• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.91-111
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• 2007

In this paper an effective two-phase approach adopting modified p-median mathematical model is proposed for grouping machines and parts in cellular manufacturing(CM). Unlike the conventional methods allowing machines and parts to be improperly assigned to cells and families, the proposed approach seeks to find the proper block diagonal solution where all the machines and parts are properly assigned to their most associated cells and families in term of the actual machine processing and part moves. Phase 1 uses the modified p-median formulation adopting new inter-machine similarity coefficient based on the non-binary production data-based part-machine incidence matrix(PMIM) that reflects both the operation sequences and production volumes for the parts to find machine cells. Phase 2 apollos iterative reassignment procedure to minimize inter-cell part moves and maximize within-cell machine utilization by reassigning improperly assigned machines and parts to their most associated cells and families. Computational experience with the data sets available on literature shows the proposed approach yields good-quality proper block diagonal solution.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.137-137
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• 1991

This paper compares and evaluates the performances of the two types of mathematical programming models for solving the machine-part cell formation problem in group technology manufacturing : indirect formulation relying on surrogate measure such as similarity coefficient and direct formulation seeking to minimize the number of exceptional elements. New indirect formulation, called the generalized p-median model. is proposed. Unlike existing p-median formulations, proposed formulation includes the classical cell formation problem in which only one process plan exsits for each part as a special case. The proposed new formulation can also deal with the cell formation problem in which alternative process plans exist for a part. The indirect formulation is compared with a new direct formulation which needs much fewer extra variables and constraints than existing direct formulations. Some significant findings from comparative experiment are discussed.

• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.137-147
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• 1999

This paper compares and evaluates the performances of the two types of mathematical programming models for solving the machine-part cell formation problem in group technology manufacturing : indirect formulation relying on surrogate measure such as similarity coefficient and direct formulation seeking to minimize the number of exceptional elements. New indirect formulation, called the generalized {{{{ { p}_{ } }}-median model. is proposed. Unlike existing {{{{ { p}_{ } }}-median formulations, proposed formulation includes the classical cell formation problem in which only one process plan exsits for each part as a special case. The proposed new formulation can also deal with the cell formation problem in which alternative process plans exist for a part. The indirect formulation is compared with a new direct formulation which needs much fewer extra variables and constraints than existing direct formulations. Some significant findings from comparative experiment are discussed.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 2000

Purpose : Effects to predict tile progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) in children, using mathematical models based on transformations of serum creatinine (Scr) concentration, have failed. Error may be introduced by age-related variations in creatinine production rate. Height (Ht) is a reliable reference for creatinine production in children. Thus, Scr, factored for Ht, could provide a more accurate predictive model. We examined this hypothesis. Methods : The progression of of was detected in 63 children who proceeded to end-stage renal disease. Derivatives of Scr, including 1/Scr, log Scr & Ht/Scr, were defined fir the period Scr was between 2 and 5 mg/dl. Regression equation were used to predict the time, in months, to Scr > 10 mg/dl. The prediction error (PE) was defined as the predicted time minus actual time for each Scr transformation. Result : The PE for Ht/Scr was lower than the PE for either 1/Scr or log Scr (median: -0.01, -2.0 & +10.6 mos respectively; P<0.0001). For children with congenital renal diseases, the PE for Ht/Scr was also lower than for the other two transformations (median: -1.2, -3.2 & +8.2 mos respectively; P<0.0001). However, the PEs for children with glomerular diseases was not as clearly different (median: +0.9, +0.5 & +9.9 respectively). In children < 13 yrs, PE for Ht/Scr was tile lowest, while in older children, 1/Scr provided the lowest PE but not significantly different from that for Ht/Scr. The logarithmic transformation tended to predict a slower progression of CRF than actually occurred. Conclusion : Scr, floored for Ht, appears to be a useful model to predict the rate of progression of CRF, particularly in the prepubertal child with congenital renal disease.