Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Authors

Eric C. Johnson

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

3-1-1971

Abstract

In 1966 Kennecott Copper Corporation and its subsidiary, Chase Brass and Copper Company, launched a long range research effort--the Casting Laboratory-- designed to focus on the area of casting, specifically solidification and liquid metal processing. From the outset, the Casting Laboratory implemented formal activities for the identification and evaluation of research opportunities and activities so that the results could be used for long range planning of Casting Laboratory applied research programs. The author was responsible for these activities during 1967-1970. Drawing on specific activities carried out at the Casting Laboratory during the author's tenure there and activities in which he collaborated following his transfer to the Metal Mining Division of Kennecott Copper Corporation, the application of operations research techniques to research planning problems is illustrated. Emphasis is placed on project selection, where well-known techniques were modified and adapted to meet the requirements of the Casting Laboratory; research communication, with discussion of a novel application of a relevance matrix to improve interaction; and casting process simulation, integrating technical and cost models of casting processes to improve research planning. Since most real data related to these activities is confidential, it was necessary to disguise the data. Consequently, all cost, technical and other information considered proprietary have been altered and data presented bear no relationship to the actual. Hypothetical data used results in no loss in clarity of the presentation.

Keywords

Operations research, Kennecott Copper Corporation, Chase Brass and Copper Company, Copper industry and trade, Founding, Metal castings, Metallurgical research

Publication Title

Technical Memorandums from the Department of Operations, School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Issue

Technical memorandum no. 219

Rights

This work is in the public domain and may be freely downloaded for personal or academic use

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