A Functional Reference Model for Manufacturing Execution Systems in the Automotive Industry

Being confronted with IT strategic questions of how to constantlyreduce IT operating costs and at the same time live up to everincreasing manufacturing demands, automobile manufacturers areencountering problems to find appropriate IT support forproduction planning and execution. Moreover, they are facing thechallenge to clearly define and demarcate Enterprise ResourcePlanning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)functionality. Despite the existence of a number of standardizationefforts addressing MES functionality, automobile manufacturersare still struggling to reach a common understanding for the termMES and a clear functional design. The paper addresses this needby developing a functional reference model for MES in theautomotive industry based on a multiple case study approach. Thecase studies examine the design and implementation ofmanufacturing-related functionality in four leading automotivemanufacturing companies

Development of the Integrated Model of the Automotive Product Quality Assessment

Issues on building an integrated model of the automotive product quality assessment are studied herein basing on widely applicable methods and models of the quality assessment. A conceptual model of the automotive product quality system meeting customer requirements has been developed. Typical characteristics of modern industrial production are an increase in the production dynamism that determines the product properties; a continuous increase in the volume of information required for decision-making, an increased role of knowledge and high technologies implementing absolutely new scientific and technical ideas. To solve the problem of increasing the automotive product quality, a conceptual structural and hierarchical model is offered to ensure its quality as a closed system with feedback between the regulatory, manufacturing, and information modules, responsible for formation of the product quality at all stages of its life cycle. The three module model of the system of the industrial product quality assurance is considered to be universal and to give the opportunity to explore processes of any complexity while solving theoretical and practical problems of the quality assessment and prediction for products for various purposes, including automotive

An assembly oriented design framework for product structure engineering and assembly sequence planning

The paper describes a novel framework for an assembly-oriented design (AOD) approach as a new functional product lifecycle management (PLM) strategy, by considering product design and assembly sequence planning phases concurrently. Integration issues of product life cycle into the product development process have received much attention over the last two decades, especially at the detailed design stage. The main objective of the research is to define assembly sequence into preliminary design stages by introducing and applying assembly process knowledge in order to provide an assembly context knowledge to support life-oriented product development process, particularly for product structuring. The proposed framework highlights a novel algorithm based on a mathematical model integrating boundary conditions related to DFA rules, engineering decisions for assembly sequence and the product structure definition. This framework has been implemented in a new system called PEGASUS considered as an AOD module for a PLM system. A case study of applying the framework to a catalytic-converter and diesel particulate filter sub-system, belonging to an exhaust system from an industrial automotive supplier, is introduced to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed AOD methodology

Status and Future of Manufacturing Execution Systems

This paper proposes a taxonomy for characterizing manufacturing execution systems and discusses how they can benefit from the recent Developments of Industry 4.0. The study is based on a literature review. The taxonomy contributes to theory and practice by providing a framework for benchmarking of manufacturing execution systems. The taxonomy can be utilized in the selection or design process of the manufacturing execution systems. Outlining the further opportunities provided by Industry 4.0 technologies, the paper also provides directions for future improvements of manufacturing execution systems.acceptedVersio

Status and Future of Manufacturing Execution Systems

This paper proposes a taxonomy for characterizing manufacturing execution systems and discusses how they can benefit from the recent Developments of Industry 4.0. The study is based on a literature review. The taxonomy contributes to theory and practice by providing a framework for benchmarking of manufacturing execution systems. The taxonomy can be utilized in the selection or design process of the manufacturing execution systems. Outlining the further opportunities provided by Industry 4.0 technologies, the paper also provides directions for future improvements of manufacturing execution systems.acceptedVersio

Selection of an alternative production part approval process to improve weapon systems production readiness

This thesis conducted an examination related to the Department of Defense (DOD) weapons systems production approval practices. Current practices result in poor weapons system production outcomes that reduce fleet readiness in DOD weapons systems acquisition. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported concerns related to a lack of manufacturing knowledge at production start as causal to poor production outcomes. A comparison of DOD practices against non-DOD industrial production approval processes addressing causality and improvement opportunity provided new insight not found in acquisition research. An analysis of alternatives identified best practices to improve production capability and readiness. Key findings revealed that the automotive production approval process followed industry best practices that fully addressed problems identified by the GAO. Non-DOD industries used a more prescriptive Quality Management System (QMS) that enabled a more disciplined manufacturing development and demonstration of production capability prior to production commitment. Commercial surveys in the literature confirmed the benefits of the automotive prescriptive QMS. The more successful QMS approach can be applied to DOD acquisition practices reducing costs and improving fleet readiness.http://archive.org/details/selectionofnlter1094556139Civilian, Department of the NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

A study on technology management process: the parts and components suppliers in the Turkish automotive industry

This paper summarizes part of an empirical study on technology management process in the Turkish automotive parts and components industry. In this study, technology management practices in the Turkish automotive parts and components suppliers' sector are described and evaluated. Practices, techniques, and approaches are proposed to improve the level of technology management so as to turn technology into a competitive weapon. The investigation is organized within the framework of a process model for technology management that consists of technology identification, selection, acquisition, exploitation, protection, and abandonment. A comprehensive questionnaire addressing all phases of this process is developed and the results of 21 companies are presented

Product to process lifecycle management in assembly automation systems

Presently, the automotive industry is facing enormous pressure due to global competition and ever changing legislative, economic and customer demands. Product and process development in the automotive manufacturing industry is a challenging task for many reasons. Current product life cycle management (PLM) systems tend to be product-focussed. Though, information about processes and resources are there but mostly linked to the product. Process is an important aspect, especially in assembly automation systems that link products to their manufacturing resources. This paper presents a process-centric approach to improve PLM systems in large-scale manufacturing companies, especially in the powertrain sector of the automotive industry. The idea is to integrate the information related to key engineering chains i.e. products, processes and resources based upon PLM philosophy and shift the trend of product-focussed lifecycle management to process-focussed lifecycle management, the outcome of which is the Product, Process and Resource Lifecycle Management not PLM only

The Internet of Simulation: Enabling Agile Model Based Systems Engineering for Cyber-Physical Systems

The expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has resulted in a complex cyber-physical system of systems that is continually evolving. With ever more complex systems being developed and changed there has been an increasing reliance on simulation as a vital part of the design process. There is also a growing need for simulation integration and co-simulation in order to analyse the complex interactions between system components. To this end we propose that the Internet of Simulation (IoS) as an extension of IoT can be used to meet these needs. The IoS allows for multiple heterogeneous simulations to be integrated together for co-simulation. It's effect on the engineer process is to facilitate agile practices without sacrificing rigour. An Industry 4.0 example case study is provided showing how IoS could be utilized