Ph:
(480) 727-6098
| Past
Projects |
|
 |
|
One
of the main factors affecting turn time for a commercial airline
is passenger boarding time. Reducing boarding time, however, is
difficult since it directly involves the passengers. By assigning
passengers to groups (or zones) the airline obtains some level of
control on the boarding process. |
|
 |
|
This
research looked for appropriate measures of performance for the
inbound transportation system of a manufacturing plant, in order
to assess, monitor and improve the performance of their transportation
logistics. Along with the efficiency metrics, other tools were developed,
such as control charts and action plans to continuously monitor
the performance of the inbound transportation systems. |
|
 |
Development
of an Integrated Environment for SMD Technology Assembly |
This
report documents the activities (broadly classifiable into research
and educational activities) performed under NSF grants DMI-9502897
and DMI-9996183: Development of an Integrated Environment for SMD
Technology Assembly. The research activities focused on the development
of an integrated quality environment for SMD assembly. |
|
 |
Logistics
Strategies for Mexican-Based Plants Serving U.S. Markets Under Current
Transportation Restrictions |
This
paper studies distribution strategies for a company operating under
different levels of the North American Free Trade Agreement’s
(NAFTA) implementation. The resulting strategies show that the current
restrictions on cross-border cargo shipments and the transportation
cost structure for international shipments makes the use of Mexican
distribution centers ineffective, despite low labor costs, for serving
a U.S. customer base. |
|
 |
Vector
Classification of SMD Images |
Automated
visual inspection of surface mounted devices (SMD) requires the
correct classification of an image as either "component present"
or "component absent." The inspection system must allow
the classification to be fast and reliable, while also assuring
that the training of the classifier is simple and not time consuming. |
|
 |
JVML:
Design and Realization of a Virtual Manufacturing Laboratory Using
JINI™ |
The
Jini Virtual Manufacturing Laboratory created using Jini™
technologies forms part of MANET, also known as Manufacturing Network.
JMVL's conceptual structure allows users to distribute and expand
its software and hardware. A virtual laboratory can be described
as the integration of laboratories and physical research centers
via the Internet. |
|
 |
Work
Allocation Strategies for Serial Assembly Lines under High Labor
Turnover |
Labor
turnover can be very detrimental to the performance of traditional
serial assembly lines. It has been shown that high turnover rates
can reduce annual production throughput in serial assembly lines
by more than 16% when these lines operate under a balanced work
allocation strategy. |
|
 |
Generation
of Improved Milk-runs for the Mexican Maquiladora Industry |
Globalization
has provided businesses with the ability to acquire and market products,
resources and services throughout the world. This new business model
is clearly different from the localized model of the past. As a
result of globalization, companies have plants or subcontracts in
countries that are thousands of miles apart and suppliers throughout
the world. |
|
Optimal
Designs for Serial Assembly Lines Under Labor Turnover |
|
In
a simulation study performed by Hutchinson (1995), it was found
that in a serial assembly line with five operators and a moderate
monthly turnover rate of 6%, throughput was reduced by 12.6% and
that, with a 12% turnover rate, the reduction in yield was as high
as 16.3%. |
|
 |
Bucket
Brigades at TRW Occupant Restraints Plant, Chihuahua, Mexico |
Arizona
State University and TRW are currently working together in an innovative
production system which aims to minimize the impact of labor turnover
and absenteeism to assembly line throughput. The new production
system is based on a one-piece flow, pull type production method
that utilizes dynamic work allocation and operator replacement techniques
at a passenger airbag assembly line of the TRW Chihuahua OR plant. |
|
 |
|
The
study is assessing the viability of establishing a packaging plant
in North America to avoid the long loop to Asia for certain components.
The goal of this study is to reduce travel time, travel costs and
in-transit inventory for certain components, thereby increasing
the competitiveness of the North American electronics industry. |
|
 |
|
The
international bridges connecting El Paso, TX with Juarez, Chihuahua,
are a vital component of the economy of both countries. Because
of the growth in cross border manufacturing and commerce activities,
the traffic has increased considerably. The objective of the study
was to develop a preliminary methodology to analyze the operations
of the international bridges, with Montecarlo simulation techniques,
to find alternative resource allocation policies. |
|
