CERES :: Browsing by Author "Ball, Peter D."

Browsing by Author "Ball, Peter D."

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Open Access
Advances in Manufacturing Technology XXVII: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Manufacturing Research (ICMR2013)
(Cranfield University, 2013-09-19) Shehab, Essam; Ball, Peter D.; Tjahjono, Benny
ICMR2013 was organised by Cranfield University on the 19-20 September 2013. The conference focuses on any aspects of product development, manufacturing technology, manufacturing systems, information systems and digital technologies. It provides an excellent avenue for researchers to present state-of-the-art multidisciplinary manufacturing research and exchange ideas. In addition to the four keynote speeches from Airbus and Rolls-Royce and three invited presentations, there are 108 papers in these proceedings. These papers are split into 24 technical sessions. The International Conference on Manufacturing Research is a major event for academics and industrialists engaged in manufacturing research. Held annually in the UK since the late 1970s, the conference is renowned as a friendly and inclusive environment that brings together a broad community of researchers who share a common goal; developing and managing the technologies and operations that are key to sustaining the success of manufacturing businesses. For over two decades, ICMR has been the main manufacturing research conference organised in the UK, successfully bringing researchers, academics and industrialists together to share their knowledge and experiences. Initiated a National Conference by the Consortium of UK University Manufacturing Engineering Heads (COMEH), it became an International Conference in 2003. COMEH is an independent body established in 1978. Its main aim is to promote manufacturing engineering education, training and research. To achieve this, the Consortium maintains a close liaison with government bodies concerned with the training and continuing development of professional engineers, while responding to the appropriate consultative and discussion documents and other initiatives. COMEH is represented on the Engineering Professor’s council (EPC) and it organises and supports national manufacturing engineering education research conferences and symposia.
Open Access
Applications of simulation in maintenance research
(World Academic Press, 2013-02-01) Alabdulkarim, Abdullah A.; Ball, Peter D.; Tiwari, Ashutosh
The area of asset maintenance is becoming increasingly important as greater asset availability is demanded. This is evident in increasingly automated and more tightly integrated production systems as well as in service contracts where the provider is contracted to provide high levels of availability. Simulation techniques are able to model complex systems such as those involving maintenance and can be used to aid performance improvement. This paper examines engineering maintenance simulation research and applications in order to identify apparent research gaps. A systematic literature review was conducted in order to identify the gaps in maintenance systems simulation literature. The methodology applied identified peer- reviewed papers which were analysed for content and research direction. Simulation has been applied to model different maintenance sub-systems (asset utilisation, asset failure, scheduling, staffing, inventory, etc.) but these are typically addressed in isolation and overall maintenance system behaviour is poorly addressed, especially outside of the manufacturing systems discipline.
Open Access
Assessing asset monitoring levels for maintenance operations: a simulation approach
(Emerald, 2015-10-31) Alabdulkarim, Abdullah A.; Ball, Peter D.; Tiwari, Ashutosh
Purpose – Asset management has recently gained significance due to emerging business models such as Product Service Systems where the sale of asset use, rather than the sale of the asset itself, is applied. This leaves the responsibility of the maintenance tasks to fall on the shoulders of the manufacturer/supplier to provide high asset availability. The use of asset monitoring assists in providing high availability but the level of monitoring and maintenance needs to be assessed for cost effectiveness. There is a lack of available tools and understanding of their value in assessing monitoring levels. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This research aims to develop a dynamic modelling approach using Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to assess such maintenance systems in order to provide a better understanding of the behaviour of complex maintenance operations. Interviews were conducted and literature was analysed to gather modelling requirements. Generic models were created, followed by simulation models, to examine how maintenance operation systems behave regarding different levels of asset monitoring. Findings – This research indicates that DES discerns varying levels of complexity of maintenance operations but that more sophisticated asset monitoring levels will not necessarily result in a higher asset performance. The paper shows that it is possible to assess the impact of monitoring levels as well as make other changes to system operation that may be more or less effective. Practical implications – The proposed tool supports the maintenance operations decision makers to select the appropriate asset monitoring level that suits their operational needs. Originality/value – A novel DES approach was developed to assess asset monitoring levels for maintenance operations. In applying this quantitative approach, it was demonstrated that higher asset monitoring levels do not necessarily result in higher asset availability. The work provides a means of evaluating the constraints in the system that an asset is part of rather than focusing on the asset in isolation.
Open Access
A collection of tools for factory eco-efficiency
(Elsevier, 2016-02-19) Despeisse, Melanie; Davé, Aanand; Litos, Lampros; Roberts, Simon; Ball, Peter D.; Evans, Stephen
co-efficiency is generally defined as doing more with less, aiming to decouple environmental impact from economic and social value creation. This paper presents three tools to guide the implementation of eco-efficiency in factories: (1) definition and patterns of good practices for sustainable manufacturing, (2) a self-assessment tool and maturity grid, and (3) a factory modelling framework.
