Search

The article focuses on the need for creativity and innovation in engineering product designs. It notes that industrial engineers are well-positioned by education and experience to work creatively and lead innovative projects in all economic sectors. Use of tools and statistical techniques in improving efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturing processes in the aerospace industry that led to creativity and innovation within the industry. INSET: ATTEMPTED RESUSCITATION.

The article discusses the lean method of management which originated at the automobile manufacturer Toyota and which follows the five principles of value, identify the value stream, flow, pull, and perfection. Topics include how to make and interpret a value stream map, how value is linked to efficiency, and how to calculate overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and the key performance indicator (KPI) INSET: LEAN, CLEAN DUST-SWIPING MACHINES.

The article discusses how Millennials in the workforce multitask, how managers and executives perceive this as a lack of focus, and generational differences in learning and information processing. Topics include research by Neil Postman which states that technology increases data access while decreasing attention spans, how to be efficient by defining and achieving the correct objectives, and tips for time management such as incorporating a work-life balance into corporate culture. INSET: TEN TIPS FOR ENHANCING FOCUS AND TIME MANAGEMENT.

The article focuses on the lack of total productive maintenance (TPM) in the U.S manufacturing industry. Topics include the manufacturing optimization through the use of Six Sigma principles, the effect of maintenance activities in the production capacity of a company, and the fundamentals of TPM which includes equipment deterioration monitoring, ergonomic auditing, and technical support.

The article focuses on the use of industrial engineering (IE) in continuous improvement (CI) events. It states that IE intern Thomas Leskowschek and systems engineering graduate student Clement Peng assisted a work team at Hoerbiger Corp. of America (HCA-TX) in CI to improve the efficiency of HCA-TX's shipping department initially by eliminating equipment the shippers had no use for and then in improving the floor layout, categorizing incomplete work orders, and redesigning the job shop flow. It comments on the use of production flow software designed to implement lean production in job shops to find alternative layouts for the shipping department. It talks about methods of reducing inventory costs and the development of a demand forecasting model.

The article discusses the integration and implementation of lean manufacturing procedures, Six Sigma quality control standards, and constraint theories in businesses, providing recommendations for continuous process improvement initiatives. According to the authors, the integration of multiple improvement strategies can lead to profit increases for businesses. Topics include optimization, manufacturing bottlenecks, idle time, and system evaluation. An application of integrated improvement procedures at a software company is described. INSET: THE POWER OF INTEGRATION.

The article discusses the proper method of conducting a time study and the existing state of technology and software available to help set standards. An overview of the accepted methods of performing time studies, which are measurements of the amount of time required to perform a given operation, which includes determining the elements required to perform the work and the times that are required to perform those elements effectively is presented. Also presented is an overview of work sampling, its objectives, and the method used to conduct a work sampling study and various technology products that make data collection related to time studies and work sampling more effective, such as Quetech’s WorkStudy+ software. INSET: TIME STUDY BEATS THE COMPETITION.

The article discusses ergonomics and technology, focusing on the positive and negative aspects of emerging technology as of November, 2012. Topics include adaptability in humans, the implementation of technology that reduces safety risk in manual materials handling, workplace efficiency, the health aspects of sedentary lifestyles, and information access in developing countries. Light emitting diode (LED) screens, smart phones, tablet computers, and digital media are mentioned. Disagreements between employees and management resulting from the use of technology, including lawsuits filed against Canadian banks for unpaid overtime, are described. INSETS: THEY'RE ATTACKING YOUR BRAIN;AT A GLANCE.

The article discusses three generations of U.S. industrial improvement since the 1920s. According to the article, industrial engineering and statistical analysis were developed during the post-World War II era from the 1920s to the 1970s. The period from the 1980s to 2008 can be characterized by decentralization, efficiency, and quality improvement methodologies including total quality management (TQM), kaizen, and Six Sigma. Economic conditions since 2008 anticipate a new era of sustainability improvement. Topics include industrial relations between the U.S. and Japan, the industrial engineer Lillian Gilbreth, and leadership. INSET: GILBRETH STILL MAKING NEWS.

The article presents a Six Sigma approach to resolve production disruptions through equipment breakdown at industrial organizations. According to the article, problem investigation, analysis, and optimization can be achieved through strategic breakdown repair. However, the article recommends against Six Sigma methodology in respect to innovation, research, and development. A case study concerning an automatic assembly line includes a chart displaying possible breakdown causes. Preventative maintenance is recommended. INSET: NOT THE WAY TO INNOVATE.

