Abdoulaye Badiane, Sylvie Nadeau, Jean-Pierre Kenné and Vladimir Polotski
The optimization of production imposes a review of facility maintenance policies. Accidents during maintenance activities are frequent, sometimes fatal and often associated with…
Abstract
Purpose
The optimization of production imposes a review of facility maintenance policies. Accidents during maintenance activities are frequent, sometimes fatal and often associated with deficient or absent machinery lockout/tagout. Lockout/tagout is often circumvented in order to avoid what may be viewed as unnecessary delays and increased production costs. To reduce the dangers inherent in such practice, the purpose of this paper is to propose a production strategy that provides for machinery lockout/tagout while maximizing manufacturing system availability and minimizing costs.
Design/methodology/approach
The joint optimization problem of production planning, maintenance and safety planning is formulated and studied using a stochastic optimal control methodology. Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations are developed and studied numerically using the Kushner approach based on finite difference approximation and an iterative policy improvement technique.
Findings
The analysis leads to a solution that suggests increasing the “comfortable” inventory level in order to provide the time required for lockout/tagout activities. It is also demonstrated that the optimization of lockout/tagout procedures is particularly important when the equipment is relatively new and the inventory level is minimal.
Research limitations/implications
This paper demonstrates that it is possible to integrate production, maintenance and lockout/tagout procedures into production planning while keeping manufacturing system cost objectives attainable as well as ensuring worker safety.
Originality/value
This integrated production and maintenance policy is unique and complements existing procedures by explicitly accounting for safety measures.
Details
Keywords
This paper describes the colouration of wool with indigo. The wool fabric is pre-treated with different shrink-resist formulations followed by application of indigo. The novel…
Abstract
This paper describes the colouration of wool with indigo. The wool fabric is pre-treated with different shrink-resist formulations followed by application of indigo. The novel dyeing procedure has resulted in commercially acceptable indigo-dyed wool, in terms of improved levelness and reduced yellowness.
While indigo is traditionally applied by the padding technique, in the present work, an exhaust dyeing procedure is investigated. The degree of levellness and the depth of shade are further optimised by varying the pH, temperature and dye concentration. The pH of the dye liquor and the dyeing temperature are found to be critical in achieving level dyeing as well as mitigating fibre damage.
It is found that certain shrink-resist formulations, either applied alone or in combination, give better results in terms of colour yield and fabric handle, while other combinations give poorer results. The dyed samples are found to exhibit excellent wash fastness.
Details
Keywords
Jie Chen, Zhengdong Jing, Chentao Wu, Senyao Chen and Liye Cheng
This paper aims to improve the fault detection adaptive threshold of aircraft flap control system to make the system fault diagnosis more accurate.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to improve the fault detection adaptive threshold of aircraft flap control system to make the system fault diagnosis more accurate.
Design/methodology/approach
According to the complex mechanical–electrical–hydraulic structure and the multiple fault modes of the aircraft flap control system, the advanced fault diagnosis method based on the bond graph (BG) model is presented, and based on the system diagnostic BG model, the parameter uncertainty intervals are estimated and a new adaptive threshold is constructed by linear fraction transformation.
Findings
To construct a more reasonable and accurate adaptive threshold range to more accurately detect system failures, some typical failure modes’ diagnosis process are selected and completed for verification; the simulation results show that the proposed method is effective and feasible for complex systems’ fault diagnosis.
Practical implications
This study can provide a theoretical guidance and technical support for fault diagnosis of complex systems, which avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
Originality/value
This study enables more accurate fault detection and diagnosis of complex systems when considering factors such as parameter uncertainty.
Details
Keywords
J. Vijitha Ananthi and P. Subha Hency Jose
To avoid this situation, the authors proposed an optimal artificial bee colony algorithm-based Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) routing algorithm for efficient data communication…
Abstract
Purpose
To avoid this situation, the authors proposed an optimal artificial bee colony algorithm-based Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) routing algorithm for efficient data communication between doctors and patients. This proposed method worked in three stages.
Design/methodology/approach
In recent decades, wireless body area networks have played an important role in health care applications. It facilitates the transmission of the patients' health data analysis report to the appropriate doctors.
Findings
In the first phase, biological sensors are connected to the human body via a controller node and collected data is transmitted via Bluetooth to the Personal Device Assistant (PDA). In the second phase, collected data will be transmitted via the Internet of things using an artificial bee colony algorithm. The second aids in determining the best route. In the third phase, unmanned aerial vehicles will use the best path to send collected data to doctors, caregivers, ambulances and cloud storage servers.
