UAH CMER » ATN Research http://uahcmer.com Sustainable Solutions For Businesses Tue, 15 May 2012 21:39:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 Application of Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma as an Amalgamated Improvement Strategy http://uahcmer.com/2010/11/23/application-of-lean-enterprise-and-six-sigma-as-an-amalgamated-improvement-strategy/ http://uahcmer.com/2010/11/23/application-of-lean-enterprise-and-six-sigma-as-an-amalgamated-improvement-strategy/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:38:21 +0000 Karen http://uahcmer.com/?p=1033 Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma are two of the most prominent improvement philosophies available to organizations today.  This article investigated how these two philosophies can be used cohesively as an improvement strategy.  A comparison was performed relative to the underlying principles, the respective tools used, and the implementation methodologies of each philosophy.  A real world example was used to illustrate how Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma can be applied in unison.  Finally, it was concluded that although Lean and Six Sigma have differences, primarily in the tools used, they do not have conflicting objectives or implementation methodologies and can be amalgamated, free of buzz words, to provide an effective overall improvement strategy.

Application of Lean Enterprise & Six Sigma as an Amalgamated Improvement Strategy

]]> http://uahcmer.com/2010/11/23/application-of-lean-enterprise-and-six-sigma-as-an-amalgamated-improvement-strategy/feed/ 0 Integration of A3 Thinking as an Academic Communication Standard http://uahcmer.com/2010/01/01/integration-of-a3-thinking-as-an-academic-communication-standard/ http://uahcmer.com/2010/01/01/integration-of-a3-thinking-as-an-academic-communication-standard/#comments Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:05:08 +0000 Karen http://uahcmer.com/?p=1066 This paper discusses the integration of A3 Thinking as an innovative academic communication standard in industrial engineering. The paper begins by providing an overview comparison of A3 Thinking, a critical component in Toyota’s PDCA management system, and traditional academic course communication methods. The paper highlights key areas in academics where the use of A3 Thinking has been used in industrial engineering courses to provide a vehicle of effective, value-added communication. The paper concludes with a discussion of benefits relative to integrating A3 Thinking, including reduced waste in teaching, learning, reporting, and evaluation. Also included is a discussion on the use of a collection of A3 documents as an individual portfolio to make industrial engineers more marketable in the job market.

Integration of A3 Thinking as an Academic Communication Standard

Proceedings of the 2010 Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

]]> http://uahcmer.com/2010/01/01/integration-of-a3-thinking-as-an-academic-communication-standard/feed/ 0 The Application of Lean Enterprise to Improve Seaport Operations http://uahcmer.com/2009/03/10/the-application-of-lean-enterprise-to-improve-seaport-operations/ http://uahcmer.com/2009/03/10/the-application-of-lean-enterprise-to-improve-seaport-operations/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:12:46 +0000 Karen http://uahcmer.com/?p=1076 This paper discusses the implementation of Lean Enterprise management, principles, and tools in seaport operations. The paper begins by providing an overview of the necessary management training, strategy, and structure necessary for a successful lean implementation. An analysis of appropriate lean tools to be applied in seaport operations is provided, citing specific examples of the implementation of those tools at the Port of Mobile, Alabama. The paper also investigates the importance of integrating lean concepts in support functions such as accounting, maintenance, and human resources in order to holistically enhance overall port operations. The paper concludes with a discussion of keys to successful lean implementation, issues relative to sustaining improvement efforts, and suggestions for additional focuses of improvement for implementing lean in port operations.
The Application of Lean Enterprise to Improve Seaport Operations

Transportation Research Board – Paper-09-2777

]]> http://uahcmer.com/2009/03/10/the-application-of-lean-enterprise-to-improve-seaport-operations/feed/ 0 ProcessModel Simulation to Show Benefits of Kanban/Pull System http://uahcmer.com/2003/01/01/processmodel-simulation-to-show-benefits-of-kanbanpull-system/ http://uahcmer.com/2003/01/01/processmodel-simulation-to-show-benefits-of-kanbanpull-system/#comments Wed, 01 Jan 2003 22:56:05 +0000 Karen http://uahcmer.com/?p=1051 The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a nationwide network of over seventy not-for-profit centers.  The MEP is linked with the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and has the sole purpose of providing small and medium-size manufacturers with the assistance they need to be competitive and successful.  The Alabama Technology Network (ATN) joined the MEP in 1996 and began operation through a partnership among the University of Alabama System, Auburn University, and select two-year colleges.  The ATN has 10 centers statewide that are focused on providing technical and business solutions to Alabama companies in order to lead them to high performance.  The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is the Region 1 center of the ATN and concentrates a large portion of its efforts in the field of Lean Enterprise Development.