Open Access
Comparison of the environmental impact of the CRIMSON process with normal sand casting process
(2013-09-02T00:00:00Z) Zeng, Binxu; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Jolly, Mark R.; Shehab, Essam; Ball, Peter D.; Tjahjono, Benny
The CRIMSON process is an alternative process to conventional casting that can be used for small to medium batch sizes. The aim of this process are to improve the casting quality and reduce the energy consumption within light-metal casting industry. Nowadays, the energy efficiency becomes more and more important. This is not only about the cost of the production, but also about the environmental effect. In this paper, the CRIMSON process will be compared with the conventional sand casting process. The Life cycle assessment (LCA) method will be used to assess the environmental impact of both casting processes.
Open Access
Design of sustainable industrial systems by integrated modeling of factory building and manufacturing processes
(Elsevier, 2012) Despeisse, Melanie; Ball, Peter D.
This paper presents an integrated approach that combines ‘Sustainable Building Design’ tools and ‘Sustainable Manufacturing Process’ tools to create a tool for the design of sustainable manufacturing systems.’ Currently no such integrated tools are in use by manufacturers to assess energy performance, identify improvement areas and help suggest actions. This paper describes the development of a tool that through such integrated modelling can help identify improvements via its library of tactics. These sustainable manufacturing tactics have to account for location and time, as well as production process, in a manner that is not currently supported by either manufacturing process simulation tools, or building energy tools. Through case study applications, the integrated modelling of real world industrial processes is demonstrated, from target and boundary settings, mapping (manufacturing process systems, material flow, surrounding buildings and facilities), data collection, simulation, improvement opportunities and optimisation.
Open Access
Design review of the Pounder Rig, following field trials of the prototype
(1999-11-01T00:00:00Z) Ball, Peter D.
Field trials of the prototype Pounder Rig were undertaken in Mpigi District, Uganda in the second half of 1999. The first phase of these trials gave rise to an initial evaluation of the equipment, which is included here as an Appendix. The trials themselves are fully reported under separate cover (Ball, P and Danert, K (1999) Field Trials of the Prototype Pounder Rig, Uganda, 20 th August – 13 th November, 1999. Report of DFID KAR Project R7126 “Private Sector Participation in Low Cost Water Well Drilling”, Cranfield University). This document is a review of the design of the Pounder Rig, and a discussion of pertinent aspects of its use and management, following the completion of the trials. It forms the basis for the move from prototype to production
Open Access
The emergence of sustainable manufacturing practices
(Taylor & Francis, 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z) Despeisse, Melanie; Mbaye, F.; Ball, Peter D.; Levers, A.
Sustainable manufacturing appears to be a rapidly developing field and it would be expected that there is a growing body of knowledge in this area. Initial examination of the literature shows evidence of sustainable work in the areas of product design, supply chain, production technology and waste avoidance activities. Manufacturers publish metrics showing significant improvements in environmental performance at high level but information on how these improvements are achieved is sparse. Examining peer-reviewed publications focused on production operations there are few cases reporting details and there has been little prior analysis of published sustainable manufacturing activity. Moreover, the mismatch between academic and practitioner language leads to challenges in interpretation. This article captures and analyses the types of sustainable manufacturing activities through literature review. In turn, this can help manufacturers to access examples of good practice and help academics identify areas for future research.
Open Access
Enablers and barriers to innovation activities in call centres
(2009-06-15) Smith, Marisa K.; Ball, Peter D.; van der Meer, Robert
Call centres have an operating model that aim to reduce costs - this has led to both customers and employees having issues with the current model. This has led to the view that contact centres are not entities in which innovation would occur. This paper identifies the barriers and enablers to innovation activities within call centres and discusses the implications of these to the wider service context.
Open Access
Energy efficiency status-quo at UK foundries: the “small-is-beautiful” project
(Springer, 2017-02-12) Jolly, Mark R.; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Charnley, Fiona; Ball, Peter D.; Ahmad Mehrabi, Hamid; Pagone, Emanuele
Energy efficiency is a critical issue for all manufacturing sectors. In the present paper the energy efficiency of UK foundries was assessed. In the context of this research 80 foundries were studied, 60 were contacted and 10 were visited. General energy data were collected using structured questionnaires, interviewing energy managers and process operators. A number of foundries are operating to a good standard, by employing energy managers and regularly auditing; they are in control of their process and working rigorously to improve their efficiency. Simultaneously though, smaller foundries have not adjusted to the new market demands and are not operating in the most energy efficient manner. Important barriers to energy efficiency in these foundries include lack of knowledge on auditing methods, poor knowledge in managing energy consumption, the inefficiency of individual process steps, production disruptions, aging equipment, personnel behavior, inadequate maintenance and lack of investment, automation and research.
