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This study details the assembling of a prefabricated fish feed pelletizing machine and optimization of some operational parameters such as die thickness, number of die holes, shaft speed and feed rate to produce high-grade fish pellets. The Taguchi methodology and Grey relational analysis (GRA) have been utilized to evaluate the multi-objective functions of interest such as pelletizing efficiency, throughput, energy requirements and pellets bulk density (g/cm3). The pelletizer machine performance evaluation test was carried at 3 levels of die thickness (8, 6 and 12 mm), number of die holes (30, 25, and 35), and feed rates (145, 130 and 160 g/h). The test for the performance indicators was conducted using L9 orthogonal array experimental design. The test data were analyzed using the Taguchi scheme employing the signal-to-noise ratio response with effects deduced. The GRA was utilized to assess multiple responses by fusing the Taguchi technique with the GRA. Thus the multi-objective optimization was transformed to a single equivalent objective function. The results of Taguchi optimization revealed that die thickness was the most influential parameter for the various control factors. In addition, optimum parameter combination was obtainable at medium die thickness (8mm), medium number of die holes (30), low shaft speed (200rpm) and medium feed rate of 145g/h. Analysis of variance for grey relational grade (GRG) reveals that die thickness and feed rate are the dominant parameters. The confirmation test performed shows that the GRG is enhanced by 2.19%.

There are several reasons why industrial engineers need to optimize process layout designs. This paper points out the justification and discusses the qualitative and quantitative techniques involved in the determination of an optimal process layout for a pilot alkyd resin and its end products manufacturing system. It also spotlights practical decisions required for achieving optimality in the design process. It is the belief of the authors that with some improvements on the final layout, our proposed layout will be a ballpark of eco-factory moored on green manufacturing.

The paper seeks to explore the effect of under belting a multiple V-belt drive on the life of a given sets of belts.  Under belting a device means using fewer belts than recommended by good design practices. The experiment investigates the incremental reduction of the number of belts by one and the attendant effect on the life of the whole belts set. The experiment is based on ten belts being the normal required to drive the load. The experiment emphasizes the effect of reducing one V belt on the life of the whole set. The experiment was based on 100% efficiency on the whole life of the whole sets from 10 belts, which is the required to drive the load.  Effect of belt creep was neglected.  It was progressively decreased by one and the whole belt life was evaluated based on the reduction