Dinis Carvalho | Universidade do Minho (original) (raw)
Papers by Dinis Carvalho
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2014
Cellular production is usually seen as a hybrid approach between job-shop and flow-line paradigms... more Cellular production is usually seen as a hybrid approach between job-shop and flow-line paradigms, reducing the major disadvantages of these two paradigms: the low productivity of job-shops and the low flexibility (in terms of products' variety) of the flow-lines. This paper describes the implementation of a production cell in a production unit of woodframed pictures and mirrors, which was originally configured as a traditional job-shop, without losing the necessary flexibility to face market demand and simultaneously increasing the production unit's performance. By implementing a highly flexible cell, very significant improvements were expected for the system's overall performance and the quality of the products. These expectations were met, and the implementation was successful, as demonstrated by the results presented.
2015 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2015
Lean production is an organizational methodology that has been successfully adopted by many compa... more Lean production is an organizational methodology that has been successfully adopted by many companies aiming to improve their performance. Nevertheless, the implementation of lean involves challenges and problems that many companies are not prepared for. The main challenge is the need for a cultural change (mindset). A very common problem is the decision-making process on the need to redefine the production system. In fact, the production systems of many companies are obsolete and therefore not suited to the current market needs, but, even though, the decision to proceed to the indispensable redesign is not easy. This paper presents and analyzes eight industrial projects involving the redesign of production systems, providing a discussion on the main enablers and inhibitors of the referred decision-making process. Each project was developed by a student, in the ambit of his/her Master Thesis on Industrial Engineering and Management, under supervision of one of the authors.
The Learning Organization, 2012
PurposeThis paper aims to explore the lean production paradigm as promoter of workers' creati... more PurposeThis paper aims to explore the lean production paradigm as promoter of workers' creativity and thinking potential, and recognize this human potential as a fundamental asset for companies' growth and success, being a major factor to face the disturbing and unpredictable needs of current markets, providing companies with the necessary agility. The authors believe these thinkers are the base for an agile company and learning organization.Design/methodology/approachThe objectives were achieved through a deep literature review, starting with the Toyota production system (TPS) origins. Some industrial lean case studies were also explored to show that the adoption of a lean culture promotes a pro‐active attitude and behavior that are so important for companies nowadays.FindingsThis paper explores the association between lean production and the promotion of thinkers. For a long period, and even nowadays, it is common to consider the worker as just another production factor th...
Active Learning is recognized to promote motivation, to improve retention of knowledge at the lon... more Active Learning is recognized to promote motivation, to improve retention of knowledge at the long run and to provide self-control over the learning process. The use of serious games within the context of engineering education, is a feasible possibility to promote a more personalized and active learning. A number of serious games related to lean manufacturing were applied, within a range of Industrial Engineering degrees at University of Minho. Specifics on the games, students’ acceptability and outcomes perceptions were collected. A critical review of the learning styles is presented. The findings point out, among other things, that serious games should be preceded with traditional lectures, while incorporating features of active learning, that grab the attention of global and sequential learners while giving a chance to engage intuitive and reflexive learners, thereby reaching a more general audience than usually possible. Concrete examples from literature are provided along with others from the University of Minho.Pest-OE/EME/UI0252/201
This is digital edition. iv Identification and assessment of behavioural competences in multidisc... more This is digital edition. iv Identification and assessment of behavioural competences in multidisciplinary teams within design projects
Existing techniques to represent production units are not very effective in representing several ... more Existing techniques to represent production units are not very effective in representing several dimensions of production, limiting the extent to which diagnose and problem identification is accrued. Value Stream Mapping is one such technique which, although very popular among lean practitioners, exhibits a number of practical limitations. In this paper the authors present the all new Waste Identification Diagram, encompassing a number of new features and improved graphics capabilities, which makes it a feasible alternative technique to that of VSM, while extending its breath of application by integrating Overall Equipment effectiveness data into the diagrams. An example application of the WID technique to a real production unit will be presented, screening its effectiveness for diagnosing problems, measuring performance and providing key visual information and precious clues for improvement.
