Improving the Multi-Brand Channel Distribution of a Fashion Retailer

One has seen exponential growth in the number of clients and in the quantities ordered in the fashion retailing multi-brand channel. It has, therefore, become essential to improve the channel’s distribution process in order to meet the customers’ orders in the shortest time, and in a cost-effective manner, thus complying with the delivery terms agreed upon with the market. To this end, one studied aspects such as the mapping of the supply flow process, the occupation of space and the spaghetti-dash diagram of four current distribution process activities. Besides these, one also analyzed the calculation of productivity, cycle times, takt time, as well as the service level designed, with the purpose of preparing a system to evaluate company performance. In addition to these studies, one resorted to the ABC and SWOT customers’ analyses in order to develop the improvement proposal, which was characterized by: (a) changes in the layout, (b) improvements in the supply flow, (c) implementation of gravity carriers, as well as more ergonomic forms of transport, and (d) the use of computer applications developed in Visual Basic language for the distribution process. Based on this proposal, one succeeded in increasing the amount sorted out by the distributor in an eight-hour shift to 294 articles (11,23%). Cycle time was reduced from 0,015 minutes/article to 0,013 minutes/article (13,33%), which allows for the segregation of articles in time for the next collections. In addition, the occupied space was reduced to 47 m2 on average per collection (1,39%), which is translated into a reduction of 1 498 468 meters (23,34%) in the average distance covered per collection. Furthermore, the number of workers was reduced, on average, by five employees (12,82%) per collection. The storage capacity of the finished product was also increased by 535 boxes (11,30%). The total investment needed to achieve these changes is established as being 23 754,42 €; yet, the payback time involved will only be six months, resulting in a cumulative profit of 84 504,23 € by the end of the fall/winter 2020 collection.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dust in Lacquer, Evidence of Deviation of Process in Production Lines for Spray Painting

This paper concerns work carried with a view to reduce defect occurrence rate in the spray painting lines of MDF (medium density fibre cluster-medium density fibreboard) parts of a multinational mobile manufacturing. The determination of the causes for the excessive rejection values is elusive for the multiplicity of factors and parameters involved and the dispersion of application times, not always sufficiently or properly documented. A process analysis methodology was applied to diagnose possible causes of defect occurrences. Considering that the highest defect rate concerned impurities, data collected over a six months’ period was analysed using SPSS to find the correlation between parameters, to find optimal limits of some parameters and evidence of their influence. Kaizen-Lean actions were discussed and implemented conducing to an effective reduction of the existing impurities defect rate, which decreased ninefold related with initial work values.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Information systems for industrial processes support and optimization

This paper presents the Document Management Systems (DMS) as a support decision tool to optimize Toyota Caetano Portugal S.A. (TCAP) processes performance. The created systems were developed on the best practices of a Business Project Management (BPM), for better structural implementation. The first system implementation was related to the warehouse materials requirement process, where an excel template with VBA functions for fill automatization was built. It had a reduction of the overall paper consumption and time execution optimization, which means the gain of approximately of 0,10€ and 2,09€ per unit produced, respectively. It was also obtained an elimination of 4538 paper sheets per year. A second system was also developed, in order to provide a Decision Support System (DSS) for documental management. Several User Forms were developed in VBA code in order to provide a flexible and intuitively user interface experience. It reduced the users time decision making and the administrator maintenance, by a total of 26 minutes, corresponding to a 1,61€ reduction per unit built, which means an efficiency increase of 42%. The present work fits in the company's strategy for a more sustainable environment being a positive driver of Industry 4.0 implementation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluating the Impact of the Urban Requalification Project of Praça Duque De Saldanha and Avenida Da República in Lisbon

