Acknowledgements...........................................................................

These papers are produced by the Institute for Manufacturing, at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department. They are circulated for discussion purposes only and should not be quoted without the author’s permission. Your comments and suggestions are welcome and should be directed to the first named author. Representing and approaching complex management issues

Architecture for Digital Spare-Parts Library: Use of Additive Layer Manufacturing in the Petroleum Industry

Part 9: Operations Management in Engineer-to-Order ManufacturingInternational audienceSpare parts management (SPM) is a typical challenge in the offshore and onshore petroleum industry. SPM consumes a significant amount of operational expenses that are attributed to maintaining the integrity of production and process facilities (P&PFs) at the anticipated level. Productive SPM approaches are essential for maintaining integrity; in particular, ageing P&PFs and legacy assets exacerbate the challenge of maintaining integrity at the anticipated level. This manuscript firstly provides an overview of how additive layer manufacturing/three-dimensional (3D) printing has been effectively utilized by different manufacturers to produce equipment, which resembles the equipment used in the petroleum industry. Then, it discusses the potential use of a digital spare parts library and the optimal strategy to mitigate current challenges pertaining to SPM. Finally, it proposes an architecture for a digital spare-parts library

A Strategic Approach for Automation Technology Initiatives Selection

Part 1: Knowledge-Based Performance ImprovementInternational audienceDespite the rapid development of new manufacturing technologies, a large portion of adoptions fail to achieve expected benefits. Existing models for technology selection are criticized for requiring large computations, and for being time consuming and difficult to use. This paper presents a strategic approach to support decision-makers in automation technology selection that is efficient and easy to apply in practice. It involves technology strategy decisions, process and technology analyses, technology/process ranking and considerations on investment and implementation. The approach has been developed through literature reviews and close collaboration with two case companies, utilizing the action research method. Its use is illustrated in an ongoing automation project at a world leading supplier of plastic pipes systems