Project-based learning is an effective learning methodology in which students are confronted with... more Project-based learning is an effective learning methodology in which students are confronted with complex problems with multiple solutions in a real working environment and where they should acquire and implement new knowledge. This methodology allows students to have a closer contact with real problems and help them developing both technical and soft skills. This article is based on a project-based learning experience, developed by University of Minho students in partnership with a subsidiary of an international industrial company that produces automotive components. The work aims to analyze the impact of this type of project, which follows the PLE (Project Led Education) methodology, on all the involved stakeholders identifying the main advantages and disadvantages, the importance of these projects and the relevance of their replication and existence. With this purpose, a survey and interviews were carried out to company employees, production chiefs, students and teachers. Results showed that this project was considered very successful by all the stakeholders. Almost all participants of this experience demonstrated interest in taking part on it and evaluated this type of project as relevant for all. Unquestionably, these projects should keep on existing.
The Integrated Master Degree on Industrial Engineering and Management, from the Department of Pro... more The Integrated Master Degree on Industrial Engineering and Management, from the Department of Production and Systems of University of Minho – Portugal, requires the development of an individual final project which is almost exclusively developed in an industrial context. The degree is awarded upon the successful development of an individual masters' thesis which directly derives from one such project. The process is triggered by companies which make a general proposal based on specific industrial challenges. The proposal might simply identify the theme and require one or more students to collaborate with them. Many of these projects involve the Lean Production paradigm, which to be successfully implemented, needs a change of culture inside the company that is often promoted by the students themselves. From this partnership there are advantages for both sides: companies, students and academia. Some advantages for students are the opportunity to work in an industrial environment w...
Work (Reading, Mass.), Jan 16, 2014
Lean Production Systems (LPS) have become very popular among manufacturing industries, services a... more Lean Production Systems (LPS) have become very popular among manufacturing industries, services and large commercial areas. A LPS must develop and consider a set of work features to bring compatibility with workplace ergonomics, namely at a muscular, cognitive and emotional demands level. Identify the most relevant impacts of the adoption of LPS from the ergonomics point of view and summarizes some possible drawbacks for workplace ergonomics due to a flawed application of the LPS. The impacts identified are focused in four dimensions: work pace, intensity and load; worker motivation, satisfaction and stress; autonomy and participation; and health outcome. This paper also discusses the influence that the work organization model has on workplace ergonomics and on the waste elimination previewed by LPS. Literature review focused LPS and its impact on occupational ergonomics conditions, as well as on the Health and Safety of workers. The main focus of this research is on LPS implementat...
The main objectives of the "Distributed/Virtual Manufacturing System (D/V MS) Cell" project are: ... more The main objectives of the "Distributed/Virtual Manufacturing System (D/V MS) Cell" project are: (1) The development of Tele-services technologies and organisation for the production planning and control functions; (2) The development of permanent high performance laboratory facilities that enable development and demonstration of D/V MS design and control, i.e., global distribution of production planning and control functions; (3) The development of an abstract environment, i.e., a virtual environment for design and real time control of manufacturing systems, or one of its elements, independent of the physical implementations. The D/V MS Cell satisfies the defined hierarchical distributed control model The Hardware System of the D/V MS Cell is composed by: (1) Machine tool cell: CNC milling machine, external sensors and actuators, interface computer with communications links, (2) Machine cell: Two machine simulators, PLC, sensors and actuators, computer based local controller, (3) Robot cell: Robot SCORBOT ER-VII, artificial vision system, conveyor system, computer based local controller, (4) Control centre: Video projector, computer based remote controller, computer based real time video and audio system. The Software System of the D/V MS Cell is composed by: (1) Applications for Human-Computer Interface (HMI): Interfaces for machine tool and robot programming and control, interface for production planning and control, (2) Computer-Machine Interface, via RS-232C, (3) Computer-Computer Interface, for communications via Internet. The hardware structure of the (D/V MS) Cell is already implemented and interfaces for machine tool programming and control are developed (software system). The operation of the complete system is planned for the year 1999.
