Yasser Dessouky

An Overview of Object-Oriented Simulation:

With an immense increase in research, development, and application of object- oriented simulation (OOS) over the past decade, there is evidence that this technology is becoming the choice for modeling large, complex, and/or distributed systems. This paper discusses the features of OOS that dispose it to modeling these types of systems and compares the OOS approach with traditional simulation approaches. A review of OOS languages and environments is followed by a discussion of current issues pertaining to object- oriented simulation.

Forty years of Computers & Industrial Engineering: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract Computers & Industrial Engineering (CIE) is a leading international journal in the field of industrial engineering, whose first issue was published in 1976. Motivated by its 40th anniversary in 2016, this study aims to develop a bibliometric analysis of the publications of the journal between 1976 and 2015. The objective is to identify the leading trends of the journal in terms of impact, topics, universities and countries. In doing so, the work uses the Web of Science Core Collection database to analyze the bibliometric data. Additionally, the work also uses the visualization of similarities (VOS) viewer software to map graphically the bibliographic material. The graphical analysis uses bibliographic coupling, co-citation, citation, co-authorship and co-occurrence of keywords. This paper also offers an editorial perspective of the journal’s policy, editorial process, and performance progress.

A simulation and design of experiments modeling approach to minimize building maintenance costs

In this paper, a methodology is presented to integrate maintenance policy selection into the design and construction process. A simulation model identifies the quality attributes for the maintenance process to determine the funds to be allocated to maintenance in the buildings design and construction phases in order to minimize maintenance costs. The output of the simulation model is a value of excess labor hours above a specified level. The simulation output is used in a 24 factorial experimental design to identify the quality attributes that have the greatest impact on costs. A Taguchi loss function based on the minimized quantity of excess labor hours and historical expenditures provides the tool to relate maintenance priorities to design and construction. Quality characteristics for maintenance are modified in the feedback process and result in a more maintainable building.

A simulation approach for analyzing parking space availability at a major university

Simulation is used to evaluate parking space availability for a current layout and for future design options at Miami University. By using simulation, an alternative design that increased the average number of parked cars and decreased the number of balked cars was derived. This paper describes the models developed and provides details on the analysis.

Teaching design of experiments and statistical analysis of data through laboratory experiments

A new laboratory course at San Jose State University, Advanced Thin Film Processes, integrates fabrication of thin films with design of experiment and statistical analysis of data. In the laboratory section of this course, students work through six multi-week modules that increase in the complexity of design of experiment and statistical analysis of data. The six modules have been developed with a standard format that includes learning objectives, background on the specific thin film process, theory of design of experiment principles, instructor notes, dry lab exercises, experimental plan worksheets, and assessment tools. While the modules were developed for a semiconductor processing class, they can easily be implemented in other engineering classes. The modules have been developed with a robust framework that allows the instructor to teach design of experiments and statistical analysis of data along with the specific engineering principles related to their class.

Scheduling multi-purpose batch plants with junction constraints

SUMMARY There is an increasing trend in the chemical process industry to operate flexible batch plants because of their capability to manufacture multiple products simultaneously by sharing the same process resources. In this paper, the scheduling of multi-purpose batch chemical plants with junction (header) constraints is considered. A mixed-integer non-linear model for the scheduling of multi-purpose batch chemical plants is formulated that considers the connection between equipment sets, transfer times, variable batch sizes, alternative process plans, and batch merging. Because of the computational time complexity of the batch scheduling problem, a heuristic scheduling algorithm that minimizes the total tardiness is developed lo solve the model.

A simulation study of the productivity of large trucks with shorter trailers

The need for improving the productivity in freight transportation has become urgent in recent years due to rising fuel cost, labour shortage, healthcare cost for its labour force, and congestion on the roadways. This paper presents a productivity study about using three shorter, lighter trailers for moving household goods versus using one long, heavy trailer as commonly practised in the van-line industry. The conventional operations necessitate long delays due to loading and unloading. A goal of the proposed Shorter Trailer Combination Vehicles (STCV) operations is to maximise the operational efficiencies of long-haul trucks and the industry by dedicating such trucks to what they do best: moving, not waiting. A simulation approach is used to compare the performance of the conventional and STCV operations with respect to a stochastic Multi-Vehicle Pickup and Delivery Problem (MVPDP) in which the demand is random with random delivery due dates. The objective of the simulation is to determine the number of trucks and trailers, the pickup-and-delivery dispatch rule, and the type of transportation operations (conventional vs. STCV) that optimise various performance measures.

Microelectronics process engineering program at SJSU

At present, there is a need for engineers with CMOS processing knowledge, statistical process control (SPC) skills, and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team environment and assume leadership roles. San Jose State University are developing an interdisciplinary lab-based microelectronics process engineering program that introduces SPC and DOE to students in a microelectronics manufacturing environment. At the heart of the program are three courses, each of which is imagined to be a division of a fictitious semiconductor fabrication company (Spartan Semiconductor Services, Inc., or S3i). The divisions are: Digital NMOS division (MatE/EE129: Introduction to IC Fabrication), Thin Film Research Division (MatE/ChE 166: Advanced Thin Film Processes) and CMOS Division and SPC task force (MatE/EE 167: Microelectronics Manufacturing Methods). Several unique features of the program are its introduction of SPC in a microelectronics manufacturing environment, the inclusion of design of experiments (DOE) topics, and the faculty-faculty, faculty-student and student-student interaction among the three courses (divisions). Ultimately, we are trying to provide a learning environment that will allow our students to be immediately productive in an IC production facility, to be able to communicate with IC process engineers, and to be prepared for graduate school programs.

A review and classification of combined simulation

In this paper we have classified the major combined simulation languages into six approaches. The approaches are useful for understanding the historical development and current direction of combined simulation modeling. We have also characterized the functional capabilities of these languages. We have further traced the relationships of the languages over time. The relationships show which languages have evolved from other languages. Finally, from the context of the classification and relationships, many of the unresolved research issues are presented. While we have reviewed all of the languages, particular emphasis has been placed on the object-oriented languages since they have not been thoroughly reviewed to date.

Microelectronics Process Engineering: A Non-Traditional Approach to MS&E

Materials Science and Engineering straddles the fence between engineering and science. In order to produce more work-ready undergraduates, we offer a new interdisciplinary program to educate materials engineers with a particular emphasis on microelectronics-related manufacturing. The bachelors level curriculum in Microelectronics Process Engineering (μProE) is interdisciplinary, drawing from materials, chemical, electrical and industrial engineering programs and tied together with courses, internships and projects which integrate thin film processing with manufacturing control methods. Our graduates are prepared for entry level engineering jobs that require knowledge and experience in microelectronics-type fabrication and statistics applications in manufacturing engineering. They also go on to graduate programs in materials science and engineering. The program objectives were defined using extensive input from industry and alumni. We market our program as part of workforce development for Silicon Valley and have won significant support from local industry as well as federal sources. We plan to offer a vertical slice of workforce development, from lower division engineering and community college activities to industry short courses. We also encourage all engineering majors to take electives in our program. All our course and program development efforts rely on clearly defined learning objectives.