Search results

This study aims to utilize DMAIC methodology along with value stream mapping and other Lean Six Sigma tools in a major automobile light manufacturing industry to reduce defect rates and increase production capacity in their manufacturing line. The study also proposes a modified framework based on lean principles and FlexSim to identify and reduce waste in the selected industry.

A Lean Six Sigma modified framework has been deployed with DMAIC to reduce the defect rate and increase the production rate. Various tools like value stream mapping, brainstorming, Pareto charts, 5S, kanban, etc. have been used at different phases of DMAIC targeting wastes and inventory in the production line. Also, a simulation model has been utilized for the automobile light manufacturing industry to improve the machine utilization time with varying batch sizes.

The results of the study indicated a 53% reduction in defect rates. Thus, there would be an expected improvement in sigma value from 3.78 to 3.89 and a reduction in defects per million opportunities (DPMO) from 11,244 to 8,493. Additionally, simulation model using FlexSim was developed, and the optimum ordering batch size of raw material was obtained. It was also analyzed that idle time for various stations could be reduced by up to 30%.

The utilized framework helps identify defects for managers to increase production efficiency. The workers, operators and supervisors on the production line also need to be trained regularly for identifying the areas of improvement.

The modified Lean Six Sigma framework used in this study includes FlexSim simulation to make the framework robust, which has not been used with LSS tools in the literature studied. Also, the LSS finds very less application in the manufacturing domain, considering which this study tends to add value in existing literature taking a case of an automobile light manufacturing industry.

The purpose of this work is to gain insights about Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in the Indian context by reviewing the related literature for one decade based on various perspectives, such as author profile, year of publication, type of firm, type of methodology used, type of industry for which the research work is carried out and the key findings from the research.

This study reviews the research related to LSS from the articles published in the reputed journals. The literature used for reviewing is derived from the sources, including Science direct, Google scholar, IEEE, Taylor and Francis Group, Emerald Insight, Springer, Inderscience and Elsevier during the period between 2010 and 2021. Totally, the authors have included 141 LSS-related research articles that are published in the Indian context. The keywords used are Lean Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma in the Indian context, Lean Sigma and LSS to identify and consolidate the research papers published during this timeframe.

The research papers collected from various reputed journals, including Scopus and non- Scopus enlisted, are classified and grouped under various categories to identify the class of author who publishes more in this field, research trend over the years, the type of firm which implements LSS, the research methodology which is commonly used in LSS and related research and also the key takeaway from these articles are highlighted. Further, the authors have also identified the major contributions of researchers in various sectors during this period in India.

This classification framework and the systematic review help in identifying the research gap and in giving directions for future researchers. It will be useful for researchers and practitioners working on the area of LSS, rural and urban entrepreneurs, start-up managers, professionals working in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and executives of the Make in India Project to make India as Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Further, the clear direction of progress over the current decade in manufacturing industries, service sectors and processing industries can help the professionals working in these sectors.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate interface characterization of CO₂ laser welded AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel and AISI 1010 low carbon steel couple. Laser welding experiments were carried under argon and helium atmospheres at 2000, 2250 and 2500 W heat inputs and 200‐300 cm/min welding speeds.

The microstructures of the welded joints and the heat affected zones (HAZ) were examined by optical microscopy, SEM, EDS and X‐Ray analysis. The tensile strength of the welded joints was measured.

The result of this study indicated that the width of welding zone and HAZ became much thinner depending on the increased welding speed. On the other hand, this width widened depending on the increased heat input. Tensile strength values also confirmed this result. The best properties were observed at the specimens welded under helium atmosphere, at 2500 W heat input and at 200 cm/min welding speed.

There are many reports which deal with the shape and solidification structure of the fusion zone of laser beam welds in relation to different laser parameters. However, the effect of all influencing factors of laser welding has up to now not been extensively researched. Much work is required for understanding the combined effect of laser parameters on the shape and microstructure of the fusion zone. This paper, therefore, is concerned with laser power, welding speed, defocusing distance and type of shielding gas and their effects on the fusion zone shape and final solidification structure of some stainless steels.

The purpose of this study is to present the systematic literature review (SLR) on Lean Six Sigma (LSS) by exploring the state of the art on growth of literature on LSS within the manufacturing sector, critical factors to implement LSS, the role of LSS in the manufacturing sector from an implementation and sustainability viewpoint and Industry 4.0 viewpoints while highlighting the research gaps.