Brazilian Journal of Operations & Production Management, 2012
This Special Issue of the Brazilian Journal of Operations and Production Management (BJOPM) featu... more This Special Issue of the Brazilian Journal of Operations and Production Management (BJOPM) features four papers selected from the XVIII International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (ICIEOM), which conference theme was "Sustainability", and two invited papers based on keynote speeches regarding Sustainability and its association to Industrial Engineering fields (one from ICIEOM and the other from the ENEGEP conference). This editorial paper evaluates and summarizes these selected contributions as well as introduces the term sustainability.
Mechatronics, 2013
This paper presents a new line of project based learning in the School of Engineering of Universi... more This paper presents a new line of project based learning in the School of Engineering of University of Minho: the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Integrated Project (IEIP). Four groups, each one composed of students from different engineering integrated master courses-Mechanical, Industrial Electronics and Computers, Polymer, Industrial Management-compete against each other in developing or improving commercial products manufactured by actual industries. There have been so far five editions of the IEIP, with five different companies and five diverse products, however, all these products included components that required knowledge from all the engineering courses involved. Only with the cooperation between the students of the various courses that compose each multidisciplinary team, the success is attainable. As each student has to deal with various engineering scopes, students' technical skills are greatly enlarged and they acquire a multidisciplinary knowledge that was not possible in another way. Their soft skills like project management, teamwork, communication ability and personal development, which are valuable requisites for their future employers, are also improved. The participating industries also take advantage of the project: the groups competing against each other act as a multiskilled work force, actually making proposals capable of improving their products, their efficiency, and reducing costs.
ESTE DOCUMENTO ENCONTRA-SE EM ACESSO RESTRITO. Caso seja membro da UM deverá efectuar o “login “n... more ESTE DOCUMENTO ENCONTRA-SE EM ACESSO RESTRITO. Caso seja membro da UM deverá efectuar o “login “no sistema para poder aceder a conteúdos e serviços restritos aos membros da universidade. Caso ainda não esteja registado, pode faze-lo em: https:// ...
International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 2005
This paper presents the concept of Autonomous Production Systems (APS), which are the organizatio... more This paper presents the concept of Autonomous Production Systems (APS), which are the organizational units upon which enterprises can be built and managed in order to better face the globalization challenges. We believe that companies organized as networks of APSs are better prepared to respond to the new economy challenges than organized in a hierarchical fashion. The way a traditional
Información del artículo Brazilian students and working capital: An analysis of their decisions w... more Información del artículo Brazilian students and working capital: An analysis of their decisions when using virtual market business games.
First year Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) students have difficulties in establishing... more First year Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) students have difficulties in establishing a clear picture of their future job as industrial engineers. Moreover, these students usually show a lack of proactivity and entrepreneurship attitude, as well as other transversal competences. To promote these competences among students, a team of teachers created a challenge for them which consisted in identifying and contacting two companies and interviewing one of their IEM professionals. This challenge was named IEM@ProjectNetworking. The main objectives of the IEM@ProjectNetworking were, amongst others, to bring students closer to their future professional practice. This paper aims to describe and evaluate the first edition of this challenge that took place in the first semester of the first year, during the 2012/2013 academic year. The evaluation was based on student's perceptions collected from individual reflections about the experience and data from a workshop held at the end of the semester. The main findings are also presented based on the more than 100 interviews made by the students in 78 companies visited.
