Enzo Gentili

Six Sigma methodology: an effective tool for quality management

The quality standards of the output, the features of delivery and the introduction of new services are becoming the most important factors to success in business performance. In this context, the application of new methodologies is essential to increase the business performance. Six Sigma can give an important solution for those companies that intend to highlight the customer satisfaction focusing on the continuous improvement of the processes. The purpose of this paper is to show the power of the Six Sigma methodology in increasing the performance level of industrial processes and systems. The paper shows a Six Sigma case study applied to the automotive market.

The Effectiveness of the Quality Function Deployment in Managing Manufacturing and Transactional Processes

The goal of Quality Engineering is to design quality into every product, service and manufacturing process. In particular a methodology is claimed to be very important for Quality design and management: Quality Function Deployment (QFD). QFD is a structured methodology and mathematical tool used to identify and quantify customer requirements and translate them into key critical parameters of systems and processes. The aim of the paper is to show how a quality management approach can support the increase of the process capability in a global vision of every business. QFD represents one of the most successful tools used in industrial management. By using actual and real cases, the paper shows the effectiveness of the QFD in improving both the management of a process and its capability. Four examples are presented. They take into account different environments: pharmaceutical, mechanical, healthcare and transportation markets. The first case study is deployed in a pharmaceutical company to satisfy the new customer requirements for the introduction of a nasal spray product on the Japanese market. The second example is applied to the automotive market for the production of air-cooling devices for deluxe vehicles. Finally, the other two cases show the implementation of the QFD tool in transactional processes, such as Cargo Center activities and healthcare services.Copyright

The Improvement of a Manufacturing Stream Using the DMAIC Method

The need for globalization, the saturation and instability of markets, the life-cycle time reduction of products and the customer demands have been the main factors that have contributed to a radical change of management conceptions and strategies. In this context the application of improvement methodologies, which suggest techniques and methods to organize and manage the manufacturing and service of industrial processes, is essential to increase the business performance. The purpose of this paper is to show the main steps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the manufacturing stream of a company that produces both professional and simple kitchen knives. This company is leader in its market and it focuses on safety, reliability, design and quality of its products. The improvement project analyses all potential sources of product defects and scraps, assessing the main manufacturing processes (shearing, hardening, rolling, sharpening and pressing), and suggests every possible solution to increase the performance level. In order to achieve these goals the Lean Six Sigma methodology was applied, following the DMAIC (define, measure, analyse, improve and control) problem solving approach. The DMAIC is a better way to manage an improvement project putting the customer first and using facts and data to achieve better solutions. The project also highlights an economic analysis in order to understand the benefits and the convenience of a rigorous and structured improvement plan.Copyright

SCOR, Lean and Six Sigma integration for a complete industrial improvement

The challenging goal to achieve competitiveness in modern markets begins from business process integration. The processes are actually driven by customer requirements rather than by the internal business gains. In order to meet the final customer requirements, companies are involved in supplier-customer chains and this is the beginning of a real need for global perception, going outside their boundaries. In this context the supply chain goals come first and drive process improvement actions. This paper explains how some methodologies can be woven together in order to support this approach. In particular, the focus is to consider the combined use of SCOR, Lean and Six Sigma principles so as to enhance the management of the entire supply chain. As a consequence, the paper explains how to simplify the analysis of a complex and interconnected industrial environment, thanks to the development of a new problem-solving approach.

Improvement through process integration using a simulative, dynamic method

The need for globalisation, the saturation and instability of markets, the life-cycle time reduction of products, the growth of item variety, the customer demands have been main factors contributing to a radical change of management conceptions and strategies. This complex environment has induced companies to search the keys to achieve competitiveness, focusing on process integration. The purpose of the paper is to explain how managing the internal functions of a company in an integrated way can lead to an effective improvement. In order to represent the flows and to quantify improvements, a simulative, dynamic and integrated model is developed.

Safety and Surgical Robots

This paper deals with problems related to safety in medical robotics and computer assisted surgery. We focus in particular on a medical device for liver biopsy which the Telerobotics Department of the “Politecnico di Milano” has been developing and that we are presently experimenting and testing at Niguarda Hospital, Milan. Our objective is to obtain the CE certification, which is necessary for the use of the robotical system and its free circulation inside EEC. Here follows a description of the system and of the procedures we have been following.

New Ways to Manufacture Using Rotary Transfer Machine

In the past all rotary transfer machines were rigid and dedicated, able to work only big batches (greater than 10000 pieces). Quick obsolescence and vulnerability to failure (serial system) were critical problems. Some important technologies changed rotary transfer machines and gave the opportunity to machine complex pieces on 5–6 faces in a single clamping. Now there are two innovative architectures of transfers which were devised recently. Thus it is really important to study and improve them.

Quality Improvement and Design of Experiments an Industrial Application

Quality improvement is an important feature in seamless tube production because of the critical way in which they are used. In order to obtain this improvement big investments are needed for building new furnaces and new quenching equipments. Taking into account the present economical situation in Italy, managers prefer a limited investment with a short term pay back time. We decided to pursue quality improvement using the chances given by the “DOE” [1].

Robust Control in Seamless Tubes Production

Abstract Deming (1975) defined analytic study as the one in which action will be taken in a cause-and-effect system to improve performance of a product or a process in the fulure. The aim of an analytic study is the prediction that one of several alternatives will be superior to the others in the future R. A. Fisher (1947) expounded principles for sound experimentation. Experimental design is an important tool to improve manufacturability of the product, to enhance result performance and reliability, to reduce cost and development time of the product.

Project Management, a bit of communication helps too, on succeeding

The following paper describes innovative methods and tools for planning and following up software development projects. A research study has been undertaken by a multinational company developing software applications and systems. The research study was based on an extensive literature survey in order to draw up a theoretical frame of reference and knowledge platform in the field of Project Management. The Anatomy concept joined with the On Line Project Monitoring System aim to represent a coherent proposal for project monitoring and control projects.