Search results

1 – 10 of over 36000
Article
Publication date: 8 May 2017

Yaqiong Lv and Danping Lin

With the new generation Industry 4.0 coming, as well as globalization and outsourcing, products are fabricated by different parties in the distributed manufacturing network and…

1468

Abstract

Purpose

With the new generation Industry 4.0 coming, as well as globalization and outsourcing, products are fabricated by different parties in the distributed manufacturing network and enterprises face the challenge of consistent planning of semi-finished product in each manufacturing process in different geographical locations. The purpose of this paper is to propose a real-time operation planning system in the distributed manufacturing network to intelligently control/plan the manufacturing networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The feature of the proposed system is to model and simulate large distributed manufacturing networks to streamline the mechanical and production engineering processes with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which can keep track of process variants. To deal with concurrency and synchronization, the hierarchical timed colored Petri net (HTCPN) formalism for modeling is selected in this study. This method can help to model graphically and test the discrete events of concurrent operations. Fuzzy inference system can help for knowledge representation, so as to provide knowledge-based decision assistance in distributed manufacturing environment.

Findings

In this proposed system, there are two main sub-systems: one is the real-time modeling system, and the other one is intelligent operation planning system. These two systems are not parallel in the whole systems while the intelligent operation planning system should be embedded in any stage of the real-time modeling system as needed. That means real time modeling system provides the holistic structure of the studied distributed manufacturing system and realize real-time data transfer and information exchange. At the same time the embedded intelligent operation planning system fulfill operation plan function.

Originality/value

This new intelligent real-time operation system realizes real-time modeling with RFID-based HTCPN and smart fuzzy engine to fulfill intelligent operation planning which is highly desirable in the environment of Industry 4.0. The new intelligent manufacturing architecture will highly reduce the traditional planning workload and improve the planning results without manual error interference. The new system has been applied in a practical case to demonstrate its feasibility.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 117 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 September 2019

Ijaz Ul Haq and Fiorenzo Franceschini

The purpose of this paper is to develop a preliminary conceptual scale for the measurement of distributed manufacturing (DM) capacity of manufacturing companies operating in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a preliminary conceptual scale for the measurement of distributed manufacturing (DM) capacity of manufacturing companies operating in rubber and plastic sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step research methodology is employed. In first step, the dimensions of DM and different levels of each dimension have been defined. In second step, an empirical analysis (cluster analysis) of database firms is performed by collecting the data of 38 firms operating in Italian mould manufacturing sector. Application case studies are then analyzed to show the use of the proposed DM conceptual scale.

Findings

A hyperspace, composed of five dimensions of DM, i.e. manufacturing localization; manufacturing technologies; customization and personalization; digitalization; and democratization of design, is developed and a hierarchy is defined by listing the levels of each dimension in an ascending order. Based on this hyperspace, a conceptual scale is proposed to measure the positioning of a generic company in the DM continuum.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical data are collected from Italian mould manufacturing companies operating in rubber and plastic sectors. It cannot be assumed that the industrial sectors in different parts of the world are operating under similar operational, regulatory and economic conditions. The results, therefore, might not be generalized to manufacturing companies operating in different countries (particularly developing countries) under different circumstances.

Originality/value

This is first preliminary scale of its kind to evaluate the positioning of companies with respect to their DM capacity. This scale is helpful for companies to compare their capacity with standard profiles and for decision making to convert the existing manufacturing operations into distributed operations.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2020

Laura Purvis, Andrew Lahy, Robert Mason and Mike Wilson

The aim of the paper is to explore the changing role of a logistics service providers (LSPs) to better support their supply chain (SC) partners on their journey of advancing their…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to explore the changing role of a logistics service providers (LSPs) to better support their supply chain (SC) partners on their journey of advancing their product-service systems through distributing manufacturing around the world. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a novel route towards service growth followed by the LSP by integrating upstream into the value chain and the resultant consequences in the configuration of the servitisation strategy, SC structure and allocation of roles.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal exploratory case study design is followed. The case company is one of the world’s largest LSPs.

Findings

The study highlights how companies can transition towards the development of service solutions when not following a uni-directional, downstream pattern of integration in the value chain. The findings challenge the established model of servitisation as a forward uni-directional process across the continuum from goods to a service-focussed logic. They illustrate how companies can also move in a reversed direction, move possible back-and-forth or extend and restrict their position along the servitisation continuum.

