Claude Olivier

Planning tools for managing the supply chain

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a new way to manage the supply chain. The proposed solution reduces the problems complexity using a two-stage hierarchical production planning method and is applicable to realistic transportation optimization problems. The approach is based on planning and operations scheduling models, and is designed to minimize travel and production costs within a flexible organizational network. In the aggregate planning phase, a mathematical model involving an aggregation of products, demand and time periods is solved. It is at this initial stage that the size of the problem is reduced and its output is used as input to the detailed phase in order to improve resolution time. The second stage produces a detailed schedule. It is shown that the proposed approach generates good and feasible solutions to practical problems within a reasonable computational time.

Simulation software for sheet metal working

Abstract The integration of manufacturing systems is not feasible in most small and medium-sized businesses primarily because of the cost involved and a lack of technical resources. Through an industrial research project, a new approach has been developed for integrating existing equipment which was not designed for integration. This approach, in which some phases of production are simulated using interactive graphics software, and the simulation software that was developed to implement this process, are presented here.