Funded Research

“Cell Spar Optimization Analysis,” Bryan A. Norman, Michael Lovell, Kyoung-Yun Kim, Source: Technip,

$7,500, 2004. This funding supported a project through the Swanson Center to improve Technip’s ability to produce cell spars (used to produce offshore oil platforms) more effectively. Overall, four possible areas of improvement were analyzed: (1) materials handling and flow, (2) scheduling of materials handling and resource utilization, (3) facilities planning and layout, and (4) process improvement, particularly at the welding stations.

“A Conceptual Model for Engineering Curriculum Integration and Synthesis, with an Application to Industrial Engineering,” Bryan A. Norman, Mary Besterfield-Sacre, Kim LaScola Needy, Jayant Rajgopal, and Bopaya Bidanda, Source: National Science Foundation

, $100,000, 2003 – 2004. This grant is a planning grant to support efforts to redesign the undergraduate curriculum of the Industrial Engineering program at the University of Pittsburgh. This redesign effort focuses on more closely integrating the courses in the curriculum in addition to incorporating globalization ideas into different courses where appropriate. Additionally, a new course that emphasizes synthesis of ideas by solving unstructured problems based on case studies has been developed.

“Collaborative Research: Worker Cross Training and Assignment Considering Learning & Forgetting Effects,” Bryan A. Norman and David A. Nembhard (Pennsylvania State University), Source: National Science Foundation,

$176,900 (University of Pittsburgh Portion), 2002 – 2005. This research focuses on exploring the need to consider worker task learning and forgetting effects in developing worker assignment strategies. Worker learning and forgetting characteristics can be modeled mathematically. This information can be incorporated into worker assignment models and system simulations to determine the interactions between different worker assignments and system productive efficiency. In particular, factors such as absenteeism, turnover, and product life cycle can be considered. This work has a broad range of application since worker assignment issues arise in many settings.

“A Simulation Model for the PCB Manufacturing Facility at Medrad,” Bryan A. Norman and Jayant Rajgopal, Source: Medrad, Inc., $12,000, Summer 2000. The purpose of this project is to develop a simulation model of Medrad’s PCB Manufacturing lines in order to evaluate capacity for changing product demands. We are also investigating process improvements.

“Comprehensive Redesign of Industrial Facilities,” Bryan A. Norman and Alice E. Smith (Auburn University), Source: National Science Foundation, $317,562, 1999 – 2002. This grant relates to facility layout design with particular emphasis on the redesign of existing facilities. There are four primary objectives for this research. The first is to identify the main differences between greenfield design (new designs) and redesign of existing facilities. The second objective is to develop methods for designing the block and detailed layout simultaneously rather than in two sequential steps. A third objective of this research concerns modeling product demand uncertainty. A fourth objective is to develop aisle networks and material flow strategies during the block layout design process.

“NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates, Supplement to DMI-9908322 Award,” Bryan A. Norman, Source: National Science Foundation, $10,000, 2000. This grant supports undergraduate research to enrich the students’ experience and encourage graduate study. The students also assist in the completion of the facility design research.

“Worker Assignment for Cellular Manufacturing Considering Human Issues,” Kim L. Needy, Bryan A. Norman, and Bopaya Bidanda, Source: National Science Foundation, $99,965, 1999 – 2000. This grant concerns skills assessment and worker assignment in manufacturing cells. The goal of this project is to investigate and quantify the effect of human skills on manufacturing cell performance. Then, to use this information to determine the worker assignments that maximize cell productivity. Rolls-Royce’s Indianapolis operations is serving as an industrial partner in this project and has provided a good working environment within which to gather data and test hypotheses.

“Joint Research on Intelligent Manufacturing Techniques,” Mitsuo Gen (Ashikaga Institute of Technology, Japan), Alice E. Smith (Auburn University), Bryan A. Norman and Gursel A. Suer (Ohio University), Source: Monbusho (Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Culture) International Scientific Research Program, 6,900,000 yen (Appx. $57,500) with supplemental funds from the University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh, $760, and the Japanese science and Technology Management Program, University of Pittsburgh, $5000, 1998-2000. This grant is a travel grant to support joint research in intelligent manufacturing.

“An Intelligent System for Hot Rolling Process Control,” Bryan A. Norman and Richard E. Billo (Oregon State University), Source: Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania, $148,333, 1997-1998. This project focused on process control for a hot rolling process in a local steel mill. The goal of the project was to design an intelligent system to monitor and control the process in order to minimize cracking and warping of steel alloys and titanium.

“Heuristic Optimization Design Strategies for Effective Resource Allocation,” Bryan A. Norman, Source: Central Research Development Fund University of Pittsburgh, $13,912, 1997-1998. This grant was seed money to initiate my research into personnel scheduling.

“A Comprehensive Scheduling and Forecasting System for KnowledgeSoft,” Bryan A. Norman, Source: KnowledgeSoft Inc., $12,086, 1997. The purpose of this project was to develop an algorithm for scheduling instructors for corporate training courses. The objective was to maximize revenue while satisfying customer service requirements.

“Modernizing Manufacturing Engineering Education at the University of Pittsburgh,” Bryan A. Norman and Bopaya Bidanda, Source: SME Education Foundation, $41,195, 1997. This grant represents in-kind donations from industry of software and equipment related to manufacturing systems.