M.R. Rotab Khan and Ibrahim A. Darrab
Factory management needs to find the technically feasible point up to which maintenance and quality activity levels of a factory should be selected to achieve highest productivity…
Abstract
Purpose
Factory management needs to find the technically feasible point up to which maintenance and quality activity levels of a factory should be selected to achieve highest productivity with a view to fulfil company objectives for higher profitability. This research paper aims to report the development of an analytical relation between maintenance, quality and productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
An analytical relation is designed and developed incorporating graphical analysis and regression analysis to support outputs of graphical method, which creates an appropriate model. A mixed research approach is used, including application of a practical case example.
Findings
The study displays a wide range of productivity performance profiles with the strategic aim of identifying the technically feasible highest productivity result obtained. It has formulated an important analytical link, and suggested a few recommendations. The formulated model predicts the best possible productivity result out of maintenance and quality‐related practical data of a factory. The analysis enables managers to analyze, compare and identify improvement opportunities in order to enjoy competitive advantages.
Practical implications
Modern factory managers, particularly in food production, who live in a world of rapid changes, extensive interactions and complex situations, and face everyday challenges in a competitive global market, can use this model as a hands‐on tool for measurement, evaluation, logically better and proper realistic planning and implementation of maintenance and quality activities to attain maximum manufacturing productivity for their companies.
Originality/value
The model is the result of an attempt to design and develop, fulfil identified technical managerial needs and offer practical help to make logical decisions. Evidence from the literature confirms that this is a newer outlook on analytical diagnostic tools, which demonstrates the weaknesses in existing factory production system and thus helps in identifying key areas for productivity improvements. Therefore, this research is one step to further the potential and practical value added contribution in food and other industries.
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A methodology of structuring a garment production simulation model using a spreadsheet is described to minimize the average daily production cost through the investigation of…
Abstract
A methodology of structuring a garment production simulation model using a spreadsheet is described to minimize the average daily production cost through the investigation of various man‐machine combinations. The capability and usability of an easily available modern spreadsheet Excel 7.0 to simulate a simple garment production system is accessed with an attempt to demonstrate the simulation model building in a user friendly environment rather than learning and using costly simulation programming languages or simulation software packages. Simulation has evaluated the resource utilization and measured the system performance and developed strategies for taking operational decisions in a logical and better way to minimize the garment production cost. It may also assist and benefit the garment production managers to plan, design and operate their systems in an efficient manner in a competitive environment.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe the most important areas of maintenance management system for heavy industries for helping maintenance mangers to focus on measuring the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the most important areas of maintenance management system for heavy industries for helping maintenance mangers to focus on measuring the effectiveness of maintenance system. This work aimed at inferring relationships between maintenance management, maintenance practices and maintenance improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
In relation to maintenance management, as a case study approach, it can be applied to continuous improvement maintenance systems through 15 maintenance process areas.
Findings
The general picture evidences some criticalities, such as those areas which help in the success of maintenance management and areas which lead to the failure of maintenance management. It was found that by using the maintenance management system in the cement industry, it was possible to measure and improve about 15 percent maintenance performance which can be achieved by enhancing maintenance in the suggested areas.
Practical implications
Continuous maintenance improvement (CMI) is an ongoing effort to improve maintenance aimed at maintenance process simplification and reduction or elimination of maintenance process waste. To support CMI, maintenance engineers continually examine maintenance processes to discover and eliminate problems.
Originality/value
Other researchers have reported on the maintenance management system, but most of them have focussed on limited areas. The lack of useful and practical research has been determined. It seems that the scientific knowledge of maintenance management still needs more effort. This study is one of the first in-depth studies into actual condition-based maintenance practice to test 15 maintenance process areas.
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The purpose of this study is to develop a modular garment assembly line simulator that can be used for various production methods such as traditional mass production or modern…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a modular garment assembly line simulator that can be used for various production methods such as traditional mass production or modern small quantity batch production.
Design/methodology/approach
For realistic simulation, the actual shape and sewing information of the garment patterns were used. The assembly line consists of process units including the cutter, preprocessor, module assembly, final assembly, finish, and stack units. Any number of units can be arranged and connected to form various layouts. The simulation can be run at an arbitrary speed.
Findings
This system can be used to estimate the time required to process the given order for a specific layout. Therefore, it can be utilized as the basis for optimum production line design.
Originality/value
This system is expected to be utilized by garment manufacturers for obtaining the productivity improvement, production cost reduction, and increased competitiveness.