Lean Manufacturing is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste through continuous process improvement by flowing the product at the pull of the customer.  This paper discusses the use of a ProcessModel simulation, linked with a hands-on kanban simulation utilized by the UAH center for the ATN, to reveal benefits of a pull system.  The paper focuses on using the ProcessModel kanban simulation to help see process constraints, underutilization, and to make purchasing and inventory control decisions.

ProcessModel Simulation to Show Benefits of Kanban-Pull System

Proceedings of the Huntsville Simulation Conference.

By The Society for Modeling and Simulation International, San Diego, CA. Reprinted by permission.

]]> http://uahcmer.com/2003/01/01/processmodel-simulation-to-show-benefits-of-kanbanpull-system/feed/ 0 Simulation of Information System In a Lean Factory http://uahcmer.com/2002/01/01/simulation-of-information-system-in-a-lean-factory/ http://uahcmer.com/2002/01/01/simulation-of-information-system-in-a-lean-factory/#comments Tue, 01 Jan 2002 22:40:33 +0000 Karen http://uahcmer.com/?p=1038 The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a nationwide network of over seventy not-for-profit centers.  The MEP is linked with the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and has the sole purpose of providing small and medium-size manufacturers with the assistance they need to be competitive and successful.  The Alabama Technology Network (ATN) joined the MEP in 1996 and began operation through a partnership among the University of Alabama System, Auburn University, and select two-year colleges.  The ATN has 10 centers statewide that are focused on providing technical and business solutions to Alabama companies in order to lead them to high performance.  The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is the Region 1 center of the ATN and concentrates a large portion of its efforts in the field of Lean Enterprise Development.

Lean Manufacturing is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste through continuous process improvement by flowing the product at the pull of the customer.  This paper discusses recent improvements made to a hands-on simulation of a fictional factory (BUZZ Electronics) used as a training tool to demonstrate the benefits of lean manufacturing tools.  The improvements include the development of computer software used to simulate an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system in the factory simulation’s final round.  The simulated EDI, which uses four portable laptop computers and utilizes a wireless network, is useful in showing the benefits of paperless information systems, which simplify shop scheduling, and sequenced supplier deliveries.

Simulation of Information System In a Lean Factory

Proceedings of the Huntsville Simulation Conference.

By The Society for Modeling and Simulation International, San Diego, CA. Reprinted by permission.

]]> http://uahcmer.com/2002/01/01/simulation-of-information-system-in-a-lean-factory/feed/ 0 Using Simulation as a Decision Making Tool| Plant Expansion Case Study http://uahcmer.com/2001/01/01/using-simulation-as-a-decision-making-tool-plant-expansion-case-study/ http://uahcmer.com/2001/01/01/using-simulation-as-a-decision-making-tool-plant-expansion-case-study/#comments Mon, 01 Jan 2001 22:18:14 +0000 Karen http://uahcmer.com/?p=1020 A  leading manufacturer of air conditioning components is considering a plant expansion due to increasing sales forecasts.  A new production line is to be added and it is not known whether the existing multi-line final test and packing area can handle the increased throughput. Simulation was used as a tool to estimate the capacity of the final pack area and determine how much capacity should be added, if any.  The final pack area proved to be difficult to simulate due to complex, real-time routing decisions.  Furthermore, the simulation model identified other areas for improvement and standardization.  This paper provides an in-depth study of the project and lessons learned.   Specific issues addressed included:

-modeling the final pack area using ProModel

-decision-making logic used to route the components

-verification of the simulation model

-results and conclusions of the simulation

Using Simulation as a Decision Making Tool -Plant Expansion Case Study

Proceedings of the Huntsville Simulation Conference.  By The Society for Modeling and Simulation International, San Diego, CA. Reprinted by permission.

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