Algorithms and heuristics for variable-yield lot sizing

We consider the multiperiod lot-sizing problem in which the production yield (the proportion of usable goods) is variable according to a known probability distribution. We review two economic order quantity (EOQ) models for the stationary demand continuous-time problem and derive an EOQ model when the production yield follows a binomial distribution and backlogging of demand is permitted. A dynamic programming algorithm for an arbitrary sequence of demand requirements is presented. Heuristics based on both the EOQ model and appropriate modification of the underlying perfect-yield lot-sizing policies are discussed, and extensive computational evaluation of these heuristics is presented. Two of these heuristics are then modified to include the notion of supply safety stock. The modified heuristics consistently produce near-optimal lot-sizing policies for problems with stationary and time-varying demands.     

Waiting-time distributions for bulk arrival,bulk service queues with vehicle-holding and cancellation strategies

Procedures are developed for numerically calculating the waiting-time distribution for bulk arrival, bulk service queues operated under a vehicle-cancellation or a vehicle-holding strategy, as well as for queues where vehicles depart regardless of the length of the queue. Experiments indicate that the mean and variance of the calculated distribution agree very closely with analytical expressions obtained from transforms. The results can be used to study the service reliability of different dispatching strategies. Alternatively, the results may be used to evaluate simpler approximations for the higher moments.     

精密机床导轨的测量分析

本文提出了一个用于质量诊断的精密机床导轨分析系统。受控目标的质量评估是依据于对一个物体在选定区间内的测量形状与位置偏差来确定的。质量评估采用相关综合指标的形式:基本误差函数,综合不平行度。在对完整的支撑部件或导向部件作评估的时候,这套系统能对各部件的位置做校正。本文所描述的计算机系统能控制任何测量系统。目前的版本是控制一个测量平动与转动位移量的激光干涉仪。     

基于模型参考的机电精密驱动系统滞后效应补偿

概述 机电伺服驱动系统作为现代自动化技术中的关键部分之一,其轻质量和小体积对于应用精密齿轮系而言具有独到的作用。为了保证驱动系统的高功率密度,其要求系统具有高传动比和紧凑的齿轮结构,实现这一目的的方法是使齿轮系的轮牙大量啮合以使作用力矩并行分配从而提高系统的功率比。例如:井齿轮(Well Gear)具有使高达30％的轮牙同时啮合的独特结构,由此给齿轮传动特性带来一些非线性影响,如:衰减柔顺性、     

The stochastic duel with time-dependent hit probabilities

The fundamental stochastic duel considers two opponents who fire at each other at either random continuous or fixed-time intervals with a constant hit probability on each round fired. Each starts with an unloaded weapon, unlimited ammunition, and unlimited time. The first to hit wins. In this article we extend the theory to the case where hit probabilities are functions of the time since the duel began. First, the marksman firing at a passive target is considered and the characteristic function of the time to a hit is developed. Then, the probability of a given side winning the duel is derived. General solutions for a wide class of hit probability functions are derived. Specific examples of both the marksman and the duel problem are given.     

Book reviews

British Naval Policy and Norwegian Security: Maritime Power in Transition, 1951-60.. By Mats Berdal. Forsvarsstudier No. 2/92, Institutt For Forsvarsstudier (IFS) Oslo, Norway, 1992, ISSN 0333-3981.

The European Security Order Recast: Scenarios for the Post-Cold War Era.. By Barry Buzan, Morten Kelstrup, Pierre Lemaitre, Elzbieta Tromer and OLE Waever. Pinter, London (1990), ISBN 086187143X, £30.00.

Mates and Muchachos: Unit Cohesion in the Falklands War.. By Nora Kinzer Stewart. Brassey's (US), Washington DC (1991), ISBN 008-037-4395, $20.

The Declining Hegemon: The United States and European Defense, 1960-1990.. By Joseph Lepgold. Praeger, New York (1990), ISBN 0-275-93657-0, $15.95 pb.

Inventing Accuracy: A Historical Sociology of Nuclear Missile Guidance.. By Donald Mackenzie. MIT Press, Cambridge MA, and London, England (1990), ISBN 262-132-583, £19.95.     

Application of level crossing analysis to discrete state processes in queueing systems

In this paper we introduce a discrete state level crossing analysis and present some basic results and a key theorem of level crossings. We illustrate the fertility of the discrete state level crossing analysis by applying it to queueing systems with (i) bulk arrival, (ii) instantaneous feedback, (iii) limited waiting space, and (iv) to machine interference problems.     

The outfit planning problem: Production planning in shipbuilding

Shipbuilding as currently practiced in U.S. commercial shipyards employs little quantitative modeling or analysis in production planning. This paper presents a brief discussion of the shipbuilding process and focuses on one major component which is referred to as outfitting. The outfit planning problem is described in detail and then formally modeled as a generalization of the resource constrained project scheduling problem. The value of the approach as well as barriers to its adoption are also discussed.     

One- and two-stage scheduling of two products with distributed inserted idle time: The benefits of a controllable production rate

Consider the problem of scheduling two products on a single machine or through two machines in series when demand is constant and there is a changeover cost between runs of different products on the same machine. As well as setting batch sizes, it is assumed that the production scheduler can choose the production rate for each product, provided an upper bound is not exceeded. This is equivalent to permitting distributed inserted idle time over the production run. It is shown that characteristic of the optimum schedule is that there is no idle time concentrated between runs; it is all distributed over the run. If the inventory charge is based on average inventory then one product is always produced at maximum rate on the bottleneck stage; however, if there is an inventory constraint based on maximum inventory then in the single-stage case it can occur that neither product is produced at maximum rate.