We have described the optimal process route selection model for the PCB(printed circuit board) auto-insertion line. This PCB assembly line is known as a FFL(flexible flow line) which produces a range of products keeping the flow shop properties. Under FFL environments, we have emphasized the balancing of work-loads in order to maximize total productivity of PCB auto-insertion line. So we have developed a heuristic algorithm based on a work-order selection rule and min-max concept for the job route selection model.

Efficient operation of a component placement machine with a multi-head in a PCB assembly process is considered. The problem consists of two subproblems, which are the optimal allocation of the component tape reels in the rack and the optimal mounting sequence of the components on a printed circuit board. We analyze the problem and propose a heuristic algorithm to solve it. The heuristic can be used for the one head case too. Computational experiences on some real world problems show the effectiveness of the heuristic in terms of speed and solution quality.

The efficiency of production system is mainly considered in the viewpoints of reducing the average flow time of products and increasing the throughput rate. The performance in these viewpoints is very depending on job dispatching of each machine in real time operation, in the case jobs are released dynamically. In this research, a heuristic dynamic dispatching method is suggested for a flow shop case where new jobs with random process times are released by an interarrival time distribution and the number of waiting jobs between each pair of machines are limited. The proposed method has been compared with some priority rule-based dispatching methods by simulation and found to be superior to them.

Many themes have been studied for FMS problems. But most researches have focused on specific themes; Machine selection, Loading, Routing, Machine layout, etc. So many decision makers who want to introduce FMS to his factory, have many problems, because they do not know either what size of FMS should be introduced or what amount of money should be invested. The objective of this research is to help the decision makers who want to introduce FMS. This research consists of three major part, first, Machine selection, second, Loading, and third, Machine Layout. In the first part of the research, machines are selected with minimum cost satisfying the given demand of each part. In the second part, each operations with its required tools are allocated to those machines. In the third part the locations of each selected machines are determined. And dissimilarity coefficients between each pair of machines are calculated as the measure of distance. With above three steps, we have selected machines, allocated operations to those machines, and the layout configuration of those machines. And for each three steps, Mixed Integer Programming models are formulated. In order to solve the large problems and reduce the computer execution time, three heuristic algorithms are developed for the three mixed integer programming models.

An independent set of nodes is a set of nodes no two of which are joined by an edge. An independent set is called maximal if no more nodes can be added to the set without destroying its independence. The greatest number of maximal independent set is the maximum possible number of maximal independent set of a graph. We consider the greatest number of maximal independent set in connected graphs with fixed numbers of edges and nodes. For arbitrary number of nodes with a certain class of number of edges, we present the connected graphs with the greatest number of maximal independent set. For a given class of number of edges, the structure of graphs with the greatest number of maximal independent set is that the two components are completely joined; one consists of disjoint triangles as many as possible and the other is the complete graph with remaining nodes.

Output analysis is one of the most important fields of simulation to achieve the accurate simulation results. This study shows how to analyze simulation output data in the steady state using Procrustes analysis technique which has not been used in the field of simulation yet. In this paper Procrustes analysis method is used to perform the analysis of simulation output efficiently and effectively by applying the improved version of the method. The experiments are conducted using M/M/1 queueing simulation model. The results obtained by Procrustes analysis method show better estimates for average waiting times and average queue lengths which are closer to true values and narrower confidence intervals than when replication-deletion method is used. Also it requires the smaller number of simulation runs.

An interactive and iterative control panel layout method based on the constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) technique was developed to generate an ergonomically sound panel design. This control panel layout method attempts to incorporate a variety of relevant ergonomic principles and design constraints, and generate an optimal or, at least, a "satisfactory" solution through an efficient search algorithm. The problem of seeking an ergonomically sound panel design should be viewed as a multi-criteria design problem and most of the design objectives should be understood as constraints. Hence, a CSP technique was employed in this study for dealing with the multi-constraints layout problem. The efficient search algorithm using "preprocess" and "look_ahead" procedures was developed to handle vast amount of computation. In order to apply the CSP technique to the panel layout procedure, the ergonomic principles such as spatial compatibility, frequency-of-use, importance, functional grouping, and sequence-of-use were formalized as CSP terms. The effectiveness of the proposed panel layout method was evaluated by example problems and the results clearly showed that the generated layouts properly considered various ergonomic design principles.

Toguchi method is a systematic technique for designing high quality product at low cost. There are three steps in the Toguchi method, 1)system design, 2)parameter design, and 3)tolerance design. This paper considers the tolerance design for multiple performance characteristics which is practically important. We present two tolerance design procedures : grade selection and tolerance determining procedures. In grade selection procedure a scheme is presented that minimizes the sum of the price of low-level characteristics and the expected loss due to the variations of high-level characteristics. In tolerance determining procedure we determine the tolerances of the low-level characteristics.

A radial basis hybrid neural network (RHNN) is presented for an on-line detection of machine condition change. Two-phase modeling by RHNN is designed for describing a machine condition process and for predicting future signal. A moving block procedure is also designed for detecting a process change. A fast on-line learning algorithm, the recursive least square estimation, is introduced. Experimental results showed the RHNN could be utilized efficiently for on-line machine condition monitoring.

Demand forecasting is to estimate the demand of customers for products and services. Since the future is uncertain in nature, it is too difficult for us to predict exactly what will happen. Therefore, when the forecasting is performed upon the uncertain future, it is realistic to estimate the value of demand as an interval or a fuzzy number instead of a crisp number. In this paper, we propose a demand forecasting method using the standard back-propagation algorithm and then we extend the method to the case of interval inputs. Next, we demonstrate that the proposed method using the interval neural networks can represent the fuzziness of forecasting values as intervals. Last, we propose a demand forecasting method using the transformed input variables that can be obtained by taking account of the degree of influence between an input and an output.

The assemblability is determined by the structure of product and the relationship between composing parts and machining parts. In this paper, the bolt was divided into bolt-head, -shaft, -thread and -end. For higher assemblability in bolting process, it was analyzed the geometric and technological characteristics of bolts were analysed regarding pre- and in-assembly process. And this paper presents the knowledge-based expert system to assist for designer in the processor of designing bolt for easier assembly. The developed expert system for supporting bolt design assemblability which is named as BDFA SYSTEM consists of two system such as "BOLT DESIGN SYSTEM" which provide feasible assembly bolt design to designer and "EVALUATION SYSTEM" which provide assembly evaluation to alternative of bolt design.

In an order-oriented production system such as mold manufacturing, the production starts with an order acceptance, and the production planning is set up according to the accepted order information. Such a work can be done through a dynamic process management system which can reflect shop floor situation dynamically. In this paper, so called the Quick order acceptance evaluation system that can investigate order confirmation quickly, is discussed. When an order is asked, this system must consider the time constraint to determine whether to accept or not, and must be reliable when the determined results are used in the shop floor. For this system, firstly, we simplified the machines by grouping based on their operation capabilities, secondly, we conducted load analysis to calculate available capacities during given periods using heuristic method instead of mathematical algorithm, thirdly, expert can input his experienced knowledge into the system interactively when simulation results don't meet the required due dates. As a case study, we applied this system to an injection mold manufacturing factory.