Topic
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.
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TL;DR: The study validates the OFE measure and has identified six key design elements that enable high flow performance and allows different OMS designs to be evaluated so that organizational learning may be enacted to support performance improvement.
Abstract: Effective operations management systems (OMS) measurement remains a critical issue for theorists and practising managers (Neely, 2005; Bititci et al., 2012). Traditional labor efficiency measures sufficed when all that was made could be sold or when mass production systems filled warehouses with stock and the OMS had little relationship with “the consumer.” Modern manufacturing systems require a different form of flow optimization (beyond labor efficiency) measurement (Schmenner, 2015). The essential unit of measure for all OMS designs is the optimal use of time for process value adding and the flow of materials into and from the conversion process. Timely flow, therefore, satisfies the needs of multiple organizational stakeholders including cash flow (accounting), consumer reaction times (marketing) and the general steady state flow of materials (sales and supply chain). The purpose of this paper is to present the results of testing a new performance measure of operations flow effectiveness (OFE) with ten purposively selected cases.,The paper is theory building using ten, purposively selected, longitudinal case studies drawn from the UK high-value manufacturing (HVM) sector using a pluralist methodology of interviews, observation and secondary data.,The OFE measure provides a holistic view of material flow through the input-process-output cycles of a firm. The measure highlights OMS design weaknesses and flow inhibitors that reduce cash flow using a time-based approach to measuring OMS performance. The study validates the OFE measure and has identified six key design elements that enable high flow performance.,The paper tests a new process-focused flow performance measure. The measure supports a holistic approach to the manufacturing enterprise and allows different OMS designs to be evaluated so that organizational learning may be enacted to support performance improvement.
22 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that by extension of Jay Forrester and John Burbidge principles via a three-level model which includes the vision and the toolkit, substantial contributions have been made towards new management theory.
Abstract: A decade after the publication of the concept of smooth material flow via four fundamental principles related to the work of Jay Forrester and John Burbidge (FORRIDGE) the influence of this work on academe and industry is discussed. We show that by extension of their principles via a three-level model which includes the vision and the toolkit, substantial contributions have been made towards new management theory. The associated 12 simplicity rules and uncertainly circle concepts have been exploited within the structured framework provided by the quick scan audit methodology. This generates value stream classification ranging from baseline to exemplar, and a design procedure aimed at material flow best practice. A detailed case study demonstrates the improved industrial performance achievable by this means.
22 citations
TL;DR: The level set method as discussed by the authors is a signed distance function that can be used to track material interfaces instead of materials themselves, which has the advantage that the location of these interfaces is accurately known and that it represents a viable alternative to the more commonly used tracer method.
Abstract: . The level set method allows for tracking material surfaces in 2-D and 3-D flow modeling and is well suited for applications of multi-material flow modeling. The level set method utilizes smooth level set functions to define material interfaces, which makes the method stable and free of oscillations that are typically observed in case step-like functions parameterize interfaces. By design the level set function is a signed distance function and gives for each point in the domain the exact distance to the interface as well as on which side it is located. In this paper we present four benchmarks which show the validity, accuracy and simplicity of using the level set method for multi-material flow modeling. The benchmarks are simplified setups of dynamical geophysical processes such as the Rayleigh–Taylor instability, post-glacial rebound, subduction and slab detachment. We also demonstrate the benefit of using the level set method for modeling a free surface with the sticky air approach. Our results show that the level set method allows for accurate material flow modeling and that the combination with the sticky air approach works well in mimicking Earth's free surface. Since the level set method tracks material interfaces instead of materials themselves, it has the advantage that the location of these interfaces is accurately known and that it represents a viable alternative to the more commonly used tracer method.
22 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated material flow behavior in similar aluminium alloy and magnesium alloy sheet lap welds produced by friction stir spot welding and found that dominant flow patterns near the shoulder edge were observed for similar Al welds, whereas high intensity outward spinning flows at the pin periphery for the similar Mg weld.
Abstract: This study investigated material flow behaviour in similar aluminium alloy and magnesium alloy sheet lap welds produced by friction stir spot welding. The material flows around the tool pin and shoulder were visualised through the tracer material technique, and schematic illustrations were made to clarify the induced material flow direction and intensity. The material flow observations described that the pin part provided the outward spinning motion of the material, while the shoulder part generated a centrifugal effect at the edge for downward flow/hooking. Induced material flow intensity suggested that dominant flow patterns near the shoulder edge were observed for the similar Al welds, whereas high intensity outward spinning flows at the pin periphery for the similar Mg welds. As a result, the material flow under the pin and shoulder of the tool explained that the morphology of the failure mode was highly dependent on the tool geometry and the alloy material adopted.
22 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the microstructure and mechanical performance of friction stir welded aluminum alloys 7075-T651 and 5083-H111 were characterized through microscopy, mechanical testing, and numerical modeling.
Abstract: Through microscopy, mechanical testing, and numerical modeling, the microstructure and mechanical performance of friction stir welded aluminum alloys 7075-T651 and 5083-H111 were characterized. In particular, the influence of the weld configuration, i.e., the locations of the 7075 and 5083 alloys alternately on the advancing and retreating sides, on material flow, microstructure, and mechanical properties was considered. Thermographic data in conjunction with a process simulation demonstrated that the weld configuration significantly impacts heat generation during friction stir welding. The microstructure in the stir zone was a clear visualization of the material flow and was characterized by a vortex-like structure with alternating bands of the alloys being joined. These bands differed in elemental content and grain size. The microstructure became more complex when greater heat generation (higher temperatures) occurred. The weld configuration strongly influenced the material flow, but did not impact the tensile properties (such as yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation). The configuration of 5083 on the advancing side and 7075 on the retreating side produced the most uniform material flow. The joint efficiencies of all tested welds were above 100%.
22 citations