Nabil Nasr

Job shop scheduling with alternative machines

SUMMARY In this paper we investigate the problem of minimizing the mean flow time in a general job shop type machining system with alternative machine tool routeings. An analytical formulation of the problem as a mixed integer programming is developed. An efficient algorithm based on this formulation is developed to solve the problem by decomposing it into subproblems that are easier to solve. The algorithm solves large problems in relatively short time. A second algorithm based on the SPT rule is developed and its performance is compared with the first algorithm. A greedy procedure is also developed for the case when a penalty cost is associated with adding alternative machines. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the use of the above algorithms.

A Framework for Sustainable Production and a Strategic Approach to a Key Enabler: Remanufacturing

The concern over climate change and related environmental issues has generated a surge of interest and actions towards sustainable development. In response, many manufacturers have begun implementing sustainable production practices. This paper discusses sustainable production, reviews the framework and metrics for guiding implementations, and examines the role of remanufacturing, a key technology within sustainable production. The paper also discusses the important role of product design in implementing remanufacturing to achieve improved sustainable production metrics.

Review of End-of-Life Management Issues in Sustainable Electronic Products

Concerns about climate change and other related environmental challenges have prompted increased interest in sustainable development. In industry, many manufacturers such as the electronics manufacturers have strived to improve their environmental footprints through sustainable manufacturing while also making sure that the bottom line is being met. Electronic products, while bringing technological progress to mankind, generate numerous environmental challenges, especially at their End-of-Life (EoL) stage. This paper review and discuss the current situation and issues in designing, manufacturing, collecting and marketing of electronic products with respect to the EoL stage. Certain decisions about electronic products made in the early production stages can have serious implications in the management of the products at EoL. For example, a product designed such that it is difficult to disassemble in order to remove hazardous substances can be very inefficient to manage at the EoL stage. Discussion of electronic products’ EoL management approaches is presented in this paper. Subsequently, suggestions for the stakeholders to address the complexities in making electronic products more sustainable are proposed.

Remanufacturing as an Enabler for Green Service Models

In today’s society, especially in developed countries, people enjoy materially affluent lives. This affluence presupposes the consumption of vast amounts of energy and material resources. Considering the world’s growing and increasingly affluent population, current consumption patterns lead to scarcity, volatility, and pricing levels that are unaffordable for our economy’s manufacturing basis (Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2013). Society needs to cope with these problems by substantially improving resource productivity. Though there are a number of requirements for realizing the green economy, such improvement of material resource productivity is a crucial element. Achieving this improved productivity requires a paradigm shift in industrial systems. This paradigm shift is possibly facilitated by manufacturing industries’ movement toward servitization. This chapter addresses the opportunities and challenges of the transitions.

A Generic Welding Cell Justification and Planning Process

Abstract Efficient design of welding cells is vital to optimized utilization of capital equipment, space, resources, and manpower. This chapter presents a process for justification, planning and implementation of welding cells. A discussion of different welding methods is presented followed by a review of different justification techniques. A welding cell justification model and a procedure for welding cell planning process is presented. The implementation of this procedure is then described.