The shift team formation problem in multi-shift manufacturing operations

This paper addresses the problem of assigning operators to teams that work in single-, two-, or three-day shift systems. The problem was motivated by, and illustrated with a case situation encountered in Dutch manufacturing industry. The problem addressed forms an extension of cell formation problems which are currently in the phase of addressing labor-related issues in cell design. A generalized goal problem formulation is presented to address multiple, conflicting objectives covering cross-training of workers, ensuring adequate levels of labor flexibility and minimizing labor-related costs. The proposed solution procedure consists of two phases. In the first phase, shift systems, in which applicable machines and the sizes of each shift team are identified. The next phase deals with assignment of operators to various teams and identification of specific cross-training needs for various workers. This phase involves the use of interactive goal programming. The methodology is illustrated by details from the case situation as well as a numerical example.

A Genetic Approach To Voltage Collapse Mitigation

The objective of this thesis is to provide an efficient and accurate corrective solution to a system that is on verge of voltage collapse. This thesis describes, in detail, the development of an optimization scheme that aims to alleviate power system instability and voltage collapse condition based on the principles of an evolutionary approach called Genetic Algorithm. The state of a system is determined using a voltage stability identifier termed Collapse Proximity Index (CPI) and the critical loading condition is identified. Applying principles of Genetic Algorithm, the critical system is brought back to a stable operating region. The sequential procedure and application of this scheme is primarily discussed in this thesis. The thesis is structured to include theoretical discussion of the Collapse Proximity Index, development of a Genetic Algorithm - based solution to the voltage collapse problem and its simulated implementation on a test system, along with result analysis and suggestions for future development. Conclusions are drawn based on the efficiency of the application in maintaining system stability

Improving Virtual Machine Implementation to Simplify Learning by using vCloud Director

VMware vCloud Director is a part of vCloud Suite, and is used to provide an advantage in facilitating remote lab environments for students by hosting a product that allows the user to run virtual machines on dedicated hardware. Educators have been encouraged to develop this tool in higher education systems across the country. For a long time, students and educators have being using the concept of VMware workstations in their lab environments. However, this typically requires students to download and install software, which can be a burden causing issues and problems resulting in loss of class productivity. The purpose of this research is to show how the use of VMware vCloud Director makes it easier for students to concentrate on learning by eliminating the need of installing virtual machine (VM) technology on the students own computer system. Using Franklin-hosted vCloud Director, students can do their assignments without downloading and installing a large amount of software, unlike the current approach. There are currently three courses at Franklin University using the vCloud Director Tool, COMP 204, Principles of Computer Networks, ISEC 325, Network Security and INFA 415, Information Analytics Architecture. Further new applications are planned to continue to improve student learning in courses where VM technology is either already in place or soon will be. *Outstanding Student Poster: 3rd Place Winnerhttps://fuse.franklin.edu/ss2014/1073/thumbnail.jp

Assessment of Climate Change Effect on Water Harvesting Structures in Rainfed Regions: Geospatial Data Mining Approach

Advances in the Information and Technologies (ICT) may assist researchers in the assessment of watershed development programmes by developing better visualization understanding of their impacts. GIS based research studies utilizing remote sensing images can facilitate in identifying the potential zones for watershed development and enable improved ground water resources. Effective watershed management is dependent on a number of factors such as demography, climate, soil, land use and topography and these are affected by changing climatic conditions. For example, changes in rainfall intensity and volume in rain fed areas can influence the effectiveness of the placement of watershed structures. Existing methods of impact assessment of watershed development, which are based on farmers’ interviews and traditional statistical analysis may explain the impact to a certain extent—the influences of drought or high rainfall conditions. However, with changing rainfall patterns and temperature regimes the effect of infiltration and evaporation of these watersheds needs further analysis. Novel geospatial data mining techniques could help in knowledge discovery and unknown pattern identification of the effects of these changes in rainfall and temperature patterns on the placement of watershed structures. An approach by utilizing these methods to simulate watershed development conditions in different climate conditions will help watershed management officials to make efficient and timely investments for placement of water harvesting structures using a more scientific assessment. Techniques such as spatial trend analysis help to visualize the changes in the ground water level, land use pattern at different rainfall situations. This approach could also help in studying the temporal changes at smaller intervals and with different intensities of rainfall in monsoonal and non-monsoon situations

