Conference Proceedings (Industrial Engineering)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/772

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 60

Agent based job scheduling for a vehicle engine reconditioning machine shop
(Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 2016) Nyanga, L.; Van der Merwe, A. F.; Burawa, M.; Matope, S.; Dewa, M. T.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Job scheduling at a machine shop is a multi-decision criteria problem whose skills are acquired after some years of experience. For Small, Medium to Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) with limited machinery the objective when scheduling jobs should not only focus on machine utilization but also on the increase of job through put. The paper presents an agent based job scheduling system for a vehicle engine reconditioning machine shop to assist decision makers in job scheduling. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used to compute the relative weights of each decision criteria used for job scheduling considering the job priority. The value of the job, the number of operations to be performed, the engine type, the frequency of the customer and the company to customer relationship rating are used to prioritize the jobs. A Multi Agent System (MAS) comprising of the provider, job allocator and machine agents is developed using the Java Agent development framework (JADE) methodology and modelled using Unified Modelling Language (UML 2). The provider agent schedules all the jobs based on job weight and earliest due dates. The job allocator agent is responsible for making sure that all the scheduled jobs are allocated to all the machines after which they are registered as complete jobs and can leave the system.
An AHP-based evaluation of maintenance excellence cirteria
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2014) Tendayi, Tinashe George; Fourie, Cornelius
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A state of Maintenance Excellence is when an organisation has achieved best maintenance practice standards and has reached the benchmark for the performance of maintenance operations. Various models exist in literature that highlight what elements need to be present in an organization in order to achieve maintenance excellence standards. However, these standards have to be prioritised according to the current state of the organisation’s operations. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a technique that is useful in establishing the priority and importance of individual decision-making alternatives through pairwise comparisons. In this study, the AHP process is used to evaluate a set of organisation-specific maintenance excellence criteria. A railway rolling stock maintenance organisation in the Western Cape region of South Africa is used as a case study for this exercise. By applying AHP to the results obtained from a survey conducted at the case study, some inconsistencies were found in the judgments made by the respondents. AHP was then used again to revise these judgments to make them more consistent. The end result of the study was a set of weighted and prioritized maintenance excellence criteria which will be useful in the organization’s endeavors to attain maintenance excellence.
Alignment of a functional innovation strategy
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, Department of Industrial Engineering, 2011-09) Katz, B. R.; Du Preez, N. D.; Schutte, Corne S.L.
For a strategy to be successful it first needs to be the correct strategy then it needs to be aligned with the business values, structures, capabilities and other strategies and finally it needs to be executed [1]. This paper focuses, specifically, on the alignment of a company’s functional innovation strategy. The connection between the different levels of innovation strategy and other business strategies are developed and explained. A range of different business strategy classifications are presented from the literature and a golden thread of alignment is sewn from a company’s grand, strategic perspective down to its functional strategies. A theoretical framework is presented, which contains the strength of the relationships between different generic strategic perspectives and the components of a functional innovation strategy. The end result of this paper is a suggested decision framework which a company can use to align its functional innovation strategy with its strategic perspective, which in turn should be aligned with the company’s mission and vision. This will enable the company to assign the correct resources to its innovation activities so that innovation enables it to achieve its overall objectives. The decision framework is tested in theory by focusing on the insurance industry and understanding the interaction between the strategic perspectives of a company and that company’s focus on innovation. Evidence is gathered to support assumptions about the company’s innovation focus.
Analysis of a time based and corrective maintenance system for a sugar producing company
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2014) Chindondondo, Brian; Nyanga, Lungile; Van der Merwe, Andre Francois; Mupinga, Tapiwa; Mhlanga, Samson
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Southern Africa sugar producers’ market is under threat from Brazilian sugar, with the latter’s sugar landing in Southern African countries - Zimbabwe in particular – at 75% of the selling price of local producers. This paper outlines an investigation of the current maintenance systems of a Zimbabwean sugar producer and its shortcomings, with a view of optimization. Research has shown that maintenance can contribute between 15 to 75% of production costs, thus playing a critical role in product pricing and consequently competition. Maintenance records and interviews to maintenance personnel from the company were used to extract data relevant to the study. A bottleneck asset in the production line was chosen as a subject to measure the impact of the current maintenance system in cost terms. The study shows that the company is using a hybrid of time based and corrective maintenance. The paper also shows that the current maintenance philosophy resulted in downtime of eighty (80) hours on the subject asset over a four (4) year period, that translated to an equivalent of USD1.9 million in potential revenue lost; which downtime could have been avoided with better maintenance methods. The paper concludes by recommending the introduction of Condition Based Maintenance on the subject asset as an alternative to optimize the maintenance function of the company.
