The purpose of this research was to correlate the applied material properties of stretch film with its elastic properties measured in a laboratory setting. There are currently no tools available for a packaging engineer to make a scientific decision on how one stretch film performs against another without applying the film. The system for stretch wrap comparison is mostly based on trial and error which can lead to a significant loss of product when testing a new film or shipping a new product for the first time. If the properties of applied stretch film could be predicted using a tensile test method, many different films could be compared at once without actually applying the film, saving time and money and reducing risk. The current method for evaluating the tensile properties of stretch film advises the user apply a hysteresis test to a standard sample size and calculate several standard engineering values. This test does not represent how the material is actually used. Therefore, a new tensile testing method was developed that considers the film gauge (thickness) and its prestretch. The results of this testing method allowed for the calculation of the material stiffness (Bisha Stiffness) and were used to predict its performance in unit load containment. Applied stretch film is currently compared measuring containment force, which current standards define as the amount of force required to pull out a 15.2cm diameter plate, 10.1cm out, located 25.4cm down from the top and 45.7cm over from the side of a standard 121.9cm width unit load. Given this definition, increasing the amount of force required to pull the plate out can be achieved by manipulating two different stretch film properties, either increasing the stiffness of the film or increasing the tension of the film across the face of the unit load during the application process. Therefore, for this research, the traditional definition of containment force has been broken down into two components. Applied film stiffness was defined as the amount of force required to pull the film a given distance off the unit load. Containment force was defined as the amount of force that an applied film exerts on the corner of the unit load. The applied stretch film was evaluated using two different methods. The first method used the standard 10.1cm pull plate (same plate as ASTM D 4649) to measure the force required to pull the film out at different increments from the center on the face of the unit load. This measurement force was transformed into a material stiffness and film tension (which were subsequently resolved into containment force). The second, newly developed, method involved wrapping a bar under the film, on the corner of the unit load, and pulling out on the bar with a tensile testing machine. This method allowed for the direct measurement of the containment force and material stiffness. The results indicated that while some statistically significant differences were found for certain films, the material stiffness and containment were relatively consistent and comparable using either method.The use of the Bisha Stiffness to predict the applied stiffness and containment force yielded a statistically significant correlation but with a very low coefficient of determination. These results suggest that while film thickness and prestretch are key variables that can predict applied stiffness and containment force, more research should be conducted to study other variables that may allow for a better. High variability of the predictions observed were caused by the differences in film morphology between the different method of elongation (tensile vs application). This study was the first that attempted to define and correlate the tensile properties of stretch film and the applied properties of stretch film. From this research many, terms have been clarified, myths have been dispelled, formulas have been properly derived and applied to the data collected and a clear path forward had been laid out for future researchers to be able to predict applied stiffness and containment force from the elastic properties of stretch film. / Ph. D.

Global industrialization was developed in response to both consumers and manufacturers demand for lower product prices and availability of goods and services. As a result, products are transported greater distances. Shipping constitutes the majority of costs in the export/import supply chain. Shippers and buyers commonly attempt to offset these costs by maximizing the capacity of ocean freight containers (cube or weight). Boxes (usually constructed of corrugated fiberboard) containing consumer grade products are commonly floor loaded into containers to maximize capacity. Boxes that are not floor loaded are likely to be unitized on pallets in containers. Beyond maximizing a container with cargo, a defined decision to determine which method of loading is most efficient in regard to cost and time does not exist. For this research, field studies were conducted and questionnaires were distributed to identify the variables that influence efficiency. A method to make an efficient decision was developed by incorporating the variables into a model. The model compares the overall export/import supply chain efficiency for boxes that are floor loaded to boxes that are unitized on pallets in containers. The recommended decision is determined by comparing the shipping and handling costs and the receiving dock door capability for the two loading methods. The results of this research reveal that floor loading boxes can provide a higher value per container due to increased capacity. Increased capacity by floor loading often reduces the number of containers needed to meet daily demand. However, since manual labor is utilized for the loading/unloading process, more time is required, which results in higher labor costs and restricted product throughput. Unitized boxes loaded in containers on pallets can limit container capacity, but allows for faster loading/unloading times (if no incompatibilities between product and pallet or pallet and/or material handling equipment exist), reduced labor costs, and the potential for increased product throughput. Importing boxes unitized on pallets commonly requires more containers to meet demand, but fewer receiving dock doors. Utilizing fewer dock doors allows otherwise occupied doors to be available to receive additional product. The decision to floor load or unitize exports/imports needs to be made on a SKU basis meeting daily demand, not only per container capacity. Labor cost, pallet cost, the magnitude of box variation between loading methods, and the ability of the receiver to process containers are all influencing factors in determining which loading method is most overall efficient. Given the current cost for containerized shipments and considering all costs, most consumer goods are more efficiently shipped floor loaded. When additional containers would be needed to meet demand for product unitized on pallets, floor loading will be more efficient. When there is only a small difference in box count between floor loading and palletizing, palletizing product will be more efficient. This will often occur when loads will meet container weight capacity before it reaches volume capacity. If the product is too heavy to move manually it will be palletized. / Ph. D.

