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1 – 10 of 231
Article
Publication date: 19 March 2024

Rouhollah Khakpour, Ahmad Ebrahimi and Seyed-Mohammad Seyed-Hosseini

This paper recommends a method entitled “SMED 4.0” as a development of conventional single minute exchange of die (SMED) to avoid defect occurrence during production and improve…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper recommends a method entitled “SMED 4.0” as a development of conventional single minute exchange of die (SMED) to avoid defect occurrence during production and improve sustainability, besides reducing setup time.

Design/methodology/approach

The method builds upon an extensive literature review and in-depth explorative research in SMED and zero defect manufacturing (ZDM). SMED 4.0 incorporates an evolutionary stage that employs predict-prevent strategies using Industry 4.0 technologies including the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning (ML) algorithms.

Findings

It presents the applicability of the proposed approach in (1) identifying the triple bottom line (TBL) criteria, which are affected by defects; (2) predicting the time of defect occurrence if any; (3) preventing defective products by performing online setting on machines during production as needed; (4) maintaining the desired quality of the product during the production and (5) improving TBL sustainability in manufacturing processes.

Originality/value

The extended view of SMED 4.0 in this research, as well as its analytical approach, helps practitioners develop their SMED approaches in a more holistic way. The practical application of SMED 4.0 is illustrated by implementing it in a real-life manufacturing case.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2024

Rouhollah Khakpour, Ahmad Ebrahimi and Seyed-Mohammad Seyed-Hosseini

This paper aims to integrate zero defect manufacturing (ZDM) with process mining (PM) to avoid defect occurrence during production and improve sustainability.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to integrate zero defect manufacturing (ZDM) with process mining (PM) to avoid defect occurrence during production and improve sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is developed based on literature review in ZDM and PM. It uses PM for process discovery as an initial strategy in priority to predict-prevent strategies of ZDM.

Findings

It presents the applicability of the proposed approach in observing manufacturing process behavior, identifying dynamic causes of defects during production, predicting the time of defect occurrence and preventing defective products. It also identifies, explains and measures criteria for environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainability affected by defects and presents the impacts of the proposed approach on sustainability improvement.

Originality/value

The extended view of this research, as well as its analytical approach, helps practitioners to develop their ZDM and PM approaches more holistically. The practical application of this research is illustrated through implementing it in a real-life manufacturing case, where the outcomes prove its applicability in avoiding defect occurrence and improving all three pillars of sustainability.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 October 2024

Rouhollah Khakpour, Ahmad Ebrahimi and Seyed-Mohammad Seyed-Hosseini

This paper aims to recommend a method entitled “lean process mining (LPM)” for mapping, analyzing and improving the material/information flows in the value stream of manufacturing…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to recommend a method entitled “lean process mining (LPM)” for mapping, analyzing and improving the material/information flows in the value stream of manufacturing processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is developed based on literature review and in-depth explorative research in value stream mapping and process mining approaches. The proposed LPM framework consists of three phases including as-realized process state, improvement strategies and reengineered process state. Hence, firstly, extracts the as-realized model, measures the identified wastes and identifies the sources of wastes. Secondly, implements prediction-recommendation-prevention strategies. Thirdly, reengineers the process model and measures the improved wastes.

Findings

It presents the applicability of the proposed approach in (1) online observation of manufacturing process behavior and tracing the process deviations dynamically in real time to identify the sources of waste; (2) avoiding defective products occurring during the production and eliminating the relevant derived wastes including wasted material, wasted energy, waste of labor, excess inventory, increased production lead time and wasted operational costs.

Originality/value

The practical application of LPM is illustrated through implementing it in a real-life manufacturing case. The outcomes prove the remarkable applicability of this method in lean manufacturing to avoid waste occurrence in the value stream.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 November 2023

Ahmad Ebrahimi and Sara Mojtahedi

Warranty-based big data analysis has attracted a great deal of attention because of its key capabilities and role in improving product quality while minimizing costs. Information…

Abstract

Purpose

Warranty-based big data analysis has attracted a great deal of attention because of its key capabilities and role in improving product quality while minimizing costs. Information and details about particular parts (components) repair and replacement during the warranty term, usually stored in the after-sales service database, can be used to solve problems in a variety of sectors. Due to the small number of studies related to the complete analysis of parts failure patterns in the automotive industry in the literature, this paper focuses on discovering and assessing the impact of lesser-studied factors on the failure of auto parts in the warranty period from the after-sales data of an automotive manufacturer.

Design/methodology/approach

The interconnected method used in this study for analyzing failure patterns is formed by combining association rules (AR) mining and Bayesian networks (BNs).

Findings

This research utilized AR analysis to extract valuable information from warranty data, exploring the relationship between component failure, time and location. Additionally, BNs were employed to investigate other potential factors influencing component failure, which could not be identified using Association Rules alone. This approach provided a more comprehensive evaluation of the data and valuable insights for decision-making in relevant industries.

Originality/value

This study's findings are believed to be practical in achieving a better dissection and providing a comprehensive package that can be utilized to increase component quality and overcome cross-sectional solutions. The integration of these methods allowed for a wider exploration of potential factors influencing component failure, enhancing the validity and depth of the research findings.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 41 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2023

Rouhollah Khakpour, Ahmad Ebrahimi and Soroosh Saghiri

This paper aims to propose a stepwise method to improve the sustainability of manufacturing processes.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a stepwise method to improve the sustainability of manufacturing processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach is based on an extensive literature review and research around the environmental, economic and social pillars of sustainability in manufacturing firms. Considering the lean approach, the manufacturing processes are mapped in a value stream and analyzed through the extensive identified sustainability criteria.