Business models for sustained eHealth implementation : lessons from two continents
(Computers & Industrial Engineering Conference Proceedings, 2012-07) Van Dyk, Liezl; Wentzel, M. Jobke; Van Limburg, A.H. Maarten; Van Gemert-Pijnen, Lisette; Schutte, Corne S. L.; CIE42 Proceedings
There is general consensus that Computers and Information Technology have the potential to enhance health systems applications, and many good examples of such applications exist all over the world. Unfortunately, with respect to eHealth and telemedicine, there is much disillusionment and scepticism. This paper describes two models that were developed separately, but had the same purpose, namely to facilitate a holistic approach to the development and implementation of eHealth solutions. The roadmap of the Centre for eHealth Research (CeHRes roadmap) was developed in the Netherlands, and the Telemedicine Maturity Model (TMMM) was developed in South Africa. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the commonalities and differences of these approaches, and to explore how they can be used to complement each other. The first part of this paper comprises of a comparison of these models in terms of origin, research domain and design principles. Case comparisons are then presented to illustrate how these models complement one another.
Characteristics of single layer selective laser melted tool grade cemented tungsten carbide
(Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering., 2016) Van Staden, A. C.; Hagedorn-Hansen, D.; Oosthuizen, G. A.; Sacks, N.
Cemented carbide tools, specifically tungsten carbide based alloys, have found a wide range of application fields including manufacturing, agriculture, and mining, among others. A need for customised tooling solutions using cemented carbide alloys have been identified. Additive manufacturing is chosen as a novel manufacturing process due to its superior material and process flexibility. The study investigates the melting behaviour observable during the SLM process using a tool grade cemented tungsten carbide powder. The laser power, scan velocity, and hatch spacing of the SLM process are varied and single powder layers are sintered accordingly. This is done to determine the varying influence these parameter combinations have on the melting behaviour of the material during sintering. For each set of parameter combinations the test samples were analysed using microscopic imaging. It is found that a combination of high laser power, high hatch spacing, and low scan speed yields the best results.
Comparison of return on investment for an entry level micromilling machine versus benchmark state of the art machines
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2013-07) Dirkse van Schalkwyk, T. G.
Entry level micromilling machines have a substantially reduced capital cost, and lower operating costs associated with them, compared to the state of the art micromilling machines. This paper presents the decision making process and complexity of comparing these two technologies given part requirements, time constraints and part features. Some decisions are trivial, while others require an in-depth understanding of the economics and technical aspects of the technology and the product. Insights gained from research and manufacturing of Micromilled parts are discussed as well as aspects that could impact a techno-economic model. The model aspects are then related to various product sectors each with an estimated market size. One of the outputs of the paper is a business decision framework to guide investors.
A concept demonstrator for self-organising demand-driven inventory management in pharmaceutical supply chains
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2018) Du Plessis, Marno; Van Vuuren, Jan H.; Van Eeden, Joubert
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Perennial stock-outs of essential medicines are commonplace in the pharmaceutical supply chains of developing countries. Stock-outs are mainly attributed to a general lack of collective information sharing in pharmaceutical supply chains. In this paper, a computerised agent-based simulation model concept demonstrator is proposed and demonstrated hypothetically as part of a larger drive to establish the value of leveraging information sharing in pharmaceutical supply chains with a view to enhance decision-making. The objective of this paper is to outline the prerequisite research inputs, design requirements and hypothetical implementation of the aforementioned demonstrator. The work reported on in this paper remains a work in progress.