BACKGROUND: Lean Production Systems (LPS) have become very popular among manufacturing industries... more BACKGROUND: Lean Production Systems (LPS) have become very popular among manufacturing industries, services and large commercial areas. A LPS must develop and consider a set of work features to bring compatibility with workplace ergonomics, namely at a muscular, cognitive and emotional demands level. OBJECTIVE: Identify the most relevant impacts of the adoption of LPS from the ergonomics point of view and summarizes some possible drawbacks for workplace ergonomics due to a flawed application of the LPS. The impacts identified are focused in four dimensions: work pace, intensity and load; worker motivation, satisfaction and stress; autonomy and participation; and health outcome. This paper also discusses the influence that the work organization model has on workplace ergonomics and on the waste elimination previewed by LPS. METHODS: Literature review focused LPS and its impact on occupational ergonomics conditions, as well as on the Health and Safety of workers. The main focus of this research is on LPS implementations in industrial environments and mainly in manufacturing industry workplaces. This is followed by a discussion including the authors' experience (and previous research). RESULTS: From the reviewed literature it seems that there is no consensus on how Lean principles affect the workplace ergonomics since most authors found positive (advantages) and negative (disadvantages) impacts. CONCLUSIONS: The negative impacts or disadvantages of LPS implementations reviewed may result from the misunderstanding of the Lean principles. Possibly, they also happen due to partial Lean implementations (when only one or two tools were implemented) that may be effective in a specific work context but not suitable to all possible situations as the principles of LPS should not lead, by definition, to any of the reported drawbacks in terms of workplace ergonomics.
This paper documents a set of Industrial Lean projects over a decade timespan in the North of Por... more This paper documents a set of Industrial Lean projects over a decade timespan in the North of Portugal, which were conducted by final year students of the Integrated Master Course on Industrial Management and Engineering (IME) in partnership with the Department of ...
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2014
Cellular production is usually seen as a hybrid approach between job-shop and flow-line paradigms... more Cellular production is usually seen as a hybrid approach between job-shop and flow-line paradigms, reducing the major disadvantages of these two paradigms: the low productivity of job-shops and the low flexibility (in terms of products' variety) of the flow-lines. This paper describes the implementation of a production cell in a production unit of woodframed pictures and mirrors, which was originally configured as a traditional job-shop, without losing the necessary flexibility to face market demand and simultaneously increasing the production unit's performance. By implementing a highly flexible cell, very significant improvements were expected for the system's overall performance and the quality of the products. These expectations were met, and the implementation was successful, as demonstrated by the results presented.
2015 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2015
Lean production is an organizational methodology that has been successfully adopted by many compa... more Lean production is an organizational methodology that has been successfully adopted by many companies aiming to improve their performance. Nevertheless, the implementation of lean involves challenges and problems that many companies are not prepared for. The main challenge is the need for a cultural change (mindset). A very common problem is the decision-making process on the need to redefine the production system. In fact, the production systems of many companies are obsolete and therefore not suited to the current market needs, but, even though, the decision to proceed to the indispensable redesign is not easy. This paper presents and analyzes eight industrial projects involving the redesign of production systems, providing a discussion on the main enablers and inhibitors of the referred decision-making process. Each project was developed by a student, in the ambit of his/her Master Thesis on Industrial Engineering and Management, under supervision of one of the authors.
The Learning Organization, 2012
PurposeThis paper aims to explore the lean production paradigm as promoter of workers' creati... more PurposeThis paper aims to explore the lean production paradigm as promoter of workers' creativity and thinking potential, and recognize this human potential as a fundamental asset for companies' growth and success, being a major factor to face the disturbing and unpredictable needs of current markets, providing companies with the necessary agility. The authors believe these thinkers are the base for an agile company and learning organization.Design/methodology/approachThe objectives were achieved through a deep literature review, starting with the Toyota production system (TPS) origins. Some industrial lean case studies were also explored to show that the adoption of a lean culture promotes a pro‐active attitude and behavior that are so important for companies nowadays.FindingsThis paper explores the association between lean production and the promotion of thinkers. For a long period, and even nowadays, it is common to consider the worker as just another production factor th...
