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Article
Publication date: 30 April 2024

Shiqing Wu, Jiahai Wang, Haibin Jiang and Weiye Xue

The purpose of this study is to explore a new assembly process planning and execution mode to realize rapid response, reduce the labor intensity of assembly workers and improve…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore a new assembly process planning and execution mode to realize rapid response, reduce the labor intensity of assembly workers and improve the assembly efficiency and quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the related concepts of digital twin, this paper studies the product assembly planning in digital space, the process execution in physical space and the interaction between digital space and physical space. The assembly process planning is simulated and verified in the digital space to generate three-dimensional visual assembly process specification documents, the implementation of the assembly process specification documents in the physical space is monitored and feed back to revise the assembly process and improve the assembly quality.

Findings

Digital twin technology enhances the quality and efficiency of assembly process planning and execution system.

Originality/value

It provides a new perspective for assembly process planning and execution, the architecture, connections and data acquisition approaches of the digital twin-driven framework are proposed in this paper, which is of important theoretical values. What is more, a smart assembly workbench is developed, the specific image classification algorithms are presented in detail too, which is of some industrial application values.

Details

Robotic Intelligence and Automation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-6969

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2023

M. Boyault Edouard, Jean Camille, Bernier Vincent and Aoussat Améziane

This paper aims to fulfil a need to identify assembly interfaces from existing products based on their Assembly Process Planning (APP). It proposes a tool to identify assembly…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to fulfil a need to identify assembly interfaces from existing products based on their Assembly Process Planning (APP). It proposes a tool to identify assembly interfaces responsible for reused components integration. It is integrated into a design for mixed model final assembly line approach by focusing on the identification of assembly interfaces as a generic tool. It aims to answer the problem of interfaces’ identification from the APP.

Design/methodology/approach

A tool is developed to identify assembly interfaces responsible for reused component integration. It is based on the use of a rule-based algorithm that analyses an APP and then submits the results to prohibition lists to check their relevance. The tool is then tested using a case study. Finally, the resulting list is subjected to a visual validation step to validate whether the identified interface is a real interface.

Findings

The results of this study are a tool named ICARRE which identify assembly interfaces using three steps. The tool has been validated by a case study from the helicopter industry.

Research limitations/implications

As some interfaces are not contained in the same assembly operations and therefore, may not have been identified by the rule-based algorithm. More research should be done by testing and improving the algorithm with other case studies.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for new product development teams to address the difficulties of integrating reused components into different products.

Originality/value

This paper presents a tool for identifying interfaces when sources of knowledge do not allow the use of current methods.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2024

Mohammad Hani Al-Rifai

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, a case study on applying lean principles in manufacturing operations to redesign and optimize an electronic device assembly process…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, a case study on applying lean principles in manufacturing operations to redesign and optimize an electronic device assembly process and its impact on performance and second, introducing cardboard prototyping as a Kaizen tool offering a novel approach to testing and simulating improvement scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and brainstorming tools to identify root causes of poor performance, followed by deploying a Kaizen event to redesign and optimize an electronic device assembly process. Using physical models, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement were identified by the Kaizen approach at the workstations and assembly lines, enabling the testing of various scenarios and ideas. Changes in lead times, throughput, work in process inventory and assembly performance were analyzed and documented.

Findings

Pre- and post-improvement measures are provided to demonstrate the impact of the Kaizen event on the performance of the assembly cell. The study reveals that implementing lean tools and techniques reduced costs and increased throughput by reducing assembly cycle times, manufacturing lead time, space utilization, labor overtime and work-in-process inventory requirements.

Originality/value

This paper adds a new dimension to applying the Kaizen methodology in manufacturing processes by introducing cardboard prototyping, which offers a novel way of testing and simulating different scenarios for improvement. The paper describes the process implementation in detail, including the techniques and data utilized to improve the process.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 73 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2024

Anil Kumar Inkulu and M.V.A. Raju Bahubalendruni

In the current era of Industry 4.0, the manufacturing industries are striving toward mass production with mass customization by considering human–robot collaboration. This study…

Abstract

Purpose

In the current era of Industry 4.0, the manufacturing industries are striving toward mass production with mass customization by considering human–robot collaboration. This study aims to propose the reconfiguration of assembly systems by incorporating multiple humans with robots using a human–robot task allocation (HRTA) to enhance productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

A human–robot task scheduling approach has been developed by considering task suitability, resource availability and resource selection through multicriteria optimization using the Linear Regression with Optimal Point and Minimum Distance Calculation algorithm. Using line-balancing techniques, the approach estimates the optimum number of resources required for assembly tasks operating by minimum idle time.

