International Journal of Industrial Engineering & Production Research

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  Although control charts are very common to monitoring process changes, they usually do not indicate the real time of the changes. Identifying the real time of the process changes is known as change-point estimation problem. There are a number of change point models in the literature however most of the existing approaches are dedicated to normal processes. In this paper we propose a novel approach based on clustering techniques to estimate Shewhart control chart change-point when a sustained shift is occurrs in the process mean. For this purpose we devise a new clustering mechanism, a new similarity measure and a new objective function. The proposed approach is not only capable of detecting process change-points, but also automatically estimates the true values of the out-of-control parameters of the process. We also compare the performance of the proposed approach with existing methods.

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  The clustering problem under the criterion of minimum sum of squares is a non-convex and non-linear program, which possesses many locally optimal values, resulting that its solution often falls into these trap and therefore cannot converge to global optima solution. In this paper, an efficient hybrid optimization algorithm is developed for solving this problem, called Tabu-KM. It gathers the optimization property of tabu search and the local search capability of k-means algorithm together. The contribution of proposed algorithm is to produce tabu space for escaping from the trap of local optima and finding better solutions effectively. The Tabu-KM algorithm is tested on several simulated and standard datasets and its performance is compared with k-means, simulated annealing, tabu search, genetic algorithm, and ant colony optimization algorithms. The experimental results on simulated and standard test problems denote the robustness and efficiency of the algorithm and confirm that the proposed method is a suitable choice for solving data clustering problems.

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The ever severe dynamic competitive environment has led to increasing complexity of strategic decision making in giant organizations. Strategy formulation is one of basic processes in achieving long range goals. Since, in ordinary methods considering all factors and their significance in accomplishing individual goals are almost impossible. Here, a new approach based on clustering method is proposed to assist the decision makers in formulating strategies. Having extracted the internal and external factors, after setting long range goals, the factor-goal matrices are generated according to the impact rate of factors on goals. According to created matrices, clusters including goals and factors are formed. By considering individual clusters the strategies are proposed according to the current state of clusters for the organization. By applying this new method the opportunity of considering the impact of all factors and its interactions on goals are not lost. Strategy-factor and strategy-goal matrices are utilized to validate the proposed method. To show the appropriateness and practicality of our approach, particularly in an environment with a large number of interacting goals and factors, we have implemented the approach in Mahmodabad Training Center (MTC) in Iran. The resulting goal-factor, current and dated states of clusters, also, strategy-goal and strategy-factor matrices for model validation and route branch indices for finding out how the organization achieved each goal are reported.

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Data mining is a powerful tool for firms to extract knowledge from their customers’ transaction data. One of the useful applications of data mining is segmentation. Segmentation is an effective tool for managers to make right marketing strategies for right customer segments. In this study we have segmented retailers of a hygienic manufacture. Nowadays all manufactures do understand that for staying in the competitive market, they should set up an effective relationship with their retailers. We have proposed a LRFMP (relationship Length, Recency, Frequency, Monetary, and Potential) model for retailer segmentation. Ten retailer clusters have been obtained by applying K-means algorithm with K-optimum according Davies-Bouldin index on LRFMP variables. We have analyzed obtained clusters by weighted sum of LRFMP values, which the weight of each variable calculated by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. In addition we have analyzed each cluster in order to formulate segment-specific marketing actions for retailers. The results of this research can help marketing managers to gain deep insights about retailers.

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In this paper, a comprehensive mathematical model for designing an electric power supply chain network via considering preventive maintenance under risk of network failures is proposed. The risk of capacity disruption of the distribution network is handled via using a two-stage stochastic programming as a framework for modeling the optimization problem. An applied method of planning for the network design and power generation and transmission system via considering failures scenarios, as well as network preventive maintenance schedule, is presented. The aim of the proposed model is to minimize the expected total cost consisting of power plants set-up, power generation and the maintenance activities. The proposed mathematical model is solved by an efficient new accelerated Benders decomposition algorithm. The proposed accelerated Benders decomposition algorithm uses an efficient acceleration mechanism based on the priority method which uses a heuristic algorithm to efficiently cope with computational complexities. A large number of considered scenarios are reduced via using a k-means clustering algorithm to decrease the computational effort for solving the proposed two-stage stochastic programming model. The efficiencies of the proposed model and solution algorithm are examined using data from the Tehran Regional Electric Company. The obtained results indicate that solutions of the stochastic programming are more robust than the obtained solutions provided by a deterministic model.

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In this paper, the fuzzy multi-depot vehicle routing problem with simultaneous pickup and delivery (FMDVRP-SPD) is investigated. The FMDVRP-SPD is the problem of allocating customers to several depots, so that the optimal set of routes is determined simultaneously to serve the pickup and the delivery demands of each customer within scattered depots. In the problem, both pickup and delivery demands of customers are fuzzy variables. The objective of FMDVRP-SPD is to minimize the total cost of a distribution system including vehicle traveling cost and vehicle fixed cost. To model the problem, a fuzzy chance-constrained programming model is proposed based on the fuzzy credibility theory. A heuristic algorithm combining K-means clustering algorithm and ant colony optimization is developed for solving the problem. To achieve an appropriate threshold value of parameters of the model, named “vehicle indexes”, and to analyze their influences on the final solution, numerical experiments are carried out.