Active Learning is recognized to promote motivation, to improve retention of knowledge at the lon... more Active Learning is recognized to promote motivation, to improve retention of knowledge at the long run and to provide self-control over the learning process. The use of serious games within the context of engineering education, is a feasible possibility to promote a more personalized and active learning. A number of serious games related to lean manufacturing were applied, within a range of Industrial Engineering degrees at University of Minho. Specifics on the games, students’ acceptability and outcomes perceptions were collected. A critical review of the learning styles is presented. The findings point out, among other things, that serious games should be preceded with traditional lectures, while incorporating features of active learning, that grab the attention of global and sequential learners while giving a chance to engage intuitive and reflexive learners, thereby reaching a more general audience than usually possible. Concrete examples from literature are provided along with others from the University of Minho.Pest-OE/EME/UI0252/201
This is digital edition. iv Identification and assessment of behavioural competences in multidisc... more This is digital edition. iv Identification and assessment of behavioural competences in multidisciplinary teams within design projects
Existing techniques to represent production units are not very effective in representing several ... more Existing techniques to represent production units are not very effective in representing several dimensions of production, limiting the extent to which diagnose and problem identification is accrued. Value Stream Mapping is one such technique which, although very popular among lean practitioners, exhibits a number of practical limitations. In this paper the authors present the all new Waste Identification Diagram, encompassing a number of new features and improved graphics capabilities, which makes it a feasible alternative technique to that of VSM, while extending its breath of application by integrating Overall Equipment effectiveness data into the diagrams. An example application of the WID technique to a real production unit will be presented, screening its effectiveness for diagnosing problems, measuring performance and providing key visual information and precious clues for improvement.
Project-based learning is an effective learning methodology in which students are confronted with... more Project-based learning is an effective learning methodology in which students are confronted with complex problems with multiple solutions in a real working environment and where they should acquire and implement new knowledge. This methodology allows students to have a closer contact with real problems and help them developing both technical and soft skills. This article is based on a project-based learning experience, developed by University of Minho students in partnership with a subsidiary of an international industrial company that produces automotive components. The work aims to analyze the impact of this type of project, which follows the PLE (Project Led Education) methodology, on all the involved stakeholders identifying the main advantages and disadvantages, the importance of these projects and the relevance of their replication and existence. With this purpose, a survey and interviews were carried out to company employees, production chiefs, students and teachers. Results showed that this project was considered very successful by all the stakeholders. Almost all participants of this experience demonstrated interest in taking part on it and evaluated this type of project as relevant for all. Unquestionably, these projects should keep on existing.
The Integrated Master Degree on Industrial Engineering and Management, from the Department of Pro... more The Integrated Master Degree on Industrial Engineering and Management, from the Department of Production and Systems of University of Minho – Portugal, requires the development of an individual final project which is almost exclusively developed in an industrial context. The degree is awarded upon the successful development of an individual masters' thesis which directly derives from one such project. The process is triggered by companies which make a general proposal based on specific industrial challenges. The proposal might simply identify the theme and require one or more students to collaborate with them. Many of these projects involve the Lean Production paradigm, which to be successfully implemented, needs a change of culture inside the company that is often promoted by the students themselves. From this partnership there are advantages for both sides: companies, students and academia. Some advantages for students are the opportunity to work in an industrial environment w...
Work (Reading, Mass.), Jan 16, 2014
Lean Production Systems (LPS) have become very popular among manufacturing industries, services a... more Lean Production Systems (LPS) have become very popular among manufacturing industries, services and large commercial areas. A LPS must develop and consider a set of work features to bring compatibility with workplace ergonomics, namely at a muscular, cognitive and emotional demands level. Identify the most relevant impacts of the adoption of LPS from the ergonomics point of view and summarizes some possible drawbacks for workplace ergonomics due to a flawed application of the LPS. The impacts identified are focused in four dimensions: work pace, intensity and load; worker motivation, satisfaction and stress; autonomy and participation; and health outcome. This paper also discusses the influence that the work organization model has on workplace ergonomics and on the waste elimination previewed by LPS. Literature review focused LPS and its impact on occupational ergonomics conditions, as well as on the Health and Safety of workers. The main focus of this research is on LPS implementat...
