Computer Aided System for UNI-functional Job Shop Machine Selection Based on Production Cost and Technology Advancement

Abstract

When it comes to processing of material (job processing) which has alternative means of producing the required product(s), there are machines competing for the job(s) and machine that will do the job economically at low cost out of the existing alternatives must be wisely selected. This study hence developed decision rules models for selecting machine that will give optimum production cost considering alternatives available based on technology advancement of the machines. The specifications of the machines used are hereby stated: swing of machines is 406 mm, distance between centres is 762 mm, speed of electric motor is 1800 rpm while the power of the motor is 15 Horse power. The material machined was mild steel, while the cutting tools used was HIGH Speed Steel (HSS). The depth of cut for rough cutting was 3 mm the speed is of 12 m/min while the depth of cut for finish cutting was 0.4 mm at the speed of 240 m/min. The strategic decisions used are: fixed cost, variable cost, and break-even point between alternatives. Computer software was developed using Microsoft Visual Basic programming language. These models and the developed software were tested using Don Bosco Technical College, Ondo. Nigeria as case study where the machines are available with same specification but difference in technology (manual, semi-automatic and automatic). The results were highly promising for decision making and will find its applications in Job-shop Industries, Institutions with production basis, mechanical and manufacturing workshops that production cost as well as technology advancement for selection of machines affects their production in both developed and developing countries.