Originality/value
The simulation results show that the network's performance is superior when compared to existing approaches. The proposed algorithm achieves a high throughput, a lower delay, a higher link rate and a higher delivery rate.
Details
Keywords
Ghazanfar Ali, Abdul Rahman Jaaffar and Juha Ali
Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing human capital development issues due to unskilled employees. The institutes of Malaysian education are providing…
Abstract
Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing human capital development issues due to unskilled employees. The institutes of Malaysian education are providing ineffective science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education which are generating unskilled graduates as a future workforce. The low capability of Malaysian graduates affect the performance of Malaysian SMEs. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of STEM education in solving the human capital development issues for the enhancement of Malaysian SMEs performance. The current literature explores the ineffective system of STEM education for Malaysian graduates which result in human capital development issues in Malaysian SMEs. The curriculum of Malaysian education institutions plays a pivotal role in making the university graduates skillful since a teacher should teach the syllabus according to the need of the national curriculum and the student must learn practical knowledge for the sake of the professional employee in future. Hence, this study identified the significance of properly provided STEM education to deal with the human capital development issues faced by Malaysian SMEs. Effective STEM education is important in generating the human capital as it makes the university graduates skilled and capable which enable them to successfully meet the industry needs in future. Likewise, through the development of human capital, the performance of Malaysian SMEs could be improved.
Narendrasinh Jesangbhai Parmar and Ajith Tom James
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for the safety performance measurement of belt conveyor systems.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for the safety performance measurement of belt conveyor systems.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural methodology of graph theory and matrix approach is used for developing a framework for safety performance measurement of belt conveyor systems.
Findings
The development of a framework for safety performance measurement of belt conveyor systems is essential for ensuring plant safety. For this, safety performance factors, including design and operating contextual factors of belt conveyor systems, are identified. The factors along with their interrelations are modeled using digraph. An equivalent matrix of the digraph provided safety performance function (SPF) of belt conveyor systems, leading to the development of a safety performance index (SPI).
Practical implications
The developed framework will enable the designers for evaluating and comparing alternative designs of conveyor systems from the safety viewpoint. The plant operators can make inferences from the SPI to identify the weak contextual factors in the plant and develop action plans for its mitigation.
Originality/value
The paper is novel and employs graph theory and matrix approach for safety performance measurement. The methodology helps in the quantitative evaluation of the safety performance of belt conveyor systems.
Details
Keywords
Saravanan Raman, Norazah Mohd Suki, Lee Heng Wei and Subhaseni Chinniah
Trade-offs are unavoidable in a competitive and difficult economic environment, causing a challenge for those wanting to provide consistently high-quality service across all…
Abstract
Purpose
Trade-offs are unavoidable in a competitive and difficult economic environment, causing a challenge for those wanting to provide consistently high-quality service across all touchpoints in the service delivery ecosystem, included in which is the higher education (HE) sector. This study aims to explore the key factors influencing service trade-offs related to the efforts of academics in Malaysia’s HE sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 400 full-time academics from several higher learning institutions in Malaysia. Data were analysed using the partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach.
Findings
The results reveal that service trade-offs in the HE sector were heavily influenced by service priorities. Customisation of services, meeting individual student needs, working under immense pressure within tight timeframes and focusing on teaching and research jointly contribute to academics’ service trade-offs in the HE sector. Indeed, the nature of the job necessitates such trade-offs by default, as academics are unable to cancel or postpone classes due to scheduling constraints and the requirement to be physically present during class sessions.
Practical implications
HE administrators and managers should provide academics with adequate resources, effective work allocation and optimal timeframes for task completion, as service priorities are the key factors influencing service trade-offs in Malaysia’s HE sector. The satisfaction of these needs would enable academics’ service priorities and trade-offs to be better balanced, thereby contributing to better operational efficiency, boosting organisational performance and maintaining business sustainability.
Originality/value
The empirical results serve to clarify the key factors influencing service trade-offs in the HE sector, thus expanding the extant literature, which has mostly concentrated on describing the same phenomena in the manufacturing sector. The proposed service trade-offs model would serve as a guideline for operational efficiencies in the HE sector to prevent future recurrence and reduce the potential risk of service disruption, thus mitigating the risk of dissatisfaction.