The article discusses the industrial processes and supply chain of the media division of consumer technology company Hewlett-Packard, and a supply chain delay that may hinder sales of the Galaxy S III smartphone from manufacturer Samsung. According to the article, statistical analysis at Hewlett-Packard helps industrial engineers identify a balance between inventory availability and cost control. Topics include days of inventory (DOI), demand variation, and risk management. Lead-time reduction is mentioned. INSET: THE DEMANDING PHONE SUPPLY.

The article looks at the development of a product complexity management tool as part of a collaboration between the U.S. National Science Foundation Center for e-Design and the manufacturer Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The tool was designed to calculate complexity throughout Goodyear's product development and manufacturing processes and assist in product design decision support systems. The project helped Goodyear identify areas for design standardization across various product lines, reduce production costs, and improve production efficiency.

The article discusses the importance of effective workforce planning. It mentions that it leads to stronger economies and nation building. It notes that most business enterprises need the support of workforce to carry out fundamental operations and meet their goals. It points out that its implementation is made to predict accurate requirement and distinguish the right candidate pool to hire, retain and empower it. Furthermore, it is required at strategic and operational levels which apply stochastic optimization techniques and determine operational work hours respectively.

The article discusses the correlation of the three key areas which include people, process and technology to the development of a strong business platform. It emphasizes that balance of the three areas can stabilize a platform and the insufficiency of any can lead to the difficulty of balancing it. This is because, each area showcases different levels of importance depending upon the situation and are equally important. With this, ways to balance them are being discussed as well as the representation for each to understand them better.

The article offers information on how to improve the performance of a process in a company. The process improvement program is compared with learning how to ride a bicycle. It states that like a first time bike learner is taught to ride on a simple bike, same way the managers should be taught about the process improvement program through simple statistical models and not include sophisticated improvement programs like analysis of variance (AOV) and statistical process control (SPC). An A3 report used for the process improvement program by Toyota Motor Corp. is also presented in the article. The A3 report is a simple model of problem solving on paper which focuses on problem, its analyzes, offers solution and implements the solution for the problem.

The article presents a case study which demonstrates how activity efficiency (AE) was carried out to a display manufacturing cell and can also be carried out to service or transactional processes in an organization. It discusses the utilization of Lego blocks as a sufficient kit in demonstrating the principles of AE. The study reveals that employees realized the critical role of teamwork in keeping the efficiency high.

The article focuses on a several researched based on optimization models to solve operational problems which include stochastic programming model protect facilities from disasters; movement that may help to identify fatigue; and computational technology that improves safety symbols.

The article discusses how automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) improve work force efficiency and how they benefit manufacturing industries. It mentions that sales and implementation of ASRS have been tracked with productivity improvements. It notes that ASRS can be integrated warehouses that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or can be single vertical lift modules (VLMs) that deal with specific task or division. It is stated that ASRS can be significant factors to the return on investment (ROI).

The article deals with the implementation of lean principles by U.S. businesses using value stream mapping, which analyzes the entire value stream for a product from the raw material to the finished state. It presents the calculation of the percentage of value-added time and the inventory efficiency for manufacturing, transactional and administrative processes. It discusses the concept of activity efficiency, as well as if it applies to a work cell. It presents a diagram showing an analysis of a primed process.

The article explores an industrial engineering firm' work with an Ohio-based medical center. The work focused on improving first case on-time start performance in the main operating areas of the medical center. Three aspects of the surgical preparation processes underwent observation, measure, optimization, redesign and implementation to attain significant improvement. Several factors that would be affected due to the ramifications of a late start of surgery were taken into consideration, including patient satisfaction, operating room utilization, and staff morale.

The article focuses on the evolution of Taiwan's economy from labor-intensive industry to the technology-based industry. Industrial engineers (IE) have played a significant role in its economic growth. They have helped establish production lines and improve shop floor efficiency. The country is known for its agile manufacturing capability, with companies that help realize ideas into products and production. As the semiconductor manufacturing technology enters the deep-submicron technology node, issues of design for manufacturability have precipitated the industry's problems which are addressed by IE researchers in the country. INSET: TAIWAN'S FUTURE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER.

