Optimizing the internal reuse of wireless network equipment

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and, (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 46).Reusing high-value wireless network equipment can allow telecommunications providers to achieve both financial and environmental benefits. However, without standardized processes and tools to reuse equipment, the reuse process can be highly inefficient and a significant amount of reusable equipment may remain in inventory. This thesis examines the reuse of wireless network equipment at Verizon Wireless (VzW) and presents tools and processes to increase the amount and efficiency of network equipment reuse within VzW. An analytical model is presented to differentiate between items that can be reused and items that should be immediately resold or scrapped. Once a pool of reusable items is identified, incentives to promote equipment sharing across internal VzW regions are discussed. A web-based tool and process to increase the ease and speed of identifying and requesting equipment is then examined. Finally, a framework by which reuse metrics can be evaluated is presented.by Jessica Lin.M.B.A.S.M

Optimal handling of Highly Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients during milling and blending operations

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-33).This thesis investigates best practices for Highly Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (HAPI) milling and blending. We utilize a qualitative analysis centering on a benchmarking study and quantitative analyses using a probabilistic capacity simulation and tradeoff methodology. The analyses indicate that the growing number of HAPI products in a manufacturer's portfolio may result in capacity constraints. Therefore, we recommend that manufacturers pursue process improvement technologies. Suggested process improvements include implementing online particle size measurement and Wash in Place (WIP) and Clean in Place (CIP) cleaning systems. Online particle size measurement allows for better process control and eliminates the need for HAPI blending for homogenization. Automated WIP and CIP systems decrease changeover time and allow for higher equipment availability. Additionally, the results of the analyses suggest that manufacturers consider standardizing transportation containers with the upstream vendors and downstream consumers. Lastly, from an organizational standpoint, we recommend that manufacturers include both subject matter experts and operations personnel when developing and implementing internal guidelines so as to ensure the guidelines are practical and uniformly applied.by Prashant Setty.S.M.M.B.A

Component-derived manufacturing yield prediction in circuit card design and assembly

Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2013. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2013. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (page 51).Circuit card manufacturing can be a highly risky and volatile proposition due to the placement of hundreds of small, high value components. Operator mistakes, design errors, and defective parts lead to thousands of dollars in troubleshooting and rework costs per product. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) manufactures highly complex circuit cards at a high mix / low volume scale for various purposes. Due to the high input variability and small production lot sizes of this level of circuit card manufacturing, historical trending and defect mitigation is difficult, causing a significant portion of CCA's manufacturing costs to be attributed to troubleshooting defects and rework. To mitigate these costs, yield prediction analysis software is utilized to predict potential manufacturing defect rates and first pass yields of new designs. This thesis describes the creation and testing of a new data analysis model for yield prediction. By gathering and processing data at an individual component level, the model can predict defect rates of designs at an assembly level. Collecting data at the individual component level drives more comprehensive component-based calculations, greatly improving yield prediction accuracy and thereby allowing cost effective circuit card designs to be created. The increase in prediction accuracy translates to a potential $250,000 saved annually for Raytheon CCA from early defect identification and removal. Updated data retrieval and calculation methods also allow for much easier model maintenance, thereby increasing the relevance of yield prediction. This model can be easily incorporated into other design software as a next step in creating comprehensive concurrent engineering tools.by Stephen Trinh.M.B.A.S.M

Optimization of shake inspections

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2011.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 88-89).The Boeing 737 program has recently announced an increase in the production rate from 31.5 airplanes per month to 35 airplanes per month. Throughout the production value stream, opportunities to improve quality and reduce flow time are being thoroughly investigated. This thesis contributes to the investigation by focusing on improving the inspection process through a prototype computer data collection tool and the formation of a corrective action team.by Bradley C. Geswein.S.M.M.B.A

Inbound supply chain optimization and process improvement

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division; and, (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 58).The primary goal of this project is to evaluate Amazon's inbound supply chain processes and identify improvement opportunities in transportation cost and lead time. Analysis will be focused on defining the current state and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the inbound processes. This paper will also include a literature review of the various freight consolidation and vendor coordination strategies in the industry and their impact on cost and lead time. Specific case studies based on actual cost savings programs will be discussed.by Chong Keat Ng.M.B.A.S.M

Overcoming organization barriers to adopting sustainable business practices

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2010.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-69).Companies of all sizes are now looking for ways to reduce their energy use and carbon emissions, motivated by the desire to save money, improve public relations, and prepare for a possible carbon tax. From a technical perspective, reducing energy use and reducing carbon emissions represent opportunities to save on operating costs. However, the largest barriers to adopting better energy practices are often organizational, rather than technical. This work shows how organizational structure can hinder efforts to improve energy performance and recommends ways to overcome these barriers.by Mark P. Chew.S.M.M.B.A

Creation and sustainment of manufacturing technology roadmaps

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-78).Manufacturing technology roadmaps align manufacturing capability development to product development and the driving business need. Roadmaps allow an executable business strategy to be communicated to all levels of an organization reducing the time and resources required to bring new technology to market. This thesis examines the creation and sustainment of manufacturing technology roadmaps at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS). It demonstrates how by using a stakeholder analysis and demonstrating a positive value proposition to all stakeholders agreement and adoption can be created across a large organization.by Louis S. Grillon.S.M.M.B.A

A design methodology for the user interface of an electromechanical parts database

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and, (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 44).In an increasingly complex supply chain, the use of a structured methodology for locating applicable existing parts during the design process can help a large-volume manufacturer to encourage the reuse of components already in inventory, rather than source new ones. This reuse can dramatically reduce the speed at which the database grows in complexity and can prevent unnecessary escalation of inventory levels. It can also serve to increase the order volume of a smaller number of electromechanical components and reduce the cost and delivery time of new products in development. The use of an internal search tool to facilitate the design process will also encourage engineers to make design decisions that benefit the larger organization. This thesis proposes a design methodology for a web-based search tool aimed at reducing unnecessary new part creation in a component database. Included is a proposed set of features to be implemented in the software tool to assist engineers in locating, reviewing and utilizing relevant existing parts quickly, as well as suggestions for integrating this tool into the standard engineering workflow. The goal will be to encourage the reuse of parts in inventory and prevent unjustified proliferation in the database.by Toni J. Ferreira.M.B.A.S.M