scholarly journals REDUCTION OF PRODUCTION CYCLE TIME BY OPTIMISING PRODUCTION AND NON-PRODUCTION COMPONENTS OF TIME IN THE METALWORKING INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna K Spasojevic Brkic ◽  
M Klarin ◽  
S Stanisavljev ◽  
A Brkić ◽  
Z Sajfert
Keyword(s):  
Cycle Time ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Metalworking Industry

Optimisation of a Robotic Workcell Layout Using Genetic Algorithms

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siang-Kok Sim ◽  
Meng-Leong Tay ◽  
Ahmad Khairyanto
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Genetic Algorithms ◽  
Cycle Time ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Robot Arm ◽  
Layout Problem ◽  
Common Features ◽  
Placement Method ◽  
The Common

With the advent of robots in modern-day manufacturing workcells, optimization of robotic workcell layout (RWL) is crucial in ensuring the minimization of the production cycle time. Although RWL share many aspects with the well-known facility layout problem (FLP), there are features which set the RWL apart. However, the common features which they share enable approaches in FLP to be ported over to RWL. One heuristic gaining popularity is genetic algorithm (GA). In this paper, we present a GA approach to optimizing RWL by using the distance covered by the robot arm as a means of gauging the degree of optimization. The approach is constructive: the different stations within the workcell are placed one by one in the development of the layout. The placement method adopted is based on the spiral placement method first broached by Islier (1998). The algorithm was implemented in Visual C++ and a case study assessed its performance.

scholarly journals A Novel Automated System for the Handling of Car Seat Wires on Plastic Over-Injection Molding Machines

Machines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
F. J. G. Silva ◽  
M. R. Soares ◽  
L. P. Ferreira ◽  
A. C. Alves ◽  
M. Brito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cycle Time ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Car Seats ◽  
Car Seat ◽  
Productivity And Competitiveness ◽  
Plastic Injection

The structure of car seats is becoming increasingly complex, with mixing of wire conformation and plastic injection. The plastic over-molding process implies some labor, which can be reduced if novel solutions are applied in this manufacturing area. The handling of the wires used in car seats is the main problem identified in the process, wasting time both in the feeding and in the extraction of the molds used in the wire over-molding process. However, these machines are usually extremely compact and the free space around them is too short. In classic molding injection machines, there are just two half-molds, the female, and the male. In the over-molding process of wires used in car seats, three half-molds are used in order to increase the cycle time. Thus, to solve this problem, the classic robotic solutions are not appliable due to lack of space and elevated cost. This work describes the development of an automated solution able to handle the wires in both the feeding and the extracting phases of the production cycle, avoiding the traditional labor costs associated with this type of machine. Departing from an industrial need, the developed novel solution is described in detail and can be successfully adapted to other situations of low added-value products where it is needed to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the product. The system developed uses mechanical and pneumatic solutions which, combined, can be used to solve the identified problem, occupying a restricted space and requiring a small budget. This solution can be translated into guidelines that will allow the analysis of situations where the same system can be applied.

scholarly journals A Case Study about the Use of Precision Agriculture Technology Applied to a Zn Biofortification Workflow for Grapevine Vitis vinifera cv Moscatel

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Diana Daccak ◽  
Inês Carmo Luís ◽  
Ana Coelho Marques ◽  
Ana Rita F. Coelho ◽  
Cláudia Campos Pessoa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitis Vinifera ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Smart Farming ◽  
Reduced Surface

As the human population is growing worldwide, the food demand is sharply increasing. Following this assumption, strategies to enhance the food production are being explored, namely, smart farming, for monitoring crops during the production cycle. In this study, a vineyard of Vitis vinifera cv. Moscatel located in Palmela (N 38°35′47.113′′ O 8°40′46.651) was submitted to a Zn biofortification workflow, through foliar application of zinc oxide (ZnO) or zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) (at a concentration of 60% and 90%—900 g·ha−1 and 1350 g·ha−1, respectively). The field morphology and vigor of the vineyard was performed through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) images (assessed with altimetric measurement sensors), synchronized by GPS. Drainage capacity and slopes showed one-third of the field with reduced surface drainage and a maximum variation of 0.80 m between the extremes (almost flat), respectively. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) values reflected a greater vigor in treated grapes with treatment SZn90 showing a higher value. These data were interpolated with mineral content, monitored with atomic absorption analysis (showing a 1.3-fold increase for the biofortification index). It was concluded that the used technologies furnishes specific target information in real time about the crops production.

