Advanced Materials Research Vols. 488-489

Abstract: This paper deals with a general continuous or no-wait manufacturing scheduling problem. Due to its applications in advanced manufacturing systems, no-wait scheduling has gained much attention in both practical and academic fields. Due to its NP-hard nature, most of the contributions focus on development of approximation based optimization methods or heuristics for the problem. Several heuristic procedures have been developed to solve this problem. This paper presents a survey of various methodologies developed to solve no-wait flow shop scheduling problem with the objective of minimizing single performance measure

Abstract: This paper considers the problem of scheduling production activities in a real-life printing industry. The problem is modeled as a two-stage flexible flow shop problem with minimization of the makespan and the number of tardy jobs as the objective. Discrete event simulation has been performed using Extend simulation software to depict the real time model of the print industry. The setup time, processing time and completion time of the prioritized customers were obtained and validated with the real time industry inputs. After validation, the output of simulation data has been used to perform preliminary scheduling experiments. This paper deals with the comparison of three scheduling algorithms such as earliest completion time first (ECT), Earliest start time first (EST) and PCmax algorithm for the calculation of maximum occupancy time of various printing jobs. The results obtained using PC max shows the reduced make span of the printing jobs compared to other two algorithms with approximately 12% improvement in minimizing the makespan. Hence the P||Cmax scheduling method can be implemented in the industry to minimize the maximum occupancy time of a particular printing machine. This motivates the actual implementation of the proposed ILP (PCmax scheduling) procedure for the printing industry.

Abstract: In this paper, the effect of selected priority rules of scheduling is presented. This effect has been studied for chosen scheduling objectives by simulation method. The authors used the simulator Witness to experimentation with priority rules in a designed manufacturing system. The results of experiments have been processed into the synthesis of knowledge. The implementation of scheduling procedure is described in this paper.

Abstract: In wafer plants, product will be manufactured through same process with different setups and specifications. This special manufacturing process is described as re-entrant flows. In photo process of wafer manufacturing, products is also restricted to be processed through same machine in each reentrance to improve quality. This phenomenon will cause scheduling in photo process being complicated and is proved to be a NP-hard problem. This research develops a mathematical model for photo process to minimize the makespan. A feasible solution is achieved using DBR (drum-buffer-rope) method. The results are compared to the optimal solution that is achieved using branch and bound algorithm. Our results show that DBR based method achieves a near optimal solution in shorter time. The results also indicate that DBR method can be useful in production scheduling with resource constraints.

Abstract: Setup time is a major issue in Just-in-time environments. Even with a cellular manufacturing configuration, reduction of setup time is not fully insured and needs to be explicitly targeted. We have introduced a mathematical programming model which would reduce sequence-dependent setup time in manufacturing cells. Since the BIP model is NP hard, a solution approach based on a Genetic Algorithm has been improvised.

Abstract: The paper deals with the different critical issues faced by micro and small industries in India. MSE are the base for any country and contribution of MSE in India is around 10% of total GDP. The investigation was done through case study approach by surveying 20 different MSE of manufacturing organization. This research paper brings the different issues in MSE and categorically mitigation strategies were suggested.

Abstract: Lean manufacturing production system considers the expenditure for any goals other than the creation of value for the end customer to be wasteful. Only operation adds value to the product and other functions such as inspection, transportation, and delays of a permanent or temporary nature are waste and should be eliminated. The beginning of lean manufacturing can be seen in Just In Time (JIT). It was first implemented in Ford automobile in the form of line assembly. Lean manufacturing is based on pull system. In the pull system parts are produced when they are pulled by the process before that. Lean manufacturing defines the value of a product or a service with the customer point of view not on the basis of type of technology and amount of labour. In the lean manufacturing the organization is treated as a single unit. Team work is more important than individual effort. The implementation of lean manufacturing reduces lead time, reduces work in progress (WIP), saves floor space, increases productivity, improves quality and reduces overall cost. In this paper various aspects of lean manufacturing have been examined and discussed.

Abstract: Six Sigma is a popular approach to drive out variability from processes using powerful statistical tools and technique. Six Sigma permits only 3.4 defects per million opportunities. Six Sigma follows basics methodology to improve existing process, i.e. DMAIC. Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control. It is , scientific, systematic and fact based approach. This paper also includes various applications of DMAIC methodology in different business sector like Electronics sector, Chemical and Agriculture manufacturing sector etc.

Abstract: With the increase of environmental conservation awareness and its relevant legal enforcement, reverse logistics has become an important means for the home appliance manufacturing enterprises to strengthen its competitive advantage. There are mainly three modes for home appliance manufacturing enterprises to implement reverse logistics, i.e., self-managed reverse logistics, co-managed reverse logistics and outsourcing reverse logistics. Different modes exhibit their own characteristics and applicable scopes, home appliance manufacturing enterprises need to choose the proper reverse logistics mode according to their own conditions.

Abstract: This paper presents a systematic approach for evaluating the performance of a project based organization. We applied a two level fuzzy Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique in project based organizations. In order to determine the required inputs and outputs, important indicators have selected using both expert judgments and statistical analysis. Then the two-level DEA model is successfully adapted. In this model by considering the outputs through a hierarchical process, a large number of sub indicators have provided and then rolled up to the higher level. Since the exact amount cannot be attributed to the indicators and they includes interval of values during the project life cycle, the interval DEA model will be discussed as a model help to determine the most preferred solution. At the end, some of the projects have been successfully evaluated throughout the approach proposed in this paper.