Findings

The findings reveal the consumption and waste of natural and nonrenewable resources, through going beyond the existing boundaries and focusing on relevant derived production pieces and tracing to their origins. The findings also present the effect of the time value of money on sustainability by using the cost–time profile as a sustainability criterion. This research finds out the employees’ impacts on sustainability improvement through an effective focus on technical, cultural and personal aspects.

Practical implications

The research outcomes provide operations managers and decision-makers in the field of sustainability with a practical platform to comprehend and assess the factors contributing to the manufacturing process sustainability and to plan relevant corrective actions accordingly.

Originality/value

The extended view of sustainability criteria in this research as well as its visual-analytical approach will help practitioners to assess and improve sustainability in their operations in a more holistic way.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 14 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Purpose-driven Innovation: Lessons from Managing Change in the United Nations
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-143-6

Abstract

Details

Purpose-driven Innovation: Lessons from Managing Change in the United Nations
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-143-6

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2024

Ahmad Hadipour, Zahra Mahmoudi, Saeed Manoochehri, Heshmatollah Ebrahimi-Najafabadi and Zahra Hesari

Particles are of the controlled release delivery systems. Also, topically applied olive oil has a protective effect against ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure. Due to its sensitivity to…

Abstract

Purpose

Particles are of the controlled release delivery systems. Also, topically applied olive oil has a protective effect against ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure. Due to its sensitivity to oxidation, various studies have investigated the production of olive oil particles. The purpose of this study was to use chitosan and sodium alginate as the vehicle polymers for olive oil.

Design/methodology/approach

The gelation method used to prepare the sodium alginate miliparticles containing olive oil and particles were coated with chitosan. Morphology and size, zeta potential, infrared spectrum of olive oil miliparticles, encapsulation efficiency and oil release profile were investigated. Among 12 primary fabricated formulations, formulations F5 (olive oil loaded alginate miliparticles) and F11 (olive oil loaded alginate miliparticles + chitosan coat) were selected for further evaluations.

Findings

The size of the miliparticles was in the range of 1,100–1,600 µm. Particles had a spherical appearance, and chitosan coat made a smoother surface according to the scanning electron microscopy. The zeta potential of miliparticles were −30 mV for F5 and +2.7 mV for F11. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that there was no interaction between olive oil and other excipients. Encapsulation efficiency showed the highest value of 85% in 1:4 (olive oil:alginate solution) miliparticles in F11. Release study indicated a maximum release of 68.22% for F5 and 60.68% for F11 in 24 h (p-value < 0.016). Therefore, coating with chitosan had a marked effect on slowing the release of olive oil. These results indicated that olive oil in various amounts can be successfully encapsulated into the sodium-alginate capsules cross-linked with glutaraldehyde.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has used chitosan and sodium alginate as the vehicle polymers for microencapsulation of olive oil.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 54 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2023

Fahime Ebrahimi, Mehdi Sarikhani and Amin Rostami

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the silence of internal auditors. To this end, the impacts of the perceived climate of silence, professional…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the silence of internal auditors. To this end, the impacts of the perceived climate of silence, professional commitment, independence commitment, role conflict and role ambiguity on internal auditor silence have been investigated. Furthermore, the effects of role conflict and role ambiguity through independence commitment on internal auditor silence were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population of the study consisted of Iranian internal auditors in 2021. The study used a self-administered survey of 217 internal auditors. In this research, a hierarchical component model in the partial least squares structural equation modeling analysis was used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The results of testing the hypotheses indicated that the perceived climate of silence and role ambiguity have positive effects, and professional commitment and independence commitment have negative effects on internal auditor silence. Furthermore, role conflict has an insignificant effect on internal auditor silence. In addition, role conflict and role ambiguity affect the internal auditor silence through the independence commitment.

Originality/value

This study examined the factors affecting the internal auditor silence by combining the construct of the perceived climate of silence that has been previously discussed in the field of management with the professional (professional commitment and independence commitment) and role (role conflict and role ambiguity) factors that are discussed in the internal audit profession. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that examines the factors affecting internal auditor silence behavior. The importance of conducting this study is that it investigates a phenomenon among internal auditors that conflicts with the mission and origin of internal audit.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 38 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 June 2020

Hadi Kashefi, Ahmad Sadegheih, Ali Mostafaeipour and Mohammad Mohammadpour Omran

To design, control and evaluate photovoltaic (PV) systems, an accurate model is required. Accuracy of PV models depends on model parameters. This study aims to use a new algorithm…

Abstract

Purpose

To design, control and evaluate photovoltaic (PV) systems, an accurate model is required. Accuracy of PV models depends on model parameters. This study aims to use a new algorithm called improved social spider algorithm (ISSA) to detect model parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

To improve performance of social spider algorithm (SSA), an elimination period is added. In addition, at the beginning of each period, a certain number of the worst solutions are replaced by new solutions in the search space. This allows the particles to find new paths to get the best solution.

Findings

In this paper, ISSA is used to estimate parameters of single-diode and double-diode models. In addition, effect of irradiation and temperature on I–V curves of PV modules is studied. For this purpose, two different modules called multi-crystalline (KC200GT) module and polycrystalline (SW255) are used. It should be noted that to challenge the performance of the proposed algorithm, it has been used to identify the parameters of a type of widely used module of fuel cell called proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Finally, comparing and analyzing of ISSA results with other similar methods shows the superiority of the presented method.

Originality/value

Changes in the spider’s movement process in the SSA toward the desired response have improved the algorithm’s performance. Higher accuracy and convergence rate, skipping local minimums, global search ability and search in a limited space can be mentioned as some advantages of this modified method compared to classic SSA.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. 40 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

1 – 10 of 231