Open Access
Energy efficient manufacturing from machine tools to manufacturing systems
(Elsevier BV, 2013-06-24T00:00:00Z) Salonitis, Konstantinos; Ball, Peter D.
Energy efficiency is one of the key drivers for sustainability. Within manufacturing environments, energy efficiency importance has grown, and it is now considered among other decision-making factors such as productivity, cost and flexibility. However, in most cases the energy consumption of the various components of the manufacturing systems, such as machine tools, are considered using average energy consumption models for the needs of discrete event simulation. The paper presents an overview of energy efficiency approaches, focusing in both production and machine tool level and how these two can be integrated together. Furthermore, the main challenges towards energy efficient manufacturing are discussed identifying the major barriers from both technology and cultural point of view.
Open Access
Enhancing competitive advantage through successful lean realisation within the Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry
(Cranfield University, 2015-10) Ayeni, P.; Ball, Peter D.; Baines, Tim
Purpose: Lean is increasingly being applied within the aviation Maintenance and Repair (MRO) Industry to mitigate industry challenges. This Lean application is premised on its success within other industrial contexts particularly the automotive industry. Furthermore, many organisations within automotive industry have attributed their enhanced competitive positioning to the Lean application. Indeed, Toyota (a pioneer of Lean) present Lean as a key proponent to its global success. However, with literature suggesting that there cannot be a direct transference of Lean from one industry to another and with the MRO having distinct characteristics different from the automotive industry, this research seeks to present how competitive advantage can be achieved through successful Lean realisation. Design/Methodology/Approach: The status of MRO Lean engagements presented is first presented based on the syntheses of literature review and empirical study (facilitate by an industry-wide survey). The means through which the MRO realises its value proposition is established and the structural assessment of the MRO industry as it pertains to competitiveness is also defined. The role of Lean in enhancing the value delivery system to enhance competitive positioning is operationalised through a case study. Findings: Using Porter’s forces of competition, this research establishes the competitive MRO landscape revealing the distinct characteristics of the MRO industry and how Lean can be accurately appropriated to enhance competitive advantage. The MRO Value Delivery System (VDS) is also delineated providing the complete system within which Lean is to be deployed (as opposed to the prevalent limited application of Lean in operational context alone). The case exemplar successfully validates and operationalises the approach to Lean application within MRO to enhance competitive advantage. Research Limitations: A case study example was used for this research, and whilst the outcomes were consistent with the research proposal, it still requires wider validation. Practical and Social Implications: This research demystifies and helps MRO organisations in assessing their Lean engagements but also in provide a roadmap and informs their strategy in improving their competitive status through Lean realisation.
Open Access
Environmental impact assessment of the manufacturing of a commercial aircraft
(2013-09-02T00:00:00Z) Kolios, Athanasios J.; Howe, Stuart; Asproulis, Nikolaos; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Shehab, Essam; Ball, Peter D.; Tjahjono, Benny
This paper documents the methodology and presents the results of a comprehensive LCA study of an Airbus A320 commercial airliner to determine the relative environmental impact of its manufacturing phase. The study was conducted in accordance with ISO 14040/44 using SimaPro LCA software, the EcoInvent inventory database and Eco-Indicator 99 weighting method, which allows the analysis to be outputted in a single score representing a number of damage models including damage to human health, ecosystem quality or resource depletion. Results indicate CFRP wings to have the most significant contribution to the overall environmental impact as a proportion to mass.
Open Access
Environmental management practices within the supply chain: a case study of textile industry
(TU Berlin, 2013) Pimenta, H. C. D.; Ball, Peter D.; Aguiar, J. A.; Evans, Stephen
This study analysed the environmental management practices of a textile supply chain responsible for yarn manufacturing, located in Brazil. Using literature as the start point, a questionnaire was developed and applied with key individuals of the company. The results indicated the implementation of environmental tools, such as an environmental management system and the control of environmental aspects of the company, capable of contributing to the improvement of the company's environmental performance. It was also apparent that the environmental practices in the company studied were required for its suppliers, indicating a continuation of the environmental dimension along the supply chain. The relationship between the company and its partners indicates the existence of collaboration based on the joint development of technical and technological innovations and contribution to the improvement of training of employees.
Open Access
Examining green production and its role within the competitive strategy of manufacturers
(2012-12-31T00:00:00Z) Baines, Tim S.; Brown, Steve; Benedettini, Ornella; Ball, Peter D.
