Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Rear Seat Belt Usage And Comfort, Kuntal Thakurta

Masters Theses

Seat belts have been shown to be effective in reducing car crash fatalities and injuries. Despite consistent evidence that seat belts when worn can provide the greatest vehicle occupant protection of all currently available occupant restraint systems, seat belt use rates remain low. The rates of occupants wearing seat belts in rear seats is much lower than front seat occupants. One of the primary causes for occupants not using seat belts in rear seats has been lack of comfort. The purpose of this thesis was to study the relationship of comfort and seat belt use in rear seats. The current …

An Empirical Investigation Of Total Quality Management (Tqm) Effectiveness In Healthcare Organizations, Lokesh S. Basappa

Masters Theses

American hospitals are implementing quality programs to offer higher quality service at reduced cost. However, the results of these programs in many hospitals have often not met expectations.

This research analyzed the effectiveness of Total Quality Management (TQM). The objective of the study was to better understand how TQM strategies can best be applied by hospitals. An empirical survey was distributed to Michigan hospitals and an analysis was performed to meet this objective.

The survey results show that hospitals involved indirectly with quality programs haven't realized that they are implementing TQM strategies. On the other hand some hospitals say that …

An Ergonomics Approach To Evaluate The Use Of Two Different Fixtures For Upholstering, Maria Luisa Roa

Masters Theses

A furniture company in West Michigan proposed an evaluation of a new fixture that will be used in a repetitive manual stapling operation.

Numerous studies reveal that activities involving repetitive wrist motions cause inflammation in the median nerve that runs through the structure of the carpal wrist, causing a cumulative disorder known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This syndrome is one of the most prevalent in industrial settings and service companies.

This study investigated if the use of a new design of a fixture had an impact on operators' performances. Three-dimensional comparative analysis was used to observe operators' wrist angular …

Development Of A Systematic Approach To The Implementation Of A Computer Integrated Manufacturing (Cim) For Small To Medium Sized Companies, G. Steven Trimmer

Masters Theses

CIM technology is rapidly becoming an essential part of businesses of all types and sizes. The impact on the culture of the enterprise is possibly of even greater complexity. Most existing implementations have been done by large businesses large teams of specialized talent.

The unique scope of this work is to simplify the implementation of CIM for small companies. The basic research derived from the WMU/IBM CIM Management Center, a fully functioning CIM facility that provides hands on experience to students and regional businesses.

The cultural references concerning CIM are derived from reading and personal experiences with industry while setting …

Simulation Model For Predicting The Impact Of Progressive Diseases In The U.S. Population By Tracking, Biju Suseelan

Masters Theses

Computer Aided Simulation is the process of designing a mathematical-logical model of a real system and experimenting with this model on a computer. Simulation encompasses a model building process as well as the design and implementation of an appropriate experiment involving that model. A simulation experiment involves observing the dynamic behavior of a model by moving from state to state in accordance with well-defined operating rules designed into the model. This research contains the development of a novel approach for the HIV transmission dynamics by using computer simulation to track the HIV positive individuals in a population and to determine …

An Integrated Simulation Model Development Environment For Slam Ii Using Object-Oriented Paradigm, Rizvan Erol

Masters Theses

An integrated simulation model development environment was implemented to assist the modeler by automating certain activities of simulation modeling. The system included interactive model definition, experimental design, automatic simulation program generation in SLAM II. Object-oriented paradigm at software development stage was extensively used to conceptualize the structure, and rules of the SLAM II language in order to generate efficient, and modular program code. The present system targeted modeling of various probabilistic inventory control system problems. The remarkable advantages of the system were rapid model development time, and achieving reliable program code without requiring any knowledge in SLAM II. Object-oriented programming …

Computational Simulation Of Flow Through Elbows In The Approach Piping Systems To A Headbox, Kasinathan Ramanathan

Masters Theses

The successful operation of the wet end in a paper machine is highly dependent on the approach piping system. Sheet basis weight stability and ease of making wet end adjustments are greatly impaired by improperly designed approach piping systems. Most problems in headbox approach piping occur when the flow splits, combines, and passes through elbows.

Elbows create cross flows, flow separation, and eddies, and play an important role in the uniform and stable delivery of the pulp into the headbox. The effect due to an elbow lasts for a considerable distance downstream of the elbow and is severe when two …

The Indentation Of Foam Pattern Surfaces By Coordinate Measuring Machine Probes, Sanjay Nenawati

Masters Theses

When coordinate measuring machines are used to measure the complex shapes of foam patterns, the spherical probe tips indent into the soft surface of the pattern. Such indentation represents a measurement error since the indicated dimension will not be the same as the actual dimension. To determine the magnitude of error, the depth of probe tip indentation into PMMA and EPS foam surface (i.e., elastic indentation) was measured as a function of time, applied load, and foam density. The residual indentation after the removal of the load (i.e., plastic indentation) was also studied.

The depth of elastic indentation increased with …

Computer Aided Process Planning System For Generating Alternative Process Plans, Rao T. Gali

Masters Theses

Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) has a key role in Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) as an interface between design and manufacturing. Current CAPP systems treat process planning as a static function, and always generate the same machine and process combinations. Thus, these CAPP systems are inadequate for advanced manufacturing facilities such as Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). This thesis presents research conducted for the design and development of a CAPP system called Alternative Computer Aided Process Planning (A-CAPP) which generates alternative process plans by interacting with production planning and machine loading functions to satisfy system capacity constraints.