Considering the need for alternative intervention strategies for the management of diabetic policy formulation in South Africa
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2018) Thomas, Victoria Val; De Kock, Imke H.; Bam, Louzanne
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The increasing prevalence of diabetes in South Africa, alongside other non-communicable diseases, places a heavy burden on the health care system; especially when faced with the significant difference in quality of care between private and public health care, and the increased burden of disease. This paper analyses various diabetic policies already implemented in South Africa, and considers the need to investigate alternative policies and intervention strategies to manage diabetes in South Africa. Due to the complex nature and non-linear interactions which exist within the health care system, a system dynamics-based approach is suggested as a useful analysis tool to evaluate and understand the dominant factors that influence the effective management of diabetes to potentially inform more effective and efficient diabetic policy formulation.
A decision support tool for quantifying the risk profile of south Africa’s pharmaceutical supply distribution network
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2018-10) Nolting, Christian Wolfgang; Grobbelaar, Sara S.; Van Vuuren, Jan H.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is facing a serious burden of disease, which is exacerbated by a dysfunctional public health care system. Blind, general estimates are often made in respect of crucial pharmaceutical inventory variables. This results in slow-moving pharmaceutical drugs being overstocked and fast-moving drugs being understocked at outlets and distribution centres. Consequently, large wastages are incurred in terms of drugs being discarded in bulk after passing their expiration date. As a result, patients are deprived of essential medicines due to enduring stock-outs. This paper aims to present the conceptual design of a decision support tool, which aids decision makers in determining pharmaceutical inventory variables that align with key objectives and keep the best interest of patients in mind.
Design of cotton ginning dryer control system
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2014) Maradzano, Isabellah; Nyanga, Lungile; Van der Merwe, Andre Francois; Dlodlo, Zwelibanzi B.; Chikowore, Takawira R.; Mhlanga, Samson
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The most important factor in preserving the quality of cotton during ginning is the fibre moisture content. At higher moisture content, cotton fibres are stronger but trash is harder to remove. Selecting ginning moisture content is a compromise between good trash removal and quality preservation. In the paper, inlet and outlet moisture content of cotton being fed into and out of the dryer are monitored at temperatures given in the dryer manual and literature. A mathematical model for drying cotton is then formulated by analysing the experimental results, cotton dryer historical records and dryer manual. The results show that there is a linear relationship between the initial moisture content, final moisture content and drying temperature. A control system integrating a Barionet controller to regulate and supply of heat to the system based on the initial moisture content is then proposed. The objective of the control system is to enable online monitoring of the dryer as well as giving early warning signs when the system is about to get out of control hencesafeguarding from overheating and avoid under-drying of cotton.
Developing a model to overcome the organisational communication deficiencies between stakeholders in the asset management industry
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2018) Van Rooyen, Nina Louise; Jooste, Johannes Lodewyk
In providing Asset Management (AM) services, strategic partnerships are established for reaching organisational objectives and to obtain a competitive advantage. For this relationship to be optimal, effective communication is essential. Stakeholders collaborating in this relationship however, have diverse backgrounds, knowledge and experience and are not always effective communicators. The problem is the likelihood that service delivery objectives are not being met due to communication deficiencies. Although research about effective communication is available in other service providing industries, such as aviation and medicine, it remains a challenge in the AM services industry. This paper identifies the root causes of communication deficiencies in the AM services industry and presents a model, the COMMPAS model, that could support AM stakeholders in overcoming these deficiencies.
