Optimization Models for Contemporary and Sustainable Production-Distribution Systems

该研究计划涉及优化在先进和可持续的生产分配系统中的应用。长期目标是在工业4.0和超连接物流时代研究此类系统的设计、规划和控制问题。本发现补助金提案中涉及的三个主题是当代的，与工业界和学术界的当前趋势相关。 研究的第一个主题涉及工业4.0背景下复杂制造业的生产规划和控制，如航空航天和半导体制造。在这样的系统中，繁重的质量要求意味着在资源节点处的高度返工和重新进入，再加上随机的生产率。这样的系统，因此，使用模拟或排队网络分析，以估计什么是所谓的清算功能，并将其嵌入在线性规划为基础的总生产计划模型建模。 该研究提案的第二个主题着眼于闭环供应链（CLSC）的设计，包括质量，预分拣和碳排放考虑因素。特别令人感兴趣的是关于预分拣中心的规模和数量的决定，这可以大大减少运输成本和排放。 本研究提案的第三个也是最后一个主题涉及物理互联网（PI）中设计，评估和运营的优化模型的开发，这是一种全球物流的模块化和分布式方法。PI背后的想法是使用来自称为PI Hubs的货运中心的模块化集装箱，以利用整合机会并降低驾驶的社会成本。这使得PI从经济和环境的角度来看都是一个有趣的范例。 总之，该提案旨在扩展工业4.0和超连接物流环境中优化模型应用的最新技术。该提案的主题1旨在工业4.0中的生产调度和规划，预计工业4.0将是全球性的，动态的，智能的和互联的。主题2涉及工业4.0的可持续性维度，其目标是通过绿色流程、产品和供应链实现环境可持续制造。主题3进一步将这项研究扩展到物流领域，与工业4.0保持一致，因为它是一个建立在物理，数字和运营互联性和互操作性基础上的开放式全球物流系统。因此，本研究中开发的特定优化工具和技术具有上下文焦点，并将在保留学术研究和行业实践相关性的同时扩展知识。对加拿大的潜在好处包括一个具有国际竞争力的高影响力的研究计划，基于开发的工具和技术的潜在研发应用，HQP的培训，以及妇女参与IE/OR研究的增加。

This research program deals with the applications of optimization in advanced and sustainable production-distribution systems. The long-term objective is to investigate design, planning, and control issues in such systems in an era of Industry 4.0 and Hyperconnected Logistics. The three themes addressed in this Discovery Grant proposal are contemporary and relevant to current trends in industry and academia. The first theme of the research pertains to production planning and control for complex manufacturing in Industry 4.0 contexts such as aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing. The onerous quality requirements in such systems imply a high degree of rework and reentry at resource nodes, combined with a stochastic rate of production. Such systems are therefore modelled using either simulation or queuing network analysis to estimate what are known as clearing functions and embedding them in linear programming based aggregate production planning models. The second theme of this research proposal looks at the design of closed loop supply chains (CLSCs) with quality, pre-sorting and carbon emission considerations. Of particular interest is the decision on the size and number of presorting centres which can significantly reduce transportation costs and emissions. The third and final theme of this research proposal deals with the development of optimization models for design, evaluation, and operations in the Physical Internet (PI), a modular and distributed approach to global logistics. The idea behind PI is the use of modular containers from shipment centres called PI Hubs to exploit consolidation opportunities and reduce social costs of driving. This makes PI an interesting paradigm from both the economic and environmental perspectives. In summary, this proposal aims to extend the state-of-the-art in the application of optimization models in the Industry 4.0 and Hyperconnected Logistics context. Theme 1 of this proposal is aimed at production scheduling and planning in Industry 4.0 which is expected to be global, dynamic, smart, and connected. Theme 2 addresses the sustainability dimension of Industry 4.0 whose goal is environmentally-sustainable manufacturing through green processes, products, and supply chains. Theme 3 further extends this research to the logistics realm which aligns itself well with Industry 4.0 in the sense that it is an open global logistics system founded on physical, digital, and operational interconnectivity and interoperability. The specific optimization tools and techniques developed in this research thus have a contextual focus and will expand knowledge while retaining both academic research and industry practice relevance. The potential benefits to Canada include a high-impact internationally competitive research program, potential R&D applications based on the tools and technologies developed, training of HQP, and an increase in participation of women in IE/OR research.