Findings

The task allocation schedule for a case study involving a punching press was solved using human–robot collaboration, and the approach incorporated the optimum number of appropriate resources to handle different types of proportion of resources.

Originality/value

This proposed work integrates the task allocation by human–robot collaboration and decrease the idle time of resource by integrating optimum number of resources.

Details

Robotic Intelligence and Automation, vol. 44 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-6969

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 November 2022

Jens K. Perret

The purpose of the study is to fill a gap in the literature on mathematical production planning (joint balancing and sequencing) in the fashion industry. It considers in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to fill a gap in the literature on mathematical production planning (joint balancing and sequencing) in the fashion industry. It considers in particular situations of mass customization, made-to-measure or small lot sizes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a mathematical model based on product options and attributes instead of fixed variants. It proposes an easy-to-use genetic algorithm to solve the resulting optimization problem. Functionality and performance of the algorithm are illustrated via a computational study.

Findings

An easy-to-implement, yet efficient algorithm to solve the multi-objective implementation of a problem structure that becomes increasingly relevant in the fashion industry is proposed. Implementation of the algorithm revealed that the algorithm is ideally suited to generate significant savings and that these savings are impervious to problem and thus company size.

Practical implications

The solutions from the algorithm (Pareto-efficient frontier) offer decision-makers more flexibility in selecting those solutions they deem most fitting for their situation. The computational study illustrates the significant monetary savings possible by implementing the proposed algorithm to practical situations.

Originality/value

In contrast to existing papers, for the first time, to the best of the author’s knowledge, the focus of the joint balancing and sequencing approach has been applied in the fashion instead of the automotive industry. The applicability of the approach to specific fields of the fashion industry is discussed. An option and attributes-based model, rarely used in general assembly line sequencing per se, is used for more flexibility in representing a diverse set of model types.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 April 2022

Zul-Atfi Ismail

The purpose of this paper is to show that the growing global trend of quality assurance indicates the potential of precast concrete (PC) to improve construction quality and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the growing global trend of quality assurance indicates the potential of precast concrete (PC) to improve construction quality and productivity, reduce wasteful construction, and achieve design standardization and to accelerate construction time. However, its current approach for dynamic characteristics, such as stiffness and displacement on beam-column connection system design, is not effective in achieving the required quality and operational requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

A design tool based on the literature and data analysis in product planning and safety is proposed for the practice of PC building construction.

Findings

The results reveal the need for improvement of PC building performance in the construction industry, especially for the beam-column connection system. The issues include improper design, improper specification and defective concrete and steel components compared to other manufacturing methods.

Originality/value

A novel and sophisticated technique based on physical internet-enabled building information modeling (PI-BIM) is proposed to improve the planning process and safety for PC buildings in Malaysia.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 May 2022

Cheng Fan, Deng Binchao and Yilin Yin

Under the background that engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracting model is introduced to adapt to the highly fragmented characteristics of prefabricated…

Abstract

Purpose

Under the background that engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracting model is introduced to adapt to the highly fragmented characteristics of prefabricated construction, the schedule management of general contractor is faced with the challenge of dynamic transmission and interaction of construction scheduling-related risk. The purpose of this paper is to develop the hierarchy of prefabricated construction scheduling-related risks from the perspective of the general contractor, and to analyze the transmission mechanism between risks. The paper also aims to further distinguish the difference of the impact degree of scheduling-related risks, and provide reference for formulating the strategy to alleviate the construction delay.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of the literature on prefabricated buildings, this paper identifies 22 scheduling-related risks in construction from the perspective of the general contractor. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted to obtain experts' views on the interrelationships among these risks. Following this, their overall structure was determined by using a hierarchical structure established by using interpretive structural modeling (ISM), and Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement (MICMAC) technique was applied to classify them into four groups according to their driving and dependence powers.

Findings

The results indicate that the 22 scheduling-related risks in construction followed the inherent path of step-by-step transmission, and all of them could cause different degrees of delays in prefabricated construction. Among them, general experience in contracting projects, the use of emerging technologies and the completeness of the relevant standards and specifications were strong drivers of scheduling delays in construction, and should be prioritized by the general contractor in schedule management. The transitive link between scheduling risks can guide them in developing prevention strategies.