Developing a patient-specific maxillary implant using additive manufacturing and design
(Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 2016) Booysen, G. J.; Van der Merwe, A.; De Beer, D.; Van den Heever, C.; Els, J.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Maxillectomy is the surgical removal or resection of the maxilla or upper jaw bone. A total or partial maxillectomy can be performed depending on how far the tumour has spread. This paper will discuss a patient diagnosed with an aggressive tumour in half of the top jaw who had to undergo an operation to remove the hemi-maxilla and orbital floor. Due to the extent and complexity of the defect, it was decided to manufacture an anatomical model of the hard tissues for planning a possible laser-sintered titanium implant using Additive Manufacturing (AM). The CRPM had only two weeks to design and manufacture the titanium implant, due to the severity of the tumour. The anatomical model was sent to the surgeon to cut the nylon model where the bone resection was planned. Furthermore, the prosthodontist made a wax model of the planned titanium frame that was reverse- engineered and used as reference geometry in the design software.Materialise® design suite was used to design the patient-specific maxilla and cutting jig. The EOS M280 Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) system was instrumental in achieving the direct manufacturing of the bio-compatible titanium implant. The EOS P385 system was used to manufacture the pre-operation planning model as well as the cutting jig.The process chain followed to complete this case study will be discussed showing how this intervention improved the quality of life of a SA patient. Furthermore, the proposed paper and presentation will discuss the post-operation review of the patient showing the impact AM had in accelerating patient-specific implant manufacturing. The authors seek to claim a progressed level of maturity in the proposed manufacturing value chain. The claim is based on the successful completion of the analysis and synthesis of the problem , the validated proof-of-concept of the manufacturing process and the in-vivo implementation of the final product.
Development and demonstration of a customer super-profiling tool to enable efficient targeting in marketing campaigns
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2018) Walters, Marisa; Bekker, James
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Being part of a competitive generation demands having good marketing policies to attract new customers as well as to retain existing customers. This research outlines a general methodology for segmentation of customers by using the model of Recency, Frequency and Monetary (RFM) to identify types of customers, and then predict their customer profiles, based on demographic and behavioural features. A few previous studies dealt with the question using non-aggregate customer data. We, however, also address the problem by using decision trees, something which has rarely been done before. We applied and demonstrated this tool on a large customer dataset and found useful results.
Development of a condition based maintenance system for a sugar producing company
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2014-07) Chindondondo, Brian; Nyanga, Lungile; Van der Merwe, Andre Francois; Mupinga, Tapiwa
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With globalisation taking centre stage in almost every market; traditionally monopolistic manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe are struggling to compete with international companies whose operations are optimised. This paper focuses on maintenance practises of a Zimbabwean sugar manufacturer with an aim to improve the company’s asset care plans. The company’s current maintenance philosophy and its shortcomings on certain equipment in the plant were identified together with the associated annual maintenance costs. A pareto analysis on the equipment’s breakdown history was used to determine the conditions that can be monitored using Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) and experiments to establish the feasibility of monitoring these conditions were done. A cost benefit analysis of the company’s customary time based and corrective maintenance to a proposed CBM system on the subject equipment was used to show a probable significant reduction in annual maintenance costs should the CBM be implemented. The paper concludes by recommending an implementation matrix for the proposed CBM system with its three main elements of data acquisition, data processing and maintenance decision to introduce an optimised maintenance system that will reduce overall production cost thus bringing an opportunity to compete globally for the local sugar manufacturer.
Development of a data analystics-driven system for instant, temporary personalised discount offers
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2018) Els, Zandaline; Bekker, James
The innovation of targeting customers with personalised discount offers has been incorporated into business strategies in order to ensure a competitive advantage amongst peers along with ensuring customer experience. In this article, a demonstrator model was developed which provides a holistic view of an individual customer’s behaviour in retail outlets. The demonstrator creates instant, temporary personalised discount offers based on the purchasing tendencies of that customer in retail outlets. The model illustrates the utilisation of customer behavioural data and data analytics to identify unique cross-selling and upselling opportunities to ultimately improve customer experience. This article also includes the architecture of the proposed model along with the results from the demonstrator model.
Development of a demonstrator of big data analytics
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2018) Butler, Rhett Desmond; Bekker, James
Big Data Analytics is now not only being applied in the fields of science and business, but in healthcare and economic development, by organisations such as the United Nations. The research presented in this article provides a demonstration of developing a Big Data Analytics Demonstrator by integrating selected hardware and software. The components of such an analytics tool are presented, as well as the analysis of results of test data sets. Experience gained when setting up a proprietary data analytics suite is shared, and practical recommendations are made. The goal of this demonstrator is to illustrate that a system could be built to provide meaningful insights into a given dataset, by making use of free-to-use software, commodity hardware and leveraging machine learning to mine the data for these insights.
