Industrial Engineering docx.

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INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
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A literature review of published material, either in hard copy or electronically, that is
relevant to your research project
Introduction
Conveyor monorails as well as workstation cranes are often used in the movement of materials
or positioning of loads that are either too bulky or heavy through a facility or even a process.
They make use of the vertical space within the facility through the transportation of loads
overhead (Doherty et al., 2018). Their movement is governed by an operator be it manually or
even with the use of a wired pendant station or other times wireless control. Such direct the
lateral, horizontal as well as vertical movements of load. Monorails are basically used in
supporting activities of manufacturing and specifically move a load from a process to another
one.
Monorail Systems
Monorail is typically used as an alternative to lifting trucks by transporting bulky as well as
heavy material via a process or even a facility thereafter positioning of the loads. They maximize
the vertical space of a building ensuring movement of loads overhead on carriers or even trolleys
that are suspended from a an overhead truck that is of a continuous run or even fixed nature and
spanning nearly any given distance. The hand trolleys are normally powered manually even
though the movement of trolley may be powered using electric tractor or pneumatic drive
regulator by an assigned operator (Doherty et al., 2019).
Monorail systems are mostly used in operations that involve manufacturing where they support
the processes of production throughout the building among them positioning, assembly, work in
process staging, between among and between various stations alongside movement to and from

various areas of storage and loading docks. Monorails have been established to improve the
safety as well as ergonomics of workers through relieving employees from strains linked with
pushing as well as lifting or even pulling various loads. Still, monorails aid is freeing up floor
space, offer movement that is highly efficient with accuracy in positioning as well as enhancing
throughput and performance.
Types of monorail systems available
There are two distinct types of monorail systems that may be used in this project that are
available:
Enclosed track
This refers to a fully composed track section modeled to create an enclosure which serves as the
running surface for the wheels of the trolley. Besides enabling smooth movement, enclosed track
systems tend to be quite ideal in keeping dirt as well and solid wastes from the running surface.
Enclosed track systems may as well be equipped using switches alongside curves and may be
produced in profiles of steel or even aluminium (Kipouridis et al., 2016).
Figure 1: Enclosed track monorail system (Kipouridis et al., 2016)

Patented track
This type of track is mainly used in under-running crane as well as monorail installations and
exhibit a continuous run or even fixed, overhead track where carriers or even trolleys move.
They are installed with trolley hoists that are used in lifting, suspending or even lowering the
load.
Figure 1: Patented track monorail system (Furmans, Seibold and Trenkle, 2019)
Uses of monorail systems
Monorail systems are used in various areas in supporting handling as well as process within a
facility:
 Storage where they ferry heavy material to and from the areas of storage
 Assembly in which they move various products through the processes of
production (Furmans, Seibold and Trenkle, 2019)
 Positioning that involves securing a part for extra work

 Staging where they are mainly used in holding work-in-process for the purposes
of extra production processes
 Warehousing in which they move large as well as heavy items to and from the
decks
 Transportation involves loading of finished items or products onto railcars or even
open trailers
Track switches
A wide range of monorail track switches can be availed for use in monorail systems. Switches
are classified as either light duty, medium duty or even heavy duty. The can be availed in tongue
or even sliding operation models. Sliding switches offer smoother operation of trolleys in
comparison with tongue switches since the track sections of sliding switches tend to be curved
forming important component of track system curve. Some switches tend to be confined to non-
electrical operating systems (Benedict, 2006). Based on the switch type, they might be operated
manually or even with the use of electric motor and in other cases by air cylinder. Switch
operation might be fulfilled using pull ropes, signals for remote control or even pushbutton
pendant stations. Examples of track switches that may be used include:
 Tongue switch which are designed to allow a single switch to carry out four
various operations. This basic switch might be used in the form of a right-hand, wye, left-
hand or even three way tongue switch having just a minimum modification to mechanism
of operation on monorail systems that are not electrified.