Slips, trips, and falls are a serious public health concern, particularly among older adults and within occupational settings, given that falls contribute to a large number of injuries and associate with high medical costs. To reduce the number of falls, there is a need to better understand risk factors contributing to falls, and to develop and evaluate improved balance training interventions to prevent falls. To address these needs, this work has two primary goals: first, to better understand risk factors contributing to falls, including fatigue and balance reactions after a large postural perturbation, and, second, to develop and evaluate improved reactive balance training (RBT) interventions to reduce risk of falls due to slipping and tripping. The first study investigated the effects of performing occupationally-relevant fatigue-inducing physical work on trip and fall risk. Healthy young adults performed a simulated manual material handling (MMH) task, using either heavy or light boxes, for two hours. Gait measures related to risk of tripping and slipping were assessed before and after the task. Reactive balance during one laboratory-induced trip was also assessed after the task. Results showed that performing the heavy MMH task did not affect risk of tripping or slipping, or reactive balance after tripping. These results may have resulted from insufficient fatigue due to the MMH task. The second study investigated the relationship between feet kinematics upon slipping while walking, and the outcome of the slip. Seventy-one laboratory-induced slips were analyzed, which included recoveries, feet-split falls, feet-forward falls, and lateral falls. Feet kinematics differed between these four slip outcomes, and a discriminant model including six measures of feet kinematics correctly predicted 87% of slip outcomes. Two potentially modifiable characteristics of feet kinematics upon slipping that can improve the likelihood of successfully averting a fall were identified: (1) quickly arresting the motion of the slipping foot; and (2) a recovery step that places the trailing toe approximately 0-10% body height anterior to the sacrum. This information may be used to guide the development of improved RBT interventions to reduce risk of slip-induced falls. The third study evaluated the efficacy of two low-cost, low-tech RBT methods for improving reactive balance after slipping. The two methods were: unexpected slip training (UST), which involved repeated unexpected slips while walking and volitional slip-recovery training (VST), which involved practicing balance reactions after volitionally inducing a slip-like perturbation. Young adults completed one session of an assigned intervention (UST, VST, or control), followed by one unexpected, laboratory-induced slip while walking. Compared to controls, UST and VST resulted in a higher proportion of successful balance recoveries from the laboratory-induced slips. UST improved both proactive control and reactive stepping after slipping, while VST primarily improved the ability to arrest slipping foot motion. These results support the use of UST and VST as practical, low-tech methods of slip training. The fourth study evaluated the efficacy of RBT that targets both slipping and tripping. Community-dwelling, healthy older adults (61-75 years) completed four sessions of either RBT (treadmill-based trip-recovery training and VST) or control training (general strength and balance exercises). Reactive balance during unexpected laboratory-induced slips and trips was assessed before and after RBT, and compared between subjects at baseline (before the intervention), after control training, and after RBT. The incidence of slip-induced falls differed between groups in that 80% fell at baseline, 60% fell after control training, and 18% fell after RBT. Post-RBT subjects also exhibited less severe slips, compared to baseline and post-control subjects. The incidence of trip-induced falls did not differ between groups, but margin of stability after tripping was greater for post-RBT subjects, compared to post-control subjects. These results show promise for the use of RBT applied to both