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In this paper we introduce a simulative model, designed and developed to optimally manage an integrated finished goods inventory system, and suitable for adoption in a wide range of make to stock manufacturing firms. The goal of the model is to manage optimally finished goods inventory levels, in order to minimize costs deriving from holding inventory and from adjustment to the master production schedule (MPS) to prevent stock‐outs. A trade off is sought between these costs components. The input variables of the model are: safety stock levels, assessed through coefficients k1, k2 and k3, and the stochastic distribution functions of products demand. The model performances are assessed considering the annual total cost for the inventory management. The model is then tested by a numerical application. The case considered refers to a major firm operating in the zootechnical feeds production industry.

Deals with the issues related to the implementation, in a manual finished goods warehouse, of an ERP information system aimed at improving warehouse internal logistics efficiency. Specifically it is observed that the mere implementation of an integrated warehouse management information system does not actually guarantee the optimization of warehouse logistics. Rather, to improve the overall systems efficiency, it is required that ERP implementation be combined with the redesign and the reorganization of warehouse logistics and processes. This means that to achieve an effective synergic effect and thus effectively increase systems efficiency, both these steps have to be undertaken concurrently, grounding the reorganization and redesign phase on the implementation fallouts )in first place higher traceability levels gained(. The whole project is then applied to a real case of a finished goods manual warehouse, with pile storage systems.

This paper presents the results of a panel of experts, made up of academics in the field of operations and supply chain management, enterprise requirement planning software developers, and end‐users, whose work has aimed at defining the main features that characterize an enterprise modeller for the fashion industry. The characteristics required by the enterprise requirement planning enterprise modeller have been identified, with specific attention to the production planning and control module. Because of the peculiarities of this line of business, it is widely recognized that both vendors and buyers would benefit from such a tool. For the formers, the availability of a pre‐customized reference model would represent a competitive advantage in the marketplace, for the latter, on the other hand, it would enhance the effectiveness, the efficiency and the likelihood of success of the enterprise requirement planning implementation project.

To present a multi‐attribute approach for the selection and ranking of the most suitable 3PL service provider.

The approach is based on the TOPSIS technique (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) and the fuzzy set theory.

A quantitative methodology based on a structured framework, for the selection of the most appropriate 3PL service provider.

Future research may attempt to compare the results of the methodology proposed with those of other Multi Attribute Group Decision Making methods. In particular, the selection tree could be developed in a multi‐tier hierarchy, trying to punctually address the relationships between the upper tier criteria and the lower level ones. With multi‐tier hierarchies, the performance of AHP could be compared with the one obtained with TOPSIS, not only with respect to “technical suitability” but also in terms of easiness to implement, shortcomings and general managerial viability.

From the application of the methodology to a real case, the approach proposed emerges as an appropriate tool, which makes it possible to easily and effectively rank alternatives. Conversely the most critical issue pointed out by the real case application is the preliminary “request of information” phase, which has to be given critical attention. The availability of a well structured body of knowledge about potential candidates emerged as the true discriminant for an effective analysis.

The originality of the paper is threefold: first, an original framework of criteria for the selection of the most suitable 3PL service provider is presented. Second, an original methodology based on a fuzzy TOPSIS approach is presented. Third, the practical implications and drawbacks are discussed by means of a real case application.

This research seeks to provide an understanding of the MRP adoption process using classic adoption models for prediction. To this end, four classical adoption models were used to provide the foundation for the constructs tested in this study. The framework of research strives to investigate the relationships between benefit analysis, feasibility studies, organizational willingness and the mediating construct, MRP positive evaluation. A statistical analysis on a sample of 109 small and medium‐sized firms was carried out which revealed that these constructs play an important role in the decision making process leading, ultimately, to MRP adoption. The analysis has, thus, lent support to the adoption models considered and might provide useful indications to managers seeking to maximize the investment in MRP packages.

