A semi-automatic approach to implement rapid non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Geng ◽  
Xu Peng ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Chuan Lv ◽  
Zili Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Human Motion ◽  
Virtual Simulation ◽  
Secondary Development ◽  
Tool Selection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Basic Parameters ◽  
Virtual Maintenance ◽  
Maintenance Process

Purpose Current virtual simulation platforms provide various tools to generate non-immersive simulation processes purposefully in different domains. The generated simulation processes are adopted for analysis, presentation, demonstration and verification. In the virtual maintenance domain, this intuitive and visual method has benefitted product maintainability design and improvement. Generating an ideal and reasonable non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation is always time-consuming because of the complicated human operations and logical relationships involved. This study aims to propose a semiautomatic approach to increase efficiency in non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation implementation. Design/methodology/approach The methodology analyzes the general catalogs of common maintenance tasks and explores the corresponding secondary development approaches of simulation tools that can achieve motion simulation in virtual environments, by focusing on the diversity, complexity and uncertainty in non-immersive virtual simulation process generation. Afterward, a single virtual human motion can be generated by controlling the parameters and indices of the simulation tools. Subsequently, all of the generated single motions are connected logically to simulate the entire maintenance process. Findings Instead of selecting various tools, such as that in a traditional method, the proposed methodology analyzes and integrates the necessary basic parameters considering the characteristics of virtual maintenance simulation for a target maintenance activity. Originality/value The user can control the predefined parameters to generate the simulation combining several other simple operations in virtual environments. Consequently, the methodology decreases simulation tool selection and logic consideration and increases efficiency to a certain extent in non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation generation.

Research of Nuclear Power Plant In-Service Maintenance Based on Virtual Reality

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuang Weijun ◽  
Yu Xiao ◽  
Zhang Lin
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Virtual Simulation ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Virtual Maintenance ◽  
Maintenance Process ◽  
Time Assessment

This paper presents a method of constructing a nuclear power plant in-service maintenance virtual simulation scene and virtual maintenance process. Taking air-baffles dismantling process of CAP1400 nuclear power plant for instance, this paper discusses ergonomics, space analysis, and time assessment based on virtual reality in the process of in-service maintenance. It demonstrates the advantage of using virtual reality technology to design and verify an in-service maintenance process of nuclear power plants compared to the conventional way.

Selection methods of lean management tools: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Jaber Naeemah ◽  
Kuan Yew Wong
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Lean Management ◽  
Selection Methods ◽  
Tool Selection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Complaints ◽  
Lean Tools ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is (1) to review, analyze and assess the existing literature on lean tools selection studies published from 2005 to 2021; (2) to identify the limitations faced by previous studies; and (3) to suggest future works that are necessary to facilitate the selection of lean tools.Design/methodology/approachA systematic approach was used in order to identify, collect and select the articles. Several keywords related to the selection of lean tools were used to collect articles from different Scopus indexed journals. Next, the study systematically reviewed and analyzed the selected papers to identify the lean tools' selection method and discussed its features and limitations.FindingsAn analysis of the results showed that previous studies have adopted two types of methods for selecting lean tools. First, there are various traditional methods being used. Second, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods were commonly used in previous studies, such as the multi-objective decision-making method (MODM), single multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) methods and hybrid (MCDM). Moreover, the study revealed that the lean tools' selection methods in previous studies were based on evaluating the relationship between either lean tools and performance metrics or lean tools and waste, or both.Research limitations/implicationsIn terms of its theoretical value, the study is considered as an extension of the previous researches performed on this topic by determining and analyzing the features of the most selection methods of lean tools. Unlike previous review papers, this review had considered discussing and analyzing the characteristics and limitations of these methods. Section 2.2 of this paper reviewed some of the categories of MCDM methods as well as some of the traditional methods used in the selected previous studies. Section 2.1 of this paper explained the concept of lean management and its application benefits. Further, only three sectors were covered by the previous studies in this review paper. This study also provided recommendations for future research. Therefore, it provided researchers with a good conception of how to conduct the studies on lean tools selection. Besides, knowing the methods used in previous studies can help researchers develop new methods to select the best set of lean tools. That is, this study provided and advanced the existing knowledge base for researchers concerning lean tools selection, especially there is limited availability of review papers on this topic. Moreover, the study showed researchers the importance of the relationship between lean tools and indicators or/and performance indicators to determine the appropriate set of lean tools so that the results of future studies will be more realistic and acceptable.Practical implicationsPractically, manufacturers face a significant challenge when selecting proper lean tools. This study may enhance managers, manufacturers and company's knowledge to identify most of the methods used to choose the best set of lean tools and what are the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of these methods as well as the latest studies that have been adopted in this topic. That means this study can direct companies to prioritize the application of lean tools depending on either the manufacturing performance metrics or/and manufacturing wastes so that they avoid incorrect application of lean tools, which will add more non-value added activities to operations. Therefore companies can decrease the time and cost losses and enhancing the quality and efficiency of the performance. Correctly implementing the best set of lean tools in companies will lead in general to correctly applying lean management in corporations. Therefore, these lean tools can boost the economic aspect of companies and society through reducing waste, improving performance indicators, preserving time and cost, achieving quality, efficiency, competitiveness, boosting employee income and improving the gross domestic product. The correct lean tool selection reduces customer complaints and employee stress and improves work conditions, health, safety and labor wellbeing. Besides, the correct lean tools selection improves materials usage, energy usage, water usage and decreases liquid wastes, solid wastes and air emissions. As a result, the right selection of lean tools will have positive effects on both the environment and society. The study may also encourage manufacturers and researchers to adopt studies on lean tools selection in small- and medium-sized companies because the study referred to the importance and participation of these kinds of companies in a large proportion of the economy of developing countries. Further, the study may encourage some countries that have not previously adopted this type of study, academically and industrially to conduct lean tools selection studies.Social implicationsAs mentioned previously, the correct lean tool selection reduces customer complaints and employee stress and improves work conditions, health, safety and labor wellbeing. The proper lean tools selection improves materials usage, energy usage, water usage and decreases liquid wastes, solid wastes and air emissions. As a result, the right choice of lean tools will positively affect both the environment and society.Originality/valueThe study expanded the efforts of previous studies concerning lean management features. It provided an accurate review of most lean tools selection studies published from 2005 to 2021 and was not limited to the manufacturing sector. It further identified and briefly described the selection methods concerning lean tools adopted in each paper.

