Manufacturing Process Modeling and Simulation

This paper presents a methodology to be employed in the whole process design phase including first and second processing. This methodology consists of a set of steps which are characterised by an independent model. This paper’s objective is to analyse the coherence between the different models and the coherence between the model and the objectives of each step. The final stage is to develop the production plans. The casting process was the first one to be analyzed. Casting models were created using CAD software (Catia V5R17) and imported into the casting simulation environment (Magmasoft). Filling and solidifying processes have been simulated using different casting models in order to optimize the final configuration. The machining process was modeled using the machining features concept and it was simulated using Catia’s Advanced Machining environment. Two machining strategies have been analyzed according to positioning strategies. Process engineering software was used to create the process plans and to analyze the resource allocation

Eco Global Evaluation: Cross Benefits of Economic and Ecological Evaluation

This paper highlights the complementarities of cost and environmental evaluation in a sustainable approach. Starting with the needs and limits for whole product lifecycle evaluation, this paper begins with the modeling, data capture and performance indicator aspects. In a second step, the information issue, regarding the whole lifecycle of the product is addressed. In order to go further than the economical evaluations/assessment, the value concept (for a product or a service) is discussed. Value could combine functional requirements, cost objectives and environmental impact. Finally, knowledge issues which address the complexity of integrating multi-disciplinary expertise to the whole lifecycle of a product are discussing.EcoSD NetworkEcoSD networ

The missing link between product data management and organisational strategies

This article explores interrelationships between the concepts of Product Data Management (PDM), Enterprise Information Architecture (EIA), and enterprise IT strategy in process industries. The initial purpose of the study was to evaluate the capabilities of PDM development, as well as the existence of PDM strategy, to support the development and introduction of EIA in practice. However, the outcome of the study revealed an iterative relation between the concepts forming a hierarchically shaped value chain, here referred to as the PDM/EIA/strategy continuum, that helps in introducing organisational strategic objectives to operational levels as well as in communicating business needs to the top management level. Information drawn from the related literature, combined with reflections from the practitioners, can provide a number of meaningful insights in the use of the PDM/EIA/strategy continuum as a driving force for total information management through organised and real time vertical information sharing

A Provisional Framework for Studying Information Connectivity in Food Networks

Through a discussion of peculiarities of food supply, involving focus on information connectivity, a preliminary framework is sought that underlines joint responsibility in a complete supply chain of actors working in network context to achieve safe, quality and economic provision of products to end-use.Food chains and networks, Complete chain and network approach, Information connectivity, Enterprise modelling, Product traceability, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Industrial Organization,

Decision-focussed resource modelling for design decision support

Resource management including resource allocation, levelling, configuration and monitoring has been recognised as critical to design decision making. It has received increasing research interests in recent years. Different definitions, models and systems have been developed and published in literature. One common issue with existing research is that the resource modelling has focussed on the information view of resources. A few acknowledged the importance of resource capability to design management, but none has addressed the evaluation analysis of resource fitness to effectively support design decisions. This paper proposes a decision-focused resource model framework that addresses the combination of resource evaluation with resource information from multiple perspectives. A resource management system constructed on the resource model framework can provide functions for design engineers to efficiently search and retrieve the best fit resources (based on the evaluation results) to meet decision requirements. Thus, the system has the potential to provide improved decision making performance compared with existing resource management systems

BIM and its impact upon project success outcomes from a Facilities Management perspective

