The purpose of this thesis is to test the hypothesis, derived from neo-classical micro-economic theory, that other things being equal the more concentrated an industry becomes, the more likely it is that firms in that industry can pursue monopolistic practices and thereby earn greater profits than would otherwise be possible if there were more firms in that industry. The method of study employed is the application of regression and correlation analysis to a cross-sectional sample of Canadian industry. The results of this study lead one to the conclusion that concentration and profits are positively correlated, thus supporting the hypothesis. However, concentration explains only about 10 per cent of the variation in industry profit rates in the cross-section. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate

M.Ing. / As the manufacturing environment evolved over the past century, the nature of investments in manufacturing capabilities changed dramatically. Automation can be seen as the single biggest driver of this evolution; enabling the manufacturing fraternity to develop smarter technology in order to exploit the opportunities that were created by the volatility that exist in most markets. This lead to the development of flexible manufacturing technology. Constructing a definition of manufacturing flexibility is difficult mainly due to the various views and perspectives that exist of flexibility. In short, flexibility can be defined as the ability to react ( to any change ) with little penalty in time, effort, cost or performance. These technologies that enable a manufacturing system to be flexible in a certain manner are generally difficult to justify in terms of traditional financial yardsticks. This can be contributed to the diverse benefits to be gained from these investments; and often these benefits are of a nonfinancial nature. Furthermore, when reviewing investments in flexible manufacturing technology within a process environment there appears to be an even bigger problem. The relatively fixed nature of the design output of process equipment, and the enormous quantities of capital outlay initially required to erect and commission process plants, often makes it near impossible to justify any investment that does not deliver good financial returns within the short term. Thus it becomes clear that the traditional methods of investment appraisal within the process environment have become generally unsuitable; and this call for a re-evaluation of the processes applied to guide value adding investments. This study set out to deliver a logical approach to appraising investments in manufacturing flexibility by defining a framework to be applied. The proposed framework consists of the following 4 primary steps. Firstly the strategic direction followed by the business is defined; then an analysing of the manufacturing flexibility required is performed. The third step is to evaluate the manufacturing technology available and furthermore a suitable performance measured criteria is defined to evaluate the proposed investment. This model is set within the strategic context of the manufacturing strategy of a business and thus should ensure the development of manufacturing capabilities that will ensure business growth over the medium to long term.

see document / Master of Science

<p>This research addresses a two-dimensional stock cutting problem encountered at the New River Valley Workshop (NRV), Inc. in Radford, VA. This research considers recent literature on two-dimensional stock cutting techniques, pattern generating methods, solution approaches, and practical problem considerations in addressing the NRV cutting problem. Linear Programming analysis is applied to NRV's two-dimensional cutting problem. A computer-based implementation of the LP solution methodology is developed and used to solve NRV cutting problems. Test data and sample problems are used to demonstrate the efficiency, speed and accuracy of the computer-based system. Solution results from test data are compared to current NRV performance, illustrating the significant improvements in solution time and stock utilization that can be attained through the use of LP techniques and this computer-based implementation. / Master of Science

This work posits Layered Assembly as a novel, additive manufacturing method which usesvoxels as feedstock to fabricate multi-material objects at order-of-magnitude faster build rates than established additive manufacturing methods. Instead of using resins, filaments, and powders as raw materials, Layered Assembly uses premanufactured bits of matter called voxels, to fabricate truly multi-material, multi-functional parts. The implementation of Layered Assembly in this work is carried out by parallel electrostatic grippers. Electrostatic grippers are chosen as the gripping mechanism as they are solid-state, material-agnostic, adept at grasping millimeter-scale parts, and parallelize well to enable scalable high deposition rates. Most importantly, electrostatic grippers can apply localized electrostatic fields which results in highly selective grasping capability at the millimeter and sub-millimeter scale. The parallel gripping capabilities of electrostatic grippers were characterized for gripping repeatability, and then demonstrated by the fabrication of increasingly complex multi-material parts. Fabricated parts include a letter “C” comprised of 8 voxels, an 18 voxel pyramids and two parts comprised of tens of thousands of voxels. Experiments determined a > 95% gripping reliability independent of array size. The experiments in work have shown parallel electrostatic grippers to be a promising method for both material deposition and parallel pick-and-place manipulation.

A methodology is developed to determine cost"effective hierarchical computer control network designs for flexible manufacturing systems. By modeling the hierarchical control system (HCS) as a resource allocation problem, an optimal hardware configuration is identified using dynamic programing. Being independent of specific computer hardware technology, the model can address present and future automated manufacturing systems. A simulation model is developed to evaluate operational dynamics of the specified system configuration, analyze HCS component performance characteristics, and evaluate hardware and software in real simulation time. The model also simulates continuous system dynamics, as found in optimal adaptive control systems. / Ph. D.

A conceptual framework for the design and performance evaluation of flexible manufacturing cells (FMCS) based on the strategic objectives of firms was developed. Four different types of manufacturing task profiles were identified based on the primary manufacturing task, product characteristics, and manufacturing system characteristics of a strategic business unit (SBU). Performance measures were discussed for each of the manufacturing task profiles, and the task profiles of firms likely to implement FMCs were identified. A methodology, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), introduced by Saaty, was developed to prioritize the manufacturing objectives of an FMC. The implications of each of the manufacturing objectives for an FMC were hypothesized and related performance measures identified. An interactivecomputer-based model, based on the theory of closed network-of–queues, was then developed to aid in the preliminary design and evaluation on an FMC. Field work was carried out to determine the practical applicability of the conceptual framework. Visits to a company in the Southeastern United States were made and an analysis of the FMC being developed in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, at Virginia Tech was conducted. The framework developed in this research was used to determine the manufacturing task profile of the company, identify key performance measures, and exercise the AHP methodology for one cell. Operational measures were then calculated for the FMC, using the computer-based model. / Master of Science

