Development of pallet pattern placement strategies in robotic palletisation

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.H. Masood ◽  
Hussain A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Process Parameters ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Efficient Approach ◽  
Novel Technique ◽  
Pallet Loading ◽  
Loading Problem ◽  
Packaging Industry ◽  
Reduced Time

Purpose – This paper presents an investigation on the development of different pattern placement strategies in robotic palletisation of box packages in the packaging industry with practical implementations for one, two, four and five block patterns with the aim of improving the operational efficiency in robotic palletisation. Design/methodology/approach – The work involves considering the gripper design and maximum number of picks and various process parameters that affect the robotic implementation of pallet patterns and develops a methodology to form different patterns for a given pallet size. Findings – The proposed methodology represents an efficient approach for pallet pattern implementation and results in reduced number of placements required for a given number of boxes per layer and reduced time for palletisation. Originality/value – The paper introduces a novel technique for pallet loading problem (PLP) considering the physical aspects and restrictions encountered when using the robot and the gripper size to generate the pattern on the pallet. Traditional solutions of PLP do not consider these aspects in pattern placements.

Placement Sequence Methodology in Pallet Pattern Formation in Robotic Palletisation

2011 ◽  
Vol 383-390 ◽  
pp. 6347-6351
Author(s):  
Hussain Ali Khan ◽  
Syed H. Masood
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Formation ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Pallet Loading ◽  
Loading Problem ◽  
Packaging Industry ◽  
Efficiency And Productivity

The Pallet Loading Problem (PLP) in packaging industry usually deals with generating optimal pallet patterns of placing boxes on a rectangular pallet. For a given pattern, the boxes can be placed in different set of sequences each affecting efficiency and productivity of robotic palletisation. Therefore, getting an optimal pallet pattern does not guarantee an optimal pattern placement strategy. Therefore, there is a need to develop a methodology that considers the palletisers physical characteristics and limitations in robotic palletising systems. This paper presents development of a methodology to determine the placement sequence in robotic pallet pattern formation with the aim of improving the operational efficiency in robotic palletisation.

An efficient approach for the multi-pallet loading problem

2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 372-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Terno ◽  
Guntram Scheithauer ◽  
Uta Sommerweiß ◽  
Jan Riehme
Keyword(s):  
Efficient Approach ◽  
Pallet Loading ◽  
Loading Problem

The operational efficiency of passenger aircraft

2006 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald McLean
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transport Economics ◽  
Load Factors ◽  
Consistent Assessment ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Passenger Aircraft ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeTo provide for the use of airlines and other civil aviation organizations a practical definition of operational efficiency and to show how it can be determined.Design/methodology/approachA brief account of air transport economics is used to demonstrate how bom load factors and aircraft utilization need to be considered in assessing operational efficiency. Then other efficiencies are treated briefly before an example is given of how the better of two fictitious aircraft can be chosen for a particular route. A second example involving the calculation of the operational efficiency achieved by an imaginary airline is also given to show that the typical value is lower than might be expected, particularly in view of the relatively high load factors involved.FindingsProvides performance values and economic figures which are typical of current airline operations.Practical implicationsUse of the proposed definition will allow the consistent assessment of the economic performance of airlines.Originality/valueAt present there is no definition of operational efficiency in general use although it is greatly needed by airlines. The definition proposed in this paper is practical and easy to use.

Approaches to minimize overhang angles of SLM parts

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 362-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Cloots ◽  
Livia Zumofen ◽  
Adriaan Bernardus Spierings ◽  
Andreas Kirchheim ◽  
Konrad Wegener
Keyword(s):  
Process Parameters ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Internal Stresses ◽  
Support Structures ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Core ◽  
Processing Strategies ◽  
Process Heat

Purpose For geometries exhibiting overhanging surfaces, support structures are needed to dissipate process heat and to minimize geometrical distortions attributed to internal stresses. The use of support structures is often time- and cost-consuming. For this reason, this study aims to propose an approach which minimizes the use of such structures. Design/methodology/approach For minimizing the use of support structures, process parameters in combination with a contour-like exposure strategy are developed to realize support-less overhanging structures of less than 35°. These parameters are implemented in a shell-core strategy, which follows the idea of applying different processing strategies to the critical (overhanging) shell and the uncritical core of the part. Thereby, the core is processed with standard parameters, aiming a dense material. On the critical shell, optimized processing parameters are applied, reaching good results in terms of surface quality, especially at extreme overhang situations. Findings The results show that the selective laser melting (SLM) technology is able to realize support-less overhanging surfaces by choosing suitable scan strategies and process parameters. Particularly good results are always obtained when the exposure direction of the shell is parallel to the contour of the sample. Originality/value The validity of the results is demonstrated through the successful reproduction of the build strategy on two commercial SLM machines, reaching support-free builds of surfaces with an angle to the horizontal of less than or equal to 30°.