The main objectives of the "Distributed/Virtual Manufacturing System (D/V MS) Cell" project are: ... more The main objectives of the "Distributed/Virtual Manufacturing System (D/V MS) Cell" project are: (1) The development of Tele-services technologies and organisation for the production planning and control functions; (2) The development of permanent high performance laboratory facilities that enable development and demonstration of D/V MS design and control, i.e., global distribution of production planning and control functions; (3) The development of an abstract environment, i.e., a virtual environment for design and real time control of manufacturing systems, or one of its elements, independent of the physical implementations. The D/V MS Cell satisfies the defined hierarchical distributed control model The Hardware System of the D/V MS Cell is composed by: (1) Machine tool cell: CNC milling machine, external sensors and actuators, interface computer with communications links, (2) Machine cell: Two machine simulators, PLC, sensors and actuators, computer based local controller, (3) Robot cell: Robot SCORBOT ER-VII, artificial vision system, conveyor system, computer based local controller, (4) Control centre: Video projector, computer based remote controller, computer based real time video and audio system. The Software System of the D/V MS Cell is composed by: (1) Applications for Human-Computer Interface (HMI): Interfaces for machine tool and robot programming and control, interface for production planning and control, (2) Computer-Machine Interface, via RS-232C, (3) Computer-Computer Interface, for communications via Internet. The hardware structure of the (D/V MS) Cell is already implemented and interfaces for machine tool programming and control are developed (software system). The operation of the complete system is planned for the year 1999.
Brazilian Journal of Operations & Production Management, 2012
This Special Issue of the Brazilian Journal of Operations and Production Management (BJOPM) featu... more This Special Issue of the Brazilian Journal of Operations and Production Management (BJOPM) features four papers selected from the XVIII International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (ICIEOM), which conference theme was "Sustainability", and two invited papers based on keynote speeches regarding Sustainability and its association to Industrial Engineering fields (one from ICIEOM and the other from the ENEGEP conference). This editorial paper evaluates and summarizes these selected contributions as well as introduces the term sustainability.
Mechatronics, 2013
This paper presents a new line of project based learning in the School of Engineering of Universi... more This paper presents a new line of project based learning in the School of Engineering of University of Minho: the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Integrated Project (IEIP). Four groups, each one composed of students from different engineering integrated master courses-Mechanical, Industrial Electronics and Computers, Polymer, Industrial Management-compete against each other in developing or improving commercial products manufactured by actual industries. There have been so far five editions of the IEIP, with five different companies and five diverse products, however, all these products included components that required knowledge from all the engineering courses involved. Only with the cooperation between the students of the various courses that compose each multidisciplinary team, the success is attainable. As each student has to deal with various engineering scopes, students' technical skills are greatly enlarged and they acquire a multidisciplinary knowledge that was not possible in another way. Their soft skills like project management, teamwork, communication ability and personal development, which are valuable requisites for their future employers, are also improved. The participating industries also take advantage of the project: the groups competing against each other act as a multiskilled work force, actually making proposals capable of improving their products, their efficiency, and reducing costs.
ESTE DOCUMENTO ENCONTRA-SE EM ACESSO RESTRITO. Caso seja membro da UM deverá efectuar o “login “n... more ESTE DOCUMENTO ENCONTRA-SE EM ACESSO RESTRITO. Caso seja membro da UM deverá efectuar o “login “no sistema para poder aceder a conteúdos e serviços restritos aos membros da universidade. Caso ainda não esteja registado, pode faze-lo em: https:// ...
International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 2005
This paper presents the concept of Autonomous Production Systems (APS), which are the organizatio... more This paper presents the concept of Autonomous Production Systems (APS), which are the organizational units upon which enterprises can be built and managed in order to better face the globalization challenges. We believe that companies organized as networks of APSs are better prepared to respond to the new economy challenges than organized in a hierarchical fashion. The way a traditional
Información del artículo Brazilian students and working capital: An analysis of their decisions w... more Información del artículo Brazilian students and working capital: An analysis of their decisions when using virtual market business games.