The Design and Research of Virtualization Platform

2013 ◽  
Vol 397-400 ◽  
pp. 2090-2093
Author(s):  
An Hong Tian ◽  
Cheng Biao Fu
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Computer Network ◽  
Local Area Network ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Virtual Simulation ◽  
Area Network ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Detail Design ◽  
Packet Tracer

Due to the problem of network structure, security, redundant path in traditional network, this can be solved by Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) technology. As the network laboratory in colleges and universities is not perfect because of high cost, a virtual simulation tools named Packet Tracer has been introduced to computer network experimental curriculum, this paper put forwards the detail design scheme by the example of VLAN with three switches, and provides the experiment and theoretical analysis and simulation verification .The practice has proved this method not only deepens students comprehension of network, but also cultivates the students' actual comprehensive ability.

scholarly journals Human Motion Analysis and Simulation Tools

2016 ◽  
pp. 359-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
João F. Nunes ◽  
Pedro M. Moreira ◽  
João Manuel R. S. Tavares
Keyword(s):  
User Interfaces ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Human Motion ◽  
Rehabilitation Robotics ◽  
Motion Simulation ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Motion Data ◽  
Engineering Software ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Computational Systems

Computational systems to identify objects represented in image sequences and tracking their motion in a fully automatic manner, enabling a detailed analysis of the involved motion and its simulation are extremely relevant in several fields of our society. In particular, the analysis and simulation of the human motion has a wide spectrum of relevant applications with a manifest social and economic impact. In fact, usage of human motion data is fundamental in a broad number of domains (e.g.: sports, rehabilitation, robotics, surveillance, gesture-based user interfaces, etc.). Consequently, many relevant engineering software applications have been developed with the purpose of analyzing and/or simulating the human motion. This chapter presents a detailed, broad and up to date survey on motion simulation and/or analysis software packages that have been developed either by the scientific community or commercial entities. Moreover, a main contribution of this chapter is an effective framework to classify and compare motion simulation and analysis tools.

Understanding and managing the threat of disruptive events to the critical national infrastructure

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Thurlby ◽  
Kim Warren
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Investment Planning ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
National Infrastructure