 Non-electrified sliding switches which come in three main configurations
including two-way, three-way as well as wye. Such medium duty sliding switches are
utilized in monorail systems which do not have carriers that are electrically powered
 Electrified sliding switch come in three configurations which include two-way,
three-way as well as wye configurations. Such switches can be operated with the hand,
air cylinders or even electric motor (Benedict, 2006).
 Cross-track switch enable two monorail tracks located at the same elevation to
cross each other at right angles. This switch is a complete unit built using formed steel,
having a 12” SuperTrack tongue. All the tracks are securely tightened to switch frame for
enhanced alignment of track flanges. This as well prevents any possible creeping of track.
Open tracks are protected by rugged mechanical baffles. This switch is supplied along
with pulleys that are to be attached to superstructure at the most convenient point for
operation
Estimated dimensions of cross-track switch (Benedict, 2006)
Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary
research

In this project, two kinds of research methods may be adopted. Such include secondary as well as
primary data. These two types of research approaches are based on the available data as well as
the reliability that the researcher is able to notice with them. Primary research is based on first-
hand information as well as the data that is gathered by the researcher.
In this method, the collected data has not been interfered with in any way and the only source of
bias could be from the researcher (Clark and Vealé, 2018). Some of the most ideal methods or
approaches of primary research that will be used in this research will include interviews and
questionnaires. In this situation, the researcher would interview the management of the various
companies that deal with production and make inquiries on the various types of monorail
systems that they use the types of drives, supply of power alongside other features.
Still, interviews will be conducted to the companies that deal with the manufacture and
production of monorail systems. With regard to secondary research approaches as well as
methods, the use of secondary sources will be the most ideal in understanding the various types
of monorail systems that they use, the types of drives, supply of power alongside other features.
This will involve looking into the various peer reviewed journals on the topic and design a search
criterion to ensure the information collected is not only reliable but also up to date. Reliability of
a secondary source of information is attainable by ensuring that selected articles or journals
alongside other publications are scholarly articles that are peer reviewed only (Moser and
Korstjens, 2018).
By peer reviewing, it is ascertained that the information contained in these publications are not
only published by experts in that field but also cross checked by fellow experts in the same field
and any possible flaws and information that is inaccurate eliminated before being released for

academic consumption. To ensure the secondary sources are up to date, a selection criterion will
be developed such that a period is picked for which articles published during then are usable. For
the purposes of this research, the publications selected will be those published not more than five
years ago. This will ensure the information extracted is congruent with the existing technology
and trends in the chosen topic or field.
The strategies used to overcome the challenges involved in the literature review stage
A literature review defines a critical look into the available research which is of significance to
the research work one is carrying out. Such an overview highlights prominent trends in research
besides doing an assessment of the overall weaknesses as well as strengths of the existing
research (Nico, 2016). An effective literature review offers a critical look of the available
research through:
 Identification of possible knowledge gaps
 Highlighting significant trends of research
 Assessment of the weaknesses as well as strengths; and
 Establishment of the need for future as well as current research projects
Among the strategies used in overcoming the challenges involved in the literature review stage
include:
Planning: This includes identification of the type, scope, focus as well as discipline of the review
that one is intending to write or work on. This strategy aids in ensuring the researcher remains on
track and specific to the subject of study to avoid chances of being too narrow or broad in his
review that might result in failure to identify the gaps in knowledge effectively (Tate and Happ,
2018).

Reading and research: In this strategy, current research is collected and read regarding the
chosen topic at the planning stage. In this strategy, only the sources that are of utmost relevance
to the topic of research are chosen. The criterion for choosing is identified to ensure the reading
conducted is productive.
Analysis: This involves summarizing, synthesizing, critiquing as well as making comparison of
the sources of information selected in a bid to ensure the field of research is assessed as whole.
Approaching the research from a holistic point makes the research not only solid in content but
also specific to the needs of the research.
Merits, limitations and pitfalls of approaches to data collection and analysis
Structured interviews: This is a method of assessment designed to extract and make comparison
from all interviews carried out
Merits
 Provide high rate of response
 The interviewer is available to elaborate the question hence avoiding possible
misinterpretation from interviewees
Demerits
 Preparation of structure interviews consume time
 There is no flexibility in choice of answered which are predetermined by researcher (Tate
and Happ, 2018)
 Obtaining detailed data is a challenge

