1,721,024 research outputs found
ANALISI DELLA CAPACITA' INNOVATIVA DELLE IMPRESE OPERANTI NEL SETTORE DELL'IMPIANTISTICA ALIMENTARE
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A methodology for estimating the operating costs of production lines
No full textThe paper proposes a methodology for the cost assessment of production lines with unreliable machines and finite buffers. This methodology is based on the new concept of "Line Equipment Cost" (LEC), that is the actual operating cost of a certain machine which is used into a certain line configuration. For each machine, this kind of cost not only depends on a set of static parameters describing the statistical and structural properties of the machine, but also on its actual performance which, in turn, strictly depends on the specific line configuration where the machine is installed. If the line configuration is modified (e.g., more/less buffer space is available) the machine's performance is expected to improve/degrade so that its LEC value, which dynamically expresses the machine's actual operating cost, must be properly adjusted. Hence, in order to evaluate any production line, first the specific LEC values of the single machines in that line should be computed, then the "Total Line Cost" (TLC) can be determined by summing up those LEC values. Finally, the paper provides some numerical results in order to show the applicability of the proposed methodology which can be used not only to evaluate the actual operating cost of a specific production line (expressed by the TLC value), but also to compare different line configurations in order to drive strategic decision
Sustainability of logistics infrastructures: operational and technological alternatives to reduce the impact on air quality
No full textModern ports are productive systems characterized by transport-type activities (of goods and people) and by activities typically related to the sectors of industry, construction, commerce and related services. Despite their fundamental role in the economic and social development of the local area, ports also have a negative impact on the environment. This paper analyses the effect on the air quality of a maritime container terminal by assessing the typical activities carried out there. Five scenarios were studied using an EMEP/EEE (2019) bottom-up air pollutant inventory approach and through air quality numerical simulations with the ADMS-5 model. Changes in the layout of where the activities are carried out, the use of cold ironing, and the use of LNG as a fuel are the scenarios compared with the "BASE" condition. The results highlighted the improved air quality due to each solution, demonstrating how the use of alternative fuels or the electrification of the docks reduces pollutants by more than 70-80%. Delocalizing some of the handling was found to have fewer benefits. Economic factors and the engagement of key stakeholders would seem to influence the diffusion of these solutions
A methodology for estimating the operating costs of production lines
No full textThe paper proposes a methodology for the cost assessment of production lines with unreliable machines and finite buffers. This methodology is based on the new concept of "Line Equipment Cost" (LEC), that is the actual operating cost of a certain machine which is used into a certain line configuration. For each machine, this kind of cost not only depends on a set of static parameters describing the statistical and structural properties of the machine, but also on its actual performance which, in turn, strictly depends on the specific line configuration where the machine is installed. If the line configuration is modified (e.g., more/less buffer space is available) the machine's performance is expected to improve/degrade so that its LEC value, which dynamically expresses the machine's actual operating cost, must be properly adjusted. Hence, in order to evaluate any production line, first the specific LEC values of the single machines in that line should be computed, then the "Total Line Cost" (TLC) can be determined by summing up those LEC values. Finally, the paper provides some numerical results in order to show the applicability of the proposed methodology which can be used not only to evaluate the actual operating cost of a specific production line (expressed by the TLC value), but also to compare different line configurations in order to drive strategic decision
On logistic factors influencing Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
No full textThe core scope of health systems is to improve health and quality of life of populations they serve. Decisions are required on what kind of interventions should be offered, the way they are organized and how they should be provided in accordance with available resources, while, at the same time, respecting people’s expectations. As a consequence, decision-makers need information about the available options and their potential consequences [1].
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary approach for the analysis of the effects following the implementation of an innovation in the health field. Specifically, the study considers effects on problems that directed patients to the use of the aforementioned innovations, along with social, organizational, economic, ethic and legal related aspects emerging during their entire life cycle. Innovations analysed include prevention and rehabilitation, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, devices, medical and surgical procedures, along with systems within which health is protected and maintained [2].
International Agencies executing HTA projects are grouped in INAHTA (International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment), operating since 1993 and now counting up to 53 Members coming from 29 Countries. INAHTA incentives meetings among Members in order to increment collaboration, information sharing and effectiveness of HTA projects executed, that are as more interesting as more based on evidence.
Hence, a decisive step in the formulation of HTA is the selection of the parameters that will lead the evaluation, that is, how the impact of the intervention on the selected aspects is going to be measured. For each of the aspects to be evaluated, relevant and valid parameters should be chosen [3].
In this paper logistic factors influencing HTA of a magnetic resonance diagnostic device, strictly installable in a hospital or in a medical centre, are analysed and compared with those characterising a telemedicine service
New concept aeronautical producing units testing and correction through animated simulation language
No full textForecasting of sporadic demand patterns with seasonality and trend components: an empirical comparison between Holt-Winters and (S)ARIMA methods
No full textItems with irregular and sporadic demand profiles are frequently tackled by companies, given the necessity of proposing wider and wider mix, along with characteristics of specific market fields (i.e., when spare parts are manufactured and sold). Furthermore, a new company entering into the market is featured by irregular customers' orders. Hence, consistent efforts are spent with the aim of correctly forecasting and managing irregular and sporadic products demand. In this paper, the problem of correctly forecasting customers' orders is analyzed by empirically comparing existing forecasting techniques. The case of items with irregular demand profiles, coupled with seasonality and trend components, is investigated. Specifically, forecasting methods (i.e., Holt-Winters approach and (S)ARIMA) available for items with seasonality and trend components are empirically analyzed and tested in the case of data coming from the industrial field and characterized by intermittence. Hence, in the conclusions section, well-performing approaches are addressed
A human-machine learning curve for stochastic assembly line balancing problems
Full text linkThe Assembly Line Balancing Problem (ALBP) represents one of the most explored research topics in manufacturing. However, only a few contributions have investigated the effect of the combined abilities of humans and machines in order to reach a balancing solution. It is well-recognized that human beings learn to perform assembly tasks over time, with the effect of reducing the time needed for unitary tasks. This implies a need to re-balance assembly lines periodically, in accordance with the increased level of human experience. However, given an assembly task that is partially performed by automatic equipment, it could be argued that some subtasks are not subject to learning effects. Breaking up assembly tasks into human and automatic subtasks represents the first step towards more sophisticated approaches for ALBP. In this paper, a learning curve is introduced that captures this disaggregation, which is then applied to a stochastic ALBP. Finally, a numerical example is proposed to show how this learning curve affects balancing solutions
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