Purpose – This paper aims to describe a high-level model portraying the relationships between operational, investment, commercial and regulatory pressures, and reports the early findings from testing alternative strategies, both over the long- and short-term. Concern about the vulnerability of utility networks (electricity, gas and water) and other infrastructures, including transport and telecommunications, to environmental, terrorist and other threats has increased in recent years. This has been motivated both by a perceived increase in such threats and by recognition that the commercial pressures and regulation of companies operating these infrastructures could unintentionally have increased that risk. Powerful simulation tools already help utility operators develop asset investment polices to improve both the performance and resilience of their networks, while others have helped increase their capability to respond efficiently when disruptive events occur. However, these tools need to be further developed to increase understanding of how the interdependencies between operational, investment, commercial and regulatory pressures influence and eventually define the strategic policies available to these organisations and what the long-run consequences will be for the resilience of these systems and hence for service continuity. Design/methodology/approach – Use of system dynamics methods and tools to develop a new approach to strategy and policy development for risk management for organisations operating the critical national infrastructure. Findings – System dynamics is a valid approach to address the problem of understanding risk and developing risk mitigation and management strategies for organisations operating the critical national infrastructure. To develop policies that will effectively manage and mitigate risk in the critical national infrastructure, it is essential to identify and model the interactions and interdependencies between the organisational, investment, commercial and regulatory factors. Research limitations/implications – The research has developed a proof-of-concept model and set of simulation tools which produce good results using test data from one type of organisation operating in the critical national infrastructure. The model has not been tested using data from other types of organisations. Similarly, the software written in the model has not been tested in operational conditions and further testing will be required. Practical implications – The model at the moment can only be applied to single organisation. The interactions between organisations are not in scope. Originality/value – Although some work in the field using simulation tools and methods has been done in the USA, the use of system dynamics and its application to the specific situation on the UK and Europe is new. The model uses earlier work which applied system dynamics to the subject of asset investment planning, but is a major step forward from this work. Risk and resilience is one of the major challenges facing operators of the critical national structure. This work will be of potential value to all these organisations.

Creating space and time for innovation - a methodology for building adaptation design appraisal using physics-based simulation tools and interactive multi-objective optimization

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheida Shahi ◽  
Philip Beesley ◽  
Carl Thomas Haas
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Design Decision ◽  
Stage Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Building Adaptation ◽  
Early Stage Design ◽  
Physics Based Simulation ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeIt is crucial to consider the multitude of possible building adaptation design strategies for improving the existing conditions of building stock as an alternative to demolition.Design/methodology/approachIntegration of physics-based simulation tools and decision-making tools such as Multi-Attribute Utility (MAU) and Interactive Multi-objective Optimization (IMO) in the design process enable optimized design decision-making for high-performing buildings. A methodology is presented for improving building adaptation design decision making, specifically in the early-stage design feasibility analysis. Ten residential building adaptation strategies are selected and applied to one primary building system for eight performance metrics using physics-based simulation tools. These measures include energy use, thermal comfort, daylighting, natural ventilation, systems performance, life cycle, cost-benefit and constructability. The results are processed using MAU and IMO analysis and are validated through sensitivity analysis by testing one design strategy on three building systems.FindingsQuantifiable comparison of building adaptation strategies based on multiple metrics derived from physics-based simulations can assist in the evaluation of overall environmental performance and economic feasibility for building adaptation projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe current methodology presented is limited to the analysis of one decision-maker at a time. It can be improved to include multiple decision-makers and capture varying perspectives to reflect common practices in the industry.Practical implicationsThe methodology presented supports affordable generation and analysis of a large number of design options for early-stage design optimization.Originality/valueGiven the practical implications, more space and time is created for exploration and innovation, resulting in potential for improved benefits.

scholarly journals Is online fraud just fraud? Examining the efficacy of the digital divide

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Cross
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Government Funding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Fraud ◽  
Perceived Benefit ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Media ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Fraud is not a new offence. However, the recent evolution and proliferation of technologies (predominantly the internet) has seen offenders increasingly use virtual environments to target and defraud victims worldwide. Several studies have examined the ways that fraud is perpetrated with a clear demarcation between terrestrial and cyber offences. However, with moves towards the notion of a “digital society” and recognition that technology is increasingly embedded across all aspects of our lives, it is important to consider if there is any advantage in categorising fraud against the type of environment it is perpetrated in. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the perceived utility of differentiating online and offline fraud offences. It is based upon the insights of thirty-one professionals who work within the “fraud justice network” across London, UK and Toronto, Canada. Findings It highlights both the realities faced by professionals in seeking to ether maintain or collapse such a differentiation in their everyday jobs and the potential benefits and challenges that result. Practical implications Overall, the paper argues that the majority of professionals did not feel a distinction was necessary and instead felt that an arbitrary divide was instead a hindrance to their activities. However, while not useful on a practical front, there was perceived benefit regarding government, funding and the media. The implications of this moving forward are considered. Originality/value This paper provides new insights into how fraud justice network professionals understand the distinction between fraud offences perpetrated across both online and offline environments.

