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1 – 10 of 12
Article
Publication date: 20 December 2022

Reham Tarek Alnounou, Rawan Ahmed Asiri, Sara Ayman Alhindi, Layan Marwan Shams, Sadia Samar Ali and Eren Özceylan

Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision targets an increase of 34% in non-oil revenue participation in the GDP, thus the need for automation and digital transformation. The Company ER is a…

Abstract

Purpose

Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision targets an increase of 34% in non-oil revenue participation in the GDP, thus the need for automation and digital transformation. The Company ER is a market leader producing high-quality dairy products in the Kingdom and is a pioneer in the production industry. The company has recently increased the capacity of its milk factory to meet its vision. An investment was made to automate the pallet handling procedures at the milk factory to provide increased production for daily consumption. The new automation transition in Company ER's milk factory provides a unique opportunity to utilize lean management tools to improve the current automated processes before commercialization.

Design/methodology/approach

OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) will monitor losses for different operational losses in the new automated system and indicate system improvements, with 85% as the target. Based on DMADV (design, measure, analyze, design and validate) methodology, this study analyzes the entire automated pallet handling system. It uses lean tools to identify areas for improvement, identify waste elements and propose solutions to achieve Company ER's OEE targets.

Findings

In this paper, the outcomes will be presented as documented solutions that address the losses encountered in the production system, showing a 12.8% increase in the system's OEE.

Research limitations/implications

Owing the time and resource constraint, this study only involved automated pallet handling procedures in a milk production facility. Hence, the generalization of the result is slightly limited. More studies in several different processes and sectors are required.

Practical implications

This study provided a valuable tool for researchers for gaining deeper understanding regarding the lean manufacturing and its implementation. For practitioners, it is useful to evaluate the degree of lean manufacturing tools in their material handling systems.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to develop lean manufacturing constructs for evaluating the automated pallet handling procedures in a milk production facility.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 February 2024

Robert Bogue

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the growing role of robots in the logistics industry.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the growing role of robots in the logistics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, which identifies key challenges facing the industry, this paper discusses robotic applications in warehouses, followed by sections covering transportation and delivery and conclusions.

Findings

The logistics industry faces a number of challenges that drive technological and operational changes. Robots are already playing a role within the warehouse sector and more complex applications have recently arisen from developments in artificial intelligence-enabled vision technology. In the transportation sector, autonomous trucks are being developed and trialled by leading manufacturers. Many major logistics companies are involved and limited services are underway. Last-mile delivery applications are growing rapidly, and trials, pilot schemes and commercial services are underway in Europe, the USA and the Far East. The Chinese market is particularly buoyant, and in 2019, a delivery robot was launched that operates on public roads, based on Level-4 autonomous driving technology. The drone delivery sector has been slower to develop, in part due to regulatory constraints, but services are now being operated by drone manufacturers, retailers and logistics providers.

Originality/value

This paper provides details of existing and future applications of robots in the logistics industry.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 September 2023

Ke Gao, Xiaoqin Zhou, Rongqi Wang, Mingxu Fan and Haochen Han

Compared with the high stiffness of traditional CNC machine tools, the structural stiffness of industrial robots is usually less than 1 N/µm. Chatter not only affects the quality…

Abstract

Purpose

Compared with the high stiffness of traditional CNC machine tools, the structural stiffness of industrial robots is usually less than 1 N/µm. Chatter not only affects the quality of robotic milling but also reduces the accuracy of the milling process. The purpose of this paper is to reduce chatter in the robotic machining process.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the mode coupling chatter mechanism is analyzed. Then the milling force model and the principal stiffness model are established. Finally, the robot milling stability optimization method is proposed. The method considered functional redundancies, and a new robot milling stability index is proposed to improve the quality of milling operations.

Findings

The experimental results prove a significant reduction in force fluctuations and surface roughness after using the proposed robotic milling stability optimization method.

Originality/value

In this paper, a new robot milling stability index and a new robot milling stability optimization method are proposed. This method can significantly increase the milling stability and improve the milling quality, which can be widely used in the industry.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 50 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2023

Prasenjit Biswas, Deepak Patel, Archana Mallik and Sanjeev Das

The purpose of this paper is to develop a concept and design to cast Al alloys/metal matrix composites (MMCs) by continuous casting process. The various steps involved in the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a concept and design to cast Al alloys/metal matrix composites (MMCs) by continuous casting process. The various steps involved in the evolution of the design have been reported and discussed in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of developed design concept, initial prototype design has been prepared in this study. The casting process's melt flow pattern was studied via computer simulation, and the resulting changes were implemented in the original design. The single-phase fluid flow pattern through bottom feeding technique is studied. The equipment was fabricated based on computer simulation and water modelling studies. Finally, validation was performed for the preparation of Al alloys/ MMCs after parameter optimisation. The results were observed in the optical metallography to confirm the alloying and Al MMC preparation.

