The optimal allocation of buffers in serial production systems is one of the oldest and most researched problems in Industrial Engineering. In general, there are three main approaches to the buffer allocation problem when the objective is to maximize throughput. The first is basically a systematic trial and error procedure...
Facility location-allocation decisions and inventory stocking decisions are very important in spare parts logistics. Both sets of decisions affect total costs in the system and the service levels that can be achieved by establishing distances between customers and distribution centers (DCs) in facility location-allocation, and by determining the availability of...
Humanitarian logistics in the post-disaster phase of an earthquake requires detailed planning about the relief distribution network including assigning available distribution centers (DCs) to the affected areas, distribution of the relief commodities demanded by the affected population, and efficient allocation of the available vehicle fleet for the distribution in a...
Modern supply chains have grown to be far more complex than their predecessors, as global trade and accessibility have opened avenues of trade that were previously impossible. As such, the inherent risk of internal and/or external disruptions impacting the performance of a supply chain has also grown due to the...
After a mobile communication device (MCD), such as a smartphone or tablet, has been sold to the public, the customer may find that there is a defect. Each MCD is sold with a warranty that covers the repair of manufacturing defects and is supported by the MCD manufacturer. A third...
On a paced mixed-model assembly line various product variants are assembled in the same sequence of serially arranged workstations that make up the line. The goal is to assemble the products with the lowest cost possible while meeting demand requirements. Since the work content of product variants may differ at...
Small organizations may face several management challenges, such as developing non-centralized management structures, knowledge retention in rapid turnover environments, complex operations, and diverse stakeholder requirements. Many methodologies exist to address such management challenges, including viable system model, knowledge management, and Toyota production system, or lean manufacturing. Each of these methodologies...
Ecoroofs have become more prominent in recent years. However, there is currently no enforceable standard or building code for the design and construction of ecoroofs across the United States (Kraupa, 2014). Further research is needed to determine how ecoroofs respond to roof motion and to develop an appropriate design standard.The...
Moving mixed-model assembly lines are used by many companies to assemble multiple model types of a particular product. A moving assembly line consists of a material movement system that moves jobs at a constant velocity across a series of workstations. The variation in the work content of jobs at workstations...
Wildfires are a recurring disaster that threatens communities living close to forests and result in significant financial losses along with negative environmental effects, especially with the increase of wildfire season length and intensity due to climate change and increasing urbanization. Wildfire events can also have a significant impact on the...