Originality/value

The study reveals that service transition involves a deliberate developmental process to build capabilities as firms shift the focus of their product-service offering. It provides novel empirical evidence of how the service growth journey can manifest itself in practice. With insights into the benefits and challenges of distributed manufacturing, it also highlights some of the opportunities available to LSPs to expand their product-service offerings and some of the potential threats.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2005

I. Ahmed and M.J. Sadiq

The manufacturing paradigm is shifting from being a central system to a distributed system and is increasingly becoming dependent on wide area networks for the management of…

1782

Abstract

Purpose

The manufacturing paradigm is shifting from being a central system to a distributed system and is increasingly becoming dependent on wide area networks for the management of information services. The information subsystem employed in a manufacturing setting is susceptible to getting congested when used in a wide area network setting during peak hours. The issue of information and control subsystem integration and the characterization of network congestion have been researched in this paper using faded information field architecture.

Design/methodology/approach

A wide area network was simulated with all its associated components like routers, switches, gateways, etc. by programming a simulation engine. The simulation engine mimicked a wide area network employed in a manufacturing enterprise.

Findings

The architecture holds the promise to address the integration and congestion issues in a manufacturing system by employing autonomous decentralized and autonomous information fading techniques. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed technique in addressing the issue of network congestion in a distributed wide area network.

Originality/value

The issue of information and control subsystems of a manufacturing system has been reported earlier. However, the network‐centric problems like congestion during peak hours of operation have not been addressed in these emerging paradigms. The research reported in this paper focuses on the congestion issue and could be useful to wide area networked manufacturing system designers and managers.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 16 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1997

Jau Woie Chang, Yih Ping Luh and Shean Shyong Chiou

Integrates CAD/CAM, production control and process control in a case study involving manufacturing automation. The manufacturing firm is a distributed cellular system operating in…

1198

Abstract

Integrates CAD/CAM, production control and process control in a case study involving manufacturing automation. The manufacturing firm is a distributed cellular system operating in a produce‐to‐order environment. Combines a parametric CAD software with global variables and global relations to achieve a design automation. Results obtained from design automation are transmitted to update the design model and the associative manufacturing model. In addition, scheduling and control are also integrated in the system. Distinguishes three scheduling levels: static scheduling, rescheduling, and real‐time scheduling. For a distributed and effective reason, the distributed shifting bottleneck procedure (DSBP) is adopted as the static scheduler and rescheduler, and the LRPT (longest bottleneck processing time) despatching rule is adopted as the real time despatching rule. FInally, introduces the configuration of the system including the flexible manufacturing cell architecture and the input buffer device. Uses a PLC programming toll that follows the IEC 1131‐3 standard to implement cell controllers. The above implementation aims to easily and effectively execute the CIM system.

Details

Integrated Manufacturing Systems, vol. 8 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-6061

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2000

K.L. Choy and W.B. Lee

Introduces a case‐based management system (CBMS) for decision making such as allocating tasks under a distributed manufacturing environment. The distributed manufacturing…

Abstract

Introduces a case‐based management system (CBMS) for decision making such as allocating tasks under a distributed manufacturing environment. The distributed manufacturing environment can be viewed as a multi‐agent system in which each manufacturing plant is an agent to produce the whole or part of the products ordered by the customers. The knowledge is represented as cases in the system which can be reused to produce new solutions. This learn‐by‐experience approach provides a particular strength to case‐based reasoning over most other AI methods. The effectiveness of the proposed concept is demonstrated by applying the CBMS to a task allocation example. By using the CBMS approach, tasks or jobs can be assigned to appropriate agents effectively. Moreover, CBMS can be used locally or globally via WAN or Internet with high‐security protection as a knowledge management system in small and medium enterprises.

Details

Logistics Information Management, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-6053

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 January 2022

Ijaz Ul Haq, James Andrew Colwill, Chris Backhouse and Fiorenzo Franceschini

Lean distributed manufacturing (LDM) is being considered as an enabler of achieving sustainability and resilience in manufacturing and supply chain operations. The purpose of this…

2235

Abstract

Purpose

Lean distributed manufacturing (LDM) is being considered as an enabler of achieving sustainability and resilience in manufacturing and supply chain operations. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of how LDM characteristics affect the resilience of manufacturing companies by drawing upon the experience of food manufacturing companies operating in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a conceptual model to analyse the impact of LDM on the operational resilience of food manufacturing companies. A triangulation research methodology (secondary data analysis, field observations and structured interviews) is used in this study. In a first step, LDM enablers and resilience elements are identified from literature. In a second step, empirical evidence is collected from six food sub-sectors aimed at identifying LDM enablers being practised in companies.