Findings

The developed continuous casting process with bottom feeding technique for the addition of constituent particles shows more efficiency in comparison to the existing batch processes. The final manufactured setup demonstrates effective Al alloy/MMC production as the basis for final fabrication has been accomplished by both computer simulation and water model test. In addition, the microstructure exhibits homogeneous distribution, validating the reliability of the setup.

Originality/value

Integrating continuous casting with continuous reinforcement or master alloy addition is novel in this area. The constraints that batch production had that have been rectified will also lower the contemporary cost of production.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 February 2024

Amruta Rout, Golak Bihari Mahanta, Bibhuti Bhusan Biswal, Renin Francy T., Sri Vardhan Raj and Deepak B.B.V.L.

The purpose of this study is to plan and develop a cost-effective health-care robot for assisting and observing the patients in an accurate and effective way during pandemic…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to plan and develop a cost-effective health-care robot for assisting and observing the patients in an accurate and effective way during pandemic situation like COVID-19. The purposed research work can help in better management of pandemic situations in rural areas as well as developing countries where medical facility is not easily available.

Design/methodology/approach

It becomes very difficult for the medical staff to have a continuous check on patient’s condition in terms of symptoms and critical parameters during pandemic situations. For dealing with these situations, a service mobile robot with multiple sensors for measuring patients bodily indicators has been proposed and the prototype for the same has been developed that can monitor and aid the patient using the robotic arm. The fuzzy controller has also been incorporated with the mobile robot through which decisions on patient monitoring can be taken automatically. Mamdani implication method has been utilized for formulating mathematical expression of M number of “if and then condition based rules” with defined input Xj (j = 1, 2, ………. s), and output yi. The inputs and output variables are formed by the membership functions µAij(xj) and µCi(yi) to execute the Fuzzy Inference System controller. Here, Aij and Ci are the developed fuzzy sets.

Findings

The fuzzy-based prediction model has been tested with the output of medicines for the initial 27 runs and was validated by the correlation of predicted and actual values. The correlation coefficient has been found to be 0.989 with a mean square error value of 0.000174, signifying a strong relationship between the predicted values and the actual values. The proposed research work can handle multiple tasks like online consulting, continuous patient condition monitoring in general wards and ICUs, telemedicine services, hospital waste disposal and providing service to patients at regular time intervals.

Originality/value

The novelty of the proposed research work lies in the integration of artificial intelligence techniques like fuzzy logic with the multi-sensor-based service robot for easy decision-making and continuous patient monitoring in hospitals in rural areas and to reduce the work stress on medical staff during pandemic situation.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2024

Yaifa Trakulsunti, Jiju Antony, Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes, Guilherme Luz Tortorella, Witsarut Chuayjan and Monika Foster

The aim of this study reported in this paper was to explore the application of operational excellence methodologies in a global context.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study reported in this paper was to explore the application of operational excellence methodologies in a global context.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative interview approach was used to understand the current state, benefits, challenges, success factors, tools and techniques of operational excellence methodology implementation with relevance to logistics companies worldwide. About 16 interviews were undertaken with practitioners working in leading companies and with leading academics in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Australia.

Findings

The findings show that operational excellence methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma and Agile can apply in logistics firms to improve operations and productivity and save costs. Top management support and involvement play an important role in the success of operational excellence projects in the logistics service.

Research limitations/implications

The findings will be of interest to top and middle managers and logistics practitioners, with a dual aim of improving logistics performance and saving costs.

Originality/value

The present study has been one of the first global study attempts to explore the implementation of operational excellence methodologies in the logistics sectors.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2023

Kumar Srinivasan, Parikshit Sarulkar and Vineet Kumar Yadav

This article aims to focus on implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in steel manufacturing to enhance productivity and quality in the galvanizing process line. In recent trends…

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to focus on implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in steel manufacturing to enhance productivity and quality in the galvanizing process line. In recent trends, manufacturing organizations have expressed strong interest in the LSS since they attempt to enhance its overall operations without imposing significant financial burdens.

Design/methodology/approach

This article used lean tools and Six Sigma's DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) with Yin's case study approach. This study tried to implement the LSS for the steel galvanizing process in order to reduce the number of defects using various LSS tools, including 5S, Value stream map (VSM), Pareto chart, cause and effect diagram, Design of experiments (DoE).

Findings

Results revealed a significant reduction in nonvalue-added time in the process, which led to improved productivity and Process cycle efficiency (PCE) attributed to applying lean-Kaizen techniques. By deploying the LSS, the overall PCE improved from 22% to 62%, and lead time was reduced from 1,347 min to 501 min. DoE results showed that the optimum process parameter levels decreased defects per unit steel sheet.

