Björn Fagerström

Efficient collaboration between main and sub-suppliers

Many sub-suppliers are interested in closer integration with main suppliers for product development. However, main suppliers have much work that needs to be coordinated, and close integration with suppliers is used only when it is required, and when additional value is created through integration. The main objective of this paper, is therefore, to discuss different supplier roles and increase the understanding of how suppliers can be integrated with the main supplier. The result is based on a case study with one main supplier and nine of its sub-suppliers, where the main supplier develops, assembles, and delivers a complete, complex product to the customer, and the sub-suppliers develop and manufacture sub-systems for the main supplier. The results give new insights into what the sub-suppliers could do in order to improve integration with the main supplier.

Managing stakeholder requirements in a product modelling system

In order to develop a well-balanced product, it is necessary to consider not only the customers, but also all the other stakeholders throughout the products life cycle. A holistic view is needed in order to manage all criteria, considering as many perspectives and interests as possible. This paper presents a model that provides a common understanding for stakeholders involved, together with the requirements, functions and sub-systems of the product being developed. The model supports the decision making process, and supports the designer to balance the interests of different stakeholders and the related functions. This results in a product developed according to all known demands from various stakeholders. This, in turn, will enhance the possibility of success in the market. The model has been applied in an industrial case study.

Structuring the engineering change management process around change carriers

Prior research in the field of offshore platform project execution has mainly focused on early project phases and planning, as a means to increase project reliability for offshore installations. Later phases, however, as fabrication, transport and installation have not been given the same attention. Projects of this kind frequently suffer both large and small deviations and as projects progress deviations accumulate. Deviations then have to be resolved in a timely manner not to impair quality and scheduling of an overall project. Empirical data was gathered from two offshore platform projects in the form of archival data, observations and interviews. The findings revealed that engineering change, as a tool, should preferably be used sparingly in early phases and as necessary in later phases. This research also suggests that engineering change can be organized around change carriers. In this way, it is predicted that the processes of change can become more stable and predictable.

Correction to: Effects of Process Related Variations on Fillability Simulation of Thin-walled IN718 Structures

The following are errors in the original article. All are corrected as reflected.

Effects of Process Related Variations on Fillablity Simulation of Thin-Walled IN718 Structures

Simulation tools have improved significantly and are now capable of accurately predicting mould filling behavior. The quality of prediction is highly dependent on material properties and set-up of boundary conditions for the simulation. In this work material properties were measured and casting conditions were analyzed to accurately replicate the casting process in simulation. The sensitivity of the predictions to minor process variations commonly found in foundries was evaluated by comparing simulation and cast samples. The observed discrepancies between simulation and cast samples were evaluated and discussed in terms of their dependency on process variations. It was concluded that the simulation set-up was capable of reasonable predictions and could replicate the asymmetry of the filling however did not accurately predict the absolute value of the unfilled area. It was discovered that asymmetric flow due to variations in the orientation of the casting mould during filling could have greater influence on the predictions than the actual variation in fill time. The quality of simulation is dependent on equipment and techniques used in the foundry as well as the metallurgical model to simulate the process.

Semi-Submersible Gravity Based Hybrid Structure: An Alternative to Jacket and Topside Platforms

Offshore wind converter platforms are complex installations that increase the competitiveness of offshore wind as an energy source. Prior research in the field of offshore platform project execution has focused on early project phases and planning as means to increase project reliability. Later phases such as fabrication, transport and installation have not received the same attention from academia and industry. Projects of this type frequently suffer both large and small deviations. The further projects progress, the more deviations they accumulate. The accumulated deviations have to be resolved in a timely manner so as to avoid impairing the quality and scheduling of an overall project. This research explores the design of converter platforms and the management of engineering change in relation to fabrication, transport and installation in order to increase the overall reliability of projects.Two offshore platform projects in three case studies form the source of empirical data. The first of the three studies considered prior research connected to fabrication and installation of offshore platforms. In the second study, the effect of two different platform designs on the fabrication and installation process was investigated. The third study considered engineering change management as a tool to achieve changeability, and examined its ability to buffer against deviations affecting later project phases i.e. fabrication, transport and installation. The findings revealed that the design’s effects on a project’s outcome are often not the driver of reliability. Rather, it was found that engineering change management is essential to any project to manage the changeable nature of projects. This research also raises concerns as to how much engineering change to allow for and in what project phase. That engineering change, as a tool, should preferably be used sparingly in early phases and as necessary in later phases. The observed engineering change process in the studied projects was chaotic. This research suggests that engineering change can be organised around change carriers. In this way, it is predicted that the processes of change can become more stable and predictable.