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Simulation-Based Lean Framework to Improve Window-Manufacturing Production System
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- Author / Creator
- Azakir, Omar
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The construction industry has been long recognized for its low productivity, lack of digitalization, and a reduced appetite for innovation. This has shed light on industrialization as paradigm to ensure the successful implementation of construction projects through offsite construction methods. As such, key industry participants are scaling up their production, which enables them to position themselves in a firmly competitive market in terms of strategic R&D facilities and adoption of technological advancements systems to create a diverse array of innovative products. These companies compete based on manufacturing processes, productivity, efficiency, waste minimization, and quality, all of which cater to cost reduction, faster delivery, higher quality, and a better work environment. Implementing lean simulation, multi-criterion decision making (MCDM), and experiment techniques in an Offsite Construction (OSC) facility are essential decision-making tools in a volatile market. Value stream mapping (VSM) is effective in visualizing the production process and identifying waste. However, this tool has its shortcomings and challenges on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, researchers propose to merge it with simulation-based methods to overcome its deficiencies. Simulation has been proven to be a valuable tool to test potential solutions and showcase their impact. The OSC is rich with case studies that have successfully combined both tools. However, there is limited research on incorporating Choosing by Advantages (CBA) as a mechanism to objectively filter the potential set of solutions prior to testing. This is expected to reduce the effort needed in testing and analyzing the solution, and will ensure an objective and collaborative selection process. Additionally, most solutions are tested theoretically through developing simulation models, with limited attention given to conducting hands-on experiments. This research aims to present a framework to assess and improve the state of OSC. This can be achieved through an application of VSM and simulation, with the aid of CBA and other experiments. The developed framework was successfully tested on a window and door OSC facility. This system can ultimately provide management with a valuable decision support system to improve the state of the production line, enhance the well being of the workers, and make the workplace more inclusive.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Fall 2023
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.