slipping and tripping to reduce fall risk among older adults. / Doctor of Philosophy / Slips, trips, and falls are a serious public health concern, given that falls contribute to a large number of injuries and deaths. Falls are particularly concerning among older adults, who are reported to fall more frequently, and within occupational settings, where falls cause a larger number of injuries and a significant economic burden. To reduce the number of falls, there is a need to better understand risk factors contributing to falls, and to develop and evaluate improved balance training interventions to prevent falls. Four studies were conducted to address these needs: two studies aimed to better understand risk factors contributing to falls, including fatigue and balance reactions after slipping, and two studies aimed to develop and evaluate improved balance training interventions to reduce risk of falls due to slipping and tripping. This work focused on slipping and tripping, because slips and trips are reported to cause a large number of injuries and falls among both workers and older adults. The first study investigated the effect of performing occupationally-relevant fatigue-inducing physical work on trip and fall risk among healthy young adults, and results showed that performing a simulated manual material handling task (i.e. moving and stacking boxes using a two-wheeled dolly) did not affect risk of tripping and falling. The second study investigated the relationship between balance reactions after slipping and the outcome of the slip. Results showed that balance reactions of the feet predicted the outcome of the slip (i.e. recovering balance or one of three types of slip-induced falls) with 87% accuracy. We also identified characteristics of balance reactions that can improve the likelihood of successfully averting a fall. The third study evaluated the efficacy of two low-tech reactive balance training (RBT) methods for reducing slip-induced fall risk among young adults. These methods involved practicing balance reactions after slip-like perturbations, induced either unexpectedly or volitionally. Results showed that both RBT methods improved reactive balance after slipping, but through different mechanisms. The fourth study evaluated the efficacy of a RBT intervention targeting both slipping and tripping among older adults. Results showed that RBT improved reactive balance during both slipping and tripping, and reduced the incidence of slip-induced falls. In conclusion, these results help to better understand risk factors contributing to falls, and support the use of practical reactive balance training interventions targeting both slipping and tripping to reduce fall risk.

Titel: Hur leker lika barn bäst? – Utvecklande av generella riktlinjer vid förhandlingar mellansvenska inköpsavdelningar och tyska leverantörerFörfattare: Karin Axelsson, Martina Hult och Sara SvenbladHandledare: Lisa MelanderBAKGRUND: Många studier har bedrivits om förhandlingsmönster, och på senare tid äveninternationella sådana. Detta på grund av internationaliseringen som ägt rum under de senasteårtiondena. Man har fokuserat på att beskriva svårigheter och utmaningar i exempelvis västerländsk-asiatisk förhandling, medan förhandlingar mellan två västerländska parter som allmäntanses vara relativt lika varandra har fått betydligt mindre uppmärksamhet. Den geografiska,kulturella och språkliga närheten vilseleder oss att tro att interaktioner av olika slag inte innebärnågra svårigheter för tyska respektive svenska parter. Vi hävdar att svensk-tysk förhandlinginnebär vissa utmaningar och att denna typ av förhandling kräver extra uppmärksamhet ijämförelse med en nationell förhandling, och att det är möjligt att utveckla vissa generellariktlinjer som man som svensk förhandlare bör ta i beaktande innan och under en förhandlingmed en tysk motpart.SYFTE: Att utveckla generella riktlinjer inför förhandlingar för svenska inköpsavdelningarsom kommer att förhandla med tyska leverantörer.GENOMFÖRANDE: Det empiriska materialet har samlats in via kvalitativa, semistruktureradeintervjuer med Exportrådet i Berlin, Tysk-Svenska Handelskammaren, SAAB