The article highlights the three critical success factors for an ergonomics initiative. It states that some common examples of workstation improvements resulting from continuous improvement activities include improving parts to reduce reach distances, locating hand tools near the point of use, and alternative manual hand tools. These continuous improvements are critical to identifying and acting on opportunities for improving ergonomics and gain efficiencies. Moreover, it is observed that the most powerful approach to ergonomic risk management is to adopt a policy of zero high-risk jobs.

The article explores the marketing performance of alcoholic beverages in Utah. It is stated that the state has tried to ban alcohol advertising in the past, prohibited bartenders from pouring double shots, banned restaurant workers from suggesting alcoholic beverages and required that bars serving beverages stronger than 3.2 percent alcohol will be private member-only clubs. But despite the extensive regulations, the state economy still earns $986.55 million every year from the beer industry alone. However, the thing that keeps Utah distinguished is because its wine and beer containing more than 3.2 percent of alcohol is distributed from a single facility only. Information on how the establishment manages the beverage distribution is discussed.

The article discusses various measures where industrial engineers (IE) and maintenance management can optimize business services and costs. It explores the capabilities of IEs in providing maintenance department managers the options and tools to plan and set standards that can properly assist in their goals. One important step that the author suggest is the proper training of planners. Another step in enabling one's organization to focus on maintenance is by defining symptoms pointing to issues that needs attention, such as low productivity and time management. Another is the management of data acquired after maintenance operation.

The article discusses the management method called Management System and Operating Control or MSOC developed by BellSouth. The method was developed to improve performance and reduce costs. Unlike other efficiency programs, MSOC includes behavioral components and a sustainability component to ensure continuous improvement. INSET: WIRED AND WIRELESS.

The article describes the case of Wardcraft Conveyors in Spring Arbor, Michigan and its solutions to improve its efficiency. It discusses the conveyance systems being manufactured by the company, the company's business operations in 1897, its shift from food sorting to custom conveyors, and the company's investment in resources in producing customer conveyors.

The article examines research on U.S. manufacturing industries. A survey conducted by the consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in which a majority of firms reported plans to increase hiring in 2014 is contrasted with statements by Wharton School of Business faculty member Peter Cappelli that industrial productivity has improved so significantly that a major increase in demand is needed to increase employment in manufacturing industries.

The article presents a profile of strategy consultant Kristin Goin, who was chosen for the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) New Faces of Engineering program to highlight young engineers. Details related to her career with the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta hospital in Georgia are provided, including her use of Six Sigma and lean engineering processes make intensive patient care more efficient, work to develop childhood obesity interventions, and targeted optimization projects.

The article discusses the important processes of service and manufacturing in business enterprises. The concept of service centered on efficient resource allocation in the delivery of online video contents. The approach highlighted by the authors is a novel architecture and performance analysis of transient queues. In manufacturing, the authors described an effective scheduling of robotic production cells, in which the processing times are variable. This method could result in optimization of returns on a large capital investment.

The article presents questions and answers including the application of Herzberg's two-factor theory in apparel manufacturing, optimization plans for a ready-mixed concrete production facility, and factors that must be considered when venturing into the construction industry.

The article focuses on the initiatives of Penske Logistics LLC to do sourcing activities in China for the development of their business. According to Joe Gallick, senior vice-president of sales for Penke Corp., several companies are attracted to China by its abundance of low cost labor and the emergence of new technology and freight forwarders. It notes that Penske Logistics operates five facilities in China and the first of its facilities was established in 2005 in Shanghai. Penske offers contract carriage that allows the company to take over a customer's private transport fleet and engages in regional and international transportation management.

The article focuses on the challenges in design and manufacturing for improving throughput in the electronics and automotive industries. It mentions that the most effective way for a company that assembles circuit boards for more than 1,000 different products are to assemble the boards in small batches from teens to a hundred. On the other hand, flexible equipment provide the benefits for the challenges of rapidly changing product lines, uncertain product mix, and customer expectations of fast around. Moreover, using the right type of backup capability enables the managers to keep their delivery commitments.

The article discusses research being done on strategies to decrease costs and wait times in the airline industry. It references studies by Barry Smith, Jay Rosenberger and Victoria Chen and another by Michael Brusco. The first study introduces a method that combines a stochastic programming methodology for optimizing the assignment of aircraft to flights with a statistical methodology that reduces the computation time required for solving the optimization problem. In the second study, Brusco develops an optimization method to solve a detailed work force allocation problem with application to an analysis of cross-training policies.

