IO2021 - XXI Congresso da Associação Portuguesa de Investigação Operacional

O IO2021 - XXI Congresso da Associação Portuguesa de Investigação Operacional realizar-se-á em modo exclusivamente presencial no hotel Eurostars da Figueira da Foz, de 7 a 8 de novembro de 2021.

Como é habitual, podem ser submetidos resumos (em português ou inglês) e, pós-congresso, artigos completos (neste último caso, em língua inglesa). Os artigos completos que forem aceites no processo de revisão serão publicados nos Springer Proceedings in Mathematics & Statistics.

Research





Opportunities

Simulation of Operations

1 PhD + 2 Internship Positions

Manufacturing systems are achieving unprecedented levels of complexity, which arises from the need to manage a significant set of conflicting objectives. Simulation is a powerful method that can provide significant levels of detail and flexibility in modelling systems. The challenge is to develop new simulation-based models to study complex manufacturing systems.

Modelling of Pharma Supply Chains

2 Internship Positions

The pharmaceutical industry is being challenged to become more cost-efficient and responsive when developing and making drugs. Scientific and technological breakthroughs, increasing societal pressures, stringent regulations, and fast-changing markets are pushing the pharmaceutical supply chain to the limit. The challenge is to develop mathematical models to design and run large pharmaceutical chains.



Systems Design, Optimization, and Simulation

The manufacturing industry strives for tools that are capable of quantifying, demonstrating, and finding the sweet spot of running the processes, production lines, plants, and supply chains. The immediate objective is to smooth out the running systems as much as possible, even when the systems are running under severe conditions. Although this goal appears to be contradictory, emerging manufacturing paradigms, as is the Industry 4.0, support the development and application of tools focused on improving output and quality and reducing downtimes. While this path is generally well seen, there is still work to do to estimate the extension of such benefits in the existing systems. To accomplish this, data-driven methods, such as simulation, take advantage of data to learn how to make the best decisions.

Current Team

  • Alexandre Jesus, Systems Simulation, PhD Student
  • Bruno Azevedo, Systems Simulation, MSc Student
  • Catarina Bessa, Optimization of Pharmaceutical Supply Chains, PhD Student
  • Francisco Carmo, Systems Simulation, MSc Student
  • João Maranha, Optimization of Additive Manufacturing Supply Chains, MSc Student
  • Márcia Dias, Machine Learning, PhD Student
  • Paulo Nascimento, Optimization of Additive Manufacturing Supply Chains, PhD Student
  • Paulo Serrano, Planning and Scheduling Optimization, PhD Student
  • Raquel Duque, Optimization of Pharmaceutical Supply Chains, MSc Student



Student Awards

May 2021 | 4rd place in the Simio Student Simulation Competition

The objetive was to design a dynamic buffering and inventory system based on DDMRP methodology [Video]

Dec 2020 | Semi-finalist in the Simio Student Simulation Competition

The main objective was to suggest solutions to achieve a profitable and sustainable operation of the Simio's BBQ Smoke Pit restaurant [Video]

May 2020 | 4rd place in the Simio Student Simulation Competition

The goal was to propose recommendations for optimizing waving and picking strategies in warehouse management [Video]

Dec 2019 | 3rd place in the Simio Student Simulation Competition

The challenge was to optimize the operations of an airport by studying and evaluating alternative processes and technologies from the passenger arrivals to the terminal areas [Video]

Nov 2019 | Finalist in the EUREKATHON Student Competition

EUREKATHON is a data-driven competition that addresses societal issues associated with sustainable development goals

Publications

A two-level optimisation-simulation method for production planning and scheduling: the industrial case of a human–robot collaborative assembly line
Vieira M., Moniz S., Gonçalves B., Pinto-Varela T., Barbosa-Póvoa A., & Neto P.

Thirty Years of Flexible Job-Shop Scheduling: A Bibliometric Study
Coelho P., Pinto A., Moniz S., & Silva C.

Hybrid optimisation approach for sequencing and assignment decision-making in reconfigurable assembly lines
Maganha, I., Silva, C., Klement, N., dit Eynaud, A. B., Durville, L., & Moniz, S.

Optimal design of additive manufacturing supply chains
Basto, J., Ferreira, J. S., Alcalá, S. G., Frazzon, E., & Moniz, S.

A simulation approach for spare parts supply chain management
Caldas, N., Pinho de Sousa, J., Alcalá, S. G., Frazzon, E., & Moniz, S.

Integrating Simulation and Optimization for Process Planning and Scheduling Problems
Vieira, M., Moniz, S., Gonçalves, B., Pinto-Varela, T., & Barbosa-Póvoa, A. P.

Ongoing Projects

FuturePharma - The FuturePharma project goal is to develop optimization models with practical use for boosting the integration of complex decisions that occur at different levels of the pharmaceutical supply chain | FCT | Budget: 249.361,87 euros | Partners: Universidade de Coimbra, INESC TEC, and Instituto Superior Técnico

PRODUTECH4S&C - New methodologies and tools to develop new products, services, and innovative production technologies, aligned with the circular economy's challenges. | P2020 | Partners: 23 partners, among which Universidade de Coimbra

3DProductionChains - Introducing 3D Printing into the Production Chain: Modeling the Effects and Providing Guidance Using Data Analysis and Advanced Modeling | MIT Seed Projects | Partners: Universidade de Coimbra and MIT

PENELOPE - Pilot lines for large-part high-precision manufacturing proposes a novel methodology linking product-centric data management and production planning and scheduling in a closed-loop digital pipeline for ensuring an accurate and precise manufacturability from the initial product design | H2020 | Budget: 20.818.478,25 euros | Partners: 31 partners, among which Universidade de Coimbra


Concluded Projects

DM4Manufacturing Aligning Manufacturing Decision Making with Advanced Manufacturing Technologies | PORTUGAL 2020 | Budget: 1.677.691,31 euros | Partners: Universidade de Coimbra, INESC TEC, and Instituto Superior Técnico

Teaching

Simulation of Operations


Introduces simulation methods with a focus on modeling and analysis of real-world problems. Covers queuing models, probability and statistics in simulation, conceptual modeling, verification and validation of simulation models, and process design and analysis. Applications to manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and services will be discussed. It includes a team project to solve a large-scale simulation problem of practical interest.

For those interested in more information on Simulation of Operations please click here



Production Management


Addresses the theory and practice of production management as a functional area of the operations. Covers process design and analysis, production line balancing, design of factory layouts, forecasting methods, inventory models, production planning and scheduling, concepts of supply chains, and key lean manufacturing tools. It includes a team project to solve a problem of practical interest.

For those interested in more information on Production Management please click here



Communicating with Data


Aims at equipping students with knowledge and communication skills, and focuses on learning the strategic and tactical use of data to conduct decision-making processes. This curricular unit seeks to increase communication skills and use data tools through practice and real-world examples. Emphasis will be placed on the communication of quantitative information as well as the improvement of data storytelling skills.

For those interested in more information on Communicating with Data please click here


The path to the simulation of digital manufacturing systems

New approaches for simulation will leverage best practices to engineer factories and production processes at the earlier stages of their development. This can be done by using several models to investigate a broad spectrum of complex issues.
Full story...


Strategic decision-making in the pharmaceutical industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, the ability to bring new drugs into the market consistently is a central issue to remain competitive and maintain economic sustainability. Several challenges arise during this phase.
Full story...


Decision-making in the drug development process

Major technological advances are changing the way pharma companies operate and manage their operations. These companies are continually being challenged to become ever more cost-efficient and responsive to the delivery of drugs.