An SLR of 2,876 published articles extracted from Scopus, WoS, Emerald Insight, IEEE Xplore, Taylor & Francis, Springer and Inderscience databases was carried out following the protocol of systematic review. In total, 154 articles published in different journals over the past 10 years were selected for quantitative and qualitative analysis which revealed a number of research gaps.

The findings of the SLR revealed the growth of literature on LSS within the manufacturing sector. The review also highlighted the most cited critical success factors, critical failure factors, performance indicators and associated tools and techniques applied during LSS implementation. The review also focused on studies related to LSS and sustainability viewpoint and LSS and Industry 4.0 viewpoints.

The findings of this SLR can help senior managers, practitioners and researchers to understand the current developments and future requirements to adopt LSS in manufacturing sectors from sustainability and Industry 4.0 viewpoints.

Academic publications in the context of the role of LSS in various research streams are sparse, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first SLRs which explore current developments and future requirements to implement LSS from sustainability and Industry 4.0 perspective.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the integrated application of business process modeling and notation (BPMN) and value stream mapping (VSM) to improve knowledge work performance and productivity in police services. In order to explore the application of the hybrid BPMN-VSM approach in police services, this study uses the department of digital crime investigation (DCI) in one Norwegian police district as a case study.

Service process identification was the next step after selecting an appropriate organizational unit for the case study. BPMN-VSM-based current state mapping, including time and waste analyses, was used to determine cycle and lead time and identify value-adding and nonvalue-adding activities. Subsequently, improvement opportunities were identified, and the current state process was re-designed and constructed through future state mapping.

The study results indicate a 44.4% and 83.0% reduction in process cycle and lead time, respectively. This promising result suggests that the hybrid BPMN-VSM approach can support the visualization of bottlenecks and possible causes of increased lead times, followed by the systematic identification and proposals of avenues for future improvement and innovation to remedy the discovered inefficiencies in a complex knowledge-work environment.

This study focused on one department in a Norwegian police district. However, the experience gained can support researchers and practitioners in understanding lean implementation through an integrated BPMN and VSM model, offering a unique insight into the ability to investigate complex systems.

Complex knowledge work processes generally characterize police services due to a high number of activities, resources and stakeholder involvement. Implementing lean thinking in this context is significantly challenging, and the literature on this topic is limited. This study addresses the applicability of the hybrid BPMN-VSM approach in police services with an original public sector case study in Norway.

The purpose of this research is to prepare a dispersion resin with good dispersity and a colour paste with good stability. At present, the colour paste is being prepared using the pigment dispersion resin which has the group quaternary ammonium. The dispersion resin prepared has good dispersity of pigment and extender. However, the stability of storage and construction of the colour paste is relatively poor, which has a negative influence on the application of cathodic electrodeposited (CED) coatings. However, the detailed investigation on the dispersion resin and the stable colour paste has not been reported.

Three steps are adopted to prepare the dispersion resin, that is blocking toluene diisocyanate (TDI), quaternary ammoniation of blocked TDI and ring opening of epoxy resin. The resultant dispersion is used to prepare the colour paste. The factors, which have an influence on the dispersity of the dispersion resin and stability of the colour paste, are optimised.

The typical recipes of preparing the dispersion resin and the resultant colour paste are obtained. The dispersity of the dispersion resin and stability of the colour paste are good based on the typical recipe. In addition, the film of the CED coating is smooth, dense and hard when the colour paste is used in the CED coating.

The dispersion resin can be used to prepare a colour paste, which can be used in the CED coatings. In addition, it also can be applied as a binder of coatings and adhesions.

The factors, which have an influence on the dispersity of the dispersion resin and stability of the colour paste, are studied in detail. The typical recipes of preparing the dispersion resin and the resultant colour paste are obtained. Based on the typical recipe, the dispersity of the dispersion resin and stability of the colour paste are good.

Case studies of four important automobile firms are used to understand how the performance of both diversifying and new entrants into the automobile industry was conditioned by their pre-entry experience. Various conjectures based on the four firms are then tested using a unique data source on the pre-entry backgrounds of all entrants into the automobile industry from the commercial inception of the industry in 1895 through 1966. In addition to analyzing the types of pre-entry experiences that affected the longevity of entrants, the analysis also focuses on the conduits by which pre-entry experience influenced the performance of entrants and the extent to which pre-entry experience had enduring effects.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.