Future directions and research issues for ergonomics and advanced manufacturing technology (AMT)

In recent years, great progress has been made in the development of computer-based technologies that support the manufacturing industries. Those concerned with advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) are becoming increasingly aware of the fundamental importance of human organisational issues for the successful development, implementation, operation and maintenance of AMT. The discipline of industrial ergonomics and occupational occupational psychology, therefore, have a significant contribution to make in this field. This paper introduces the special issue, Ergonomics Matters in AMT, and presents a discussion of some of the future directions of AMT and the likely implications for ergonomics research.     

Operations management issues in design and control of hybrid human-robot collaborative manufacturing systems: a survey

A manufacturing system able to perform a high variety of tasks requires different types of resources. Fully automated systems using robots possess high speed, accuracy, tirelessness, and force, but they are expensive. On the other hand, human workers are intelligent, creative, flexible, and able to work with different tools in different situations. A combination of these resources forms a human-machine/robot (hybrid) system, where humans and robots perform a variety of tasks (manual, automated, and hybrid tasks) in a shared workspace. Contrarily to the existing surveys, this study is dedicated to operations management problems (focusing on the applications and features) for human and machine/robot collaborative systems in manufacturing. This research is divided into two types of interactions between human and automated components in manufacturing and assembly systems: dual resource constrained (DRC) and human-robot collaboration (HRC) optimization problems. Moreover, different characteristics of the workforce and machines/robots such as heterogeneity, homogeneity, ergonomics, and flexibility are introduced. Finally, this paper identifies the optimization challenges and problems for hybrid systems. The existing literature on HRC focuses mainly on the robotic point of view and not on the operations management and optimization aspects. Therefore, the future research directions include the design of models and methods to optimize HRC systems in terms of ergonomics, safety, and throughput. In addition, studying flexibility and reconfigurability in hybrid systems is one of the main research avenues for future research.     

Decision support for manufacturing management

Historically, information systems have been used to improve efficiency through such means as clerical automation, inventory status reporting and transactional processing systems. Today, however, to reduce costs, increase return on investments, and achieve competitive advantage, businesses need to have information systems that support managerial decision-making and result in improved effectiveness. To meet this requirement, new approaches are needed in order to define the right problem and work the problem right. By using such techniques as critical success factor analysis followed by a top down system development approach, developing systems through prototyping and using end-user oriented software, these needs can be met.This article describes several company experiences of using a management systems planning and development process. This process in one company presented an opportunity to test the feasibility of developing an alignment between business goals and events critical to the success of the business. Management believed that to succeed in the future they must be forward thinking in their identification and use of information systems to improve managerial effectiveness. Their questions were “What should we do?” and “How should we do it?” By applying these techniques they were able to achieve outstanding results in a very short period of time.     

Expert systems in manufacturing. Part 2: A management framework for expert-systems innovation and technology transfer

Current approaches to expert systems technology transfer have tended to focus upon the marketing and servicing of technology capabilities and potential whilst remaining uncertain about the process factors which determine how this technology may be applied and adopted effectively. Furthermore, much of current expert systems research work and literature addresses these issues from the viewpoint of the supplier or donor whilst overlooking the importance of human and organisational perspectives which shed light on the means of delivery and take-up within the recipient organisation. The paper, the second of two that look at expert systems innovation in manufacturing, argues for greater consideration of the characteristics, processes and mechanisms of technology transfer. It defines a new conceptual basis for technology transfer which stresses a ‘needs-driven’ process of change; this highlights the importance of context as well as content in expert systems transfer and implementation. From this, a management framework is outlined and is used to rationalise the transfer problems and needs described in the first paper following a survey of 145 manufacturing users. It is also shown how this framework may be used to understand more about the multi-level and multi-dimensional needs and effects of technology induced change and therefore how it may be used to help senior management strategically plan and co-ordinate expert systems programmes in their organisations.     

Group technology applications for computer-integrated manufacturing

Traditionally, group technology has dealt primarily with batch-type manufacturing which is engaged with small lot sizes and a variety of products. Recently, however, due to the development and implementation of computer- integrated manufacturing, group technology has been recognized as an essential element of the foundation for the successful development and implementation of computer-integrated manufacturing through the application of the part-family concept and also a common database for CAD/CAM integration. The optimum design and effective operation of a fully automated manufacturing cell system and/ or factory systems for factories of the future require a careful analysis of all the requirements which the system must satisfy under a group technology environment.     

The organisational learning effects of management accounting information under advanced manufacturing technology

This study empirically examined the organisational learning effects of the nonfinancial performance information provided by management accounting information systems (MAISs) under advanced manufacturing technology (AMT). In this study, a target costing system and the frequent and quick reporting of information were considered the facilitators of learning. First, we examined the relationships between AMT level and the amount of nonfinancial performance information produced by MAISs. The empirical results showed that there are significant positive relationships between the level of AMT and nonfinancial performance information. With a systems approach, we also proved the impact of the relationships among AMT levels, nonfinancial performance information and learning facilitators on the organisational performance of a firm. The results of our research suggest that under a high level of AMT, for the provision of information to result in an increase of performance through organisational learning, a target costing system must be introduced and a large amount of information should be provided frequently and quickly. The results of this study also showed that although AMT level may be low, fairly well-arranged facilitators and a moderately large amount of information may be necessary for the improvement of performance. In conclusion, effective organisational learning depends on the provision of relevant information as well as efficient learning support mechanisms.     

Multi-sensor management for information fusion: issues and approaches

Multi-sensor management concerns the control of environment perception activities by managing or coordinating the usage of multiple sensor resources. It is an emerging research area, which has become increasingly important in research and development of modern multi-sensor systems. This paper presents a comprehensive review of multi-sensor management in relation to multi-sensor information fusion, describing its place and role in the larger context, generalizing main problems from existing application needs, and highlighting problem solving methodologies.     

