Title: An interactive mobile learning application using machine learning framework in a flexible manufacturing environment

Authors: Jit-Ping Siew; Heng-Chin Low; Ping-Chow Teoh

Addresses: School of Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia ' School of Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia ' School of Science and Technology, Wawasan Open University, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract: A mobile learning program was initiated in a manufacturing facility 'MF' that supports customer orders from regions of Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East. The area of focus is in stencil printing process, with the objective of achieving zero defects. The challenge is to deliver clear, concise, and actionable information in order to empower three crews that work 24 hours every working day for continuous improvement. Using R statistical software to process information downloaded from Oracle database and an artificial neural network algorithm to learn the characteristics of the stencil printing process, an Android app was created as user interface in a mobile device which delivers the information in a form of a colour coded square matrix, introduced as ISN (inferior-superior-neutral) matrix. This approach resulted in dramatic process improvements in crews that are empowered with knowledge towards achieving the goal of zero defect manufacturing.

Keywords: Android apps; artificial neural networks; ANNs; data mining; machine learning; mobile learning; interactive m-learning; flexible manufacturing; stencil printing; zero defects; continuous improvement; user interface; manufacturing flexibility.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2016.076187

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2016 Vol.10 No.1/2, pp.1 - 24

Received: 04 Jun 2015
Accepted: 18 Dec 2015
Published online: 28 Apr 2016 *

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