Tai-Chang Hsia

Course planning of extension education to meet market demand by using data mining techniques - an example of Chinkuo technology university in Taiwan

This study used data mining techniques to analyze the course preferences and course completion rates of enrollees in extension education courses at a university in Taiwan. First, extension courses were classified into five broad groups. Records of enrollees in extension courses from 2000-5 were then analyzed by three data mining algorithms: Decision Tree, Link Analysis, and Decision Forest. Decision tree was used to find enrollee course preferences, Link Analysis found the correlation between course category and enrollee profession, and Decision Forest found the probability of enrollees completing preferred courses. Results will be used as a reference for curriculum development in the extension program.

Promoting customer satisfactions by applying Six Sigma: An example from the automobile industry

Presently the automobile industry in Taiwan is in the product maturity stage. The market is saturated while the market scale has remained unchanged. A set of effective quality control performance and improvement models needs to be established. By initiating a mechanism of low cost and high processing speeds, an improved competitiveness will develop in this highly competitive, highly demanding, and constantly changing environment. This, in turn, will create a product of high customer satisfaction, which is needed for the industry to survive. The major focus of previous papers has been on the evaluation and improvement of manufacturers quality with little or no emphasis on customer-related qualities, such as design, manufacturing, service, and customer satisfaction. Following the design, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) model of Six Sigma (George 2002) and using the automobile industry as a case study, the authors “measure” the performance of the customers requirement. They do this by creating a questionnaire and “analyzing” the performance of the product quality mechanism. This is then transferred to a related product specification. Next, they use key elements found in the quality process, performed by related sectors, as a countermeasure for planning and “improvement.” Finally, they equip management with a complete model of evaluation and improvement to help define, measure, analyze, improve, and control the product quality mechanism quickly and effectively. Thus, a better customer satisfaction and business profit can be achieved by creating a perfect product quality and service value through a timely and effective promotion of product design, manufacturing, and service quality.

A factor analysis based selection process for predicting successful university color guard club members

The purpose of this paper is to determine how to place students in the most appropriate club, to save training time and expenses, and maximize club performance. To this end, this research utilizes the example of the color guard club at Chienkuo Technology University (CTU). First, the authors researched the characteristics needed to be a color guard member. Second, a series of tests for measuring these characteristics was designed. Third, the authors administered the tests to all the club members and recorded the results. Fourth, after the club members had received one year of training, the authors ran regression analysis by using data from the tests of those who successfully passed the training. From this, the authors obtained a regression model. The authors then ran logistic regression analysis and discriminant analysis on the test data of all initial color guard club members, including those who eventually passed the training and those who eventually withdrew, to establish screening norms. Last, using factor analysis, the authors found the latent factors. These factors, along with the screening norms, can serve as a foundation for future selection of color guard members. This process of selecting club members scientifically may be adopted by other clubs in order to match students and clubs most effectively.

Using Systematic Innovation Process to Improve the Manufacturing Technology of Platelet Agitators

This research took part in the research and development (R&D) and manufacturing processes of platelet agitator instruments at the W-ESPR Technology Company. First, two measurement indexes, the hazard probability and hazard severity, were used to evaluate all possible hazardous events drawn from ISO 14971 (the quality management of medical devices regulations) in the R&D and manufacturing processes. All possible hazardous events were then sifted to find potential hazardous events. Second, these two measurement indexes were combined into a complex risk index to identify the key hazardous events from the potential hazardous events. Third, this study then used the contradiction matrix theory of TRIZ to search for problem solutions for the key hazardous events. Finally, the Taguchi quality engineering method was used as a reference for imported platelet agitators to solve the key hazardous events. Using the systematic procedure proposed in this research, W-ESPR Technology Company developed high quality platelet agitators which were adopted by the Taiwan Blood Donation Center.

Machine Learning in a Humanoid Intelligent Service Robot

Abstract The service robot described herein is an engineering application combining mechanical technology and computer science. For service robots, intelligence is the core competence. The humanoid intelligent service robot developed at Chienkuo Technology University will possess five intelligent capabilities: marketing, advertisement, acceptance, guidance, and security. It must therefore be taught to obtain intelligence. The purpose of this research is to describe how an instructor teaches the humanoid intelligent service robot. First, according to the required basic action and distinct service script, the robot instructor demonstrates the basic human action. The digital 3D motion capture system captures these motions via video. The movements of the robot instructors limbs and trunk will be digitized, encoded, and stored in the robots intelligent computer memory. When service instructions activate the robot, it will replay the motions taught using 27 DC motors, 5 DC servo motors, and 10 solenoids.

