WEMax: Virtual Manned Assembly Line Generation

Presented in this paper is a framework of a software ‘WEMax’. The WEMax is invented for analysis and simulation for manned assembly lines to sustain and improve performance of manufacturing systems. In a manufacturing system, performance, such as productivity, is a key of competitiveness for output products. However, the manned assembly lines are difficult to forecast performance, because human labors are not expectable factors by computer simulation models or mathematical models. Existing approaches to performance forecasting of the manned assembly lines are limited to matters of the human itself, such as ergonomic and workload design, and non-human-factor-relevant simulation. Consequently, an approach for the forecasting and improvement of manned assembly line performance is needed to research. As a solution of the current problem, this study proposes a framework that is for generation and simulation of virtual manned assembly lines, and the framework has been implemented as a software.

Study on Scheduling of the Planning Method Using the Web-based Visualization System in a Shipbuilding Block Assembly Shop

Higher productivity and less cost in the ship manufacturing process are required to maintain the international competitiveness of morden manufacturing industries. In shipbuilding, however, the Engineering To Order (ETO) production method and production process is very difficult. Thus, designs change frequently. In accordance with production, planning should be set up according to scene changes. Therefore, fixed production planning is very difficult. Thus, a scheduler must first make sketchy plans, then change the plans based on the work progress and modifications. Thus, data sharing in a shipbuilding block assembly shop is very important. In this paper, we proposed to scheduling method applicable to the shipbuilding industry and decision making support system through web based visualization system.