Magnus Wiktorsson

Sustainable Manufacturing - Challenges and Possibilities for Research and Industry from a Swedish perspective

The need for environmental sustainability and a globally increasing manufacturing, drive a gigantic need for technology and strategies that will reduce CO2 emissions globally. The paper reflects on the situation for Swedish research and industry, with a focus on technology for environmentally sustainable manufacturing. Sweden has competitive equipment and system suppliers to the manufacturing industry with potential of contributing to the development of a sustainable manufacturing industry globally. Environmentally conscious actions need no longer be seen as challenges and contrary to financial considerations. On the contrary, it can be the basis for successful companies. Enabling features includes manufacturing systems and supply chain structures for sustainability e.g. local manufacturing providers, high energy efficiency in manufacturing processes and techniques for replacing fossil based energy generation by CO2 neutral generation.

A note on the specification of assembly systems

Although the characteristics and cost of any technical system are highly influenced by the early design phases, little focus has been on the structure and use of the specification in manufacturing system design, in this paper exemplified by assembly systems for large, high-volume products. This paper proposes a framework for elaborating such specifications. The framework is based on a division in qualifying and winning criteria, and is structured into four classes: functional requirements; internal design constraints; external design constraints; and winning criteria. Defining the specification by these terms is justified and explained by comparing standard mathematical formulation for this kind of problem to the framework. Future research efforts are pointed out where the framework is used throughout the development project for goal-focus, as the specification is used and refined in an iterative manner.

Factory-in-a-box - Demonstrating the next generation manufacturing provider

Meeting customer demands require manufacturing systems with a high degree of flexibility, low-cost/low-volume manufacturing skills, as well as short delivery times. On top of these challenges, there is a gigantic need within industry for technologies and strategies that will reduce CO2 emissions globally. In this challenging environment there is a need to identify and develop new and improved manufacturing capabilities within the manufacturing industry. The Factory-ina-Box concept consists of standardized production modules that are e.g. installed in a container and transported by truck or by train. The concept has been developed, exemplified and realized in five industrial demonstrators developed by researchers together with competitive manufacturing companies in Sweden such as ABB Robotics, Bombardier and Pharmadule. The objective of this paper is to discuss the possibility of realizing a Product Service System (PSS) using the results from the Factory-in-a-Box project

Consideration of Legacy Structures Enabling a Double Helix Development of Production Systems and Products

Based on an increasing need of life cycle perspectives in product and production development, there is a call for more effective working methods for the reconfiguration, rearrangement, retro-fit and reuse of current equipment, systems and processes within production systems. This chapter discusses the need and character of such methods based on current research and industrial practice in production system design and development. A concluded development process is illustrated by a double helix development cycle for the production system and the product. The traditional life cycle illustration of product and production system design is in this case altered to a double helix where the same design phases of requirement analysis, alternative synthesis and alternative analysis reoccur for each project phase of conceptual design, detailed design, validation and industrialization/running-in, but for each development cycle on an elaborated level.

Human Industrial Robot Collaboration – development and application of simulation software

Human industrial robot collaboration (HIRC) aims to combine the benefits of industrial robots with humans in production environments. This is a growing research field where most work focuses on the ...

AUTOMATION IN HEALTHCARE INTERNAL LOGISTICS: A CASE STUDY ON PRACTICE AND POTENTIAL

The current demographic development puts even greater demands on the healthcare sector which is already struggling with scarce resources and constant pressure of cost reductions. This paper, through multiple case studies, aims to describe how automation of hospital internal logistics can be a tool in improving efficiency. The results include several potential implementations for patient transports, waste handling and small goods transports. However, organizational issues as lack of ownership and a strategic view render difficulties and need to be dealt with. The authors conclude that transfer of knowledge and technology used in the manufacturing industry would be beneficial.

Automation in internal logistics: strategic and operational challenges

Automation in internal logistics is an enabler to increase overall competitiveness in an organisation. However, its use is currently limited. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the ex ...

Individuals’ Perception of Which Materials are Most Important to Recycle

In this study, we have asked respondents to rank ten different waste fractions that are both common in manufacturing industry and easily recognizable. The purpose of the study has been to clarify to what extent individuals are able to identify the waste fractions that are most important to recycle from an environmental perspective. The individuals’ perception has then been correlated with a life cycle assessment of the ten materials. In addition, the respondents were also asked to rank the fractions according to cost.

On the production location decision: a case study on process and criteria

The paper explores the process and criteria used in production location decisions, based on a literature overview and a case study in a Swedish manufacturing company with a global production network. The data collection comprised interviews with top management and project management as well as a document analysis. The findings indicate that the production location decision process is facilitated by following a stepwise process with an initial strategic analysis with a broad scope including also the selection of the future production system concept.

Conditions for Innovation: Insights from a multi-case study

The paper is based on a multiple-case study of conditions for product-based innovations. Key actors from 18 cases were interviewed concerning the specific character of the innovation process, its parts and phases, with a focus on the realization phase. The cases are analyzed and discussed on the basis of an experience-based framework with seven specific components. In addition, the data are illustrated and discussed by more general themes of successful and unsuccessful innovation processes. It is concluded that the components of the used framework are necessary but individually not sufficient to maintain a continuous friction-free innovation process. The dynamics of the innovation processes are well illustrated by the framework.