Material flow

About: Material flow is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3050 publications have been published within this topic receiving 36844 citations. The topic is also known as: material stream.

Two-stage optimisation method for material flow and allocation management in cross-docking networks

Abstract: Cross-docking is a relatively new logistics strategy in which items are moved from suppliers to customers through cross-docking centres without putting them into long-term storage. An important decision during the planning of cross-docking operations is related to the material flow management in the network, which has great potential to reduce transportation costs. However, until now, there has been a lack of studies regarding operations for both transportation of trucks between locations and trans-shipment of items in cross-docking centres. This study presents a novel two-stage mixed integer linear mathematical model for the transportation problem of cross-docking network design integrated with truck–door assignments to minimise total transportation costs from suppliers to customers. This model also considers incoming/outgoing truck-loading plans and product allocations in the cross-docking area with regard to the two-dimensional physical constraints. Due to the complexity of the problem, a genetic algor...

Modeling of friction stir processing using 3D CFD analysis

Abstract: Friction Stir Processing (FSP) has emerged as an effective tool for enhancing sheet metal properties through microstructural modification of processed materials. Despite the large number of studies, most of the work that has been done in the FSP field focuses primarily on experimental work. Only limited modeling attempts on temperature distribution and strain rate analysis have been conducted. In this work, a three dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate FSP using the STAR CCM+ CFD commercial software. User-defined subroutines were developed and implemented to investigate the effects of process parameters on temperature, strain rate, flow stress and material velocity fields in, and around, the processed nugget. In addition, a correlation between process parameters and the Zener-Holloman parameter was developed to predict the grain size distribution in the processed zone. Different stirring conditions were incorporated in this study to investigate their effects on material flow and microstructural modification. The modeling results were compared with the available experimental data and showed good agreement.

Effect of friction stir welding parameters on the material flow, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of dissimilar AA5083-AA6061 joints:

Abstract: Material flow has a significant impact on the joint properties and is one of the most challenging aspects to be understood in dissimilar friction stir welding. The present study emphasizes the role...

Modeling continuous flow with discrete-event simulation

Abstract: The paper describes the application of discrete everit simulation to study continuous material flow. Logistics is an integrated part of most manufacturing companies. The purpose of the study is to determine the required logistics operations to allow continuous operations of a chemical manufacturing plant. The application has been used to provide critical decision support.