The Application of Six Sigma to Enhance Product and Service Quality in Internet Marketing

The Six Sigma quality control systems may be used to enhance consumer satisfaction with products and services on the Internet. This study applies the methodology in five steps: design, measure, analyze, improve, and control. First, we conducted a consumer acceptance survey, then we constructed a product quality matrix to determine whether any product or service is considered defective. Using a cause-and-effect diagram, we identified the major causal categories of consumer dissatisfaction, prioritized product improvement targets, implemented a holistic analysis of the defective service, and generated specific strategies. We also initiated concrete improvements to the defective products and services, established standard operating procedures and a knowledge management system to standardize operations and maintain long-term control.

Improving the Performance of Aeronautical Machine Shop with Functional Layout by Simulation Method

Abstract The manufacture of aeronautical parts has the characteristics of short preparation time and small batch with varied types. To satisfy these requirements, the manufacturer must select efficient machine layout and proper dispatching rule, so they can fabricate the expected products and quantity under the least cost. This research used the machine shop of the biggest domestic aeronautical company as the research object and focused on the manufacturing procedures of 7 parts of the landing gear. The research rearranged the production layout and conducted the production simulation to evaluate the performance by comparing current machine layout with modified functional machine layout. Historical order schedules are applied to be the releasing policy of the simulation. Furthermore, the simulation also compared the performance with different dispatching rules, SPT (Shortest Processing Time) and LPT (Longest Processing Time) rule separately. This research found out that the modified functional machine layout adopting SPT rule is the best for machine efficiency. The results of the simulation would provide the machine shop for a reference for improvements.

Using Data Mining to Investigate the Behavior of Video Rental Customers

Living standards have been steadily rising in Taiwan, and indoor recreational activities are now receiving much attention. As a consequence, the market for video rentals has been flourishing in recent years. Renting videotapes, VCDs, and DVDs, to watch at home has become a common consumer entertainment activity. With the arrival of the US video store chain Blockbuster in Taiwan, stagnant personal incomes, and inflation, competition among video rental stores has grown, and their management is becoming more difficult. Like many retail businesses, video rental stores must be guided by the pattern of customer demand. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how to help rental stores using information in their databases to understand each customer’s preferences and demand, so as to increase the rental ratio. Using data mining theory, this study investigated the customer database of a single store of a local chain of video rental stores in a medium-sized city in central Taiwan, for the period January to March, 2007. First, the records were explored and analyzed in detail by decision tree algorithm. We determined the relationships among customer gender, occupational, favorites leisure activities, and video categories. Second, using the Apriori association rule algorithm for a rougher analysis, we explored and analyzed customers’ personal preferences and video categories. We determined favorite videos and personal preferences, and developed rules for predicted which video types will be rented next time. Using these results, video rental stores can recommend personal favorites to each customer and invite customers to rent videos so that rental stores can increase their operating achievements.

Applying the integrated E-configuration management systems to improve logistics engineering

The purpose of this paper is to show that the integrated electronic configuration management systems (E-CMS) can be applied to integrate logistics engineering (LE) and improve partner relationship on the logistics pipeline. This paper is based on conceptual framework of the E-CMS developed by previousresearchers applied with information tech1 nology (IT). The E-CMS have been successfully provided an application on the shipbuilding program in Chain Sh pbuilding Cooperation (CSBC). Based on the integrated E-CMS, this paper proposes a model in acquisition of logistics demands through the integrated operation systems including end users, depot and suppliers. To evaluate the effectiveness of the E-SCM, this research based on the model, proposed by Wilson and Jantrania (1996), of conceptualizing relationship value to develop a questionnaire. Meanwhile, applying varimax rotated factor analysis determined the underlying variables of the E-CMS benefits. It points out the logistics pipeline from an original initiative through the redesign integration systems to effectively increase in performance of shipbuilding project management

The Development of a Qualitative Model of Human Error in Aviation Systems

A qualitative model of human errors while using aviation system will be established to identify and classify errors. Four types of human errors were identified: mistake, slip, lapses, and mode errors. An information-processing model of decision-making will be analyzed and the three stages for human decision-making: Cue Sampling, Formation of Hypotheses, and Choice Action will be discussed. The model using data from the Taiwanese Flight Operation Quality Assurance database can be used to predict errors from different decision-making stages. Therefore, this study can provide a mechanism based upon various decision-making stages and their operation levels in order to prevent aviation accidents and to enhance flight safety.