Vincent G. Duffy

Product family modeling for mass customization

With growing reliance on modeling in product development, it is imperative to describe product families in a cohesive way. In particular, mass customization calls for a close integration of product life cycle from customer recognition to delivery and services. This paper proposes a triple-view scheme for modeling product families. Technical challenges are discussed by comparing product family modeling with modeling single products. Individual modeling formalisms for different views are discussed. An example of product family modeling in power supply design is presented to illustrate the feasibility and potential of the proposed approach.

An Internet virtual reality collaborative environment for effective product design

Abstract This paper describes an Internet-based virtual reality collaborative environment called virtual reality-based collaborative environment (VRCE) that was developed using VNet, a free software, Java and Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) to demonstrate the feasibility of collaborative design for small to medium size companies that focus on a narrow range of low cost products. Infrastructure, user functions and operational characteristics are described, and a case illustrates the use of this system that incorporates six key design elements needed for a successful virtual collaboration system (VCS). This new VRCE system is compared to existing commercial systems. Discussion highlights the potential pitfalls in using such a system without careful consideration of the knowledge required, product complexity and required system customization time.

Developing virtual environments for industrial training

Virtual reality-based training systems (VRTSs) are advanced computer-assisted training systems using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. To have better structure and easier implementation, a virtual training system can be modeled as an integrated system consisting of a training task-planning module, an instruction module, a simulation module, a performance evaluation module, and an interface module. Presented in this paper are an architecture of VR-based training systems and a practical knowledge modeling approach to modeling the training scenarios of the systems by using Petri nets formalism. A Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling operations virtual training prototype system was developed to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach.

Using AHP for determining priority in a safety management system

The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to determine the priority of processes outlined in the BS8800 Guide to Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems for the Hong Kong construction industry. Analysis of variance was used to further investigate the differences among three different kinds of construction enterprises: joint venture (JV), well‐established (W‐E) and small and medium sized (SME) enterprises. This study of 32 construction enterprises suggests that JV and W‐E enterprises are able to demonstrate stronger commitment to strategic safety issues whereas SMEs focus more on the short‐term safety issues in implementation of safety management system. The results also indicate that “Safety Training” may be a problem area in all three groups. When considering differences shown between groups, these rankings can be used as a guide for the practical implementation of the British Standard BS8800 Safety Management System in construction enterprises in Hong Kong.

An empirical analysis of effective TQM implementation in the Hong Kong electronics manufacturing industry

The objective of this research is to develop a conceptual model of total quality management (TQM) implementation and test it empirically. The main research problem of this study is to investigate the effect of adopting TQM principles on quality achievement in manufacturing. The hypotheses specifying relationships between the core parts of the model including quality management infrastructure, core quality management practices, quality performance, and customer satisfaction are tested using survey research method. Data were collected from 50 managers of 25 manufacturing companies in Hong Kong. Correlation analysis on the ratings given by two different respondents from the same company shows that employee relations strongly facilitates the use of quality data and reporting, while training supports the function of product design, supplier quality management, and quality data and reporting. The results also indicate that employee relations and training have direct effects on quality performance which, in turn, relates to customer satisfaction. Practitioners are advised to build a supportive environment with a strong emphasis on human and organizational aspects to promote effective TQM implementation.

Concurrent engineering and virtual reality for human resource planning

Abstract New tools, such as the Internet virtual reality, used in support of new global industrial initiatives, can only be implemented effectively with knowledge and consideration of the context in which they are to be used. The following paper provides some background of effective concurrent engineering and its relevance in implementing these new tools and initiatives in the services industry. Considering the current trend toward globalization and the need for geographically distributed product development, manufacturing, marketing and training, it is important to develop domain knowledge regarding technologies, such as the Internet virtual reality, while giving special consideration for the previously developed understanding in concurrent engineering in manufacturing. This paper addresses some research questions recently studied regarding some of the human and organizational aspects of global product development and virtual training in the manufacturing and service industries, while considering some of the current practical limitations. The summary of work presented in this paper together provides a connection between the lessons learned in concurrent engineering in manufacturing industries with applications to risk management training in the service industries. The suggestions for future work are intended to provide some insights for an effective utilization of new technologies, such as the Internet virtual reality, in support of global software product development projects and human resource planning in the service industry.

Development of an internet virtual layout system for improving workplace safety

There is evidence that human perception of their interaction with real and virtual objects is indistinguishable in some instances. In this work, an Internet-based system is designed to test the influence of modifications in the virtual environment on perception of hazard. Variations in lighting, sound, distance and speed of dynamic virtual objects that include robots and virtual humans are incorporated into the test environment. The system is designed considering that subject testing will incorporate a psychophysical approach to an empirical analysis of risk and hazard perception for risk reduction in the workplace. Virtual and real conditions can be compared. This Internet-based virtual reality facility layout system (IVLS) can be used to test in industry as well as in the laboratory to help demonstrate the relationships between staff perceptions and organizational performance. It is expected that the results of further testing can be used to help industry to establish realistic guidelines for using virtual reality training to improve facility design and reduce hazards in the workplace. Some difficulties are discussed regarding the time to develop the models. Newer technologies that may be suitable for speeding up the model development time are also discussed.

The effects of human interaction on biometric system performance

This paper discusses the impact of human interaction with biometric devices and its relationship to biometric performance. The authors propose a model outlining the Human-Biometric Sensor Interaction and discuss its necessity through case studies in fingerprint recognition, hand geometry, and dynamic signature verification to further understand the human-sensor interaction issues and underlying problems that they present to the biometric system. Human factors, human-computer interaction and digital human modeling are considered in the context of current and future biometric research and development.

The impact of organizational ergonomics on work effectiveness: with special reference to concurrent engineering in manufacturing industries

A theoretical interdisciplinary model that gives consideration to the critical human and organizational variables for success in concurrent engineering has been developed and validated based on the data derived from 103 electronic component manufacturing companies in the USA. The aim of the model is to determine the impact of organizational ergonomics on work effectiveness in concurrent engineering. A set of questionnaires was developed and data were collected from the manager of the concurrent engineering effort, the team leader and design, manufacturing and marketing team members. The study supports the proposed model and shows that a reward structure that reflects the team effort and quality of communication are significantly related to concurrent engineering performance. This implies that companies using team work structures should find ways to facilitate effective communication among team members and have a reward structure that is balanced to recognize the success of the team.

Prediction of effectiveness of concurrent engineering in electronics manufacturing in the U.S.

Based on a survey of 103 electronic component manufacturers in the U.S. using concurrent engineering, a theoretically based interdisciplinary quantitative predictive model was developed. In each company, data were collected from the manager of the concurrent engineering effort, the team leader, and the design, manufacturing, and marketing team members. The results from this 403-item response in each company indicate that the measures are reliable. The proposed model, which continues building on one originally proposed by Majchrzak, is presented and the organizational and human variables are shown to account for 50% of the variance. Proximity of team members is confirmed as a key to success. Future research directions are suggested in light of the tendency toward a more global economy, global manufacturing, and geographically distributed teams. The results of the present study suggest that the keys to success in the future will again go beyond the technical and into the human, organizational, and social aspects.