Aerosystems,Toyota Material Handling Europe samt Scania. Samtliga har erfarenhet av förhandlingarmed Tyskland. Det teoretiska materialet har samlats in genom diverse relevant litteraturi form av böcker och artiklar.RESULTAT: Tyskland ses överlag som en önskvärd partner i förhandlingar då svenskar ochtyskar anses ha liknande tankesätt om hur förhandlingar bör struktureras och genomföras.Dock finns vissa moment som man som svensk förhandlare bör vara medveten om för attåstadkomma bästa möjliga utfall av förhandlingen. En modell har tagits fram i enlighet meddet material som framkommit under intervjuerna med respondenterna. Denna modell kan användassom riktlinje för vad man bör ta i beaktande och lägga vikt vid inför en förhandlingmed en tysk motpart. De faktorer som vi menar är extra kritiska och som svenska förhandlarebör överväga noggrant inför den ovan nämnda förhandlingssituationen är förberedelse, tydlighet, respekt för tid samt korrekthet. Alla dessa strategiska faktorer bör tas i beaktande medhjälp av en medvetenhet som skall finnas med genom hela förhandlingsprocessen. Vi hävdar att det faktum att samtliga av våra intervjupersoner upplever att tyskar i regel är bra förhandlingsparteroch att förhandlingar med tyska leverantörer generellt är relativt problemfria harsin grund i att intervjupersonerna dels är medvetna om de skillnader som föreligger i ländernasrespektive affärskultur, och dels att man på samtliga företag har långvariga relationer medsina leverantörer. Även det faktum att våra respondenter befinner sig i en köpsituation i förhandlingarnakan ha en inverkan på det generellt positiva utfallet.NYCKELORD: Förhandling, Tyskland, Sverige, inköp, leverantör, riktlinjer, Exportrådet,Tysk-Svenska Handelskammaren, SAAB Aerosystems, Toyota Material Handling Europe,Scania.

This dissertation focuses on the material transport system design problem (MTSDP), integrating decisions of technology selection and flow network design. This research is motivated by the design of material transport systems (MTS) in manufacturing plants. The objective is to design a MTS with minimum lifetime costs, subject to service requirements, flow network restrictions, and limited resources. We characterize the MTSDP from the perspectives of task requirements, transport technology, and space utilization. A classification is proposed for transport technologies such that instances in the same class share the same properties, and a decision framework is proposed to emphasize the inter-relationships of three major decisions: task clustering, network connecting, and technology selection. We consider fixed and variable costs, arc capacities, and empty travel in our formulations. We propose two solution approaches for the MTSDP. The first is the compact formulation (CF) approach where the three major decisions are handled by a mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP) formulation. Relaxation techniques are applied to linearize the model. The solution of the resulting linear formulation (MILP) provides a lower bound to that of MINLP. A tightened formulation reduces the computational time by a factor of 3.85. The experiment also shows that when control system costs are significant, designs with multiple-task clusters are more economical than those restricted to single-task clusters. The other approach is clustering/set partition (CSP), where the three decisions are decomposed and solved sequentially. In an example MTS design problem, three methods are compared: CSP, a GREEDY approach from the literature, and enumeration. CSP finds the optimal solution, while GREEDY results in 31% greater costs. A similar comparison with another example is made for the CF and CSP approaches. We apply the CSP approach in a case problem, using data from an auto parts manufacturer. We include flow path crossing constraints and perform experiments to determine solution quality over a range of small problem sizes. The largest difference from optimality is 3.34%, and the average is 0.98%. More importantly, based on these experiments, it seems there is no evidence that the difference percentage grows with an increase in the number of tasks.

