Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Dynamic Programming Approach to Plant Layout under Sequential Machinery Investment for Nigerian Entrepreneurs
by Ogedengbe T. I. and Ajakaye A. S.

Abstract:
This study employs dynamic programming approach to develop a model that helps entrepreneurs to populate pre-planned plant layout using sequential machinery investment techniques. The approach enables the use of little initial capital to sequentially invest in the most important machinery/machineries and factory and office space(s) as well as to provide sufficient working capital required by the industry to keep the plant working optimally per period. Using the developed model and a set of decision rules that was setup, total earnings obtained from previous periods are subsequently re-invested each period until all the planned machines and factory and office buildings have been fully put in place; there is also adequate working capital to efficiently run the plant. The model developed was implemented through a software named DYNAPLANT which was developed using C# programming language to facilitate the solution procedure.

Keywords: dynamic programming, plant layout, sequential machinery investment, entrepreneur, factory.

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