิมก่อนศึกษา 33% เป็น 7% และไม่เกิดกาวขาวขุ่นอีกเลย ตามลำดับ

Complex System Governance For Acquisition, Joseph Bradley, Polinpapilinho Katina, Charles Keating

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

As acquisition processes have become more complex, they appear to no longer be governable by traditional approaches. Missed budgets, delayed deliveries, and expensive canceled systems appear to becoming more prevalent. Numerous investigations have been conducted attempting to elicit the factors that prevented success. Those systems that succeed in terms of usability, budget, and delivery schedule are the rarity and often become case studies themselves as we try to extract the characteristics that differentiate success from failure. A different viewpoint is to look at the acquisition system from the perspective of Complex Systems Governance (CSG). Recent developments in the field of …

Analyzing Cognitive Workload Through Eye-Related Measurements: A Meta-Analysis, Melissa Patricia Coral

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Understanding cognitive workload has become a vital topic for researchers in developing future systems. Existing research has investigated the use of physiological measurements of the eye with cognitive workload, though a quantitative synthesis has yet to be performed. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effects of cognitive workload on eye-related measurements. The objective of this meta-analysis is not to determine a difference between the levels of workload, but to identify reliable measurements. Measurements through blinks, saccades, pupils, and fixations were examined. Twenty-two studies, contributing to a total of sixty entries, met the appropriate inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Findings …

Using Case-Based Reasoning For Simulation Modeling In Healthcare, Khaled Alshareef

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The healthcare system is always defined as a complex system. At its core, it is a system composed of people and processes and requires performance of different tasks and duties. This complexity means that the healthcare system has many stakeholders with different interests, resulting in the emergence of many problems such as increasing healthcare costs, limited resources and low utilization, limited facilities and workforce, and poor quality of services. The use of simulation techniques to aid in solving healthcare problems is not new, but it has increased in recent years. This application faces many challenges, including a lack of real …

Heuristic And Exact Algorithms For The Two-Machine Just In Time Job Shop Scheduling Problem, Mohammed Al Salem, Leonardo Bedoya-Valencia, Ghaith Rabadi

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The problem addressed in this paper is the two-machine job shop scheduling problem when the objective is to minimize the total earliness and tardiness from a common due date (CDD) for a set of jobs when their weights equal 1 (unweighted problem). This objective became very significant after the introduction of the Just in Time manufacturing approach. A procedure to determine whether the CDD is restricted or unrestricted is developed and a semirestricted CDD is defined. Algorithms are introduced to find the optimal solution when the CDD is unrestricted and semirestricted. When the CDD is restricted, which is a much …

Towards A Systems Theory-Based Curriculum For Complex Systems Governance, Polinpapilinho Katina, Joseph M. Bradley

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to explore challenges associated with the development of a curriculum for an emerging field of Complex System Governance (CSG) that could be used for instruction and teaching leaders, managers, and students interested in increasing their knowledge, skills, and abilities about CSG. CSG has been suggested as a means to (1) expose deep system issues impacting performance, (2) introduce practitioners to new thinking, technologies, tools, and methods to address these issues, and (3) institutionalize capabilities to continuously advance governance. As with all new approaches, a curriculum in an emerging field is an essential element for …

A Holistic Framework For Effective Engineering Leadership Development Using 3d Virtual World Simulation, Hamed Almalki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Problems associated with the limited success of traditional engineering leadership development are the absence of embedded real-life industry case studies in leadership development and incorrect applications of leadership strategies in the various contexts. Though recommended programs for enhancing leadership development exist, they lack an examined framework, especially when it comes to leadership development of undergraduate engineering students. In this research effort, the impact of a framework using 3D virtual world simulation and the 4-D Leadership System to enhance the leadership abilities of undergraduate engineering students at the individual and team levels based on industrial leadership case studies was investigated. The …

A Predictive Model To Identify Caregivers At Risk Of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Abdulelah Ali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare systems face several challenges due to the aging workforce, recruitment shortages, increasing patient acuteness, and increasing patient size and weight. The most costly, leading, and prevalent problem in the healthcare industry and nursing professions is work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). MSDs are common among caregivers because of the nature of their work, which requires repetitive heavy physical activity. The development of MSDs among caregivers negatively impacts the quality of care, and incurs high costs such as worker compensation, days away from work, turnover, rehabilitation, and lower productivity. Therefore, it is essential to determine the factors that contribute to musculoskeletal disorder …