Findings

The analysis reveals that LDM enablers can improve the resilience capabilities of manufacturing companies at different stages of resilience action cycle, whereas the application status of different LDM enablers varies in food manufacturing companies. The findings include the development of a conceptual model (based on literature) and a relationship matrix between LDM enablers and resilience elements.

Practical implications

The developed relationship matrix is helpful for food manufacturing companies to assess their resilience capability in terms of LDM characteristics and then formulate action plans to incorporate relevant LDM enablers to enhance operational resilience.

Originality/value

Based on the literature review, no studies exist that investigate the effects of LDM on factory’s resilience, despite many research studies suggesting distributed manufacturing as an enabler of sustainability and resilience.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1994

A.D. Kwok and Douglas H. Norrie

The intelligent agent object (IAO) system is a multi‐paradigmdevelopment environment which can be used to create intelligent agentsystems for manufacturing or other domains. The…

603

Abstract

The intelligent agent object (IAO) system is a multi‐paradigm development environment which can be used to create intelligent agent systems for manufacturing or other domains. The IAO system was developed from the rule‐based object (RBO) system which is a programming environment integrating both the rule‐based and object‐oriented paradigms. Propagation‐oriented programming, access‐oriented programming and group‐oriented programming are among the extensions included in the IAO system. Its most unusual contribution is the propagation‐oriented programming paradigm which is not found in most systems. A key application is the messenger inferencing structure which is a user‐extendable framework supporting multiple knowledge representation, meta‐inference control, and distributed inference. This allows the IAO system to go beyond predicate logic based production rule programming. New developments are also introduced for access‐oriented programming. The IAO system can be used to develop integrated manufacturing systems such as the prototype automated guided vehicle planning and control system, which is briefly described.

Details

Integrated Manufacturing Systems, vol. 5 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-6061

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 9 September 2020

Jagjit Singh Srai, Gary Graham, Patrick Hennelly, Wendy Phillips, Dharm Kapletia and Harri Lorentz

The emergence of distributed manufacturing (DM) is examined as a new form of localised production, distinct from previous manifestations of multi-domestic and indigenous…

8334

Abstract

Purpose

The emergence of distributed manufacturing (DM) is examined as a new form of localised production, distinct from previous manifestations of multi-domestic and indigenous production.

Design/methodology/approach

Supply network (SN) configuration and infrastructural provisioning perspectives were used to examine the literature on established localised production models as well as DM. A multiple case study was then undertaken to describe and explore the DM model further. A maximum variation sampling procedure was used to select five exemplar cases.

Findings

Three main contributions emerge from this study. First, the research uniquely brings together two bodies of literature, namely SN configuration and infrastructure provisioning to explore the DM context. Second, the research applies these theoretical lenses to establish the distinctive nature of DM across seven dimensions of analysis. Third, emerging DM design rules are identified and compared with the more established models of localised production, drawing on both literature and DM case evidence.

Practical implications

This study provides a rich SN configuration and infrastructural provisioning view on DM leading to a set of design rules for DM adoption, thus supporting practitioners in their efforts to develop viable DM implementation plans.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the intra- and inter-organisational requirements for the emerging DM context by providing new perspectives through the combined lenses of SN configuration and infrastructural provisioning approaches.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 40 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

Leslie W. Young and Robert B. Johnston

There are a number of traditional business strategy theories that have been used to discuss business‐to‐business (B2B) e‐commerce strategy: Transaction Cost Economics…

Abstract

There are a number of traditional business strategy theories that have been used to discuss business‐to‐business (B2B) e‐commerce strategy: Transaction Cost Economics, Resource‐Based View, Porter’s Market Forces Theory, and Channel Theory. However, there currently exists no comprehensive framework linking these theories into a method to rigorously assess value delivery strategies, and in particular to determine how to maximise the impact of the Internet as a value delivery channel. This paper answers this shortcoming by introducing a framework that draws together the main theories of strategic choice in a systematic fashion. In particular, the paper examines how different ways of delivering the same form of value (rather than particular products) from producer to customer may allow exploitation of the desirable features of the Internet to different degrees. By using a novel distribution business model from a real‐life case study to illustrate this framework, the paper uncovers several novel ways the Internet can enhance B2B strategy. The main contribution of the paper is the development of a formal, semi‐quantitative model of value delivery strategy evaluation, which can be used as a starting point for practical evaluation of strategy choices in particular settings, and also as a theoretical tool for discussing the role of the Internet in B2B e‐commerce in a more rigorous way.

Details

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, vol. 7 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1328-7265

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 36000