681 research outputs found

    Reducing physical ergonomic risks at assembly lines by line balancing and job rotation: A survey

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    Factors such as repetitiveness of work, required application of forces, handling of heavy loads, and awkward, static postures expose assembly line workers to risks of musculoskeletal disorders. As a rule, companies perform a post hoc analysis of ergonomic risks and examine ways to modify workplaces with high ergonomic risks. However, it is possible to lower ergonomic risks by taking ergonomics aspects into account right from the planning stage. In this survey, we provide an overview of the existing optimization approaches to assembly line balancing and job rotation scheduling that consider physical ergonomic risks. We summarize major findings to provide helpful insights for practitioners and identify research directions

    Progress in Material Handling Research: 2012

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    Table of Content

    New matrix methodology for algorithmic transparency in assembly line balancing using a genetic algorithm

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    © 2022. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/This article focuses on the Mixed-Model Assembly Line Balancing single-target problem of type 2 with single-sided linear assembly line configurations, which is common in the industrial environment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The main objective is to achieve Algorithmic Transparency (AT) when using Genetic Algorithms for the resolution of balancing operation times. This is done by means of a new matrix methodology that requires working with product functionalities instead of product references. The achieved AT makes it easier for process engineers to interpret the obtained solutions using Genetic Algorithms and the factors that influence decisions made by algorithms, thereby helping in the later decision-making process. Additionally, through the proposed new matrix methodology, the computational cost is reduced with respect to the stand-alone use of Genetic Algorithms. The AT produced using the new matrix methodology is validated through its application in an industry-based paradigmatic example.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

    Algorithms and Methods for Designing and Scheduling Smart Manufacturing Systems

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    This book, as a Special Issue, is a collection of some of the latest advancements in designing and scheduling smart manufacturing systems. The smart manufacturing concept is undoubtedly considered a paradigm shift in manufacturing technology. This conception is part of the Industry 4.0 strategy, or equivalent national policies, and brings new challenges and opportunities for the companies that are facing tough global competition. Industry 4.0 should not only be perceived as one of many possible strategies for manufacturing companies, but also as an important practice within organizations. The main focus of Industry 4.0 implementation is to combine production, information technology, and the internet. The presented Special Issue consists of ten research papers presenting the latest works in the field. The papers include various topics, which can be divided into three categories—(i) designing and scheduling manufacturing systems (seven articles), (ii) machining process optimization (two articles), (iii) digital insurance platforms (one article). Most of the mentioned research problems are solved in these articles by using genetic algorithms, the harmony search algorithm, the hybrid bat algorithm, the combined whale optimization algorithm, and other optimization and decision-making methods. The above-mentioned groups of articles are briefly described in this order in this book

    Performance analysis of SWOT suite toolkit on Inter-domain and Intra-domain Web of Things

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    The Web of Things (WoT) is a term used to describe approaches, software architectural styles and programming patterns that allow real-world objects to be part of the World Wide Web [1]. Similarly to what the Web (Application Layer) is to the Internet (Network Layer), the Web of Things provides an Application Layer that simplifies the creation of Internet of Things applications [2]

    Tahap penggunaan pembelajaran maya dalam kalangan guru reka bentuk teknologi: satu tinjauan di sekolah rendah luar bandar

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    Sejajar dengan matlamat anjakan ketujuh dalam Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia (2013-2025) iaitu untuk mentransformasikan sistem pendidikan negara, kerajaan telah menyediakan akses internet dan persekitaran pembelajaran maya melalui 1BestariNet di 10,000 sekolah seluruh Malaysia termasuk sekolah-sekolah luar bandar. Pembelajaran Maya (Virtual Learning Environment - VLE) merupakan platform pembelajaran yang menjadi agenda utama terutamanya di sekolah rendah. Secara spesifiknya, platform VLE Frog telah digunakan dalam kalangan guru dan pelajar sekolah rendah. Sehubungan itu, kajian berbentuk tinjauan ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji tahap penggunaan VLE Frog dalam aktiviti Pengajaran dan Pembelajaan (PdP) bagi subjek Reka Bentuk Teknologi (RBT) di sekolah rendah luar bandar. Selain itu, kajian ini juga bertujuan untuk mengkaji masalah utama yang dihadapi oleh guru-guru yang menggunakan VLE Frog di dalam aktiviti PdP. Responden yang terlibat dalam kajian ini adalah seramai 36 guru yang mengajar mata pelajaran RBT di 18 buah sekolah rendah luar bandar di daerah Batu Pahat. Borang soal selidik digunakan sebagai instrumen untuk proses pengumpulan data. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa tahap penggunaan VLE Frog dalam kalang guru yang mengajar mata pelajaran RBT di sekolah luar bandar di Daerah Batu Pahat adalah serdehana. Selain itu, kajian ini juga mengunjukkan bahawa capaian internet merupakan masalah utama yang dihadapi oleh guru RBT semasa menggunakan VLE Frog di sekolah

    Modelling and Solving Mixed-model Parallel Two-sided Assembly Line Problems

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    The global competitive environment and the growing demand for personalised products have increased the interest of companies in producing similar product models on the same assembly line. Companies are forced to make significant structural changes to rapidly respond to diversified demands and convert their existing single-model lines into mixed-model lines in order to avoid unnecessary new line construction cost for each new product model. Mixed-model assembly lines play a key role in increasing productivity without compromising quality for manufacturing enterprises. The literature is extensive on assembling small-sized products in an intermixed sequence and assembling large-sized products in large volumes on single-model lines. However, a mixed-model parallel two-sided line system, where two or more similar products or similar models of a large-sized product are assembled on each of the parallel two-sided lines in an intermixed sequence, has not been of interest to academia so far. Moreover, taking model sequencing problem into consideration on a mixed-model parallel two-sided line system is a novel research topic in this domain. Within this context, the problem of simultaneous balancing and sequencing of mixed-model parallel two-sided lines is defined and described using illustrative examples for the first time in the literature. The mathematical model of the problem is also developed to exhibit the main characteristics of the problem and to explore the logic underlying the algorithms developed. The benefits of utilising multi-line stations between two adjacent lines are discussed and numerical examples are provided. An agent-based ant colony optimisation algorithm (called ABACO) is developed to obtain a generic solution that conforms to any model sequence and it is enhanced step-by-step to increase the quality of the solutions obtained. Then, the algorithm is modified with the integration of a model sequencing procedure (where the modified version is called ABACO/S) to balance lines by tracking the product model changes on each workstation in a complex production environment where each of the parallel lines may a have different cycle time. Finally, a genetic algorithm based model sequencing mechanism is integrated to the algorithm to increase the robustness of the obtained solutions. Computational tests are performed using test cases to observe the performances of the developed algorithms. Statistical tests are conducted through obtained results and test results establish that balancing mixed-model parallel two-sided lines together has a significant effect on the sought performance measures (a weighted summation of line length and the number of workstations) in comparison with balancing those lines separately. Another important finding of the research is that considering model sequencing problem along with the line balancing problem helps algorithm find better line balances with better performance measures. The results also indicate that the developed ABACO and ABACO/S algorithms outperform other test heuristics commonly used in the literature in solving various line balancing problems; and integrating a genetic algorithm based model sequencing mechanism into ABACO/S helps the algorithm find better solutions with less amount of computational effort
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