This paper considers the problem of assigning workers to manufacturing cells in order to maximize the effectiveness of the organization. Organization effectiveness is assumed to be a function of the productivity, output quality, and training costs associated with a particular worker assignment. Traditionally, these worker assignments have been based only on the technical skills of the workers. The proposed model also includes human skills and permits the ability to change the skill levels of workers by providing them with additional training. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer programming problem. A total of 32 test problems were developed and varied with regard to the total training time, the available training time for each worker, the training costs, the productivity coefficients and the quality level coefficients. Results indicate that this model provides better worker assignments than one that only considers technical skills.

Lean and Six Sigma methodologies play an important role in the quality and cost driven world with high competition. In this paper, we develop a unique decision support system that utilizes a multi-objective formulation for project portfolio selection problem in manufacturing companies. The model can be used to effectively implement Lean and Six Sigma concepts. An industrial case study that utilizes this model for implementing the Lean and Six Sigma initiatives is also presented.

Reverse engineering (RE) has been widely applied in many segments of industry when digital or geometric models of existing physical objects are unavailable. This paper details components of RE systems and describes the needs for RE in manufacturing industries. Commonly used contact and non-contact scanning techniques are described. Possible interfaces with other manufacturing processes, especially 3D printing (3DP), are discussed. This paper also describes new trends in the field that include increased speed, accuracy, and level of automation in the future. Finally, a discussion on two major tolerance issues in terms of integrating RE and 3DP are presented.

Slip resistance measurements are used by industry, shoe/floor manufacturers, and the legal profession as a criterion for determining slip potentials of various environments. Whilst static coefficients of friction (COF) of a shoe-floor interface have been used traditionally, dynamic COF(DCOF) measures have been shown to be more relevant to the biomechanics of slips and falls. Recently, new devices have become available that better incorporate the biomechanics of foot movement into DCOF measurement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of environmental and biomechanical factors of the shoe-floor interface on DCOF measures using a new slip resistance testing device. The environmental factors chosen were shoe material, floor type, and contaminant. The biomechanical factors were heel velocity, vertical force, and shoe angle. The results showed that of the biomechanical factors, heel velocity had largest effects on the DCOF. However, contaminant condition was an important interaction. Increases in velocity created increases in DCOF for dry and wet conditions, but decreases in COF for oily conditions. Vertical force and shoe angle were found to have either no effect ((p<0·05) or only minor effects. Of the environmental factors, contaminant condition was the most influential factor. Shoe type had a large effect both as a primary variable and as an interaction with contaminant condition. These results indicate that choice of testing parameters is important when conducting slip resistance testing and that these parameters should be relevant biomechanically. A discussion of how these results are useful in workplace design to prevent slips and falls is also presented.