Purpose: This paper reviews current literature and contributes a set of findings that capture the current state-of-the-art of the topic of green production. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review to capture, classify and summarize the main body of knowledge on green production and, translate this into a form that is readily accessible to researchers and practitioners in the more mainstream operations management community. Findings: The existing knowledge base is somewhat fragmented. This is a relatively unexplored topic within mainstream operations management research and one which could provide rich opportunities for further exploration. Originality/value: This paper sets out to review current literature, from a more conventional production operations perspective, and contributes a set of findings that capture the current state-of-the-art of this topic.
Open Access
An exploration of policies and practices used to showcase production facilities
(Professional Engineering Publishing, 2008-09-01T00:00:00Z) Baines, Tim S.; Ball, Peter D.; Cooper, S.; Dawson, P.; Wilkinson, S.; Woods, M.; Kay, John M.
Manufacturers who seek innovative ways in which to differentiate their products and services should not overlook the value of showcasing their production facilities. By careful design, visitors can be exposed to a series of experiences that can help to emphasize the value built into products. This topic has, however, received almost no attention by manufacturing researchers. Therefore, this paper describes a study of six manufacturers and, from this, proposes a set of guidelines for showcasing production facilities. Although exploratory, this work provides both a guide to manufacturers and a platform for more in-depth research. The guidelines and the case studies on which they are based are all described within the paper.
Open Access
Factors influencing an organisation's ability to manage innovation: A structured literature review and conceptual model
(Imperial College Press, 2008-12-31T00:00:00Z) Smith, Marisa K.; Busi, Marco; Ball, Peter D.; van der Meer, Robert
Management literature prescribes innovation as a stimulus for sustained competitive advantage in companies; however, the nature of the development in this field has resulted in the literature being broad and fragmented. This paper focuses on the body of literature concerned with the factors which influence innovation management in organisations. The aim of this research is to present a holistic view of the factors that affect innovation management. Using a systematic literature review approach, using over 100 papers, this research identifies nine key factors that impact on an organisation's ability to manage innovation. These nine factors have been identified as management style and leadership, resources, organisational structure, corporate strategy, technology, knowledge management, employees and innovation process. This paper then discusses the inductively derived model that presents the important relationships identified between the factors to present a holistic view of innovation management. From this, we open up the debate on innovation management as a systemic approach rather than being focused on the singular factors. We can therefore conclude that a number of dominant relationships exist between the factors with the innovation process being the only endogenous factor within the model.
Open Access
Factory eco-efficiency modelling: framework application and analysis
(Elsevier, 2016-02-19) Davé, Aanand; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Ball, Peter D.; Adams, Mark; Morgan, David
Eco-efficiency is becoming an increasingly important organisational performance measure. Currently manufacturers rely on reactive methods such as auditing for assessment. There are still significant theoretical and practical barriers including a lack of knowledge regarding data granularity, model results quality and split incentives between facilities and manufacturing asset management. The purpose of this paper is to show the application of an eco-efficiency modelling framework in the case of a furniture-manufacturing factory. The framework composes resource and production data. These are analysed with respect to three data granularity factors, asset subdivision, time-step, and resource magnitude. Modelling is used to represent asset eco-efficiency across available subdivisions using performance indicators. This paper contributes to industrial sustainability literature by applying a factory eco-efficiency modelling framework in a comparative study of the case company's cursory and detailed data. Facility, utility and manufacturing assets are modelled and analysed from logged data granularity factors.
Open Access
Factory eco-efficiency modelling: framework development and testing
(Future Technology Press, 2015-04-15) Davé, Aanand; Ball, Peter D.; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Astfalck, C.
Eco-efficiency is becoming an increasingly important organisational performance measure. Its indicators are regularly used alongside productivity, cost, quality, health and safety in operations and corporate social responsibility reporting. The purpose of this paper is to show an eco-efficiency modelling framework, and its application in the case of an automotive manufacturer. The framework composes, models and analyses resource and production data. Focus on energy, water distributions and material transformations in manufacturing, utility and facility assets are used to analyse eco-efficiency. Resources are examined in respect to three data granularity factors: subdivision, pulse, and magnitude. Models are linked with performance indicators to assess asset eco-efficiency. This work contributes to industrial sustainability literature by introducing a modelling framework that links with data granularity and eco-efficiency indicators.
Open Access
Factory eco-efficiency modelling: the impact of data granularity on manufacturing and building asset simulation results quality
(Emerald, 2015) Davé, Aanand; Oates, Michael; Turner, Christopher J.; Ball, Peter D.
Purpose – This paper reports on the experimentation of an integrated manufacturing and building model to improve energy efficiency. Traditionally, manufacturing and building-facilities engineers work independently, with their own performance objectives, methods and software support. However, with progresses in resource reduction, advances have become more challenging. Further opportunities for energy efficiency require an expansion of scope across the functional boundaries of facility, utility and manufacturing assets.