Presents two research studies on the current issue of "Institute of Industrial Engineer Transactions," which focuses on the quality and reliability in industrial management. Determination of manufacturing process of a system for the quality of final product; Scope of tolerance to a system for product quality requirements; Advancement of electro-mechanical components in private and public sectors from improved procedures that enhance the longevity and quality of critical engineering systems.

The author discusses the need for industrial engineers to optimize manufacturing processes for common sense. He notes that engineers optimize processes for cost, time, inventory and other metrics, but they face difficulties in optimizing processes for common sense. He recommends creating a culture where people are expected to think critically and act responsibly.

The article states that federal regulations mandating more rest time for truck drivers will force logistics companies and distribution operations to raise efficiency in lieu of increasing prices, according to a study by the Global Supply Chain Institute at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

The author focuses on the need in industrial engineering to know when industrial processes should be replaced or ignored. He states organizational imperatives, resource allocation and schedules can result in industrial processes being ignored and mentions that lean processes and fundamental project management techniques have limits. He suggests that one role of industrial engineering is in the application of lean method knowledge and problem solving in the creation and optimization of processes.

The author argues that industrial engineers will be needed in the U.S. health care industry after the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) by President Barack Obama. Supply and demand economics, federal spending on Medicare and Medicaid, and efficiency management are also discussed.

The author discusses the reduction of production waste in the food industry, arguing that industrial efficiency processes and sustainable production principles could be implemented with greater value chain coordination between producers, processors, and sellers. Topics include the clustering of interconnected entities, the Finger Lakes Food Processing Cluster Initiative consortium, and the recycling of plastic bags.

A letter commenting on industrial efficiency is presented from the author of the July, 2012 article entitled "Euromatics: Economic Challenges and Opportunities."

The author presents his opinion on the usefulness of the Monte Carlo simulation method in industrial engineering. Topics include how the Monte Carlo method works to predict ranges of outcomes, why industrial engineers looking to optimize a warehouse cannot use a single demand number to predict supply and demand, and the use of Monte Carlo in eliminating risk.

The article reports on statements made by industrial engineer Jonathan Turner regarding his research about hospital capacity at Northwestern University Medical Center, in which he suggested that hospitals operate at maximum efficiency when the capacity rate does not exceed eighty-five percent.

The article presents information on Hani Almufti, an industrial engineer at Cogbill Construction LLC. His resumé is included, and he is quoted describing his professional responsibilities and his conception of an ideal workday. Topics include steel fabrication, industrial efficiency, and employee training. The education program "Cogbill Academy" is mentioned.

The author discusses systems engineering and manufacturing management in the space industry. Topics include the spacecraft Falcon 9 and its Dragon capsule for passengers, the private spacecraft manufacturer Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), and cost and quality control through industrial efficiency.

The author discusses corporate downsizing and restructuring due to economic conditions in the U.S. in 2012, encourages communication between managers and employees, and argues that industrial engineers can improve organizational efficiency. Topics include layoffs, employee loyalty, and employee morale.

The author discusses lean experience and describes the methodology he used to help a healthcare company avoid bankruptcy by developing more efficient office practices. Topics include decentralization in management, kaizen events, and the empowerment of staff to develop solutions and improve operations.

The article discusses the efficiency of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, electrical systems, and generators in buildings.

The article discusses streamlining and efficiency initiatives in manufacturing corporations. Topics include a poll of manufacturing executives from research organization KPMG Marwick, innovation, and anticipated industry growth in the U.S., India, and China. Business models that incorporate collaborative services are mentioned.

The article presents a profile of U.S. National Science Foundation program director Russell Barton, who will deliver the keynote speech at the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) Annual Conference and Expo to be held in May 19-23, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. Barton's views are provided on various U.S. industrial engineering issues such as energy manufacturing and sustainability, the role of industrial efficiency in returning jobs to the U.S., and industrial engineering research.

The author offers opinions on time management and work-life balance. It is argued that the extra day in the year created by Leap Year represents a free day of work contributed by an employee to their employer, but that employees should not resent this fact. Using his own experiences as a self-employed person during a leap year, the author states that this extra day represents an opportunity to use time both more wisely and productively.