Industrial Engineers role in Theme Parks compared to supply chain managers role in Theme Parks - Essay Example

?Industrial Engineers Role in Theme Parks Compared To Mechanical Engineers Role in Theme Parks With the evolution of industrial engineering,the industrial organizations started recruiting professionals having their major done in industrial engineering. But how to optimize the expertise industrial engineers in contrast with other engineering specialties is a question to answer. Mechanical engineering is in few cases considered equivalent to industrial engineering, but in reality, the two domains of engineering are entirely different. Mechanical engineering is appropriate to tangible mechanically powered machineries, their working and related technicalities, whereas industrial engineering is pertinent to optimization of production systems and engineering solution to real problems in process flow. “Solutions” entail decision where one has to prefer one reasonably feasible solution over a different viable solution. A proper understanding, illustrating the application of industrial and mechanical engineering based on situation of a theme park, is demonstrated in this technical report. TABLE OF CONTENTS Number Topic Pages 1 Introduction 1 2 Problem Statement 2 i. Job Diversity in Theme Parks 2-3 ii. Areas of Mechanical Engineer 3-4 iii. Areas of Industrial Engineer 4-5 iv. A Case Study: Imagineering 5-7 v. Job Scenarios 7-8 3 Conclusion 9 References 10 1. Introduction The concept behind the industry of the theme park was originated from an American invention, but now it has established its roots globally. The wonder initiated with the Cyclone roller coaster once installed at Coney Island in New York City. The most important cause people trip and resume tripping to theme parks is the thrilling rides. Presently, there are more than thirteen thousand roller coasters in the US. The speediest and most elevated is Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World has the highest visitors among all the theme parks in the world; this Magic World is located in Orlando, FL. One wonders as to how such mega theme parks are designed, developed, operated, maintained, improved, managed and sustained. The successful theme parks have huge employee resource allocated for each and every step. Among the employee resource industrial and mechanical engineers play a vital role in accomplishing the goals of theme park organizations and, thus, theme parks produce returns in the multiple billion dollars per annum. Hence, due to constant enforcement of brilliant resource, sales figures persist to grow with the passage of time. For attracting the visitors design innovations, frequent changes and developments are necessary, therefore, variety of engineering specialties are utilized in order to cope with the growing challenges. This paper enlightens the role of mechanical versus industrial engineers in the running of theme parks. The paper covers both aspects of engineering that are practical aspect as well as academic in order to illustrate the roles more explicitly. 2. Problem Statement The subject statement of ‘Industrial Engineers Role in Theme Parks Compared To Mechanical Engineers Role in Theme Parks’ is in a technical realm, where one has to figure out the academic grounds of the two domains of engineering and then analyzing the practical explanations, and finally linking it with the needs and challenges of a theme park. The countless hours of entertainment involve a tremendous amount of expertise in varying fields of industrial and mechanical engineering. At the same time as all the exertion of these engineers continues to happen behind the apparent picture, the ultimate objective is to make thrilling rides and involvements whilst ensuring the safety and confidence of every visitor and guest at the foremost point in the priority list. i. Job Diversity in Theme Park Theme park requires variety of job opportunities, as per engineering is concerned, theme parks require establishment of standard processes to maximize safety of operations, identification and analysis of improvement, preventive and schedule maintenance plans and its execution strategy and most importantly ensuring customer satisfaction by involvement, optimal management of resources, optimized queue operations, etc. Moreover, as a preemptive strategy, theme parks require root cause analysis of possible downtimes that can appear from improper operational design. A downtime can severely damage a business of a theme park, potentially in long-term because of the fact that it does not only loosen the incoming revenue for the period of downtime, but additionally it can create a bad reputation of the theme park among the visitors. Logistics management is also one of the critical areas for theme parks, since unavailability of logistics can lead to downtime of operational activities. Moreover, layout designing of stations for ticketing of rides and its optimization are also a key area of engineering. This can be done by effectively streamlining of operations. Troubleshooting of mechanical rides, related assistance, showing effective response to operational issues, conducting performing acceptance tests and inspection, implementing internationally accepted standards, hazard analysis, analyzing theme parks vendors’ comparison analysis and additional research and development activity for innovation – all come under the job diversity in theme parks. One of the good-looking elements of theme park service is the surplus of