UID/SOC/04647/2013 SFRH/BPD/76893/2011In dense urban areas, reducing traffic and increasing green areas is foreseen as a way of promoting urban comfort. Using the urban requalification project for Lisbon’s Avenidas Novas neighbourhood as a case study, the effects of vegetation on microclimate and urban comfort are evaluated. In this context, the ENVI-met software is used to model the present and the future urban scenario. The simulation results indicate: i) increased urban comfort in the morning and in the afternoon resulting from the decrease in temperature due to the presence of new green areas foreseen by the urban project; ii) a reduction of up to 3 degrees in the morning (9h) and up to 3 degrees in the afternoon (15h); iii) the model implemented in ENVI-met suits the urban and environmental characteristics of Lisbon and it is, therefore, desirable that future urban rehabilitation projects should consider ex ante simulation of this typepublishersversionpublishe

Solving Quality Problems in Tyre Production Preparation Process: A Practical Approach

This work was carried out at Continental tyre factory in Portugal, regarding the APEX machines production process, with the main goal of improving of their performance and product quality rate. Main possible causes of defect generation were identified and proposals to enhance the functioning of the bead APEX production process were also carried out. By applying Six Sigma, variables that influence the quality of the production were identified. DMAIC cycle (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) was applied in the process analysis, enabling a structured analysis and the identification of different causes that negatively affect the process studied and consequently allowed the identification of opportunities for improvement. With the help of the DMAIC method, a series of experiments were developed in order to achieve improvements in product quality rate and process control and stabilization.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Guidelines for Machine Tool Sensing and Smart Manufacturing Integration

Nowadays the Industry is becoming increasingly competitive with the emergence of even more advanced technologies. This environment leads the companies to look for a bigger availability of the assets, a higher quality of the products and consequently less costs. Thus, is because of this purpose that Maintenance is becoming even more fundamental. The focus of this paper was to develop a strategy of Predictive Maintenance on a Machine Tool with the aim of reducing the unplanned stops, increasing the productivity and creating the bases for an Industry 4.0 environment in the short term. Thus, a model has been created in order to fulfil this goal. The first step was the selection of the critical component of the machine tool that would be studied. In the next phase the variables that will be monitored were selected and their trigger limits. Finally, the necessary components to monitor this system were chosen. In order to reach the objective, a system of condition-based maintenance where the acoustic emissions and vibration of the bearing of a machine tool were monitor was proposed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Attitudes towards and assessment of spoken interaction in the primary English classroom

This report describes the action research project I engaged in as part of my practicum as a trainee teacher during my master´s degree in teaching English in primary education. It investigated how I could assess spoken interaction during structured assessment tasks and what the influence of young learners’ attitudes is on spoken interaction. The research took place in a private primary school in a town near Lisbon, Portugal. This study involved a group of 22 young learners in year four, eleven girls and eleven boys, aged between 9 and 10 years who had two weekly 60 minute classes of English during the afternoon. The study was implemented from mid-September 2020 to mid-December 2020, the main aim was to study how to formatively assess spoken interaction and what the influence of young learners’ attitudes was on spoken interaction. The method chosen was a small scale action research project. The research tools used were an observation grid, the use of a teacher’s journal and questionnaires to the young learners. The study concluded that to formatively assess spoken interaction an observation grid is justified, and that the contribution of peer feedback contributed to the progress of young learner’s language learning. Furthermore, it was observed that formatively assessing contributes to having less anxious young learners during assessment moments. There was also evidence that indicated the importance of collaborative peer work for young learner’s language learning progress. Throughout the action research, it became evident that young learners who demonstrated positive attitudes towards spoken interaction structured assessment tasks progressed in language learning.Este relatório descreve o projeto de pesquisa da minha prática de ensino supervisionada durante o Mestrado de Inglês no 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico. O meu objetivo foi observar como poderia avaliar formativamente a interação oral de pares durante tarefas interativas estruturadas nas aulas de inglês do ensino primário e qual a influência das atitudes dos jovens aprendizes na interação oral nas aulas de inglês do ensino primário. Este estudo decorreu numa escola primária privada próximo de Lisboa, em Portugal. Este projeto envolveu um grupo de 22 alunos do 4º ano, onze raparigas e onze rapazes com idades compreendidas entre os 9 e 10 anos. Esta turma tinha duas aulas semanais de 60 minutos cada durante o período da tarde. O estudo decorreu entre meados de setembro 2020 e meados de dezembro de 2020. Foram planeadas e incluídas tarefas de interação oral estruturadas, a pares, nos planos individuais de aula. As ferramentas de pesquisa escolhidas para recolha de dados foram uma grelha de observação, anotações num diário de professor e pequenos questionários aos alunos. A recolha de dados permitiu concluir que a avaliação formativa de interação oral justifica por si uma grelha de observação e também evidenciou a importância do feedback dos pares no progresso da aprendizagem da língua estrangeira. O estudo também demonstrou que existem evidencias positivas do trabalho a pares para o progresso da aprendizagem da língua estrangeira. Ao longo deste estudo observei que os alunos demonstraram atitudes positivas em relação á avaliação formativa de tarefas estruturadas interativas realizadas a pares. Os resultados deste estudo corroboram no tema da responsabilidade que os professores de inglês detêm em planear aulas com tarefas estruturadas interativas a pares, para promover uma maior interação dos jovens alunos no progresso da aprendizagem da língua estrangeira. O estudo indica que as atitudes, perante a avaliação formativa, dos jovens aprendizes melhoram com o decorrer da execução da avaliação de tarefas estruturadas

