Economic design of a two-stage control chart based on both performance and surrogate variables

The traditional approach to economic design of control charts is based on the assumption that a process is monitored using only a performance variable. If, however, the performance variable is costly to measure and a less expensive surrogate variable is available, the process may be more efficiently controlled by using both performance and surrogate variables. In this article we propose a model for economic design of a two-stage control chart which uses a highly correlated surrogate variable together with a performance variable. The process is assumed to be monitored by the surrogate variable until it signals out-of-control behavior, then by the performance variable until it signals out-of-control behavior or maintains in-control signals for a prespecified amount of time, and the two variables are used in alternating fashion. An algorithm based on the direct search method of Hooke and Jeeves [6] is used to find the optimum values of design parameters. The proposed model is applied to the end-closure welding process for nuclear fuel to compute the amount of reduction in cost compared with the current control procedure. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 46: 958–977, 1999     

Continuous sampling plans for markov-dependent production processes

This article discusses the behavior of three continuous sampling plans: continuous sampling plan 1 (CSP 1) and continuous sampling plan 2 (CSP 2) developed by Dodge [5] and Dodge and Torrey [7], and multilevel continuous sampling plan 2 (MLP 2) developed by Lieberman and Solomon [11], when the quality of successive units in a continuous production process follows a two-state time-homogeneous Markov chain. We first derive the average outgoing quality (AOQ) expressions of these plans. Exact procedures for determining the average outgoing quality limit (AOQL) can be obtained only for CSP 1. For CSP 2 and MLP 2 plans, iterative procedures have been used to obtain the AOQL contours. For these plans, it is assumed that the serial correlation coefficient between the two consecutive random variables of the Markov chain is known. In addition, estimation procedures for the coefficient are given. We show that if the serial correlation coefficient of the Markov chain is positive (negative), the AOQL is increased (decreased) as compared to the case when the successive units in the production process follows a Bernoulli pattern. Let r denote the number of production units examined in succession which are found to be of good quality and k denote the inverse of the sampling fraction employed when quality is good. Then if r and k are sufficiently small, it is observed from the graph that, for small departures of the serial correlation coefficient from zero, the AOQL values do not differ significantly for each of the three plans; whereas for sufficiently large values of r and k, the AOQL values differ significantly. Various aspects of these plans, such as their operating characteristics 2 (OC 2) and the serial correlation coefficient, are discussed.     

Modeling lead-time demand for lumpy demand and variable lead time

Slow-moving items that occasionally exhibit large demand transactions are known as lumpy demand items. In modeling lumpy demand patterns, it is often assumed that the arrival of customer orders follows a Poisson process and that the order sizes are given by the geometric distribution. This gives rise to a stuttering Poisson (sP) model of lumpy demand. If lead times are constant, the result is a stuttering Poisson model of lead-time demand. Heretofore, authors such as Ward [18] and Mitchell, Rappold, and Faulkner [12] have assumed constant lead times and thus stopped at the sP model. We develop this model further by introducing the effect of lead-time variability. For illustration, we use the normal and the gamma distributions as characterizations of lead time. The resulting models of lead-time demand are referred to as the geometric Poisson normal (GPN) and the geometric Poisson gamma (GPG). For both these models, the article derives tractable expressions for calculating probabilities. Errors introduced by using the sP, constant lead-time model instead of the exact, variable lead-time model are also illustrated.     

Multi-objective design optimization of composite submerged cylindrical pressure hull for minimum buoyancy and maximum buckling load capacity

This paper presents the design optimization of composite submersible cylindrical pressure hull subjected to 3 MPa hydrostatic pressure. The design optimization study is conducted for cross-ply layups [0s/90t/0u], [0s/90t/0u]s, [0s/90t]s and [90s/0t]s considering three uni-directional composites, i.e. Carbon/Epoxy, Glass/Epoxy, and Boron/Epoxy. The optimization study is performed by coupling a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) and Analytical Analysis. Minimizing the buoyancy factor and maximizing the buckling load factor are considered as the objectives of the optimization study. The objectives of the optimization are achieved under constraints on the Tsai-Wu, Tsai-Hill and Maximum Stress composite failure criteria and on buckling load factor. To verify the optimization approach, optimization of one particular layup configuration is also conducted in ANSYS with the same objectives and constraints.     

Minimax surveillance schedules for replaceable units

An analysis is made of the problem of finding optimal schedules for checking an operating unit subject to random failure detectable only by inspection of the unit. It is assumed that only partial information, in the form of .a single percentile of the otherwise unknown life distribution of the unit, is available. In a previous paper [5] some results were given for the case with a finite time horizon. Tn this work it is assumed that tne unit is replaceable at will with a new, statistically identical unit, and the horizon is infinite.     

