Dennis Nchor

Minimization of Number of Setups for Mounting Machines

The article deals with the problem of minimizing the number of setups for mounting SMT machines. SMT is a device used to assemble components on printed circuit boards (PCB) during the manufacturing of electronics. Each type of PCB has a different set of components, which are obligatory. Components are placed in the SMT tray. The problem consists in the fact that the total number of components used for all products is greater than the size of the tray. Therefore, every change of manufactured product requires a complete change of components in the tray (i.e., a setup change). Currently, the number of setups corresponds to the number of printed circuit board type. Any production change affects the change of setup and stops production on one shift. Many components occur in more products therefore the question arose as to how to deploy the products into groups so as to minimize the number of setups. This would result in a huge increase in efficiency of production.

Analysis of the Impact of Fuel Subsidy Removal on Households and Sectors of Production in Ghana

This paper seeks to assess the impact of fuel price increase on the wellbeing of households with more emphasis on the lower income brackets. It uses 2013 average fuel price hikes for petrol, kerosene, diesel and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and is structured in the following order: Analysis of the national fuel consumption, household budget shares by quintiles, the effect of fuel price increase on different households and the effect of fuel price increase on sectors of production. The paper concludes that fuel subsidies in their current state should be restructured in Ghana but in a gradual approach to reduce shocks to the economy. In reducing such subsidies, all the resources gained should be channeled into efficient social interventions. Public sector participation in the transportation sector is imperative for cushioning the poor from fuel price hikes.