Practical implications

This research demonstrated how successful LSS implementation eliminates waste, improves process performance and accomplishes operational distinction in steel manufacturing.

Originality/value

Since low-cost/high-effect improvement initiatives have not been adequately presented, further research studies on adopting LSS in manufacturing sectors are needed. The cost-effective method of process improvement can be considered as an innovation.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Cecile L'Hermitte, Liam Wotherspoon and Richard Mowll

This paper examines what facilitates the swift reconfiguration of freight movements across transport modes in the wake of a major disaster.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines what facilitates the swift reconfiguration of freight movements across transport modes in the wake of a major disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach focussing on the New Zealand (NZ) domestic freight transport operations in the wake of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake is used with data collected through 19 interviews with 27 informants. The interviews are thematically analysed by using the framework method.

Findings

The paper provides rich and detailed descriptions of the ability of a freight transport system to recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts. This paper identifies nine factors enabling modular transport operations and highlights the critical role of physical, digital, operational and inter-organisational interconnectivity in the aftermath of a disaster.

Originality/value

Although the management of freight disruptions has become a prevalent topic not only in industry and policy-making circles, but also in the academic literature, qualitative research focussing on the ability of commercial freight systems to adapt and recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts is limited. This qualitative study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the continuity of freight operations in the wake of a disaster and provides a comprehensive understanding of modular transport operations and the ability of freight systems to keep goods moving.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2022

Theocharis Moysiadis, Konstantina Spanaki, Ayalew Kassahun, Sabine Kläser, Nicolas Becker, George Alexiou, Nikolaos Zotos and Iliada Karali

Traceability of food is of paramount importance to the increasingly sustainability-conscious consumers. Several tracking and tracing systems have been developed in the AgriFood…

Abstract

Purpose

Traceability of food is of paramount importance to the increasingly sustainability-conscious consumers. Several tracking and tracing systems have been developed in the AgriFood sector in order to prove to the consumers the origins and processing of food products. Critical challenges in realizing food's traceability include cooperating with multiple actors on common data sharing standards and data models.

Design/methodology/approach

This research applies a design science approach to showcase traceability that includes preharvest activities and conditions in a case study. The authors demonstrate how existing data sharing standards can be applied in combination with new data models suitable for capturing transparency information about plant production.

Findings

Together with existing studies on farm-to-fork transparency, our results demonstrate how to realize transparency from field to fork and enable producers to show a complete bill of sustainability.

Originality/value

The existing standards and data models address transparency challenges in AgriFood chains from the moment of harvest up to retail (farm-to-fork) relatively well, but not what happens before harvest. In order to address sustainability concerns, there is a need to collect data about production activities related to product quality and sustainability before harvesting and share it downstream the supply chain. The ability to gather data on sustainability practices such as reducing pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer and water use are crucial requirements for producers to market their produce as quality and sustainable products.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2022

Larissa Statsenko, Aparna Samaraweera, Javad Bakhshi and Nicholas Chileshe

Based on the systematic literature review, this paper aims to propose a framework of Construction 4.0 (C4.0) scenarios, identifying Industry 4.0 (I4.0) enabling technologies and…

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Abstract

Purpose

Based on the systematic literature review, this paper aims to propose a framework of Construction 4.0 (C4.0) scenarios, identifying Industry 4.0 (I4.0) enabling technologies and their applications in the construction industry. The paper reviews C4.0 trends and potential areas for development.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology has been applied, including bibliographic coupling analysis (BCA), co-citation network analysis of keywords, the content analysis with the visualisation of similarities (VOSviewer) software and aggregative thematic analysis (ATA). In total, 170 articles from the top 22 top construction journals in the Scopus database between 2013 and 2021 were analysed.

Findings

Six C4.0 scenarios of applications were identified. Out of nine I4.0 technology domains, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Cloud Computing, Big Data and Analytics had the most references in C4.0 research, while applications of augmented/virtual reality, vertical and horizontal integration and autonomous robotics yet provide ample avenues for the future applied research. The C4.0 application scenarios include efficient energy usage, prefabricated construction, sustainability, safety and environmental management, indoor occupant comfort and efficient asset utilisation.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the body of knowledge by offering a framework of C4.0 scenarios revealing the status quo of research published in the top construction journals into I4.0 technology applications in the sector. The framework evaluates current C4.0 research trends and gaps in relation to nine I4.0 technology domains as compared with more advanced industry sectors and informs academic community, practitioners and strategic policymakers with interest in C4.0 trends.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. 23 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

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