Note: The economic manufacturing lot-sizing problem with imperfect production processes: Bounds and optimal solutions

In this paper, we consider the economic production quantity problem in the presence of imperfect processes. In the literature, the time to shift from the in-control state to the out-of-control state is assumed to be exponentially distributed. In this study, we consider general time to shift distributions and provide distribution-based and distribution-free bounds on the optimal cost. For the exponential case, we compare the optimal solutions to approximate solutions proposed in the literature. A numerical example is used to illustrate the analysis presented and to conduct a sensitivity analysis in order to see the effect of the input parameters on the various solutions to the problem. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 45: 423–433, 1998     

Recent articles on partial backorders: Comment

This note points out the omission of a simple but vital constraint in the recent articles on partial backlogging. Also, a simple intuitive interpretation of the “backorder” inequality of [2], [3], and [4] is provided.     

Optimal lot sizing and inspection policy for an EMQ model with imperfect inspections

An EMQ model with a production process subject to random deterioration is considered. The process can be monitored through inspections, and both the lot size and the inspection schedule are subject to control. The “in-control” periods are assumed to be generally distributed and the inspections are imperfect, i.e., the true state of the process is not necessarily revealed through an inspection. The objective is the joint determination of the lot size and the inspection schedule, minimizing the long-run expected average cost per unit time. Both discrete and continuous cases are examined. A dynamic programming formulation is considered in the case where the inspections can be performed only at discrete times, which is typical for the parts industry. In the continuous case, an optimum inspection schedule is obtained for a given production time and given number of inspections by solving a nonlinear programming problem. A two-dimensional search procedure can be used to find the optimal policy. In the exponential case, the structure of the optimal inspection policy is established using Lagrange's method, and it is shown that the optimal inspection times can be found by solving a nonlinear equation. Numerical studies indicate that the optimal policy performs much better than the optimal policy with periodic inspections considered previously in the literature. The case of perfect inspections is discussed, and an extension of the results obtained previously in the literature is presented. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 45: 165–186, 1998     

Choosing arrival process models for service systems: Tests of a nonhomogeneous Poisson process

Service systems such as call centers and hospital emergency rooms typically have strongly time‐varying arrival rates. Thus, a nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) is a natural model for the arrival process in a queueing model for performance analysis. Nevertheless, it is important to perform statistical tests with service system data to confirm that an NHPP is actually appropriate, as emphasized by Brown et al. [8]. They suggested a specific statistical test based on the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) statistic after exploiting the conditional‐uniform (CU) property to transform the NHPP into a sequence of i.i.d. random variables uniformly distributed on [0,1] and then performing a logarithmic transformation of the data. We investigate why it is important to perform the final data transformation and consider what form it should take. We conduct extensive simulation experiments to study the power of these alternative statistical tests. We conclude that the general approach of Brown et al. [8] is excellent, but that an alternative data transformation proposed by Lewis [22], drawing upon Durbin [10], produces a test of an NHPP test with consistently greater power. We also conclude that the KS test after the CU transformation, without any additional data transformation, tends to be best to test against alternative hypotheses that primarily differ from an NHPP only through stochastic and time dependence. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 66–90, 2014     

A comparison of several attribute sampling plans

The purpose of this research is to examine several types of procedures for attribute sampling inspection-the widely used Military Standard 105D plans [8], the lesser known Double Zero plans as developed by Ellis [4] and the Narrow Limit gaging plans of Ott and Mundel [9]. Each of the procedures is described with an effort made to illuminate their more subtle features. Then the plans are compared, whence it is revealed that (i) Narrow Limit gaging plans have a serious weakness in comparison to the others and (ii) Double Zero plans tend to be essentially conservative, but that sufficiently tight Military Standard 105D plans can be selected to achieve comparable performance in all ways.     

Remarks on a univariate shock model with some bivariate generalizations

In a 1973 paper J. D. Esary, A. W. Marshall, and F. Proschan [5] considered a shock model giving rise to various nonparametric classes of life distributions of interest in reliability theory. A number of authors have extended these results in a variety of directions. In this paper, alternative proofs of the increasing failure rate (IFR) and decreasing mean residual life (DMRL) results are given which do not make use of the theory of total positivity. Some bivariate extensions are then obtained using a shock model similar to that originally used by H. W. Block, A. S. Paulson, and R. C. Kohberger [2] to unify various bivariate exponential distributions.     