This study, a practice forum article, aims to presents the lessons learned and the development of a discrete event simulation model to support the funerary system management of São Paulo City, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A discrete event simulation model was developed by the authors as soon as the pandemic affected the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Based on the model, several scenarios with varying minimum, median and peak demands (i.e. the number of deaths) were tested and evaluated. The lessons learned from the scenario analysis and implementation of the decision-making of the city government of São Paulo are discussed in this article.

The lessons learned about the coordination, inventory management and other operational characteristics in funerary logistics during the pandemic are shared with a model, which quantifies the demand for vehicles, coffins, graves and teams in the cemeteries in different simulated scenarios.

The São Paulo State Civil Defense used this information during the pandemic to prepare the funerary system of the municipality.

The study presents methods to mitigate the sanitary, environmental and psychosocial problems related to the funerary system.

Studies on funerary systems are scarce. This study presents the results that supported the dimensioning of the funerary system during the pandemic and operational lessons about the logistics to support decision-making in future events.

The present study aimed to demonstrate different computational models, data and stability results obtained in a wide number of projects of various aircrafts such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), general aviation and big passenger flying airliners in blended wing body (BWB) configurations. Many details of modeling and computing are shown for unconventional configurations, namely, for a BWB aircraft and for tailless UAVs.

Mathematical models for analysis of static and dynamic stability were built and investigated based on equations of motion in the linearized form using the so-called state variable model for a steady-state disturbed, generally asymmetric, flight.

Flight dynamics models and associated computational procedures appeared to be useful, both in a preliminary design phase and during the final assessment of the configuration at flight tests. It was also found that the difference between thresholds for static and dynamic stability conditions was equal to 9 per cent of mean aerodynamic chord (MAC) in the case of BWB and 3 per cent of MAC in the case of tailless UAVs.

Many useful information about aircraft dynamics can be easily obtained from computational analyses including time to half/double and periods of oscillation, undamped frequencies, damping ratio and many others. Stability analysis of different unconventional configurations will be easier and faster if an access to such configurations is available.

This paper presents a very efficient method of assessment of the designing parameters, especially in an early stage of the design process. In open literature, there are a great number of datasets for classical configurations, but it is hard to find anything for passenger BWB and tailless UAVs. Stability computations are performed based on equations of motion derived in the stability frame of the reference fixed with one-quarter of MAC. It can be considered as an original, not typical but a very practical approach because values of stability and control derivatives do not change even if the centre of gravity is travelling.

Monday, February 23, 1981. A British cargo flight crashed near Billerica, Massachusetts, after the aircraft took off with an accumulation of ice and snow on the airframe and then encountered moderate to severe icing conditions in flight.

Paint path planning for industrial robots is critical for uniform paint distribution, process cycle time and material waste, etc. However, paint path planning is still a costly and time‐consuming process. Currently paint path planning has always caused a bottle‐neck for manufacturing automation because typical manual teaching methods are tedious, error‐prone and skill‐dependent. Hence, it is essential to develop automated tool path‐planning methods to replace manual paint path planning. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing automated tool path‐planning methods, and investigate their advantages and disadvantages.

The approach takes the form of a review of automated tool path‐planning methods, to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of the current technologies.

Paint path planning is a very complicated task considering complex parts, paint process requirements and complicated spraying tools. There are some research and development efforts in this area. Based on the review of the methods used for paint path planning and simulation, the paper concludes that: the tessellated CAD model formats have many advantages in paint path planning and paint deposition simulation. However, the tessellated CAD model formats lack edge and connection information. Hence, it may not be suitable for some applications requiring edge following, such as welding. For the spray gun model, more complicated models, such as 2D models, should be used for both path planning and paint distribution simulation. Paint path generation methods should be able to generate a paint path for complex automotive parts without assumptions, such as presupposing a part with a continuous surface.

The paper makes possible automated path generation for spray‐painting process using industrial robots such that the path‐planning time can be reduced, the product quality improved, etc.

The paper provides a useful review of current paint path‐planning methodologies based on the CAD models of parts.