employment program to select from. Usually, the managers who hire will accomplish their paramount to put candidates in job responsibilities in which they might have previous knowledge or practical exposure. Maintenance jobs are most readily available in theme parks, in this role charged with maintaining the horticultural features of the park emerges new every day. ii. Areas of Mechanical Engineer The mechanical engineering field covers technical areas such as understanding of core engineering subjects counting solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials science, internal combustion engines, heat ventilation, air conditioning systems, etc. Mechanical engineers utilized these fundamental ideas supported with computer aided programs for example computer-aided engineering, ANSYS (Finite Element Analysis), PRO E (Computer Aided Manufacturing) etc. The practical areas that a mechanical engineer can cover include analysis of industrialized plants, industrial machinery, heating and cooling systems, watercraft, robotics, medical devices and many more. As per working in a theme park mechanical engineer can serve multi-purposely in designing, operations and maintenance. As far as designing is concerned, mechanical engineer is well versed in structural engineering, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, engineering drawing and material sciences; therefore, mechanical engineer can be used for designing of new rides and he/she can designing using ANSYS software, where mechanical engineer through finite element analysis can simulate a design and can perform tests on the given design whether it would be feasible or not. As mechanical engineer has good knowledge of machineries, therefore, he/she can also be used in maintenance of machineries. Subjects like Machine Dynamics can assist a mechanical engineer really well in maintenance department. Since a mechanical engineer also study production management, he can also be used for managing operations in a theme park. iii. Areas of Industrial Engineer Industrial engineer shares some fundamental subjects as in common with mechanical; however, the additive of industrial engineering is human factors or ergonomics, method engineering, environment, industrial safety, operation research, overall equipment efficiency, production management, industrial quality control, automation and engineering economics. Industrial engineers, in addition to these, have good knowledge of Toyota production system. All these subject areas are applicable in diverse job environment of a theme park. Industrial engineers also characteristically employ computer simulation (particularly distinct event simulation), supported with widespread mathematical functions, models and computational techniques for system investigation, assessment, and optimization. Now, if the requirements in a theme park are analyzed, then it is examined that the subject of ergonomics is really vital in ride designing which mechanical engineer certainly not aware of. Since ergonomics focuses on human factors and, thus, the industrial engineer can give adequate inputs in a design for the consideration of human factors. Similarly, if method engineering is taken, then how to standardize a repeated activity in a theme park in given time, thus, industrial engineer can be easily taken for this task as well. Industrial Quality Control is also the area of an industrial engineer where in theme parks this can be applied in inspection and quality performance checks. Operation research is another great subject which can give insight through algorithmic techniques regarding logistics optimization, inventory management and cost minimization. Furthermore, the area of automation enables dealing with queue management in an efficient manner and this is yet a challenging task in a theme park. This how scope of industrial engineer is too broad in theme park job diversity. iv. A Case Study: Imagineering Walt Disney Imagineering is the design and development department of the Walt Disney Company liable for the establishment and building of Disney theme parks internationally. This department was established by Walt Disney in 1952 to administer the creation of Disneyland Park. It was initially called as WED Enterprises, abbreviated as Walter Elias Disney. The word Imagineering was thrown in the 1940s by Alcoa to explain its amalgamation of thoughts and engineering development, and then it was taken by Walt Disney a decade after to depict the proficiencies set personified by the staff of WDI, called as Imagineers. Imagineering is objected for scheming and structuring Disney amusement parks, resorts, journey ships, and additional leisure places at every height of project advancement. Imagineers own a wide variety of abilities and aptitudes, and thus above one hundred and forty diverse job designations drop under the flag of Imagineering counting different engineers, designers, illustrators, architects, show writers, graphic designers, etc. Both mechanical and industrial engineers take part in the team of Imagineers whereas mechanical engineers contribute towards the designing of structures from mechanized perspective in contrast an industrial engineer contributes from the ergonomically aspect of design. Therefore, the design becomes a solid implementable idea. The majority Imagineers job from the company’s head office in Glendale, California, but are frequently positioned to satellite branches inside the theme parks for extended portions of time. Imagineers are ruled by a small number