Research limitations/implications

Data quality and reliability risks are the major drawbacks of semi-structured interviews. These were minimized by engaging experts with rich theoretical and hands-on experience in prefabricated construction projects. The hierarchical model only reflects static influence relationships, and so dynamic interactions among scheduling-related risks should be studied in future.

Originality/value

The primary value of this study is in its development of a hierarchical model by using the integrated ISM–MICMAC approach that reflects the interaction between scheduling risks in the construction of prefabricated buildings. The hierarchy of these risks and the results of a “driving-dependence power” analysis can guide the general contractor in taking targeted preventive measures to avoid scheduling delays in the construction of prefabricated buildings.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 August 2023

Wenlong Cheng and Wenjun Meng

This study aims to address the challenge of automatic guided vehicle (AGV) scheduling for parcel storage and retrieval in an intelligent warehouse.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to address the challenge of automatic guided vehicle (AGV) scheduling for parcel storage and retrieval in an intelligent warehouse.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a scheduling solution that aims to minimize the maximum completion time for the AGV scheduling problem in an intelligent warehouse. First, a mixed-integer linear programming model is established, followed by the proposal of a novel genetic algorithm to solve the scheduling problem of multiple AGVs. The improved algorithm includes operations such as the initial population optimization of picking up goods based on the principle of the nearest distance, adaptive crossover operation evolving with iteration, mutation operation of equivalent exchange and an algorithm restart strategy to expand search ability and avoid falling into a local optimal solution. Moreover, the routing rules of AGV are described.

Findings

By conducting a series of comparative experiments based on the actual package flow situation of an intelligent warehouse, the results demonstrate that the proposed genetic algorithm in this study outperforms existing algorithms, and can produce better solutions for the AGV scheduling problem.

Originality/value

This paper optimizes the different iterative steps of the genetic algorithm and designs an improved genetic algorithm, which is more suitable for solving the AGV scheduling problem in the warehouse. In addition, a path collision avoidance strategy that matches the algorithm is proposed, making this research more applicable to real-world scheduling environments.

Details

Robotic Intelligence and Automation, vol. 43 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-6969

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 August 2023

Dries Faems and Taco H. Reus

Although extant post-acquisition literature has mainly focused on the integration of stand-alone firms, many acquisitions involve select units that were divested from former…

Abstract

Although extant post-acquisition literature has mainly focused on the integration of stand-alone firms, many acquisitions involve select units that were divested from former parents. Scholars have therefore recently called for moving beyond the dominant dyadic acquirer–target view of the acquisition process to a triadic view that considers the roles of, and interactions between, divestors, targets, and acquirers in the acquisition process. The authors set out to build an extended process view of such triadic relations based on a five-year longitudinal case study of one entrepreneurial company, acquiring two divested units from large multinational companies. The case sheds light on how divestors and acquirers together shape synergy realization efforts and identity-building by targets, causing dramatic shifts in perceptions of success throughout the acquisition process. The authors hope the case offers greater understanding, and triggers more research, into mingled integration and disintegration processes. The authors also highlight three impediments that can shape post-acquisition choices and discontinuous processes when acquiring divested units.

Details

Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-861-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2020

Rashi Gupta, Mona N. Shah and Satya N. Mandal

The purpose of this paper is to establish the importance of land records for urban development. The study focuses on how traditionally land records were managed and presently what…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the importance of land records for urban development. The study focuses on how traditionally land records were managed and presently what are the important parameters impacting the land record management systems in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework adopted for the study was as follows: 1) literature study: aim to study the historical issues, to study global systems across the globe, various government reforms. 2) Present system of land management: to study the administrative, legal, economic issues, problems and potential in the present system. 3) Technology interventions: to study how technology can help to make the system more robust and trustworthy. 4) Conclusion: to study how the recommended technological measures will work and how to implement it in the system. Several pilot interviews were carried out to understand how the present system of land record management works in India, and important parameters were established through the pilot interviews of various stakeholders in the system.

Findings

The study brings out certain striking facts about the inefficiencies in the system since centuries, which are still being carried forward. Any reforms by the authorities have not been able to solve the issues and reduce the number of litigations because digitisation was only a step forward to replicate the wrong entries of records in digitised format. Thus, a paradigm shift in technology is required to bring a considerable change in the present management system.

Originality/value

Various studies worldwide have been done in several countries regarding land records, but all the studies are in piecemeal basis. Very less literature is available on the study that how land records effect large scale urban development projects. This study is an attempt to study impact of land records on urban development and to bring back transparency in the system to reduce the number of litigations on the most important ingredient of built environment, which is land.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 12 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

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