As the problem solvers for the manufacturing and service industries, industrial engineers design factories, production systems and service systems. They are also involved in reengineering existing factories and systems to use resources effectively and increase productivity. Manufacturing engineers design the methods by which products are manufactured.
The aim of this project is to utilize facility layout concepts and lean tools to create an efficient layout that minimizes travel time, leads to better space utilization and be resilient to demand fluctuations for high-running products.
The goal of this project was to provide the Dole VA Hospital with Industrial Engineering solutions based on data and traditional Industrial Engineering methods to improve the flow of patients from the Emergency Department to their designated admission unit. In doing so, this will assist patients in getting the care they need in the timeliest manner possible while still receiving good quality of care. The methods our group focused on to provide these solutions were the Lean method of Value Stream Mapping and the Industrial Engineering method of System Simulation using the software Simio.
Viega LLC has a production line for assembling elbows and couplings on this production line. Employees are manually inserting the O-rings, Separate rings and grip rings into this assembly. The process is hard on the hands and the company would like for the team to design a tool that makes this process ergonomic.
Western Industries Corporation (WIC) is a manufacturing company that specializes in custom crating, and pallet production through the use of wood and foam. They recently relocated and are actively struggling to formulate a standardized and efficient workflow for their Crating and Foam Departments. WIC has effective systems in place for their pallet manufacturing line, mainly for their largest customer, Johnson Controls, but they have not moved those good work practices to the Foam and Crating areas of their plant. WIC is using this project to create opportunities for our team of engineering students to integrate the current work practices with our own outside perspective to maximize efficiency of their overall work process, as well as reduce waste in areas such as, storage, raw materials, labor, and motion.
A deep dive into Little Caesars' current inventory and waste management system. Standardization of inventory tracking processes resulting in reduced inventory variation and waste. Inventory standardization ensuring FIFO resulting in waste reduction and food safety.
Our project focused on implementing a 3P (Production Preparation Process) initiative aimed at redesigning production flows within the company's manufacturing facilities for a new machine and the location of that machine. The objective was to enhance efficiency and optimize workflow to meet evolving market demands. Our team collaborated closely with engineering, production, and management personnel at Spirit AeroSystems to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. Through structured workshops, we engaged in creative problem-solving exercises to reimagine production layouts, material flow pathways, and workspace configurations. By applying principles of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, we aimed to achieve sustainable gains in productivity and competitiveness for Spirit AeroSystems. Results from our project showcase improvements in production efficiency, including streamlined workflows and reduced cycle times. The implementation of new production layouts and standardized work processes yielded tangible benefits such as increased capacity utilization and decreased inventory levels. Our project exemplifies the practical application of engineering principles in addressing real-world challenges within the aerospace industry.