The effectiveness of the bills of quantities in Australia

The research aimed to explore if the information in the Australian Bill of Quantities (BOQ) was presented in a manner that could be utilized effectively by the end user. Populations surveyed; contractor, subcontractor and quantity surveyor, agree that the BOQ is a document that should be retained and would be used if produced. The adequacy of information was found to be in question by the users of the BOQ. The locational information is not adequate for its purpose. The quantities are neither located in the structure nor broken down into zones so useful for material ordering, daily work production management and cost management tasks. This information provided was requested to be supplemented by the inclusion of drawings, drawing  numbers and the zonal breakdown of quantities in a smaller number of BOQ items. End users concluded that the current information contained within the BOQ is efficient but not effective. Not one participant — quantity surveyors, contractors and subcontractors — believed they were adequately consulted or represented in production of the latest StandardMethod of Measurement (SMM). It is concluded that there is a need for end-users such as contractors and subcontractors to have greater input into the design, development and implementation of the Australian SMM. The resultant “consensus document” could then be an effective communication tool that is used for estimating, planning, purchasing and site management.

Simulation-based support tool for operator performance in batch manufacturing

In industry, the workload and utilization of shop floor operators is often misunderstood. In this paper, we will present several real case studies, using Discrete Event Simulation (DES) models, which allow us to better understand operators in a batch manufacturing environment. The first study investigates labour in a machining plant consisting of multiple identical CNC machines that batch produce parts. The second study investigates labour in an eight station, gravity die casting rotary table. The results from these studies have shown that there can be potential improvements made by the production planners in the current labour configuration. In the first case study, a matrix is produced that estimates what the operator's utilization levels will be for various configurations. From this, the preferred operator to machine ratio over a range of cycle times is presented. In the second study, the results have shown that by reducing the casting cycle time, the operator would be overloaded. A discrete event simulation of these two cases highlighted areas that were misunderstood by plant management, and provided them with a useful decision support tool for production planning.

Advanced technology and economies of scale in the cement industry

The thesis examines sources of economies of scale for the manufacture and distribution of Portland cement. Using cost models, it is shown that recent advances in technology have increased the economies of scale for efficient clinker production significantly, and to a lesser degree for finish grinding operations and bulk distribution.

Modelling and optimising operations of a plant using JIT philosophy

An Australian automotive component company plans to assemble and deliver seats to a car manufacturer on a "just-in-time" basis at its new plant. The research objective was to model seat assembly operations and apply Toyota goal chasing algorithm and user defined algorithm to balance workload among all the assembly workstations and areas.

Development of an evaluation approach for excellence in the Australian manufacturing industry

An approach to study best practice manufacturing with particular relevance to the Australian context. Sections include the development and analysis of results from a World Class Manufacturing survey, a literature review of best practice manufacturing from Japan/USA/UK, and case studies from its application at two major business units within a large Australian manufacturing company.

Development of an optimum factory model for a manufacturing operation through computer simulation

Often manufacturing enterprises will maintain high levels of Work In Progress (WIP) to maximise production throughput. Using computer simulation, this thesis investigates a manufacturing facility and identifies an optimal level of WIP. At this optimum throughput is maximised, manufacturing lead times are minimised, and the WIP level is significantly reduced.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Iran: an exploratory study

BIM has received considerable attention from academics and innovative construction companies in recent years within the Iranian context. However, there is a conspicuous lack of studies, which give a picture of the current state of BIM in Iran. To address this gap in the body of the knowledge, this study intends to present an account on the current state of BIM with a focus on barriers and drivers associated with its adoption in Iran based on the perceptions of Iranian construction practitioners. Drawing upon a questionnaire survey completed by 44 construction practitioners and through deploying data visualization alongside statistical analyses, it came to light that industry practitioners in Iran are inexperienced as to BIM’s use and the level of BIM implementation in the country is at the lowest level of BIM maturity. That is, 29.5% of construction companies are involved in some level of BIM adoption whereas 56.8% have had no exposure to BIM and 36.4% do not even have any plans to adopt BIM in the near future. The findings also showed that the highest ranked barriers to adoption of BIM in Iran are almost entirely associated with the structure of the Iranian market, the nature of the construction industry and the predominant business environment in the country as well as lack of attention by policy makers and the government. On the other hand, major drivers were found to be associated with monetary gains and enhancing competitiveness in the market. The clear message is that widespread adoption of BIM in Iran will not occur in the absence of a supportive regulatory environment and financial assistance by policy makers. The paper contributes to the field by sharing the preliminary findings of the first study conducted on BIM adoption in Iran, which provides a sound basis for further inquiries on the topic.