Business process modeling, implementation, analysis, and management: the case of business process management tools

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Behjat Zuhaira ◽  
Naveed Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Business Process ◽  
Process Modeling ◽  
Business Process Management ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Software Tools ◽  
Process Reengineering ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Tool Selection ◽  
Content Type

PurposeSignificant numbers of business process management (BPM) projects fail. Their failure is attributed toward many factors. Among them, low quality of BPM is one reason. Some of the tasks in BPM have their roots in business process reengineering (BPR). The literature has cited many different critical success and failure factors for quality BPM and BPR. Lack of software tools is one of the technology-oriented factors that results in poor BPM and BPR. This paper aims to build a generic feature set offered by software tools for process modeling their analysis implementation and management. It presents an objective analysis in identifying weaknesses and strengths of these tools, primarily for BPM.Design/methodology/approachA method is proposed to evaluate the quality of process reengineering and management delivered by software tools. It consists of four phases: feature extraction, tool selection, data extraction and tool evaluation.FindingsThe data gathered is quantified to test research hypotheses, the results are statistically significant and highlight multiple areas for future improvements. Moreover, the cluster visualizations created also help to understand the strengths and weaknesses of BPM/BPR tools.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the research approach used, there is a chance of subjectivity when it comes to evaluating different tools.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications for practitioners and researchers for choosing appropriate software tool for process modeling, analysis, implementation and management, matching their requirements with BPM and BPR. It also identifies features that are missing in these tools.Originality/valueThis paper provides a comprehensive analysis of BPM and supporting tools, relates them to key stages of BPM life cycle and BPR methodologies. It also identifies various areas for further development in these tools.

Human factors automatic evaluation for entire maintenance processes in virtual environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiguang Qiu ◽  
Yunfei Yang ◽  
Xiumin Fan ◽  
Qichang He
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Information Model ◽  
Automatic Evaluation ◽  
Hydraulic Motor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Computer Environment ◽  
Virtual Maintenance

Purpose – The paper aims to propose a systematic approach for human factors (HFs) automatic evaluation for entire maintenance processes in virtual environment. Design/methodology/approach – First, a maintenance process information model is constructed to map real maintenance processes into computer environment. Next, based on this information model, the automatic evaluation methods for visibility, operation comfort and reachability are presented. All evaluation results are weighted and added up to establish a comprehensive HFs evaluation model. Then, the methods mentioned above are realized as an HFs evaluation module, which is integrated into virtual maintenance simulation platform, software developed by our lab. Findings – An application in HFs evaluation of repairing hydraulic motor on container spreader is implemented, and an on-site survey is carried out. The comparison between the result from the survey and the result we get using the presented methods shows that our solution can support HFs fast assessment accurately and effectively. Practical implications – Through evaluating maintenance operation processes, engineers can better analyze and validate the maintainability design of complex equipment, and some potential ergonomic issues can be found and dealt earlier. Originality/value – The paper contributes to present a systematic approach to achieve HFs fast and accurate evaluation for entire maintenance processes, rather than for a few maintenance postures.

Enhancing Six Sigma methodology using simulation techniques

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ahmed ◽  
John Page ◽  
John Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
Six Sigma Methodology

Purpose In recent times, the idea of taking advantage of the benefits of simulation techniques and Six Sigma discipline altogether has led various organizations towards implementation of simulation tools within Six Sigma methodology. The purpose of this study is to provide a more comprehensive literature review on the topic exploring how this amalgamation could work both in theory and practice. This precisely entailed finding dependable studies that shows how Six Sigma (DMAIC) Methodology can be enhanced by the three prevalent simulation techniques; Agent-Based (AB), Discrete-Events (DE), System Dynamics (SD). Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was considered more fitting in research because it involves rigorous and well-defined approach compared to other forms of literature review. In this case, the literature was comprehensive, well-encompassing and involved finding Six Sigma and Simulations literatures from reputable scholarly databases. The outcome of these reviews was the identification of a set of key finding compiled and classified by topics. The study follows an inductive approach and utilises a meta-synthesis review technique. Findings As numerous studies assert, simulation techniques including AB, DE and SD are applicable tools in almost every stage of DMAIC, especially the Analyse, Improve and Control phases, because of their capability to test and identify potential bottlenecks and improvement areas. Findings show that the simulation tools such as CLDs, Group Model Building, Dynamic Balance Scorecards and Cost of poor quality all have the potential to add value to a Six Sigma methodology. Originality/value The findings of this study highlight the importance of further inquiry in this area of study. The finding of this study suggests that although the study on the integration of Six Sigma and simulations is increasing, empirical evidence on its effectiveness is still limited. Therefore, this study suggests more roadmaps and investigations aimed at merging Six Sigma methodology and various simulation technique. Moreover, studies that centre on hybrid or multi-method simulations within Six Sigma are also urgently necessitated.

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