In-depth interviews
Merits
 Offer extensive information
 Provides opportunity for asking follow up questions, probing of information and
justification of pervious responses
 Establishes a link between numerous topics
Demerits
 It is not generalizable
 It is time intensive or consuming
 Elongated verification process in extraction of compared information
 Choosing of participants should be done carefully to avoid possible bias
Secondary data collection
Merits
 Enables generation of new ideas from previous analyses
 High levels of accessibility of information
 Saves on cost for instance one is able to analyze large data sets gathered by government
surveys at no extra cost
 Offers feasibility with regard to international as well as longitudinal comparative studies
 Saves on time especially with the introduction of internet where information is available
at disposal.

Demerits
 Inappropriateness of the collected data as data might have been collected numerous years
ago with the information referring to a whole country in case where one is aiming at
studying a given region or even the other way round where one wants to study a whole
country yet the information available is for a specific region
 Lack of control over the quality of data since government agencies alongside other
official institutions that are normally offering a guarantee to data quality do not exercise
their powers on secondary data
Critically analyses literature sources utilised, data analysis conducted and strategies to deal
with challenges
The literature sources used in this research are peer reviewed journals that are up date ensuring
the data collected would be accurate, reliable and applicable in the prevailing context. These
sources are extracted from academic sites including Google scholar that provide platforms for
scientific research on varied topics. The collected data is analyzed using qualitative data analysis
methods including interviews and questionnaires that would aid the researcher in finding first-
hand information on the study topic besides expounding on his understanding from the
perspective of other stakeholders engaged (Goswami and Kumar, 2017). The challenges
encountered during literature review stage are best dealt with through proper planning of the
entire research work and specifically the review of literature. This planning involves
identification of the research topic, looking for sources of information and then conducting an
analysis on those information sources taking care to pick only that information that is of utmost
relevance.

References
Benedict, C.E., Benedict Charles E, 2006. Automated material handling system with motorized
transfer vehicles. U.S. Patent 7,101,139
Clark, K.R. and Vealé, B.L., 2018. Strategies to enhance data collection and analysis in
qualitative research. Radiologic Technology, 89(5), pp.482CT-485CT

Doherty, B.J., Mariano, T.R. and Sullivan, R.P., Murata Machinery Ltd, 2018. Automated
material handling system for semiconductor manufacturing based on a combination of vertical
carousels and overhead hoists. U.S. Patent 10,141,212
Doherty, B.J., Mariano, T.R. and Sullivan, R.P., Murata Machinery Ltd, 2019. Automated
material handling system for semiconductor manufacturing based on a combination of vertical
carousels and overhead hoists. U.S. Patent 10,381,251
Furmans, K., Seibold, Z. and Trenkle, A., 2019. Future technologies in intralogistics and material
handling. In Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management (pp. 545-574). Springer,
Cham
Goswami, A. and Kumar, A., 2017. Challenges in the analysis of online social networks: A data
collection tool perspective. Wireless Personal Communications, 97(3), pp.4015-4061
Kipouridis, O., Roidl, M., Günthner, W.A. and Ten Hompel, M., 2016. Cloud-based platform for
collaborative design of decentralized controlled material flow systems in facility logistics.
In Dynamics in Logistics (pp. 313-322). Springer, Cham
Moser, A. and Korstjens, I., 2018. Series: Practical guidance to qualitative research. Part 3:
Sampling, data collection and analysis. European Journal of General Practice, 24(1), pp.9-18
Nico, M.L., 2016. Bringing life “back into life course research”: Using the life grid as a research
instrument for qualitative data collection and analysis. Quality & Quantity, 50(5), pp.2107-2120
Tate, J.A. and Happ, M.B., 2018. Qualitative secondary analysis: A case exemplar. Journal of
Pediatric Health Care, 32(3), pp.308-312