Reducing work-in-process inventory in certain classes of flexible manufacturing systems

In this paper, we establish that maintaining a balanced workload on each machine over time stochastically minimizes the work-in-process inventory in certain types of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) with finite or infinite common input buffer storage and an ample buffer et each machine. The results obtained here complement those obtained by [Stecke and Morin, 1985], in which it is established that balancing workloads maximizes expected production, again for the. same, particular types of FMSs. [Stecke and Morin, 1985] treats a static FMS loading problem, while this paper addresses a dynamic problem which considers three strategies to control the release of parts into the system.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/26086/1/0000162.pd

Virtual monitoring in CF – the importance of continuous monitoring in a multi-organ chronic condition

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a chronic life-limiting condition that affects multiple organs within the body. Patients must adhere to strict medication regimens, physiotherapy, diet, and attend regular clinic appointments to manage their condition effectively. This necessary but burdensome requirement has prompted investigations into how different digital health technologies can enhance current care by providing the opportunity to virtually monitor patients. This review explores how virtual monitoring has been harnessed for assessment or performance of physiotherapy/exercise, diet/nutrition, symptom monitoring, medication adherence, and wellbeing/mental-health in people with CF. This review will also briefly discuss the potential future of CF virtual monitoring and some common barriers to its current adoption and implementation within CF. Due to the multifaceted nature of CF, it is anticipated that this review will be relevant to not only the CF community, but also those investigating and developing digital health solutions for the management of other chronic diseases

A line-balancing strategy for designing flexible assembly systems

We present a rough-cut analysis tool that quickly determines a few potential cost-effective designs at the initial design stage of flexible assembly systems (FASs) prior to a detailed analysis such as simulation. It uses quantitative methods for selecting and configuring the components of an FAS suitable for medium to high volumes of several similar products. The system is organized as a series of assembly stations linked with an automated material-handling system moving parts in a unidirectional flow. Each station consists of a single machine or of identical parallel machines. The methods exploit the ability of flexible hardware to switch almost instantaneously from product to product. Our approach is particularly suitable where the product mix is expected to be stable, since we combine the hardware-configuration phase with the task-allocation phase.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45513/1/10696_2004_Article_BF00167513.pd

A study of FMS part type selection approaches for short-term production planning

This research compares seven approaches from the literature to the selection of part types for simultaneous production over the next time horizon. A flexible approach to the selection of part types and the simultaneous determination of their mix ratios so as to balance aggregate machine workloads is presented. Constraints on tool magazine capacity are considered. Simulation studies are conducted on realistic, detailed models of flexible flow systems (FFSs) configured as pooled machines of equal sizes. The simulated settings are constructed to evaluate the impact of such factors as blocking, transportation, buffer utilizations, and fixture requirements and limitations of various types.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45438/1/10696_2004_Article_BF00713157.pd