Details
Keywords
Bappaditya Biswas, Rohan Prasad Gupta and Mantosh Sharma
The purpose of this paper is to perform a thorough analysis of the literature on the parameters of sustainability of the micro-enterprises. It seeks to provide an organizing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to perform a thorough analysis of the literature on the parameters of sustainability of the micro-enterprises. It seeks to provide an organizing framework to identify research gaps and future directions. Using data from Web of Science and Scopus, the study offers insights into key trends, authorship and thematic shifts, informing future research design and positioning.
Design/methodology/approach
Researchers used a systematic review methodology, gathering data from Web of Science and Scopus databases. R Studio software facilitated bibliometric analysis. This study scrutinized research papers to construct an organizing framework and identify thematic trends in sustainability parameters for micro-enterprises.
Findings
The review presents a comprehensive overview of sustainability parameters in micro-enterprises, revealing significant research trends, key authors, countries and journals. It identifies gaps and suggests future research directions, aiding in the design and positioning of forthcoming studies in this domain.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations may include the scope of databases accessed and potential biases in the selected literature. Future studies could explore additional databases or incorporate qualitative analyses for deeper insights into sustainability parameters in micro-enterprises.
Practical implications
This study offers practical insights for policymakers, practitioners and researchers by highlighting key sustainability parameters in micro-enterprises. It informs decision-making processes concerning resource allocation, policy formulation and support mechanisms for sustainable development.
Social implications
Understanding sustainability parameters in micro-enterprises has significant social implications, particularly for vulnerable groups like craftsmen, women and young entrepreneurs. By addressing these parameters, interventions can enhance livelihoods and contribute to broader socio-economic development.
Originality/value
By providing a thorough analysis of sustainability factors in micro-enterprises and applying bibliometric analysis to shed light on research trends, this paper adds to the body of literature. Its organized framework identifies gaps and guides future research, offering value to scholars, policymakers and practitioners invested in sustainable development at the grassroots level.
Details
Keywords
Salma Ahmed, Lotfi Romdhane, Sameh Monir El-Sayegh and Solair Manjikian
The purpose of this study is to identify and assess new risks in construction projects that use 3D printing.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify and assess new risks in construction projects that use 3D printing.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed approach of both qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Literature review was conducted to extract 30 risks of 3D printing in construction. A survey was then developed to assess the probability and impact of these risks. In total, 37 respondents, who have experience and/or knowledge of 3D printing, completed the survey. The risk priority was calculated using a fuzzy logic approach. The main benefit of the proposed model is being able to use numerical and linguistic data in the risk assessment model.
Findings
The results show that the main risks, in terms of priority, are lack of codes and regulations for 3D printing in construction, delay in government approvals, shortage in labour skilled in 3D printed construction, lack of knowledge and information of 3D printed design concepts and changes in 3D construction codes and regulations.
Originality/value
This paper fills an identified gap in the literature related to 3D printing in construction and provides insights into the key risks affecting this disruptive technology.
Details
Keywords
Erika A. Parn, David Edwards, Zainab Riaz, Fahad Mehmood and Joseph Lai
This paper aims to report upon the further development of a hybrid application programming interface (API) plug-in to building information modelling (BIM) entitled confined spaces…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report upon the further development of a hybrid application programming interface (API) plug-in to building information modelling (BIM) entitled confined spaces safety monitoring system “CoSMoS”. Originally designed to engineer-out environmental hazards associated with working in a building’s confined spaces (during the construction phase of a building’s life-cycle), this second generation version is expanded upon to use archival records to proactively learn from data generated within a sensor network during the building’s operations and maintenance (O&M) phase of asset management (AM).
Design/methodology/approach
An applied research methodological approach adopted used a two-phase process. In phase one, a conceptual model was created to provide a “blueprint map” to integrate BIM, sensor-based networks and data analytics (DA) into one integral system. A literature review provided the basis for the conceptual model’s further development. In phase two, the conceptual model was transposed into the prototype’s development environment as a proof of concept using primary data accrued from a large educational building.
Findings
An amalgamation of BIM, historical sensor data accrued and the application of DA demonstrate that CoSMoS provides an opportunity for the facilities management (FM) team to monitor pertinent environmental conditions and human behaviour within buildings that may impact upon occupant/worker safety. Although working in confined spaces is used to demonstrate the inherent potential of CoSMoS, the system could readily be expanded to analyse sensor-based network’s historical data of other areas of building performance, maintenance and safety.
Originality/value
This novel prototype has automated safety applications for FM during the asset lifecycle and maintenance phase of a building’s O&M phase of AM. Future work is proposed in several key areas, namely, develop instantaneous indicators of current safety performance within a building; and develop lead indicators of future safety performance of buildings.