A Novel Rework Costing Methodology Applied To a Bus Manufacturing Company

This paper focuses on the quality costs analysis in the automotive industry, specifically a bus manufacturing company. The main goal was to improve the quality costs indicator, by providing means to evaluate the failure cost within the productive process. Kaizen-lean principles were used as methodology. A quality cost analysis was made based on literature review and in an ISO standard in quality costs. Process analysis was made based on the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle. As the main achievements of this article, the quality costs were identified as well as its sources. Then, by collecting a very significant amount of data, from various departments, regarding each of the identified costs, it was possible to measure these costs and create a database to scorecard them – including rework costs. Due to the lack of rework costs information, a great part of this analysis focused on data collection and estimating/calculating these associated costs. Thus, it was possible to develop associated KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) to support decision making and a graphic indicator to show the overall balance between quality costs and non-quality costs. In this process, some difficulties were found as well as some opportunities for improvement. The critical ones were implemented during this project, while the others are scheduled for future work. In terms of a more technological approach to these studies, some autonomous systems can exist, although it comes at a great cost. However, the 4.0 Industry concept is evolving and fits perfectly in the quality costs monitorization context: an integrated information system with a global data network allows for a quick check-up of all the quality costs, by category, while freeing employees from doing this work manually.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analysis and optimisation of a logistic warehouse in the automotive industry

The automotive industry is one of the most competitive sectors, in which rigour, flexibility, quality and agility constitute the critical factors of success. Warehouse activities and their associated costs play a vital role in logistic functions. Their optimisation and performance assessment may result in substantial value gains for the company. This study was developed at Continental Mabor, with the purpose of developing a proposal to restructure and optimise the company’s warehouse. An analysis of the existing warehouse was carried out and the respective proposals were subsequently presented. The main goal of these proposals was to improve the efficiency of warehouse functions, reduce stock quantities and enhance the capacity to meet customer’s demand. A warehouse management system (WMS) was installed and a suitable bin management solution was defined. This system consisted of a basic WMS to support stock inventory and its location. In addition, this system envisaged warehouse performance and included elements such as the inventory management Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and warehouse productivity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A codification system roadmap: case study in a metalworking company

Decision-making and control of operational areas in industrial companies are key issues in their sustainability and resilience in markets that are more and more challenging and competitive. In this way, production management and information management software are becoming mandatory. The codification of information, namely products codification, is a subject, without being the main purpose in everyday companies’ work, must be a subject that enables a proper functioning of everyday companies’ activity. This project proposes a roadmap for internal product codification in a company working in the metalworking industry. This guide shows good practices that highlight formal basic rules whose could add value to internal processes of the organization and so to provide a solid system where the company can rely on providing more time to its workers to spend in other tasks. At last it is provided a generic conceptual model to serve as an approach to develop a codification system in any given organization.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio