2007 Graduate Catalog and 2006 Annual R & D Report - Sirindhorn ...

2007 Graduate Catalog and 2006 Annual R & D Report
Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT)
to alleviate the problems, their characteristics and
causes should be analyzed. Some causes of the
problems are manageable while others are non
manageable. The non-manageable problems must
be considered as constraints for developing the P&IC
systems. The P&IC systems suitable for the SMIs in
Thailand should be developed based on these
constraints. Particular research topics in this
research area are listed as follows:
Analyses of Production and Inventory Control
Problems in Thai Industries
There are various possible problems related to the
production and inventory control (P&IC) systems in
Thai industries. The nature, characteristics, and
causes of such problems should be known in order to
design an appropriate P&IC system or to improve the
performance of the system. This research aims to
identify the characteristics and also real causes of the
encountered P&IC problems in Thai industries using
an interview survey and case studies.
Guideline or Methodology for Developing the
Appropriate P&IC System for Thai Industries
It is reasonable to assume that the situation of
industries in developed and developing countries are
different. Therefore, the P&IC systems widely used in
developed countries, for example, Just-in-Time, MRP,
and TOC (Theory of Constraints) may not be suitable
for Thai industries. An entirely new system or a
modification of certain existing systems may be
required by Thai industries. This research aims to
recommend P&IC techniques or systems suitable for
Thai industries by focusing on aggregate planning,
master production scheduling, detailed production
and purchasing scheduling, and shop floor control.
Affordable MRP System for Small- to Medium-
Sized Industries (SMIs) in Thailand
Material Requirement Planning (MRP) software
packages available in the market at present are very
expensive and may be unaffordable by SMIs in
Thailand. The software is designed as a general tool
to be applicable for almost all types of industries. It is
therefore complicated and difficult to use. This
research aims to design various MRP systems
(having different planning logics) which are
appropriate for different types of SMIs in Thailand.
Since the MRP systems are specifically developed
(not a general-purpose one) for each type of
industries, they are therefore less complicated, easier
to use, and more affordable.
Dr. Ruengsak Kawtummachai
Associate Professor
B.Eng. (1 st Class Honors) in Industrial Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
M.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering, Okayama University, Japan
Ph.D. in Production System, Okayama University, Japan
Areas of Specialization: Scheduling, Production planning and control, Just-in-time production, Inventory control,
Production system, Supply Chain, Logistics.
Research Interests:
Inventory Control
This field of study is concerned with the management
of inventory level. There are so many strategies that
have been applied in this field, such as, MRP, MRP II,
JIT, etc. MRP may be the most appropriate method
for a particular firm but may be a poor one for other
companies. The aim of this field of study is to select
the most appropriate method of inventory control
under the constraints of a system. The most recent
study is concerned with a hybrid system JIT/MRP.
This idea combines the philosophy of JIT into the
system of MRP to construct a better method when
compared to the inventory system controlled by only
JIT or MRP.
Heuristic Scheduling Algorithms
Scheduling (or Sequencing) is a topic that is well
known for its complexity. It requires a huge amount
of effort to solve this major problem and sometimes
there is no method for solving such a problem to
obtain the optimal solution. Heuristic scheduling
algorithms such as Simulated Annealing and Genetic
Algorithm can be used to seek the near optimal
solution when calculated by a high-speed computer.
The study will construct an algorithm that is suitable
and satisfies the constraints of the concerned
problems.
Supply Chain Management
A Supply Chain is a cluster of companies
cooperatively interacting with each other to fulfill a
production goal in response to customers' orders. A
well-organized supply chain will gain a competitive
advantage and benefit all partners in the supply
chain. Issues of supply chain management include:
statistical forecasting, collaborative demand planning,
product life cycle planning, multi-plant MRP/MPS,
constrained production planning, supply and
distribution network modeling, supply network
optimization and vendor managed inventory. One of
the key issues in supply chain management is to
identify the most profitable supply chain in which all
partners in the chain can gain a win-win situation.
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