Operations Research Group

If you would like any further information about operations research or the project, please contact us:
Operations Research Group - Mathematical Sciences - Queensland University of Technology GPO Box 2434 Brisbane Qld 4001 Australia
Phone: (07) 31381029 Fax: (07)3138 2310 Email: e.kozan@qut.edu.au
Problem
A more comprehensive analytical framework is developed to
examine the relative merits of alternative material handling and
inventory strategies for a truck assembly plant.
Solution Approach
The model is based on extensions of the Vehicle Routing Problem.
Solutions to the model have been obtained by heuristics and meta-
heuristics.
Product
Microsoft Access based user interface integrated with Microsoft
Visual Basic
Significance
The model can be used to minimise handling associated with the
delivery of units from the warehouse to the assembly line and from
the unpacking area to the warehouse. The model is also designed
to look at arrangements of the storage areas to increase the
efficiency of material management. The historical demand data of
the plant are used to simulate and analyse the different strategies to
statistically determine the best material handing and inventory
strategies for the truck assembly plant.
An Integrated Material Handling System for Volvo Truck Assembly Plant
Supported by Australian Research Council & VOLVO Truck Australia








Racks













Racks











A diagrammatic representationof material handlingproblem









Bulk
Storage
Area







Storage
Area
Storemen
Computers




Assembly
Line






Station




Central
Processing
Area
Forklift
Parking
Area
A forklift Route
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Sequencing and Scheduling for Mixed Model Assembly
Supported by Australian Research Council & VOLVO Truck Australia
Problem
Sequencing, Scheduling, and Resource Allocation, Resource
Aggregation
Determine sequence of trucks on the assembly line (In what
ordering are trucks processed on each work centre?)
Assign resource levels to operations (How many workers will be
assigned to an operation?)
Schedule operations so that total resource levels are not
violated. (When can an operation be performed given that
specific resource levels have been assigned?)
Determine how groups of machines and human workers are
created.
Solution Approach
Constructive Algorithms and Meta-Heuristics
Significance
The production horizon or makespan is minimised through
efficient production plans.
The workload is balanced amongst the workers and / or the
movement of workers is minimised.
Solution visualisation
Computer software and interface development
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