Work Centre management: The manufacturing philosophy

The development and implementation of a manufacturing system is described. The system is based on a series of Work Centres, each adding to the products' value chain. Each work centre produces goods or services-these are consumed by other work centres within the factory and the consumed resources are allotted either directly to the product batch, service job or resource or indirectly to the product or service generally or to the work centre itself. The main system is based on this Production: Consumption cycle. Additional subsystems were developed to interface to the transaction and allotment tables at the core of this process. These subsystems allowed for stream-lined data entry of information specific to each Work Centre's operation. These data were then summarised and added to existing transactions, or in the case for the first transaction of the day create a new transaction. This technique meant that the analysis programmes did not need to be changed to pick up the additional information. The system development methodology was based on Information Engineering and Screenflow Programming.Abbreviations 4GL Fourth Generation Language - ADR Applied Data Research Ltd - BOM Bill of Materials - CA Computer Associates Ltd - CDS Can Distribution System - CSL Consumer Sales database - DA Data Administrator - DBA DataBase Administrator - FDS Frozen Distribution System - GFW Goodman Fielder Wattie - IVT Inventory system - JWF J Wattie Foods Ltd - Mb Megabyte - WCM Work Centre Management - WFF Wattie Frozen Foods Ltd.     

Intelligent environmental management for SMEs in manufacturing

Currently environmental management is at the forefront of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in certain sectors where its presence is mandatory in order to operate in business. Although SMEs in certain sectors are catching up on their larger counterparts in reducing their environmental impacts, which are mainly due to supply chain demands, statistics clearly show that the majority of manufacturing SMEs are not incorporating formal environmental management system (EMS) into their businesses. The treatment of SMEs as one homogenous group by research has led to a lack of providing real strategies and tools that SMEs can implement and use. Current strategies are fragmented and seen as piecemeal, requiring adaptation and application to a particular sector by SMEs. SMEs do not have the resources required to research all environmental aspects of their businesses, which is a fundamental part of an EMS. Irish EMS support initiatives have but provided grant assistance in contributing towards the fees of external environmental consultants. As a result the majority of SMEs must rely on the help and assistance of external environmental consultants to assist them in taking account of their environmental impacts. Recent research obtained data on the current practices and experiences of Irish SMEs in areas of manufacturing and environmental management. Results of which, compares with previous research carried out in other European countries, however their significance and weightings differ considerably. Responses obtained regarding waste minimisation, recycling and reuse were positive, however, Irish manufacturing SMEs are falling short of initiating formal environmental management systems and front of pipe technologies. The use of information technology in assisting SMEs manage their environmental impacts holds much potential in providing a complete holistic environmental information management system (EIMS), which is already implemented in larger companies. Initial research has identified and developed proven strategies, solutions and tools from ISO 14001 certified Engineering SMEs, which will be used to form an initial base for an EIMS.     

Some kanban-controlled manufacturing systems: a first stabilityanalysis

The blockage/starvation patterns of known instability examples suggest using local demand information-which is precisely what is provided by the widely advocated kanban approach to flow control in manufacturing systems. Therefore, we have re-analyzed for stability the examples described in the 1990 Kumar-Seidman paper when modified by introducing kanban control. It is found that this does not ensure stability and, in fact, some interesting new instability phenomena arise. Counterintuitively, it is possible that increasing some reserve in a stable system may induce instability     

Advances in disk technology: performance issues

Although the computer industry has made regular, significant advances in magnetic recording technology for hard disk drives, some advances-such as those in head design, media, and channel technology-are primarily concerned with increasing disk density and do not necessarily improve total performance. The author asks how, for example, does disk density affect data transfer rate? How do multiple platters affect head seek time? And how does partitioning large capacity drives affect performance for each partition? The answers to these questions-and others like them-largely depend on particular configurations and user workload     

Information technology transfer: Indicators and issues

Abstract

Information technology (IT) stimulates social and economic change, which in turn spur technological development. The management of technological change is seen as pivotal in this era of new information technologies. The development and impact of IT in four countries—the USA, Japan, UK and India, are reflected via quantitative indicators: the IT (Development) Level Index and the IT Penetration Level Index, over the years of 1970–81. Gaps in their (nation's) relative information technology levels are exemplified via the potential technological distance parameter, D, which is also utilised in a model for information technology transfer so as to assess potential for transfer between countries. Some channels for technology transfer are given. A logistic curve for the rate of technological progress in IT shows the spectrum for introduction, growth and maturity of IT; a nation's IT Level Index value gives it a placing on the curve to show its stage of development. Some inferences of the trends for IT development and impact in the four countries are given. The uses of these Indices, and for whom, are also mentioned.     

High‐resolution technology for FPD manufacturing

Using shorter wavelength for exposure light is one way to achieve high resolution while keeping sufficient depth of focus. We show exposure results for high resolution to confirm the effect of deep UV exposure light. With deep UV light, 1.2‐µm line and space pattern and 1.8‐µm contact hole pattern are resolved while keeping sufficient depth of focus.     

A multiattribute spreadsheet model for manufacturing technology justification

This paper presents a multiattribute spreadsheet models for the justification of manufacturing technology. The model includes interactive macro modules for AHP, Utility Model, and System Value Model.     

Network management: A critical success factor for implementing computer-integrated manufacturing

Effective manufacturing automation depends on an integration framework that incorporates corporate objectives, other functional units in the corporation, production subsystems, suppliers, and customers via telecommunications networks. Network management is a critical success factor for an effective CIM program. As more competitors implement CIM, strategic advantage will diminish and only firms wth a good network management practice will enjoy a sustained advantage. The management guidelines given here can help CIM firms manage its network more effeciently to achieve a competitive edge.