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3520 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Applying the Mahalanobis–Taguchi System to Improve Tablet PC Production Processes

by Chi-Feng Peng, Li-Hsing Ho, Sang-Bing Tsai, Yin-Cheng Hsiao, Yuming Zhai, Quan Chen, Li-Chung Chang and Zhiwen Shang

Sustainability 2017, 9(9), 1557; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9091557 - 1 Sep 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5003

Abstract

Product testing is a critical step in tablet PC manufacturing processes. Purchases of testing equipment and on-site testing personnel increase overall manufacturing costs. In addition, to improve manufacturing capabilities, manufacturers must also produce products with higher quality and at a lower cost than [...] Read more.

Product testing is a critical step in tablet PC manufacturing processes. Purchases of testing equipment and on-site testing personnel increase overall manufacturing costs. In addition, to improve manufacturing capabilities, manufacturers must also produce products with higher quality and at a lower cost than their competitors if they are to attract consumers and gain a competitive edge in their industry. The Mahalanobis–Taguchi System (MTS) is a novel technique proposed by Genichi Taguchi for performing diagnoses and forecasting with multivariate data. The MTS can be used to select important factors and has been applied in numerous engineering fields to improve product and process quality. In the present study, the MTS, logistic regression, and a neural network were used to improve the tablet PC product testing process. The results indicated that the MTS attained 98% predictive power after insignificant test items were eliminated. The MTS performance was superior to those of the conventional logistic regression and neural network, which attained 93.3% and 94.7% predictive power, respectively. After the testing process was improved using the MTS, the number of test items in the tablet PC product testing process was reduced from 56 to 14. This facilitated the development of more stable test site configurations and effectively reduced the testing time, number of testers required, and equipment costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contextual Factors Affecting the Innovation Performance of Manufacturing SMEs in Korea: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

by Ye Seul Choi and Up Lim

Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071193 - 6 Jul 2017

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 14063

Abstract

This study empirically explores the relationship between innovation performance and the internal and contextual factors driving technological innovation in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in metropolitan areas of Korea using structural equation modeling (SEM). Our analysis is based on firm-level data from [...] Read more.

This study empirically explores the relationship between innovation performance and the internal and contextual factors driving technological innovation in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in metropolitan areas of Korea using structural equation modeling (SEM). Our analysis is based on firm-level data from the Korean Innovation Survey conducted by the Science and Technology Policy Institute in 2012. According to the results, SMEs’ innovation capacity was positively related to technological innovation performance, and SMEs’ skills and technology acquisition is a contextual factor that positively influences their innovation performance. In this process, SMEs’ innovation capacity is a partial mediator between skills and technology acquisition and SMEs’ technological innovation performance. Moreover, the results show that the relationship between government and public policies and SMEs’ innovation performance is mediated by SMEs’ internal innovation capacity. The results imply that both skills and technology acquisition and government and public policies are important contextual factors can increase SMEs’ innovation performance. Based on the results, this study provides implications for policy makers in terms of the policies that provide both direct and support roles in fostering and sustaining innovation, which drives regional economic growth and development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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1429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Optimization of Manufacturing Process Effectiveness in Furniture Production

by Andrea Sujova, Katarina Marcinekova and Stefan Hittmar

Sustainability 2017, 9(6), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9060923 - 1 Jun 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6229

Abstract

Sustainable manufacturing is connected with the effectiveness of production processes. There are several solutions to improve manufacturing sustainability. This paper deals with the possibilities of the utilization of mathematical methods to solve optimization problems in the production process of furniture. The aim of [...] Read more.

Sustainable manufacturing is connected with the effectiveness of production processes. There are several solutions to improve manufacturing sustainability. This paper deals with the possibilities of the utilization of mathematical methods to solve optimization problems in the production process of furniture. The aim of the paper is to create a mathematical model of the key processes in order to maximize productivity and cost reduction by identifying key processes and parameters influencing manufacturing effectiveness. After identification of the parameters describing the key process (milling), an abstract model of the manufacturing process was created. Identified input parameters were the cutting velocity, feed rate, and a total volume of removed material. The output parameters were surface roughness, process duration, and process cost. The experimentally measured and calculated values of the output parameters were analyzed by a multiple regression tool. The method of an artificial neural network was used as a numeric method for optimization. The results showed that the maximal effectiveness of the sub-process can be achieved if the CNC machine is set at the cutting velocity of 4398.23 m·min⁻¹ and feed rate of 11.00 m·min⁻¹. Maximal values of the created neural network showed optimal values of input and output parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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1591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Smartness Assessment Framework for Smart Factories Using Analytic Network Process

by Jeongcheol Lee, Sungbum Jun, Tai-Woo Chang and Jinwoo Park

Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050794 - 10 May 2017

Cited by 75 | Viewed by 7679

Abstract

The so-called smart factory is a novel paradigm that is rapidly gaining ground in scenarios for factories of the future. Many manufacturing companies try to raise the level of smartness by considering a number of aspects related to the smart factory. However, there [...] Read more.

The so-called smart factory is a novel paradigm that is rapidly gaining ground in scenarios for factories of the future. Many manufacturing companies try to raise the level of smartness by considering a number of aspects related to the smart factory. However, there is a lack of field-oriented systematic research to help them fit the interest of industry for promoting interest and diffusion of smart factory. Moreover, it is still difficult to assess whether the vision of the future factory that incorporates information and communication technologies is implemented. Therefore, in this study, we propose a smartness assessment framework for smart factories which is based on the concept of operation management so as to be easy to make manufacturing companies to understand and apply. The framework is composed of evaluation criteria and sets the weightings of the criteria using analytic network processes. From a case study based on 20 small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, the effectiveness of the proposed framework has been verified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Approach to Evaluating and Selecting Green Logistics Providers for Sustainable Development

by Chia-Nan Wang, Hong-Xuyen Thi Ho, Shih-Hsiung Luo and Tsung-Fu Lin

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020218 - 6 Feb 2017

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 8008

Abstract

Balancing economic development with environmental protection has become a critical concern worldwide. However, along with the highly competitively global marketplace, economic factors are known to directly affect an enterprise’s development and its future business. Therefore, selecting the right partner for sustainable collaboration that [...] Read more.