<p>In today‟s manufacturing environment, different parts manufactured in-house and bought from suppliers are often assembled together into a finished product. Competition has made it very important for companies to deliver a customized product on a promised date. However, when inventory items are missing at the time of production, lead times for products become uncertain and this makes it difficult to fulfill a customer order on the promised date. It is thus important to explore the causes of missing items at the time of production in order to solve such a problem. This Master of Science thesis carried out through a case study at Fläkt Woods in collaboration with Jönköping University is about the problem of not finding specific inventory items in the locations specified by the computer system. It is delimited to inventory items which are physically within the company premises or which according to the computer system are within the premises of the company. The questions at issue have been what the causes of the problem of missing items within the company are and how to effectively reduce the problem. The thesis has been carried out over an entire academic semester as a full-time work in the company. The sources of the problem have been found to be the result of the work procedure, the underlying software used during work (the in-house developed ERP system), stealing from orders, ineffective barcode scans, re-sequencing at the component manufacturing department (called pre-manufacturing in the company) due to the need to fulfill multiple objectives, set-up times at the component manufacturing department and human errors among others. The suggestions given include: modification of the work procedure and the underlying software used at work, increasing effective scanning and using some checks at critical points in the material flow. Areas for further research are given to further reduce the impact of the problem on the production system.</p>

A manipulação de materiais é uma das tarefas em que comumente empregam-se robôs para substituir o trabalho humano, dadas algumas vantagens como: maior precisão na manipulação de cargas e maior velocidade de execução da tarefa, bem como por aumentar a segurança do operador. Apesar dessas vantagens, os dispositivos robóticos são largamente empregados apenas em situações em que velocidade e precisão são indispensáveis, em outros casos, os equipamentos convencionais (como talhas, gruas e macacos hidráulicos) e os dispositivos específicos (aqueles fazem uso de molas e contrapesos), vêm sendo utilizados nas tarefas cotidianas, principalmente pelo fato de, entre outros, serem menos dispendiosos. Comparando-se estas duas soluções disponíveis, tem-se que os equipamentos tradicionais, apesar de sua simplicidade e versatilidade de movimentação, apresentam limitações quando são exigidas precisão e eficiência, enquanto os dispositivos robóticos apresentam alta complexidade tanto no projeto quanto na operação, representando uma solução cara e com movimentação restrita pela programação. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo estudar e propor uma solução intermediária entre a solução convencional e a robótica. O foco do estudo é o projeto de um dispositivo simplificado, que faz uso de molas e de um sistema de alavanca para manipular cargas. Um estudo preliminar desse mecanismo mostrou imperfeições quanto à força de contrabalanceamento. Com o intuito de corrigir esse erro foi usado um sistema de controle, que é constituído por um motor elétrico, um mecanismo de correção, sensores e um módulo controlador. O dispositivo proposto apresenta um controle simplificado, vez que a movimentação é feita exclusivamente pelo operador, possibilitando assim que o dispositivo apresente um baixo consumo de energia. Um protótipo é desenvolvido e os testes demonstraram a eficácia da solução. / The material handling is one task in which robot is commonly employed to replace the human work because it has some advantages such as, higher precision in the handling and higher speed of the task, and to increase operator safety. Despite these advantages, the robotic device is most employed only in situation that speed and precision are essential; in other cases, the conventional equipments (such as hydraulic jacks, cranes and pulley systems) and the specific device (which use springs and counterweight), have been used in daily tasks mainly because of they are less expensive. Comparing these two solutions, it is possible to say that the conventional devices, despite its simplicity and guidance, have limitations when the task requires precision and speed, while the robotic solution has higher complexity in both design and in operation, representing an expensive solution with a programming that restrict the movement. In this context, the present work has the objective the study and development of an intermediate solution between the conventional solution and the robotic device. The proposed study is based on a simplified device, which uses springs and a lever system to handle material. A preliminary study on this mechanism shows imperfections in balance force. In order to correct this error, a control system is used. The control system is constituted by an electric motor, a correcting mechanism, sensors and a controller. The proposed device presents simple control because movements are responsibility of the human operator moreover presents low power consumption, due to the use of springs. A prototype is developed and tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the solution.