Optimizing quality losses and shelf-life in bakery products by edible coatings

Edible packaging is of increasing interest as a technological strategy for preserving quality, improving shelf-life as well as reducing the residual waste associated with food packaging. Alternative packaging systems with coatings and films that are viable have already been proven useful in fresh produce, fresh cuts; meat and milk products. However, in the past decade interest has been renewed in edible packaging application for bakery products to restrict moisture migration, texture changes, mould growth, incorporate functional compounds and reduce overall packaging impact. The objective of this thesis was to develop edible coatings to mitigate quality losses in bakery products. The coating and product as dynamic systems with different physico-mechanical characteristics were assessed individually by, (i) development and characterization of edible coating matrices for bakery application; (ii) evaluation of the drying of edible coating on bread to optimize temperature and time of drying; (iii) effect of coating during storage as influenced by type of coating and stage of application. Based on the obtained results, characterization of rheological, mechanical and thermal characteristics of edible coatings and films were found particularly useful to select suitable coating matrices. The use of rapid methods like near infrared spectroscopy enabled the monitoring and modelling of optimal temperature/time combinations to dry coatings. Also, a numerical model to understand the heat and mass transfer dynamics for the coated bread was designed. Furthermore, the study on storage indicated that the use of edible coatings can have a retaining effect on the moisture and textural quality of bread. The results evidenced in this doctoral project can contribute to the understanding of the role of edible coatings for bread. They could be further designed as potential alternatives to reduce the level of barriers used for packaging, for a more sustainable and eco-friendly production chain

Two Body Abrasive Wear of Al-Mg-Si Hybrid Composites: Effect of Load and Sliding Distance

The present study investigates on the two body abrasive wear behavior of Al-6082 alloy, Al 6082 alloy-10% SiC (Al-SiC) composites and Al 6082 alloy – 5 % SiC-5 % Gr (Al-SiC-Gr) hybrid composites. These composites were prepared by stir casting process. The wear tests of these materials were conducted at load of 5 – 15 N and sliding distance of 50 – 75 m at grit size of 200 μm. The wear response influenced by these parameters was analyzed and compared with each other. The results show that graphitic composites yielded better wear resistance compared to alloy and single SiC reinforced composite. Worn surfaces of samples were observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and it was revealed that the wear grooves appeared to be narrow and shallow in case of hybrid composites

3Dscanner

This project entails designing, prototyping, and testing a 3D scanner. The device that we are building uses LIDAR to take position data of a 3D object, then analyze and encode the sensor data as an STL file that can later be 3D printed out at the same resolution. We aim to build an affordable, high-performance 3D scanner that takes advantage of the falling cost of LIDAR in order to bring 3D scanning capabilities to individuals, the maker community, and even small businesses. We begin this process by choosing a sensor, the YDLIDAR X4, as our primary method of taking position data of the object. We take calibration data with this sensor to ensure that it is suitable to our needs. In doing so, we find that we may need to incorporate certain statistical methods, like dithering, in order to increase the accuracy of the system. We determine an effective layout for scanning all sides of an object, overcoming obstacles like scanning objects with concave surfaces. The physical system is mocked up in Solidworks, enabling us to 3D print, laser cut, and buy all the necessary components of the system. The system is constructed while an interactive user interface is created. We develop an algorithm for turning individual data points from the raw data of the X4 sensor into 3D printable STL files, and interface it with a program that controls the motors to take consistent, comprehensive scans of any object on the platform. In the end, we find two limitations of LIDAR in 3D scanning systems - high-gloss black surfaces and certain steep angles cannot be scanned adequately by LIDAR. However, once our system is constructed, we are able to take 3D scans of common objects, and even 3D print one of our scanned objects. The scan is compared to the original object, and the dimensional accuracy of our scanner is verified