First year Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) students have difficulties in establishing... more First year Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) students have difficulties in establishing a clear picture of their future job as industrial engineers. Moreover, these students usually show a lack of proactivity and entrepreneurship attitude, as well as other transversal competences. To promote these competences among students, a team of teachers created a challenge for them which consisted in identifying and contacting two companies and interviewing one of their IEM professionals. This challenge was named IEM@ProjectNetworking. The main objectives of the IEM@ProjectNetworking were, amongst others, to bring students closer to their future professional practice. This paper aims to describe and evaluate the first edition of this challenge that took place in the first semester of the first year, during the 2012/2013 academic year. The evaluation was based on student's perceptions collected from individual reflections about the experience and data from a workshop held at the end of the semester. The main findings are also presented based on the more than 100 interviews made by the students in 78 companies visited.
BACKGROUND: Lean Production Systems (LPS) have become very popular among manufacturing industries... more BACKGROUND: Lean Production Systems (LPS) have become very popular among manufacturing industries, services and large commercial areas. A LPS must develop and consider a set of work features to bring compatibility with workplace ergonomics, namely at a muscular, cognitive and emotional demands level. OBJECTIVE: Identify the most relevant impacts of the adoption of LPS from the ergonomics point of view and summarizes some possible drawbacks for workplace ergonomics due to a flawed application of the LPS. The impacts identified are focused in four dimensions: work pace, intensity and load; worker motivation, satisfaction and stress; autonomy and participation; and health outcome. This paper also discusses the influence that the work organization model has on workplace ergonomics and on the waste elimination previewed by LPS. METHODS: Literature review focused LPS and its impact on occupational ergonomics conditions, as well as on the Health and Safety of workers. The main focus of this research is on LPS implementations in industrial environments and mainly in manufacturing industry workplaces. This is followed by a discussion including the authors' experience (and previous research). RESULTS: From the reviewed literature it seems that there is no consensus on how Lean principles affect the workplace ergonomics since most authors found positive (advantages) and negative (disadvantages) impacts. CONCLUSIONS: The negative impacts or disadvantages of LPS implementations reviewed may result from the misunderstanding of the Lean principles. Possibly, they also happen due to partial Lean implementations (when only one or two tools were implemented) that may be effective in a specific work context but not suitable to all possible situations as the principles of LPS should not lead, by definition, to any of the reported drawbacks in terms of workplace ergonomics.
This paper documents a set of Industrial Lean projects over a decade timespan in the North of Por... more This paper documents a set of Industrial Lean projects over a decade timespan in the North of Portugal, which were conducted by final year students of the Integrated Master Course on Industrial Management and Engineering (IME) in partnership with the Department of ...
3rd International Symposium on Project Approaches on Engineering Education (PAEE 2011), 2011
Project-based learning is an effective learning methodology in which students are confronted with... more Project-based learning is an effective learning methodology in which students are confronted with complex problems with multiple solutions in a real working environment and where they should acquire and implement new knowledge. This methodology allows students to have a closer contact with real problems and help them developing both technical and soft skills. This article is based on a project-based learning experience, developed by University of Minho students in partnership with a subsidiary of an international industrial company that produces automotive components. The work aims to analyze the impact of this type of project, which follows the PLE (Project Led Education) methodology, on all the involved stakeholders identifying the main advantages and disadvantages, the importance of these projects and the relevance of their replication and existence. With this purpose, a survey and interviews were carried out to company employees, production chiefs, students and teachers.
Results showed that this project was considered very successful by all the stakeholders. Almost all participants of this experience demonstrated interest in taking part on it and evaluated this type of project as relevant for all. Unquestionably, these projects should keep on existing.
The most popular and perhaps the most effective way to represent the material flow in production ... more The most popular and perhaps the most effective way to represent the material flow in production units is the diagram known as Value Stream Map (VSM). Moreover these maps are also used to help in the identification of waste as well as a tool to support continuous improvement. Nevertheless, many of VSM limitations are known and thus there is room for the creation of other more effective ways to represent productive units as well as helping the identification of production waste. This paper presents a new graphic representation model for production units, as a tool to identify three forms of waste, designated as Waste Identification Diagram (WID), which aims to provide information to top managers in a much more effective format. The WID is a network of blocks and arrows, showing visually the throughput times, idle capacity, transport effort, changeover times and work-in-process levels. To illustrate the main features of this new tool, the paper includes a WID of a real production unity.