<p><strong>Aim:</strong> More and more organizations worldwide want to develop products for global markets. At the same time, they need to make their products available in the global market to be competitive. One of today's trends to solve this problem of making products in the global market is by involving logistics to manage complex distribution requirements. Organizations have developed strategic alliances with companies all over the world to manage their logistics operations network. (www.chrobinson.com).</p><p>My research was aimed at understanding the coordination of logistics activities at the terminal.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Method:</strong> I based my study on a combination of descriptive and exploratory type. As regards descriptive I presented my data collected in a descriptive analysis. Also I used the exploratory research to know exactly the implementation of logistics activities at Schenker's terminal and also to observe the activities, conduct interviews and administer questionnaires.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Result & Conclusions:</strong> The major results of my findings revealed that the existing management procedure of the outbound logistics system at Schenker terminal which involves material handling, transportation, distribution, cross-docking, customer service and information systems could not be seen as lean and agile. This is because of the existence of many problems faced by the terminal such as congestion, flows inefficiencies, excess scrap, too much manual documentation,  delays in deliveries, damages, poor customer service, return goods, idle equipment (forklift and trucks) and personal and high cost of operations.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Suggestions for future research:</strong> The study is limited in the sense that it does not include the whole supply chain; the terminal is just a part in the supply chain and whatever problems that are encountered are not experienced in the whole supply chain. This could lead to a broader basis of a future research project.</p>

Logistics plays a crucial role in companies’ ability to sustain competitive on the market. Time is regarded as one of the important metric in terms of logistics, since time influences the lead time of the products, which results in the vital advantage of speed. The recent business environment forces Kinnarps Production AB, a manufacturer of furniture, to optimize their inventory material flow in a way of increasing their capability and capacity to load more distribution containers with goods daily. The present circumstances of the material flow are associated with number of negative factors. An automated guided vehicle (AGV) system is operating and handling the distribution of goods. Wrong sequence of activities, long transportations, high transportation delays, waiting time, varying numbers of AGVs, wastes, bottlenecks are among the important issues to be considered. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the material flow in Kinnarps Production AB’s inventory seven and to improve the AGV system activities within. Concepts associated with identifying waste were used by separating value-adding activities from the non-value added ones. The usage of ideal reference systems techniques were the base for identifying problems. Concrete literature regarding AGV’s design system was applied in establishing different statements about the material flow and identification of problems. Different methods and techniques were used in approaching the research, but most above others is the case study approach. Numerous amounts of secondary data have been employed in verifying the collection of other data carried out by primary data collection as well as verifying the qualitative and quantitative analysis. A mapping of the current system was established with respect to orders, times and distances. Numbers of congestion points were identified, non-value adding activities were eliminated or decreased, rearrangement of sequencing of different activities was considered and different pallets arrangement system was established. A stochastic model was used in identifying the AGV’s time variables in the system and estimating appropriate amount of AGVs within the inventory. All the findings from different calculations and estimations were associated with Kinnarps Production’s future increased demand. Different issues and considerations were analyzed and appropriate suggestions were given for elimination of the negative factors in the inventory or their decrease. Among the most influencing results was the proper amount of AGVs in the inventory area, pallets rearrangement, different stocking policy, rearrangement in the sequence of activities, increase of the buffer for pallets used for loading containers, new conveyor system for the incoming goods in the inventory, transportation layout changes resulting in blocking free routines, separate control system, decrease of the effect of stoppages. All these findings are considered to optimize the material flow and increase the system capacity contributing to an increase of the daily containers outgoing from Kinnarps Production AB.

In today‟s manufacturing environment, different parts manufactured in-house and bought from suppliers are often assembled together into a finished product. Competition has made it very important for companies to deliver a customized product on a promised date. However, when inventory items are missing at the time of production, lead times for products become uncertain and this makes it difficult to fulfill a customer order on the promised date. It is thus important to explore the causes of missing items at the time of production in order to solve such a problem. This Master of Science thesis carried out through a case study at Fläkt Woods in collaboration with Jönköping University is about the problem of not finding specific inventory items in the locations specified by the computer system. It is delimited to inventory items which are physically within the company premises or which according to the computer system are within the premises of the company. The questions at issue have been what the causes of the problem of missing items within the company are and how to effectively reduce the problem. The thesis has been carried out over an entire academic semester as a full-time work in the company. The sources of the problem have been found to be the result of the work procedure, the underlying software used during work (the in-house developed ERP system), stealing from orders, ineffective barcode scans, re-sequencing at the component manufacturing department (called pre-manufacturing in the company) due to the need to fulfill multiple objectives, set-up times at the component manufacturing department and human errors among others. The suggestions given include: modification of the work procedure and the underlying software used at work, increasing effective scanning and using some checks at critical points in the material flow. Areas for further research are given to further reduce the impact of the problem on the production system.