The uptake of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been increasing, but some of its promoted potential benefits have been slow to materialise. In particular, claims that BIM will revolutionise facilities management (FM) creating efficiencies in the whole-life of building operations have yet to be achieved on a wide scale, certainly in comparison to tangible progress made for the prior design and construction phases. To attempt to unravel the factors at play in the adoption of BIM during the operational phase, and in particular, understand if adoption by facilities managers (FMs) is lagging behind other disciplines, this study aims to understand if current BIM processes can ease the challenges in this area faced by facilities management project stakeholders. To do this, success from a facilities management viewpoint is considered and barriers to facilities management success are explored, with focused BIM use proposed as a solution to these barriers. Qualitative research was undertaken, using semi structured interviews to collect data from a non-probability sample of 7 project- and facilities- management practitioners. Key results from this study show that the main barrier to BIM adoption by facilities managers is software interoperability, with reports that facilities management systems are unable to easily import BIM data produced during the design and construction stages. Additionally, facilities managers were not treated as salient stakeholders by Project Managers, further negatively affecting facilities management project success outcomes. A µresistance to change was identified as another barrier, as facilities managers were sceptical of the ability of current BIMenabled systems promoted as being FM compatible to be able to replicate their existing Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) legacy software and its user required capabilities. The results of this study highlight that more work is needed to ensure that BIM benefits the end user, as there was no reported use of BIM data for dedicated facilities management purposes. Further investigation into the challenges of interoperability could add significant value to this developing research area.The uptake of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been increasing, but some of its promoted potential benefits have been slow to materialise. In particular, claims that BIM will revolutionise facilities management (FM) creating efficiencies in the whole-life of building operations have yet to be achieved on a wide scale, certainly in comparison to tangible progress made for the prior design and construction phases. To attempt to unravel the factors at play in the adoption of BIM during the operational phase, and in particular, understand if adoption by facilities managers (FMs) is lagging behind other disciplines, this study aims to understand if current BIM processes can ease the challenges in this area faced by facilities management project stakeholders. To do this, success from a facilities management viewpoint is considered and barriers to facilities management success are explored, with focused BIM use proposed as a solution to these barriers. Qualitative research was undertaken, using semi structured interviews to collect data from a non-probability sample of 7 project- and facilities- management practitioners. Key results from this study show that the main barrier to BIM adoption by facilities managers is software interoperability, with reports that facilities management systems are unable to easily import BIM data produced during the design and construction stages. Additionally, facilities managers were not treated as salient stakeholders by Project Managers, further negatively affecting facilities management project success outcomes. A µresistance to change was identified as another barrier, as facilities managers were sceptical of the ability of current BIMenabled systems promoted as being FM compatible to be able to replicate their existing Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) legacy software and its user required capabilities. The results of this study highlight that more work is needed to ensure that BIM benefits the end user, as there was no reported use of BIM data for dedicated facilities management purposes. Further investigation into the challenges of interoperability could add significant value to this developing research area

A review of approaches to supply chain communications: from manufacturing to construction

With the increasing importance of computer-based communication technologies, communication networks are becoming crucial in supply chain management. Given the objectives of the supply chain: to have the right products in the right quantities, at the right place, at the right moment and at minimal cost, supply chain management is situated at the intersection of different professional sectors. This is particularly the case in construction, since building needs for its fabrication the incorporation of a number of industrial products. This paper provides a review of the main approaches to supply chain communications as used mainly in manufacturing industries. The paper analyses the extent to which these have been applied to construction. It also reviews the on-going developments and research activities in this domain

The integration of the accounting system for implementing world class manufacturing (WCM) principles

This article covers relevant issues of the development of accounting information system using the principles of integrated information space under implementation of WCM management technology. High-class internationally acknowledged business affects the key approaches to implementing social, ecological and business-processes as well as information space of economic actors. Principles underlying WCM are constant improvement and elimination of waste. In this situation, the studies oriented toward the development of theoretic and methodological projects and applications for integrating accounting systems of the economic actors into one system become especially relevant. Analysis of theoretical and methodological approaches to solving this problem demonstrated that currently the issues of formation and development of the accounting system remain open. Current model of accounting system in the Russian Federation faces contradictions between new requirements and limited possibilities of the methods of traditional accounting and, consequently, the existence of qualitative, quantitative and structural changes in the development of the accounting system. Today in Russian companies there is a great number of types of accounting with a well-defined functional segment: operational, financial, managerial, statistical, fiscal as well as accounting principles IFRS/GAAP. This separation causes obstacles in the management information system and in transition to the principles WCM, creation of several duplicative uncoordinated large data of internal reporting: in parent company and its subsidiaries, head office and structural divisions of the company etc. The aim of the study is to develop methodological and methodical approaches to forming an integrated accounting system using unproductive costs and loss as an example.peer-reviewe