Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1 Dept. of Economic, Management and Accounting, Yazd University, Iran
2 Dept. of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Keywords
Main Subjects
Today, in fierce competition with advanced and the current growth technology, one of the most important issues in the material handling industry is the choice of method and appropriate equipment. Depending on the type of material, equipment type may be different [1]. In GolGohar pelletizing plant of mining and industrial company, conveyor belt equipment is used to transport the materials. Industrial conveyor belts are portable devices that are used to transport material between two fixed points intermittently or continuously [2]. In general, mechanical tools for continuous transport of materials in certain directions are available in different types, capacities and speeds. Today conveyor belts are the most widely used and are considered very important elements in production systems and automation units, with their varying capabilities and efficiencies as an integral part of industry. The wide use of conveyor belt in mines, factories, and public places proves their usefulness in making the activity easy [3]. Due to its nature and importance in production line, gender and price, a conveyor belt is one of the most sensitive equipment pieces. Hence, it is important to know how to buy, inspect, quality control and warehouse it [4]. Conveyor belt equipment in pelletizing plant is key equipment in the material handling. To maintain this equipment, maintenance and repair system are required to identify all preventative and repair measures for each piece. Appropriate conveyor selection can reduce manpower requirements, electricity costs, production time, prices and delivery time, and thus increase profitability and productivity [5].
Material handling costs are significant in manufacturing, amounting to approximately 15% to 70% of the total manufacturing cost [6].
By reviewing and prioritizing preventative measures, experts and operators will be able to increase duriability of parts, reduce the rate of failure and improve efficiency of conveyor belts. This increases the efficiency of the conveyor belt besides saving money.
The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize preventative and repair measures for conveyor belt equipment using Fuzzy MCDM approach (FMCDM) in a pelletizing plant. First, a review on preventative and repair measures of parts ofconveyor belt is provided. Then Fuzzy TOPSIS method is presented as used in this research and finally the results of prioritization will be presented and analyzed.