A case study of GK Aqua Farms in Chikwawa district, Malawi.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla M Longwe ◽  
Jeremiah Kang'ombe ◽  
Emmanuel K. W. Kaunda
Keyword(s):  
Common Carp ◽  
Wholesale Price ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Integrated Aquaculture ◽  
Distribution Strategy ◽  
Tilapia Rendalli ◽  
One Year ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Agriculture Systems

Abstract This study was carried out to record the experiences of Gopi Krishna (GK) Aqua Farms, with special reference to feeding/fertilization methods, the production cycle and the farm's marketing/distribution strategy. GK Aqua Farms is situated in Chikwawa District, which is in the southern region of Malawi. 19 ha (47 acres) of its land is under water, about 12 ha (30 acres) of which is in an enclosed, fenced area, and the remaining 7 ha (17 acres) in an open, unfenced area. Since GK Aqua Farms started practicing on a commercial scale in November 2004, the business has promoted aquaculture within Malawi and has demonstrated its potential profitability by attaining gross margins of over K3 million (approximately US $21,430) after just one year. The farm raises three species of fish in a polyculture system; common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Tilapia rendalli and Oreochromis siranus. The fish are sold in Chikwawa District as well as in the neighbouring city of Blantyre. The fish are fed artificial diets and are stocked in ponds that are mainly fertilized with livestock manure. Partial harvests are carried out throughout the year, depending on consumer demand, with a complete harvest once a year. The fish are sold at a farm gate price of K400/kg (US $3/kg) for common carp and K250/kg (US $1.8/kg) for tilapia species and at a wholesale price of K500 (US $3.6/kg) for common carp and K300 (US $2.1/kg) for both tilapia species. Since it took over the farm in 2004, GK Aqua Farms has had a continuous rise in production from 4.2 tonnes per year in 2004 to 29.5 tonnes per year in 2008 with an expectation of similar increases over the next few years. The farm faces several problems including pests, inefficient feed supply and low sales during summer. The farm, however, does not operate any integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems.

Analysis of production cycle-time distribution with a big-data approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1889-1897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Tan ◽  
Lining Xing ◽  
Zhaoquan Cai ◽  
Gaige Wang
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Cycle Time ◽  
Time Distribution ◽  
Production Cycle

An Analysis of the Traveling Speed in the Traveling Hoist Scheduling Problem for Electroplating Processes

2020 ◽  
pp. 404-423
Author(s):  
José Itzcoatl Gomar-Madriz ◽  
Salvador Hernandez-González ◽  
Jaime Navarrete-Damián
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Programming ◽  
Cycle Time ◽  
Production Line ◽  
Nonlinear Behavior ◽  
Scheduling Problem ◽  
Hoist Scheduling ◽  
Basic Diagram ◽  
Sequence Of Movements ◽  
Traveling Speed

The Hoist Scheduling Problem is combinatory, so tools such as mathematical programming need to be used to get the sequence of movements, respecting the constraints of the process by minimizing the cycle time. A sequence in which the order of movements follows the order of the process is known as the basic diagram. These schedules do not have any clearance for the hoist to make any other movements, resulting in a loss in productivity. This chapter takes the production line of a Mexican factory as a case study, analyzing the hoist's travelling speed to find sequences of movements that could improve productivity. The results of the study indicate that the cycle time has a nonlinear behavior in respect of the hoist's travelling speed and it was determined that there are travelling speeds for which sequences are obtained with enough clearance to make other movements and keep other carriers on the line. A suitable speed was estimated in the case.

scholarly journals Kaizen Selection for Continuous Improvement through VSM-Fuzzy-TOPSIS in Small-Scale Enterprises: An Indian Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
Ashwani Kumar Dhingra ◽  
Bhim Singh
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Cycle Time ◽  
Fuzzy Topsis ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Current State ◽  
Future State ◽  
Indian Industries

In the era of cut throat competitive market, Indian industries are under tremendous pressure to continuously reduce the cost and improve product quality. The main objective of this research paper is to provide a road map for investigating the opportunities to reduce cost and improve productivity and quality in the existing production system through the application of Lean-Kaizen concept using value stream mapping (VSM) tool at shop floor of an Indian Small-Scale Enterprise (SSE). On the basis of collected data from the selected industry, a current state map was made. After analysis, the current state map was modified to develop a future state map. By comparing current and future state map, the gap areas were identified and takt time (TT) was calculated considering actual market demand. To overcome the gap between current state map and future state map and to synchronize cycle time of each station with talk time, Kaizen event (KE) was proposed. Fuzzy technology for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was applied to prioritize and select the appropriate KE for optimized performance level. After analysis of data obtained after application of the Lean-Kaizen concept, the final improvements in terms of improved productivity (57.15%) and reduced lead time (69.47%), reduced cost (65.61%), and station cycle time (75.25%) were recorded. Through the case study drawn from realistic situations of the industry, the authors highlight that implementation of Lean-Kaizen using VSM and fuzzy TOPSIS provides improvement opportunities across the organization. The findings can inspire the SSEs to adopt the Lean-Kaizen concept for optimizing continuous improvement opportunities in their production industry. This study offers the researchers and practitioners a good example for understanding, selecting, and performing KE program. They can even attain more improvement in various areas by establishing or improving these KE programs.

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