静磁场Dirichlet问题

本文以单调算子理论为基础,应用文献［１］中得到的静磁场Ｂ－Ｈ的几个不等式证明了静磁场Ｄｉｒｉｃｈｌｅｔ问题广义解的存在与唯一性,并证明了静磁场Ｄｉｒｉｃｈｌｅｔ问题相应泛函的极小值的存在性,得出主要结论如定理３．１和定理３．２。     

Causative matrix technique for deriving interim period transition probabilities in nonstationary markov process

The Markov assumption that transition probabilities are assumed to be constant over entire periods has been applied in economic and social structures, for example, in the analysis of income and wage distributions. In many cases, however, nonstationary transition probabilities exist over different periods. Based on causative matrix technique, this study shows a binomial approximation for obtaining nonstationary interim transition probabilities under undisturbance when the first and the last transition matrices are known.     

三维静磁场Lipschitz区域上Robin问题广义解的存在与唯一性

近年来,电磁场边值问题的数值解法取得了飞速的发展．由于电磁场边值问题是一类非线性偏微分方程,研究解的存在性、唯一性具有较大的困难．前人已讨论了B-H间的几个基本不等式,并由之证明了三雏静磁场带零边值问题广义解的存在与唯一性,作者也曾利用给出的B-H间的不等式证明了三维静磁场Neumann问题和二维时变场第一边值初值问题广义解的存在与唯一性．由于在一般区域讨论存在困难,作者利用Sobolev空间理论及单调算子理论证明了三雏静磁场Lipschitz区域上Robin问题广义解的存在与唯一性．     

Estimation and prediction in a semi-markov model for evasive vehicle movement along a fixed path

In Turner and Holmes [8] a model for evasive vehicle movement along a fixed track is developed within the mathematical framework of a two-state semi-Markov process. They derive a number of analytical properties of the model. In this article we address problems concerning the estimation of parameters in the model and the construction of data-based prediction equations.     

A model for use in the rationing of inventory during lead time

While the traditional solution to the problem of meeting stochastically variable demands for inventory during procurement lead time is through the use of some level of safety stock, several authors have suggested that a decision be made to employ some form of rationing so as to protect certain classes of demands against stockout by restricting issues to other classes. Nahmias and Demmy [10] derived an approximate continuous review model of systems with two demand classes which would permit an inventory manager to calculate the expected fill rates per order cycle for high-priority, low-priority, and total system demands for a variety of parameters. The manager would then choose the rationing policy that most closely approximated his fill-rate objectives. This article describes a periodic review model that permits the manager to establish a discrete time rationing policy during lead time by prescribing a desired service level for high-priority demands. The reserve levels necessary to meet this level of service can then be calculated based upon the assumed probability distributions of high- and low-priority demands over lead time. The derived reserve levels vary with the amount of lead time remaining. Simulation tests of the model indicate they are more effective than the single reserve level policy studied by Nahmias and Demmy.     

Scheduling to minimize the weighted sum of completion times with secondary criteria

A result of Smith previously published in this journal [3], on the use of secondary criteria in scheduling problems, is shown to be incorrect and a counter example is presented. Heck and Roberts [2] suggested that their paper would be extended in the same way Smith's algorithm was. A new algorithm is given that converges to a local optimum for both problems.     

A special case of the 3 × n flow shop problem

Johnson [2] in 1954 solved the two machine flow shop problem by giving an argument for a sufficient condition of optimality and by stating an efficient algorithm which produces a solution via satisfaction of the sufficient condition. Moreover, Johnson solved two special cases of the corresponding three machine flow shop problem. Since that time, six other special cases have been solved, two contributed by Arthanari and Mukhopadhyay [1], two by Smith, Panwalkar, and Dudek [3], and two of a different nature by Szwarc [5]. This paper contributes an extension to one of the classes described by Szwarc.     

Bounds and properties of the expected value of sample information for a project-selection problem

In this article we extend the work of Mehrez and Stulman [5] on the expected value of perfect information (EVPI) to the expected value of sample information (EVSI) for a class of economic problems dealing with the decision to reject or accept an investment project. It is shown that shifting the mean of the underlying a priori distribution of X, the project's monetary value from zero in either direction will decrease the associated EVSI of Y, the random sampled information. A theorem is then presented which gives an upper bound on the EVSI over all distributions of Y, as well as the structure of the posterior mean E[X|Y] for which this upper bound is achieved. Finally, the case where E[X|Y] is linear in Y is discussed and its performance compared with that of the optimal case.     

A lost sales (S — 1, S) perishable inventory system with renewal demand

This article analyzes a one-to-one ordering perishable inventory model with renewal demands and exponential lifetimes. The leadtimes are independently and exponentially distributed and the demands that occur during stock out periods are lost. Although the items are assumed to decay at a constant rate, the output process is not renewal and the Markov renewal techniques are successfully employed to obtain the operating characteristics. The problem of minimizing the long run expected cost rate is discussed and numerical values of optimal stock level are also provided. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.