The effect of EBM process parameters upon surface roughness

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Klingvall Ek ◽  
Lars-Erik Rännar ◽  
Mikael Bäckstöm ◽  
Peter Carlsson
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Electron Beam ◽  
Surface Properties ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Electron Beam Melting ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Materials ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Melt Pool ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The surface roughness of products manufactured using the additive manufacturing (AM) technology of electron beam melting (EBM) has a special characteristic. Different product applications can demand rougher or finer surface structure, so the purpose of this study is to investigate the process parameters of EBM to find out how they affect surface roughness. Design/methodology/approach EBM uses metal powder to manufacture metal parts. A design of experiment plan was used to describe the effects of the process parameters on the average surface roughness of vertical surfaces. Findings The most important electron beam setting for surface roughness, according to this study, is a combination of “speed and current” in the contours. The second most important parameter is “contour offset”. The interaction between the “number of contours” and “contour offset” also appears to be important, as it shows a much higher probability of being active than any other interaction. The results show that the “line offset” is not important when using contours. Research limitations/implications This study examined “contour offset”, “number of contours”, “speed in combination with current” and “line offset”, which are process parameters controlling the electron beam. Practical implications The surface properties could have an impact on the product’s performance. A reduction in surface processing will not only save time and money but also reduce the environmental impact. Originality/value Surface properties are important for many products. New themes containing process parameters have to be developed when introducing new materials to EBM manufacturing. During this process, it is very important to understand how the electron beam affects the melt pool.

Personal digital libraries: a self-archiving approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 436-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikitas N. Karanikolas ◽  
Christos Skourlas
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The Self ◽  
Information Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Software Product ◽  
Reduced Time ◽  
Key Questions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine personal digital libraries (PDL) as a self-archiving approach, mainly based on individuals’ activities. Literature presents a wide range of perceptions of the term PDL. The rationale of using PDL and the capabilities that PDL should offer are also discussed. The key questions we focus on are: “What are the critical features of PDL?” and “Are there technologies that enable the implementation/incorporation of such capabilities in a low cost software product?” Design/methodology/approach – We focus on “a user centred view of information process”, and examine how PDL could assist individuals to “create, seek, share and manage the life of information” (Foster et al., 2010). The capabilities that PDL should support, and the related technologies, are also discussed. Then, we describe experimentation with a prototype implemented to support/provide the mentioned capabilities. It is used to clarify our view for the creation of PDL. Finally, further discussion and conclusions are presented. Findings – The technology is mature enough for building up PDLs with the specified features/capabilities. Originality/value – A new perception of the term PDLs is presented. This perception tries to combine the self-archiving approach of information, based on a low-cost tool, and the user-centred approach to manage the “life of information”. This type of library is mainly used to cover personal needs. Users benefit from this type of PDL by personalised handling of information, reduced time to search and seek specific documents in their personal collections and less possibility for broken links or unavailable documents. We must also mention that new opportunities seem to appear for offering PDL as a service in the cloud.

Measuring operational efficiency of isolation hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic using data envelopment analysis: a case of Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Abdelrahman Kamel ◽  
Mohamed El-Sayed Mousa
Keyword(s):  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Allocation Of Resources ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dea Analysis ◽  
Using Data