This thesis develops a framework to guide the incremental design and implementation of a Computer-Integrated Manufacturing System (CIMS). The framework is premised upon the facts that: (1) CIMS design is accomplished through a series of evaluation decisions sequenced through time and (2) evaluation is accomplished by decomposing the entire manufacturing organization into its essential activities and transactions. The effects of computerization on these activities and transactions are determined and these effects are then related to impacts on a set of selected evaluation criteria. Formal methods for benefit quantification are not included. The user of this framework is required to: (1) specify a set of relevant evaluation criteria, (2) define essential activities and transactions of their organization, and (3) derive organization-specific affect/impact relationships. The framework structures these activities for the user and suggests a series of matrices that can be used to guide the user through the steps of the framework. Use of the framework is demonstrated as various aspects of an implementation decision currently being faced by a manufacturing organization are analyzed. The implementation decision concerns whether to implement a computerized production planning and scheduling system and aspects of the decision which are considered include impacts on organizational flexibility, responsiveness, and skills. The required changes in authority relationships and the assignment of task responsibilities are also considered. Using results from this case study, the usefulness and appropriateness of the framework was assessed. Although there was no quantitative measure available, the client deemed the framework useful for analyzing and guiding their implementation decision. Suggested improvements to the framework are presented. / Master of Science

This study presents some analysis concepts and decision tools for the problems encountered in designing and implementing a flexible manufacturing system. SIM-Q, an input-generator for simulation modelling developed in this study provides a powerful and expedient tool for resolving the material handling system selection, work scheduling, input control, and real time operation problems. The problem of input control is examined using SIM-Q and the viability of operating a flexible manufacturing system as a programmable transfer line is explored. SIM-Q is also used in this study to test the robustness of CAN-Q in modelling an existing FMS. A linear zero-one linear programming model is formulated for the machine mapping and pooling problem. The system synthesis problem is solved by applying CAN-Q in an interactive computer program developed in this study. This model provides an integrated approach to the product selection and machine requirements planning problems. Finally, a dynamic decision approach to the justification of the FMS is developed and presented by imbedding queueing theory with simulation in a decision analysis framework. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Manufacturers can gain a competitive advantage through lower production cost, better quality, better efficiencies and being more flexible and dependable than its competitors. Lower production cost can be a result of first-time-right quality products and efficient production processes in terms of throughput. Low production cost is not a destination but a journey where the goalpost will always move as competitors will continuously come up with ideas to lower prices and margins have to be cut in order to stay competitive. This is where manufacturers must come up with initiatives to continuously drive its operational metrics to remain competitive. This research report will explain how Distell's biggest bottling plant, Green Park, successfully introduced Process Control to increase its quality operational metric and a Six Sigma project to reduce downtime to increase its efficiency operational metric to drive its operational costs down. Process Control was introduced as a TOM initiative with a subsequent reduction in rework due to poor quality (thousands) from R1 585 to R484. This contributed to 'first-time-right' production, better efficiencies and not tying up valuable production time with reworks. The Six Sigma principles were used on a production line to introduce initiatives to reduce changeovers and unplanned downtime to improve its GEE. This initiative has a projected benefit of R687 (thousands). The report also indicated that a 1% increase in Green Park's overall GEE will result in 1% saving of production hours resulting in a 1% saving of variable cost. This will result in an OEE of 63% that will save 226 hours and R410(thousands). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vervaardigers kan 'n kompeterende voorsprong verkry deur laer produksiekoste, beter gehalte en groter doeltreffendheid te bewerkstellig en deur meer buigbaar en betroubaar as hul teestanders te wees. Goeie gehalte produkte wat die eerste keer reg is en doeltreffende produksieprosesse vir verwerkingskapasiteit kan laer produksiekoste tot gevolg het. Lae produksiekoste is nie 'n bestemming nie, maar 'n reis waartydens die doelpale sal skuif met teestanders wat deurgaans met idees om pryse te verjaag, vorendag sal kom. Winsgrense sal moet verklein word om kompeterend te bly. Hier moet vervaardigers inisiatief aan die dag lê om hul operasionele meetbares te dryf om kompeterend te bly. Hierdie navorsingsverslag sal verduidelik hoe Distell se grootste botterings aanleg, Green Park, prosesbeheer (Process Control) suksesvol in werking gestel het om sy meetbares wat operasionele gehalte betref, te verhoog, en 'n Six Sigma-projek ingestel het om staantyd te verminder sodat sy meetbares wat operasionele doeltreffendheid betref, kan verhoog en sy operasionele koste sodoende besnoei word. Prosesbeheer is as algehele gehaltebestuursinisiatief ingestel met 'n gevolglike vermindering van herverwerking weens swak gehalte (duisende) van R1 585 na R484. Dit het bygedra tot groter doeltreffendheid met produksie wat uit die staanspoor reg is, en verhoed dat kosbare produksietyd op herverwerking gespandeer word. Die Six Sigma-beginsels is in 'n produksielyn gebruik om inisiatiewe in werking te stel om oorskakelings en onbeplande staantyd ter verbetering van die algehele toerustingsdoeltreffendheid (OEE), te verminder. Hierdie inisiatief hou 'n geprojekteerde voordeel van R687 (duisende) in. Die verslag dui verder aan dat 'n 1%-verhoging in Green Park se algehele OEE sal lei tot 'n 1% besparing in produksie-ure, wat 'n 1% besparing op veranderlike koste tot gevolg het. Dit sal tot 'n OEE van 63% lei, wat 226 uur en R410 (duisende) sal spaar.