DEVELOPMENT OF A PRODUCT PRODUCTION RATE OPTIMIZATION MODEL USING BLOW FILM MOULDING MACHINE: A CASE STUDY OF THE BORNO STATE PLASTIC INDUSTRY (BOPLAST), MAIDUGURI
This study addresses the allocation problem of Borno Plastic Industry (BOPLAS), a plastic industry in Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria. The company employs Blow film moulding process; this is a high-speed production process to form plastic bottles and containers. The aim of the research is to develop an optimization model to maximize the company’s profit. Linear programming was used to address the optimization problem. Data for model development were obtained through interactions with company personnel, verbal interviews, reviewing annual reports, and taking direct readings from the machine during operation. The simplex method was employed to formulate equations from the data obtained. MATLAB simulations was used to solve the equations and the value obtained from the objective function was 70.5146, with the production rate of 4, 569.6 units of PVC per month and 15, 716.88 units wash hand bowls per month yielding a profit margin of N2, 669,603 per month. The company is encouraged to adopt the developed model so that emphasis will be given to products that will generate more profit.
Authors : Abba-Aji, M.A.*, Ibrahim, M.A. and Hammajam, A.A.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 10(1) Date Uploaded : 24th March 2024