PurposeThis study used Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure and evaluate the operational efficiency of 26 isolation hospitals in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as identifying the most important inputs affecting their efficiency.Design/methodology/approachTo measure the operational efficiency of isolation hospitals, this paper combined three interrelated methodologies including DEA, sensitivity analysis and Tobit regression, as well as three inputs (number of physicians, number of nurses and number of beds) and three outputs (number of infections, number of recoveries and number of deaths). Available data were analyzed through R v.4.0.1 software to achieve the study purpose.FindingsBased on DEA analysis, out of 26 isolation hospitals, only 4 were found efficient according to CCR model and 12 out of 26 hospitals achieved efficiency under the BCC model, Tobit regression results confirmed that the number of nurses and the number of beds are common factors impacted the operational efficiency of isolation hospitals, while the number of physicians had no significant effect on efficiency.Research limitations/implicationsThe limits of this study related to measuring the operational efficiency of isolation hospitals in Egypt considering the available data for the period from February to August 2020. DEA analysis can also be an important benchmarking tool for measuring the operational efficiency of isolation hospitals, for identifying their ability to utilize and allocate their resources in an optimal manner (Demand vs Capacity Dilemma), which in turn, encountering this pandemic and protect citizens' health.Originality/valueDespite the intensity of studies that dealt with measuring hospital efficiency, this study to the best of our knowledge is one of the first attempts to measure the efficiency of hospitals in Egypt in times of health' crisis, especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify the best allocation of resources to achieve the highest level of efficiency during this pandemic.

scholarly journals How can gamification be incorporated into disaster emergency planning? A systematic review of the literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayomi Kankanamge ◽  
Tan Yigitcanlar ◽  
Ashantha Goonetilleke ◽  
Md. Kamruzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emergency Planning ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Popular Approach ◽  
Novel Technique ◽  
Game Elements

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of gamification as a novel technique in motivating community engagement in disaster-related activities in order to address the question of how gamification can be incorporated into disaster emergency planning. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts a systematic literature review and explores available gamified applications for disaster emergency planning and their purpose of use. In total, 51 scholarly articles on the topic and 35 disaster-related gamified applications are reviewed. Findings The findings reveal the following: (a) gamified applications (n = 35) are used for education, research and intervention purposes; (b) gamified applications create new opportunities for community engagement and raise disaster awareness among the community in virtual environments; and (c) gamified applications help shape a new culture – i.e. gamified culture – that supports smart disaster emergency planning practice. Originality/value During the recent years, utilisation of game elements in non-game contexts – i.e., gamification – has become a popular approach in motivating people in various actions. Increasing research highlighted the benefits of gamification in enhancing community engagement, creating interactive environments, providing better behavioural outcomes and influencing democratic processes. Despite some of the applications indicating the potential of gamification in disaster emergency planning, the use of gamification technique in this discipline is an understudied area. This study reveals gamification can be incorporated into disaster emergency planning.

Digital booking services: comparing online with phone reservation services

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 704-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Schaarschmidt ◽  
Björn Höber
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Online Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Areas ◽  
Online Reservation ◽  
Processing Service ◽  
Experimental Survey

Purpose Many booking services in traditional people-processing service areas such as gastronomy were recently transformed into online reservation services. While advantages for platform providers (i.e. a share of the respective business) and merchants (i.e. increased operational efficiency) seem obvious, it is less known about how customers respond to these new forms of online services. This paper aims to illustrate how booking traditional people-processing services online is different from booking it via phone. Design/methodology/approach This study conceptualized a 2 × 2 experimental survey design by manipulating users’ booking channel (online vs low) and the service complexity of different, less digitized people-processing services (high: dentist vs low: restaurant). After conducting several pretests, the authors surveyed 282 respondents familiar with online booking and reservation. Findings The results show that the booking channel (online reservation vs phone reservation) affects associated perceived booking risk and negatively affects users’ intention to use the reservation service. Additionally, users’ attitudes toward online reservation moderate the influence of booking channel on perceived booking risk. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research that investigates adoption of online reservation in people-processing services.

scholarly journals Building a new academic library Web site

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Ann Johnston ◽  
Pamela Greenlee ◽  
Matthew W Marcukaitis ◽  
Ian M Lopshire
Keyword(s):  
Technological Process ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
University Administrators ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Efficient Approach ◽  
Methodical Approach ◽  
Web Developers

Purpose – The Benner Library Web site at Olivet Nazarene University was targeted for an update and those responsible desired a systematic, efficient approach to the process. Design/methodology/approach – The project needed clear goals and careful coordination of all stakeholders, including all levels of patrons, library professionals and staff and university administrators. Findings – The methodical approach proved to be time consuming but effective. Originality/value – A team composed of Web developers, programmers and graphic designers accomplished the technological process, but communication between team members and stakeholders was essential.

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