Analysis of stamping production data with view towards quality management

A quality analysis trial was undertaken at Ford Geelong Stamping Plant on a press line that was fitted with standard press sensors to measure press and binder force over the stamping cycle for each panel. The quality of randomly sampled panels was measured by obtaining the panel thicknesses at five points, for 135 panels in total. These points were chosen such that they exhibited different forming modes. This paper analyses the input force data and the output quality data from the trial to determine any potential relationships. The analysis of the production data was performed using statistical correlation techniques to determine initial potential relationships between input and output variables. An Active Shape Model was used to extract features when identifying the major sources of variation within the input data. However, the initial analysis of the data elicited no direct relationship between the input variables measured and the panel thicknesses. This result is significant as the data collected is from a standard sensor configuration found in many press lines through-out the world. The reason for the lack of a direct relationship is believed to come from the lack of sensitivity in the force measurements which are not able to identify small changes in the process, whereas gross geometric variations have in previous studies shown an obvious relationship with changes in the force press profile. This means that existing force sensors require augmentation by additional sensors if a detailed automatic quality control system for the press lines based on input sensors alone.

Limitations of market driven sustainability : the case of environmental management systems for food production in Australia

Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) address environmental risks in supply chains and certification of environmental claims. Governments supporting EMSs have encouraged producers to respond to anticipated consumer environmental concerns. Attempts at implementing EMSs have rarely been in direct response to market demand but are usually farmer organisation driven – to forestall increased regulation. In Australia, consumer demand for foods produced to environmentally sustainable standards is minimal because consumers don’t believe these products offer special benefits. EMS implementation is expensive and onerous; and the products require a market premium. Food consumers have difficulty differentiating the terms organic, environmentally-friendly, and sustainably-produced in food labelling.

Power and production in site-based management: the responses of women secondary principals to structural reform in South Australian education

After describing and analysing the purpose and shape of structural reform in Australia, the author uses the data gained from interviews with 16 South Australian women principals, to examine its effects on the work of principals. She uses her analysis to issue some warnings about the current moves to Local School Management in South Australia

Integrating farm production and natural resource management in Tasmania, Australia

This paper reports on the social learning from a project aimed to increase the knowledge and capacity of a group of farmers in Tasmania, Australia, to reduce the impacts of intensive agriculture on soil health and waterways, and to optimise the efficient use of on-farm inputs. The plan-do-check-review cycle adopted in this project required the farmers to assess current management practices, identify where to make changes, implement changes and monitor for improvements. The success of the project was due to careful attention to social processes as well as technical input. The combination of group activities with individual mentoring and one-to-one advice was key to the success of this project in enabling farmers to undertake on-farm action.

There is value in social learning that included developing relationships, using one-to-one contact and group workshops together with expert input when working with farmers to tackle some difficult and complex interrelated natural resource management and production issues. Sufficient time must be allowed for the process of facilitating good practice in natural resource management, particularly when addressing systemic environmental impacts. Practical operational recommendations are presented on communication, feedback, focus of activities and meeting content, as these will be useful to other project officers and facilitators working with farmer groups.

Mohair research update 19 : incisor teeth, mohair production and Angora goat management

Goats and other ruminants have two successive dentitions, the deciduous dentition (n = 20) and permanent dentition (n = 32). Upper incisors are absent and are replaced by a very thick connective tissue pad (palate) against which the lower incisors close.