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Nowadays, the CNC machining industry uses FMEA approach to improve performance, reduce component failure, and downtime of the machines. FMEA method is one of the most useful approach for the maintenance scheduling and consequently improvement of the reliability. This paper presents an approach to prioritize and assessment the failures of electrical and control components of CNC lathe machine. In this method, the electrical and control components were analyzed independently for every failure mode according to RPN. The results showed that the conventional method by means of a weighted average, generates different RPN values ​​for the subsystems subjected to the study. The best result for Fuzzy FMEA obtained for the 10-scale and centroid defuzzification method. The Fuzzy FMEA sensitivity analysis showed that the subsystem risk level is dependent on O, S, and D indices, respectively. The result of the risk clustering showed that the failure modes can be clustered into three risk groups and a similar maintenance policy can be adopted for all failure modes placed in a cluster. Also, The prioritization of risks could also help the maintenance team to choose corrective actions consciously. In conclusion, the Fuzzy FMEA method was found to be suitably adopted in the CNC machining industry. Finally, this method helped to increase the level of confidence on CNC lathe machine.

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One of the key issues in the studies on customer relationship management (CRM) and modalities of marketing budget allocation is to calculate the customer’s lifetime value and applying it to macro-management decisions. A major challenge in this sector pertains to making calculations so as to incorporate the possibility of changes in the behavior of customers with the turn of time in the model.
In this article, we first classify the customers of ISACO using clustering techniques and use multilayer neural network to calculate the monetary value of each group of customers during the specific period of time. Then, we use the Markov chain approach to develop a model for calculating the lifetime value of ISACO’s customers by taking into consideration the possibility of changes in their behavior in future time periods.
In this study, a new approach has been used to estimate the parameters of the model proposed for calculating the future lifetime value of ISACO’s customers. This method takes into consideration the possibility of changes in the customer behavior throughout their interaction with the company.
The results obtained here may be used in the allocation of marketing budget and adoption of macro-management decisions to envisage various projects for customers with different lifetime value.

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With the ever-increasing request for speed and the increasing number of Cyber Attacks are having fast and accurate skill to provide verification that is convenient, rapid and exact. Even though possible that it is very difficult to fool Image Recognition Skill in this makes it helpful in serving preclude fraud. In this paper, we propose a model for pixel wise operations, which is needed for identification of a location point.  The computer vision is not limited to pixel wise operations. It can be complex and far more complex than image processing. Initially, we take the unstructured Image Segmentation with the help of K-Means Clustering Algorithm is used. Once complete the preprocessing step then extracts the segmented image from the surveillance cameras to identify the expressions and vehicle images. In the raw image from the surveillance camera is the image of a person and vehicle is to classify with the help DWT. Further, the images of the appearances stood also taken with phenomenon called Smart Selfie Click (SSC). These two features are extracted in-order to identify whether the vehicle should be permitted into the campus or not. Thus, verification is possible. These two images are nothing but reliable object extracted for location identification.

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Organizations have used Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) as an appropriate pattern to classify their customers. Data mining techniques have enabled organizations to analyze their customers’ behaviors more quantitatively. This research has been carried out to cluster customers based on factors of CLV model including length, recency, frequency, and monetary (LRFM) through data mining. Based on LRFM, transaction data of 1865 customers in a software company has been analyzed through Crisp-DM method and the research roadmap. Four CLV factors have been developed based on feature selection algorithm. They also have been prepared for clustering using quintile method. To determine the optimum number of clusters, silhouette and SSE indexes have been evaluated. Additionally, k-means algorithm has been applied to cluster the customers. Then, CLV amounts have been evaluated and the clusters have been ranked. The results show that customers have been clustered in 4 groups namely high value loyal customers, uncertain lost customers, uncertain new customers, and high consumption cost customers. The first cluster customers with the highest number and the highest CLV are the most valuable customers and the fourth, third, and second cluster customers are in the second, third, and fourth positions respectively. The attributes of customers in each cluster have been analyzed and the marketing strategies have been proposed for each group.

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In current study, a particle swarm clustering method is suggested for clustering triangular fuzzy data. This clustering method can find fuzzy cluster centers in the proposed method, where fuzzy cluster centers contain more points from the corresponding cluster, the higher clustering accuracy. Also, triangular fuzzy numbers are utilized to demonstrate uncertain data. To compare triangular fuzzy numbers, a similarity criterion based on the intersection region of the fuzzy numbers is used.  The performance of the suggested clustering method has been experimented on both benchmark and artificial datasets. These datasets are used in the fuzzy form. The experiential results represent that the suggested clustering method with fuzzy cluster centers can cluster triangular fuzzy datasets like other standard uncertain data clustering methods. Experimental results demonstrate that, in almost all datasets, the proposed clustering method provides better results in accuracy when compared to Uncertain K-Means and Uncertain K-medoids algorithms.

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Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a well-known maintenance cost minimization strategy in which maintenance activities are performed based on the actual state of the system being maintained. The act of combining maintenance activities for different components is called opportunistic maintenance or maintenance clustering, which is known to be cost-effective, especially for multi-component systems with economic dependency. Every operating system is subject to gradual degradation which ultimately leads to system failure. Since each level of degradation can be represented by a state, every system can be modeled as a multi-state structure. The state of a system can be estimated through condition monitoring, albeit with uncertainty. The majority of studies in the field of maintenance planning are focused on preventive perfect maintenance operations such as replacement. But in practice, most of the maintenance operations are imperfect because of time, technology, and resource limitations. In this paper, we present a CBM clustering model that factors in uncertainty in alerting and lifetime distribution and considers the possibility of using the imperfect maintenance approach. This model is developed for a system with three levels of warning (Signal, Alert, Alarm), which combines inspections and condition monitoring to avoid unnecessary inspections and thereby achieve better cost-efficiency. Our analysis and results provide a general view of when and how to cluster maintenance activities to minimize maintenance costs and maximize system availability. Numerical investigations performed with MATLAB show that clustering CBM activities can result in as much as 80% cost saving compared to No clustering.