Balancing economic development with environmental protection has become a critical concern worldwide. However, along with the highly competitively global marketplace, economic factors are known to directly affect an enterprise’s development and its future business. Therefore, selecting the right partner for sustainable collaboration that will lead to improved business performance and reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is a significant problem for many enterprises. In addition, investigating the economic impact of companies that are charged to protect the environment is becoming increasingly problematic. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the comparative efficiencies of 16 Green Logistics Providers (GLPs) in the USA from 2012 to 2015, and the projected four-year period of 2016–2019, by means of an integrated approach that combines the grey forecasting model GM (1,1) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The results show that there are two GLPs, Knight Transportation and the Union Pacific Corporation, that possess a higher efficiency level and are achieving positive technical change. However, this study also determined that Hyster-Yale Materials Handling and CSX Corporation did not reach an acceptable efficiency score; therefore, they should improve technical efficiency to mitigate environmental concerns. This completely integrative methodology has the potential to provide the best decision-making strategies for finding suitable collaborative partners who are able to meet the sustainability requirements in most economic and environmental areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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1366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of SMED on Benefits Gained in Maquiladora Industry

by José Roberto Díaz-Reza, Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz, Valeria Martínez-Loya, Julio Blanco-Fernández, Emilio Jiménez-Macías and Liliana Avelar-Sosa

Sustainability 2016, 8(12), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/su8121237 - 29 Nov 2016

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 10047

Abstract

Nowadays, Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) has achieved great industrial popularity. However, it remains unclear to what extent and how SMED implementation at its different stages benefits industries. To address this gap, this research proposes a structural equation model to quantitatively measure [...] Read more.

Nowadays, Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) has achieved great industrial popularity. However, it remains unclear to what extent and how SMED implementation at its different stages benefits industries. To address this gap, this research proposes a structural equation model to quantitatively measure SMED effects. The model has six hypotheses that link SMED stages and benefits. To statistically validate such hypotheses, a questionnaire was administered to 373 Mexican maquiladoras located in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. Results show that before starting SMED implementation process, companies must be appropriately familiarized with their production process. Mainly, manufacturing companies in Ciudad Juárez need to focus their efforts on the SMED planning stage (Step 1) in order to identify important internal production activities and turn them into external activities. In fact, SMED planning stage has direct and indirect effects on subsequent stages and SMED benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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1768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Concept of Water Usage Efficiency to Support Water Reduction in Manufacturing Industry

by Madhu Sachidananda, D. Patrick Webb and Shahin Rahimifard

Sustainability 2016, 8(12), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/su8121222 - 25 Nov 2016

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 11800

Abstract

Increasing pressures on freshwater supplies, continuity of supply uncertainties, and costs linked to legislative compliance, such as for wastewater treatment, are driving water use reduction up the agenda of manufacturing businesses. A survey is presented of current analysis methods and tools generally available [...] Read more.

Increasing pressures on freshwater supplies, continuity of supply uncertainties, and costs linked to legislative compliance, such as for wastewater treatment, are driving water use reduction up the agenda of manufacturing businesses. A survey is presented of current analysis methods and tools generally available to industry to analyze environmental impact of, and to manage, water use. These include life cycle analysis, water footprinting, strategic planning, water auditing, and process integration. It is identified that the methods surveyed do not provide insight into the operational requirements from individual process steps for water, instead taking such requirements as a given. We argue that such understanding is required for a proactive approach to long-term water usage reduction, in which sustainability is taken into account at the design stage for both process and product. As a first step to achieving this, we propose a concept of water usage efficiency which can be used to evaluate current and proposed processes and products. Three measures of efficiency are defined, supported by a framework of a detailed categorization and representation of water flows within a production system. The calculation of the efficiency measures is illustrated using the example of a tomato sauce production line. Finally, the elements required to create a useable tool based on the efficiency measures are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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Review

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4058 KiB

Open AccessReview

Introducing Sustainability in Value Models to Support Design Decision Making: A Systematic Review

by Marco Bertoni

Sustainability 2017, 9(6), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9060994 - 9 Jun 2017

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 9645

Abstract

Manufacturing organizations shall recognize sustainability as a business occasion to capitalize on, rather than an undesirable pressing situation. Still, empirical evidence shows that this opportunity is hard to capture and communicate in global strategic decisions, through planning by tactical management, to daily operational [...] Read more.

Manufacturing organizations shall recognize sustainability as a business occasion to capitalize on, rather than an undesirable pressing situation. Still, empirical evidence shows that this opportunity is hard to capture and communicate in global strategic decisions, through planning by tactical management, to daily operational activities. This paper systematically reviews the modeling challenges at the crossroad of value and sustainability decisions making, spotlighting methods and tools proposed in literature to link sustainability to customer value creation at strategic, tactical and operational level. While statistical results show that the topic of sustainability and value modeling is trending in literature, findings from content analysis reveal that recent attempts to promote a value-based view in the sustainability discussion remain at a strategic level, with most of the proposed indicators being suited for managerial decision-making. The lack of support at operational level points to the opportunity of cross-pollinating sustainability research with value-centered methodologies originating from the aerospace sector. The Value Driven Design framework is proposed as main hub from which to derive models supporting engineers and technology developers in the identification of win-win-win situations, where sustainable improvements are aligned with business advantages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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