Advanced Materials Research Vol. 1039

Abstract: This conceptual paper underlines the necessity of research into sociotechnical systems in modern high-tech industries. Production of sophisticated products is foreseen to build the competitiveness of the advanced economies’ industrial sectors in the future. Increasingly, competitiveness in such industries depends on a complex interaction between social factors such as knowledge sharing, knowledge generation, learning and innovation, and technical factors such as robotization, automation and information systems. However, up to now, improvements and developments in these industries have tended to be biased towards the technology side. To balance this and to take into account the necessity of more effective human – machine interaction, and the need of knowledge sharing, learning and innovation, it proposes a mode for how to challenge highly automated, high-tech and knowledge based high-cost manufacturing, where: 1) State-of-the-art technology is necessary, but not sufficient; 2) state-of-the-art technology requires high level of competence and advanced organization, and 3) a joint organizational and technical perspective is needed in order to develop sustainable competitiveness through high performance work systems in high-tech manufacturing. Operational excellence in such niches requires companies that, through sophisticated practices of organization and management, are able to exploit systems of advanced manufacturing technology.

Abstract: Manufacturing companies rely on advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) in order to increase their competitive position in global markets. Successful implementation of AMT depends greatly on justification tools. The availability of a large amount of tools with varying complexity makes it difficult for managers to choose the most appropriate ones. This study investigates application of various justification tools for different levels of AMT integration. The results are presented in a framework for AMT justification tools selection that could be used by managers. The research also suggests further research directions.

Abstract: Materials management is one of the most important and critical processes within production planning and control in engineer-to-order (ETO) companies. To bring attention to this activity, ETO companies may benefit from a performance measurement system (PMS) that systematically monitors how well the activity is carried out. However, limited literature specifically addressing performance measurement in ETO has been identified. As a response to this, literature on ETO and performance management and –measurement has been reviewed and discussed in order to propose a PMS for measuring materials management performance in ETO. The research provides a basis for further studies on the topic, and the proposed PMS could be used by managers in ETO companies to assess and improve their materials management practice.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate in Asset Management and the metaphor “hidden factory” and evaluate to what extent this is of importance for Integrated Planning (IPL). Integrated Planning is facing the challenges in the industry with “silo thinking”, which hinders the organisation to optimise the cooperation between the different functions in the production system, e.g. the cooperation between production planning and maintenance planning. The result shows that there are indeed elements both in Asset Management and from the hidden factory concept that supports the IPL concept. In particular it has been proposed specific KPIs and a dashboard for the planners in IPL.

Abstract: The key of the manufacturing enterprises whether can acquire the ideal management goal in CIMS system is how to carry out the effective requirements analysis of CIMS according to the actual situation of the enterprises in China, which is also one of the keys to implement the CIMS successfully in enterprise.The paper firstly analyze the manufacturing characteristics of the discrete manufacturing enterprises and discuss the content of the requirements analysis about CIMS,then find out the various problems from the enterprise present situation analysis, thereby carry out the CIMS systems research. Finally practice and verify the requirements analysis of the CIMS application engineering for one discrete manufacturing enterprise in Shanghai.

Abstract: Location problem of service facility has never lost its appeal to both academics and practitioners due to the complexity in balancing availability, responsiveness and efficiency. In this paper, a location-based study is performed in order to improve the accessibility of service facility in terms of availability and responsiveness for customers as well as the efficiency for service providers. This study employs two well-known location models for service facility: Maximal covering location model which aims to maximize the coverage of customer demands with limited number of facilities (efficiency) and p-median location model which aims to minimize the overall distance travelled from customs to service facilities (accessibility), and location-based comparison of the two solutions in a case study at the 3^rd floor of the main building of Narvik University College (NUC) for improving the overall performance of printing service is conducted so as to illustrates a deep insight of real-world application. The optimal solutions for maximizing the overall performance are obtained under different scenarios, and Lingo software is applied for resolving the computational optimization problems.

Abstract: With the vigorous development of the market of building glass, flat glass products’ deep processing is more and more diversified, enterprises become highly request for the production lines, especially the glass piling machinery. As one of the important equipment in glass production line, glass piling machinery has a vital role to ensure production efficiency, safety and quality. This article is based on modular design technology, combining the theory of reconfigurable, completed the modular design, the series planning and interface design, realized the reconfigurable modular function of the glass stacker. Make glass stacker can through the selection and combination of modules, constitute the different products quickly, to meet the different needs of the market.

Abstract: This paper presents methods for continuous improvement to achieve Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) with focus on the shop floor and machine level. Benchmarking and best practices a part of Total Quality Management (TQM). To make a good product or production processes system it is important to focus on the working performance efficiency. Best practice or Benchmarking are then methods to focus on the best possible method to understand working processes, systems and performance ability. The EU-Project IFaCOM (Intelligent Fault Correction and Self-Optimizing Manufacturing systems) has five end-user demonstrators where Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) solutions are to be implemented. The main goal for the project IFaCOM is to reach near ZDM. The ZDM framework is a quality controlled process system. The added value of the quality improvement is both a part of the continuous flow process; and the continuous improvement of value to the costumer. It is here where the usage of Benchmarking and Best practice methods will be considered for the project industry demonstrator implementations.

Abstract: This abstract is an introduction to High Performance Manufacturing through process management, teamwork and continuous improvement. We focus on methods and techniques as SMED, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), Hidden factories and Quality management in order to increase performance. However our main issue is the link between performance and profit, waste and loss. High performance manufacturing demands that we measure and improve processes continuously. OEE is well known standardized tool for this purpose. Techniques and methods are just that, but we need to integrate and adapt these into a business system in order to achieve profit. Management normally acts on the bases of facts and financial performance. In most companies increased profit is the overall goal. See also our previous paper called “High Performance Innovative teams.

Abstract: Process capability index (PCI) has been widely applied in manufacturing industry as an effective management tool for quality evaluation and improvement, whose calculation in most existing research work is premised on the assumption that there exists no bias. In this paper, the bias of gauge which exerts an effect on the calculation of PCI is indicated inevitable. The influence on PCI caused by the bias is analyzed by constructing a comparative ratio R between the empirical process capability index and the PCI. A confidence interval estimation method is proposed to solve the underestimation problem of PCI.