A-CAPP is a variant …

An Ergonomic Study Of Meat Processing Operations, Edgar Delgado

Masters Theses

In this study, physical stresses imposed on the different parts of the musculoskeletal system were assessed using a subjective ratings of perceived discomfort (RPD) scale in the meat industry. The effects of a microbreak system on the perceived discomfort of employees were studied. In addition, a comparison of human physical capacities (i.e., anthropometric, strength, and endurance measures) for Caucasian-American and Hispanic-Mexican employees in the meat industry was performed. These measures were also compared against those of employees engaged in manual material handling tasks. Twenty-eight employees participated in the study.

Based on this study, it can be concluded that: (a) RPD …

A Systematic Evaluation Technique For Assisting In The Identification And Prevention Of Wrist Stress In The Work Place, Karen Kleinfeld

Masters Theses

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a cumulative trauma disorder involving compression of the median nerve within the wrist. This disorder has become an industrial epidemic, striking workers whose daily activities involve repetitive motion, wrist deviation, awkward finger postures, and excessive forces to the hand. In an effort to identify and control existing trauma, as well as prevent the onset of further cases of CTS, a systematic evaluation technique has been developed to assist in the ergonomic analysis of the work place. This assessment technique identifies and quantifies occupational risk factors of a task that may predispose workers to CTS. With this …

Modcad: A Graphic Predetermined Time Standards Software For The Ibm P.C., Raad A. Dawood

Masters Theses

MODCAD is a software program designed to give MODAPTS (MODular Arrangement of Predetermined Time Standards) the capability to generate workplace layouts that can be used in conjunction with the time study analysis. Software packages have been developed for MODAPTS such as MODAPTS Plus and Task Master that allow the user to input the predetermined codes of MODAPTS.

AutoCAD (a computer aided design software) is used to combine MODAPTS codes and workplace layout drawings in a single environment by customizing the standard AutoCAD menus and icons to include the MODAPTS codes and routines. AutoLisp (AutoCAD resident language) is used to write …

Application Of Risk Analysis In Investment Decision Making For New Products, Chul Paik

Masters Theses

This study presents the development of a quantitative model to deal with the decision to invest or not invest in the development and production of a new product. It is most applicable to new products which present a high probability of economic failure. The model employs only simple mathematics and statistics, so the decision maker can easily understand the model.

The model uses as input data three variables. These include: (1) the risk of product failure, (2) the maximum loss a company can afford in an investment, and (3) the estimated project cost. These three variables combined furnish as output …

An Ergonomic Training Program For Manual Handling Tasks, Akhilesh Agrawal

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to test whether or not muscular endurance of individuals engaged in industrial manual handling tasks can be improved through a short and intensive training program. This investigation also involved the study of the effect of muscular endurance training program on muscular strength.

The study revealed that, over a six-week period, the muscular endurance can be improved significantly. After sixteen sessions of training, the endurance time increased over 500% for manual materials handling tasks and over 1200% for upper extremity manual handling tasks. The endurance training program, however, did not increase both static and dynamic …

The Evaluation Of Efficiency Determination Of Screening Device (Pressure Screen) By Image Analysis, Rajeev Kumar Goyal

Masters Theses

The Omnicon 3600 image analyzer was used in the study of the evaluation of screening efficiency determination methods. It is very difficult to get a good over all contaminant mass balance across a pressure screen because of the factors involved such as sampling around a screen, time spent in collecting the samples, and possible size reduction of the contaminants by the pump and screen. The image analyzer gives the contaminant analysis in terms of the total number of particles, total area of all the particles, the mean particle area and a histogram of the contaminant size distribution. The histogram data …

Removal Of Eucalyptus Vessel Segments Using Centrifugal Cleaners, Amnuay Ponpued

Masters Theses

Two commercial feedforward centrifugal cleaners were used in the study of vessel segment removal from bleached eucalyptus pulp. The reduction of vessel elements yielded a reduction of vessel pick tendency and other problems caused by vessel elements which limit the use of eucalyptus pulp in paper stock furnishes. The operating conditions of the centrifugal cleaners were evaluated for their effect on separation efficiency. Pulp loss with rejects was reduced by multiple stage separation. The Vandercook Proof Press was used to compare the picking of cleaned, original pulp and two higher-vessel-content pulps. Regression analysis and ANOVA showed significant effects of feed …

Improving Maintenance Effectiveness, Stephen J. Thierry

Masters Theses

A methodology is advanced for measuring the productivity of industrial maintenance operations. A work sampling study and a production to maintenance interface survey are conducted to identify the current level of maintenance effectiveness at a food processing plant. Variables affecting maintenance effectiveness are postulated from site observations of the plant maintenance operation. A total of nine changes are proposed; three are implemented as part of this study and six remaining changes are proposed for the future. All recommendations are targeted at increasing the overall effectiveness of the maintenance operation under study.

The Effects Of Selected Factors On Design Sensitivity, Leslie Horshal Cochran

Masters Theses

Chapter I.

Background of the Study

Introduction

Design is a comprehensive term involving a multitude of areas and activities. Its meaning has varied according to individual tastes and philosophies; however, regardless of the terminology involved, it has always been associated with the planning for an object or a product.

Throughout history the emphasis on design has varied, but its basic framework has been present in all cultures. From the crude but honest designs of primitive man, through the Golden Age of Greece, by means of the Roman Empire, via the Renaissance, and throughout the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, design served …