Standardizing Components and Rotating Workers Using GT-Based Algorithm—A Case Study

Abstract

In both manufacturing and remanufacturing systems, exploiting bulk buying and avoiding delivery delays due to material shortages are crucial. One method that aids in these processes is component standardization. Additionally, company managers seek to reduce labor costs and mitigate the risk of sudden worker resignation or absence due to, for example, reasons associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The aforementioned problems could be solved using the sorting algorithm proposed in this study. The concept of the proposed algorithm is based on group technology. One numerical example and two case studies are presented to demonstrate the utility of the proposed algorithm. The first example suggested that the performance of the algorithm proposed in this study is superior to another one in the literature. The second one demonstrated that the algorithm in this work achieves component standardization by reducing an initial number of 12 components down to 6. The final case study provides an effective means of grouping workers with similar operational abilities and suggests how to assign new tasks to other skilled workers if a worker resigns suddenly or cannot attend work due to pandemic prevention measures.

Component Standardization: A Code of Sustainability

“…• Reduce the risk of components and labour shortages, as the demand would be more common [6]. • More sustainable from a social and environmental point of view as purchased goods could be repaired more easily.…”

“…Ultimately leading to the benefit of the first principle. As this research is a way of progressively identifying cases where standard components or ranges could be introduced [6].…”

“…There are already examples of this happening, where algorithms are being designed to identify commonalities to reuse existing components as well as identify what properties can be standardized [6].…”

“…This is resulting in components being manufactured within a narrow range, where the main objective is to last long enough to guarantee a few years' warranty for their original product. Highlighting an emphasis on a disposable rather than reusable product [6]. To change this trend there is a need to establish codes of sustainability that are more specific to each industry's technologies [7].…”

A design science research methodology for developing an integrated model supplier reduction and grouping parts using GT-based algorithm

“…quantitative examples to compare the proposed algorithm with other methods. This algorithm has also been used to address the problem of standardizing parts and rotating workers (Li, 2021b). Li's examples show that the proposed algorithm is superior to other approaches proposed in the literature.…”