An integrated strategy for efficient business plan and maintenance plan for systems with a dynamic failure distribution

International audienceThe purpose of this study is to propose an integrated strategy to determine jointly efficient business and maintenance plans. The studied system is subject to random failures with a dynamic failure law. It must perform a set of missions (among M possible missions) over a finite planning horizon. Each mission may have different characteristics that depend on operational and environmental conditions. The determination of a business plan consists in choosing and scheduling the missions to be performed. To maximize the net profit (profits generated by the achievement of missions minus maintenance costs), two meta-heuristics based on genetic algorithms are developed. The first genetic algorithm is used to determine the business plan and the second one generates an efficient maintenance plan. Two maintenance policies are studied: a minimalist policy which involves only corrective maintenance actions and another policy, called sequential, which involves several imperfect preventive maintenance activities performed at predetermined times. Two cases are studied for the latter strategy. The first one considers the maintenance effectiveness factor as being the same for all preventive maintenance actions and we search for the best factor. In the second case, we consider maintenance actions with different efficiency factors and we look for the optimal value of each factor. Finally, a numerical example illustrates the proposed approach and the difference between the maintenance policies

Diseño de un plan de mantenimiento productivo en el área de servicios industriales en la empresa Láctea Tanilact

This research project is developed in the Tanilact dairy company, located in the parish Tanicuchí, Latacunga canton, province of Cotopaxi, with the objective of designing the productive maintenance plan in the area of industrial services, mainly because the machinery they have has problems causing rework and this in turn economic losses due to costs of new supplies, wear of machinery and production stoppage. In order to fulfill the objective, descriptive research is used to know the characteristics and operation of the machines, facilitating the evaluation of the technical studies, and the field technique is also applied to be in direct contact with the machines of the industry. The results identify 43 machines and equipment distributed in 5 systems, which are: natural water, compressed air, steam, chilled water and electric energy. From the analysis of the results, it was determined that the steam system, consisting of three boilers of 100, 80 and 200 bhp, needs a change of the purge valves, and the other systems need periodic maintenance. According to the needs identified in the machines, the activities and frequencies to be carried out in the maintenance plan are detailed. The design of the productive maintenance plan is carried out through a Microsoft Excel software in which automatic maintenance actions are programmed and a record of the machines and equipment is kept.El presente proyecto de investigación se desarrolla en la empresa láctea Tanilact. ubicada en la parroquia Tanicuchí, cantón Latacunga, provincia de Cotopaxi, con el objetivo de diseñar el plan de mantenimiento productivo en el área de servicios industriales, debido principalmente a que la maquinaria con el que cuentan presentan problemas ocasionando retrabajo y esto a su vez pérdidas económicas por costos de nuevos suministros, desgaste de la maquinaria y paro de la producción. Para cumplir con el objetivo se utiliza la investigación descriptiva que permite conocer las características y el funcionamiento de las máquinas facilitando la evaluación de los estudios técnicos, también se aplica la técnica de campo que permite estar en contacto directo con las máquinas de la industria. En los resultados se identifica 43 máquinas y equipos distribuidos en 5 sistemas los cuales son: agua natural, aire comprimido, vapor de agua, agua helada y energía eléctrica. Del análisis de los resultados se determinó que el sistema de vapor de agua compuesto por tres calderos de 100, 80, 200 bhp necesitan un cambio de las válvulas de purga y en los demás sistemas las máquinas necesitan mantenimientos periódicos. De acuerdo a las necesidades identificadas en las máquinas se detallan las actividades y las frecuencias a realizarse en el plan de mantenimiento. El diseño del plan de mantenimiento productivo se realiza a través de un software Microsoft Excel en el cual se programa acciones de mantenimiento automáticas y se lleva el registro de las máquinas y equipos

Strategies for Increased Productivity Through Control of Process Constraints

In Nigeria, manufacturing businesses play a vital role in the industrial growth of the nation and have many dynamic benefits crucial for the growth of a sustainable economy. The manufacturing sector has added substantially to the gross domestic products of many countries. Nonetheless, 50% of manufacturing firms in Nigeria experience a decline in production capacity utilization and profitability because of inefficient production processes. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies leaders of manufacturing firms in Nigeria use to support efficient manufacturing operations. The theory of constraints served as the conceptual framework for this study. Eight participants from two manufacturing firms in Nigeria who had strategies to support efficient manufacturing operations participated in this study. Data sources included semistructured interviews and the review of organizational documents consisting of corporate quality policy, quality objectives, and mission statements. Analysis involved data compilation, data coding by breaking it down into categories, and reassembling the data into emergent themes. Member checking and methodological triangulation strengthened the credibility of the findings. Four major themes emerged: strategic planning, continuous process improvement, strategic equipment maintenance, and strategic capacity expansion. The findings from this research might provide the basis for developing an advanced manufacturing practice for some Nigerian manufacturing firms that could contribute to social change by improving production efficiency, local consumption, and sustainable economic growth

Manufacturing Business Managers\u27 Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement

AbstractEmployee engagement is critical for manufacturing businesses to achieve higher productivity, competitive advantage, and sustainability. Manufacturing business managers who implement effective strategies can potentially enhance employee job satisfaction to increase employee engagement. Grounded in Kahn’s personal engagement theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies manufacturing business managers use to increase employee engagement. The participants were four manufacturing business managers from two manufacturing businesses in the southeastern region of Jamaica who successfully implemented strategies to increase employee engagement. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents. Yin’s five-phase process was used to analyze data. Three themes emerged: use effective communication techniques to increase employee engagement, develop quality training and development programs, and create attractive rewards and recognition programs. A key recommendation is that manufacturing business managers prioritize training and development programs for all employees to increase employee engagement. Doing so may promote a sustainable workforce. The implications for positive social change include the potential for manufacturing business managers to provide employment opportunities and thereby raise the standard of living and social well-being of local community residents

Manufacturing Business Managers\u27 Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement

AbstractEmployee engagement is critical for manufacturing businesses to achieve higher productivity, competitive advantage, and sustainability. Manufacturing business managers who implement effective strategies can potentially enhance employee job satisfaction to increase employee engagement. Grounded in Kahn’s personal engagement theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies manufacturing business managers use to increase employee engagement. The participants were four manufacturing business managers from two manufacturing businesses in the southeastern region of Jamaica who successfully implemented strategies to increase employee engagement. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents. Yin’s five-phase process was used to analyze data. Three themes emerged: use effective communication techniques to increase employee engagement, develop quality training and development programs, and create attractive rewards and recognition programs. A key recommendation is that manufacturing business managers prioritize training and development programs for all employees to increase employee engagement. Doing so may promote a sustainable workforce. The implications for positive social change include the potential for manufacturing business managers to provide employment opportunities and thereby raise the standard of living and social well-being of local community residents