In this study we consider the problem of production planning of TFT-LCD(Thin Film Transistor - Liquid Crystal Display) production factory. Due to the complexities of the TFT-LCD production processes, it is difficult to schedule the production planning, and the study about automated scheduler is insufficient. In addition, the existing production method is a Push-System to raise the operation rate with expensive equipment, that has the problem to satisfy the due-date. This study presents an algorithm having a concept of Pull-System that satisfies the due-date and considers specialties of TFT-LCD production process. We make MPS(Master Production Schedule) according to the sales order, and present algorithms for scheduling about In/Out plan considering factory capacity, line balancing, material requirement, and inventory level of all Array, Cell, and Module processes. These algorithms are integrated as an automated production system, and we implement them in the actual TFT-LCD factory circumstance.

In this paper, we present a restricted tabu search(RTS) algorithm that schedules jobs on identical parallel machines in order to minimize the maximum lateness of jobs. Jobs have release times and due dates. Also, sequence-dependent setup times exist between jobs. The RTS algorithm consists of two main parts. The first part is the MATCS(Modified Apparent Tardiness Cost with Setups) rule that provides an efficient initial schedule for the RTS. The second part is a search heuristic that employs a restricted neighborhood generation scheme with the elimination of non-efficient job moves in finding the best neighborhood schedule. The search heuristic reduces the tabu search effort greatly while obtaining the final schedules of good quality. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm gives better solutions quickly than the existing heuristic algorithms such as the RHP(Rolling Horizon Procedure) heuristic, the basic tabu search, and simulated annealing.

In order to build a new factory, we must have answers regarding the following questions; 1. what is to be produced? 2. how are the products to be produced? 3. how much of each product will be produced? The answers are related to product-design, process-design and capacity-design respectively and they are used for layout-design as the input data. Especially capacity design decision provides the information regarding the number of equipments required and the balance of the line. This paper introduces a case study on the capacity design for a new factory where the retainers of ball bearing are manufactured. A simulation model is developed with ARENA for analyzing the system considered. The major objectives of the study are evaluating the performance of the line which is originally suggested by the company, and finding out alternatives for improving the system. Number of WIP between the processes are also investigated because it affects the space planning of the layout.

Virtual Manufacturing is a technology to facilitate effective product development and agile production by computer models representing the physical and logical schema and the behavior of real manufacturing systems including manufacturing resources, environments and products. For the successful application of this technology, a virtual factory as a well-designed and integrated environment is essential. In this research, we constructed a sophisticated virtual factory model of an automotive company's paint shop, and performed precise simulations of unit cells, lines and whole plant operations for collision check and off-line programming. It is expected that this virtual paint shop is useful for achieving time and cost savings in many manufacturing preparation and planning activities of new car development processes.

This paper developed an operating software for the manufacturing cell of a model plant. The model plant, which was manufactured by Fishertechnik, consists of an assembly cell, a machining cell, and supplementary material handling equipments. Each I/O module of the model plant communicates with the INTERBUS controller devices via High-level Language Interface(HLI). The machining center has two machining cells, which consists of 4 machines respectively, two 3-axis portal transporters, and a rail guided vehicle(RGV). The Petri-Net was used to investigate the dynamics of each machining cell, e.g., the relation of material handling equipments and machines. The operating software was analyzed and designed by Object Oriented Technique. The software was implemented using Delphi 3.0 under Windows 95/NT operating system.

In this paper, we design and implement a real-time route guidance system(RGS) in large-scale networks. Coupled with the well-known mathematical routing algorithms, we devise an RGS for knowledge aquisition and self-learning ability within the framework of the expert system. Through off-line construction of database, on-line treatment of unexpected traffic accidents, etc., the developed RGS can provide drivers with good quality real-time routing information. The practical effectiveness of the proposed system is demonstrated in terms of response time and route appropriateness.

This paper deals with planning of order-picking warehouse considering the batch order picking for transportation equipments to pick consumers' orders at a time among order-picking methods and a systematic approach method in order to analyze the order-picking warehouse which can perform optimal operation. To estimate an operating time of transportation equipments to carry out order-picking, this paper suggests three operations : first, to design the refrigerated warehouse using warehouse design parameters, second, to calculate the travel time of transporters considering four types of times with the probabilistic picking frequency, and third, to analyze an order-picking warehouse to construct a simulation model with the AutoMod as a simulation tool. We apply this model to a refrigerated warehouse company in Busan.

The internet call systems using CTI(Computer Telephony Integration) functions are designed with system configuration, DFD(Data Flow Diagram) and ERD(Entity Relationship Diagram) in this paper. The internet call systems are constructed to cooperate with conventional CTI call center. The internet phone calls occurred from the web browser of customer can be connected throughout VoIP gateway and PBX to many counselors. The internet call systems can provide various services; customer information service, escorted browsing service, text chatting service, text sharing service, conference service, and statistical analysis service.

An efficient mobility management for mobile stations plays an important role in mobile communication network. In this study, we consider movement-based registration(MBR) and distance-based registration(DBR). Analytical models based on 2-dimensional random walk in hexagonal cell configuration are considered to analyze the performance of MBR and DBR. Especially, we focus on the derivation of the registration cost of DBR scheme by using two analytical methods and then show that DBR always outperforms MBR. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate optimal condition under various circumstances.

This case study provides a market analysis methodology for overseas markets by applying statistical tools and the Six Sigma approach. The study suggests a procedure with seven steps to improve brands position in the market. These steps consist of interviewing consumers and floor salesmen of stores, surveying, analysis of correlation between brand position and customers satisfaction, analysis of relationship with companies and customer satisfaction factors, analysis of the customer satisfaction gap between companies, evaluating the importance of customer satisfaction factors, and suggestion for enhancement of brand position. The Six Sigma approach such as "Define", "Measure" and "Analyze" is used in this procedure, which is part of Six Sigma procedure, D-M-A-I-C (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). Minitab and SAS are used for the statistical analysis.

In many cases, the result of a road traffic accident can be described with more than one response variables. Nonetheless, most of the existing road accident data analysis deal with only one response variable and try to explain why it occurs. In this paper, we train association rules for a set of more than two response variables conditional on personal, environmental and vehicular/behavioral aspects of accident. Association rules are derived at 8% support and 70% confidence from the 1996 data of three police stations in Korea. We expect that these rules can contribute to effective safety practice in Korea.

When the trailing edge and leading edge of an airfoil contour of high pressure compressor blades are measured, there exists a measurement error due to the size of the probe stylus ball diameter. In the paper an experimental study is provided to determine the optimum diameter of the probe stylus in inspecting the airfoil of the high pressure compressor blade. The measurement and analysis procedure suggested in this paper will be helpful to those who are involved in measuring and inspecting various types of blades.

In this paper, we study to evaluate the relative time required to perform the CT scanning in the PACS versus a film-based system and helical versus non-helical studies. Time studies were performed in 175 consecutive CT scanning. Images from 85 examinations were electronically transferred to a PACS, and 90 were printed to film. The time required to obtain and electronically transfer the images or print the images to film and make the current and previous studies available to the radiologists for interpretation was recorded. The time required for a radiological technologist to complete a CT test was reduced by 43% with the PACS compared with the film-based system and nonhelical was reduced 10~20% with helical studies. This reduction was due to the elimination of a transfer and printing, such as the printing at window or level settings. The use of PACS can result in the elimination of time tasks for the radiological technologist, resulting in marked reduction in examination time. This reduction can result in decreased cost and increased productivity in PACS operation.

Recently, the interest in technology valuation is revived and increasing mainly due to the lack of suitability of the traditional valuation methods in explaining the market reaction to newly-emerging knowledge-oriented companies. Moreover, many firms are now gearing their efforts to the strategic use of technology asset such as technology licensing, transfer and commercialization. Firms are also trying to enhance their technological competitiveness by re-evaluating their technology level and thus identifying the strengths/weaknesses of their technology portfolio. To accomplish this objective, the development of an integrated evaluation system for technology assets is essential. This paper presents a technology valuation system developed for a steel manufacturing company in South Korea. The valuation framework is based on; (1) the multi-attribute evaluation of technological competitiveness using Analytic Hierarchical Process and; (2) the expected future benefit of the technology using four different methods of discounted cash flow estimation. The suggested framework will be easily applicable to various industries where technological competitiveness should be evaluated systematically.

The volume of B2C products rapidly increases according to the activation of the electronic commerce. Small and medium electronic commerce companies request the establishment of Parcel Warehouse &Distribution Center(PWDC) that is invested by the post office. This paper presents an economic evaluation method for PWDC from the perspectives fo PWDC and the post office. Two types of warehouses are considered as alternatives for PWDC. One is the conventional warehouse, and the other is the automamic warehouse that is characterized by AS/RS and automatic dispenser system. A benefit/cost analysis method is used to evaluate PWDC since it has the property of public enterprise. A PWDC which will be located in Seoul and adjacent to a concentrated post office is selected as a case study to illustrate the procedure of economic analysis.

The objective of this paper is to design a Goal Alternatives Disposition System having three main subsystems for setting, evaluating and selecting goal alternatives. For setting of goal alternatives, System Alternatives Tree(SAT) structure will be developed, which has a computation algorithm for setting decision alternatives by the concept of System Priority Number(SPN). For evaluating and selecting of goal alternatives; First, Normative and Exploratory Priority Indices which consider technical performance to the goal, cost and feasibility are developed respectively. Second, Integrated Priority Index is built up to determine the total priority of the Goal Alternatives Disposition(GAD) system. For the design and verification of the GAD system, technological forecasting structure theory, systems engineering methodology will be used.

In this paper, we propose a parametric optimization approach to simultaneously determining trip distribution, mode choice, and user-equilibrium assignment. In our model, mode choice decisions are based on a binomial logit model and passenger and cargo demands are divided into appropriate mode according to the user equilibrium minimum travel time. Underlying network consists of road and rail networks combined and mode choice available is auto, bus, truck, passenger rail, and cargo rail. We provide an equivalent convex optimization problem formulation and efficient algorithm for solving this problem. The proposed algorithm was applied to a large scale network examples derived from the National Intermodal Transportation Plan (2000-2019).