Development of a health system framework to guide the analysis of innovation adoption in low and middle income countries
(South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2018) Leonard, Elizabeth; De Kock, Imke; Bam, Wouter
Healthcare systems face numerous challenges that put strain on the system. This is despite the countless resources that are expended on creating innovative healthcare solutions (ranging from innovative healthcare technologies, organisational innovations to pharmaceutical innovations). The literature on innovation and healthcare has shown that the adoption of innovations in practice within the healthcare system is hindered and limited. There is a need to explore and evaluate the role of the innovation system in South Africa insofar as it impacts the adoption of innovations into the national healthcare system. As a starting point, for assessing innovation adoption into health systems, it is necessary to be able to thoroughly describe a health system. In this paper a consolidated health system framework is developed. The purpose of this framework is to be utilised when developing a healthcare innovation adoption framework, i.e. as an input to the healthcare innovation adoption framework. The methodology used to develop the consolidated health systems framework are the eight phases of Jabareen’s conceptual framework. Jabareen’s framework is a qualitative technique for developing conceptual frameworks. The advantages of using this conceptual framework methodology include its capability to be modified, its flexibility and the focus being placed on understanding, rather than on predictions. The results of this research paper are a consolidated health systems framework which was created by considering existing health system frameworks. The consolidated health systems framework thoroughly describes all aspects of a health system by combining elements from six existing health system frameworks. The elements of the existing frameworks were categorised, integrated and synthesised, as per Jabareen’s methodology, to create a complete view of a health system; which includes health processes, building blocks, intermediate objectives and goals. This paper contributes to the field of health systems engineering by providing an extensive list of existing health system frameworks and by providing a framework that combines the major aspects of a health system to thoroughly and completely describe health systems.
The development of a software development framework by combining traditional & agile methods to address modern challenges
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, Department of Industrial Engineering, 2011-09) Nortier, Bernadette; Von Leipzig, Konrad H.; Schutte, Corne S. L.
This paper is focused on the development of a Software Development Framework (SDF) by applying the principles of Agile with phase management to produce an Agile SDF that is focused on delivering working software in time and on budget within an environment where requirements are not well identified nor defined up-front. This paper will focus on delivering a development process, which handles uncertain requirements and can adapt to software requirements that change late in the development cycle. The framework is based on Rational Unified Process (RUP) as its skeleton and supplemented with Scrum to produce a risk and value driven Agile methodology covering the entire development lifecycle. The principle behind the amalgamation of these methodologies is to maximize the individual strengths of both traditional and Agile software development methodologies, while controlling their weakness. Some level of the predictability, stability, and high assurance is compromised for agility to create a process that can easily adapt to rapid changing business requirements and still produce high quality software.
An economic cost model for patient-specific intervertebral disc implants
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, Department of Industrial Engineering, 2011-09) De Beer, N.; Bloem, N.
Back pain is a common concern amongst a growing population across the world today. Depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, and after conservative treatment options have been exhausted, total disc replacement (TDR) surgery may be prescribed as a corrective treatment. Several existing artificial disc implants are available on the market and are manufactured in standard sizes by means of conventional manufacturing processes – which typically involves machining operations. During surgery, surgeons try to select the most suitable implant size to match the patient’s anatomy by pushing various trial sizes into the vertebral space before placing the final implant. This trial-and-error technique relies heavily on the level of experience of the surgeon and could lead to TDR device under sizing and inaccurate positioning of the implant, which could lead to implant subsidence and bone fracture. As various imaging, software and manufacturing technologies have developed, the option for patient-specific implants by means of Rapid Manufacturing is becoming a realistic alternative. Patient-specific implants offer several potential clinical benefits to the patient, but it is important to investigate its cost implications. This paper discusses a cost model for patient-specific disc implants, and the potential advantages as well as challenges of using customized implants within the South African context.

Browse

Browsing Conference Proceedings (Industrial Engineering) by browse.metadata.type "Conference Paper"

Results Per Page

Sort Options