of key values when making novel concepts and updating present attractions. Frequently novel ideas and developments are shaped to accomplish explicit requirements. Numerous clever answers to real and complex troubles are solves in this technique, for example, the ride automobile of the desirability Soarin’ Over California. The Imagineers recognized they urged visitors to feel the experience of air travel, but were not certain how to achieve the job of stacking the people on to a ride medium in an well-organized way where everybody had a most favorable screening place. At some point, an Imagineer established an insight with an Erector set in his garret, and with this elderly infancy toy, he was clever to imagine and devise a ride vehicle that would efficiently replicate hang gliding. Thus, engineering with imagination is what Imagineer did and all faculties of engineering contributed to the undertaken project which finally succeeded. v. Job Scenarios Here is the discussion of two different job scenarios where mechanical versus industrial engineering is more boldly presented. Mechanical engineers display a significant function in the design of water park rides, for instance, wet slides and tubes which bring laughter to children and adults globally. Theme parks for example Kings Island and Six Flags draw many visitors with their collection of thrilling rides. As the mainstream of the theme park period appears throughout the summer months, theme parks are competent to incorporate water rides with the help of mechanical engineers. During the hot season of 2008, Holiday World an Indiana Theme Park proclaimed intentions to construct Pilgrim’s Plunge, the globally most elevated water ride. The arrangement is intended to raise a boat occupied with riders through an elevator up to one hundred and thirty one feet and then to allow the riders thrust at forty five degree angle and at pace of 50 meters per hour. The bang makes a wave of water forty five feet high and ninety feet broad. This troublesome situation is comparable to the Pilgrim's Plunge model. So as to devise this kind of a ride, mechanical engineers must judge the motion dynamics of the rides and their collision on the pool. The learning of these strikes must be accomplished so as to make sure the expediency and viability of the ride. In the devise of a water slide, numerous parameters must be in use into plan. These parameters comprise, but are not restricted to, the fluid dynamics of the water being utilized on the slide; the power (KW) needed by the slides’ water pump, and the possible effects on the riders also needed to be investigated. The energy consumption and cost of running the water pump must also be considered during the design; finally they kept their promise considering all the factors and coming up with a successful design. Industrial engineers manipulate and optimize the operation of a theme park, they consider the park as a factory work floor, and its operation series as a queue and thus with the given constraints and resources available they plan the best possible out through mathematical models. One measure that is incredibly important in theme parks is it available capacity, available space on a ride per cycle. Thus these factors are very important for keeping the guests happy and to keep the queue as minimum as possible. The theme parks therefore keep a track of their hours in the form of counts. The counts include time, ride cycles completed, length of queue, number of people on board etc. The statistics show that how well is the theme park working. The industrial engineers main task in theme park is to keep the process smooth and to ensure reliability with the given capacity. 3. Conclusion With the exemption of merely a couple of years, the theme park industry has augmented exponentially each year for the preceding two decades. Similarly, the theme parks utilize more than six hundred and thousand permanent and non-permanent labor. At present, twenty eight percent of Americans claim they have enjoyed a theme park contained by the preceding year, and another fifty percent are vigorously preparing their trips in this fiscal year. Assessing the future, experts say that the theme park market in Asia will nurture at a quicker rate than that in the United States. In Europe and the USA, an anticipated five percent increment is predictable. Hence, by analyzing the job roles of mechanical engineers and industrial engineers and the given potential in this sector, it can be easily concluded that both the faculties of engineering can together play a magnificent role in the progress of theme parks and there is a lasting opportunity that is there for mechanical as well as industrial engineers in theme parks. Mechanical and industrial engineers have few set of expertise in common remaining are quite diverse and all sets of expertise can be utilized as a universal set requirement in theme parks. References Bayt. (n.d.). Mechanical Engineer Job in theme Park. Retrieved from http://www.bayt.com/en/job/?xid=1379318 Burstall, A. F. A History of Mechanical Engineering. MIT Press. Disney Website. (n.d.). Mechanical Engineering Jobs . Retrieved April 22, 2012, from: http://careers.disneyparks.jobs/lake-buena-vista/mechanical-engineering/mechanical-engineer-jobs Hench, J. (2003). Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show. Disney Editions. Khan. Industrial Engineering. Lith, B. P. (2002). Queue Management There is no magic in managing theme parks. PBSKIDS. Pumped : Design Squad Challenges. Read More