Date of Award
4-2009
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering and Engineering Management
First Advisor
Dr. Azim Houshyar
Second Advisor
Dr. David Meade
Third Advisor
Dr. Steven Butt
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a model to solve a multi-commodity, multi-location, production operation problem. The resulting tool was designed for use in strategic and operational decision making by a large US-based thermoforming manufacturer which primarily serves the foodservice and consumer goods packaging markets in North America. In order to gain a better understanding of this problem and to aid in the development of a solution process, data was collected from all facilities owned by the manufacturer. The resulting optimization model included constraints that took into consideration machine capabilities, production rates, capacities, and tooling. The model was developed with the flexibility to optimize various objectives, such as maximizing system capacity. The model could also be used to investigate scenarios, such as the affect of product mix on the capacity of the production lines. Numerical findings and uses of the developed tool are presented and discussed.
Recommended Citation
Evans, Elizabeth E., "Optimization of Production Operations in Plastics Manufacturing" (2009). Masters Theses. 213.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/213