Mats Jackson

An agility analysis from a production system perspective

The competition is becoming truly global, with fragmented markets and customers expecting to get the best product at the best price with immediate availability. In this business environment we need to be agile to handle changes within the production system as well as changing the system to new circumstances. This paper is investigating the concept of agility and how it can be applied within industry. A proposal on how to make an “agility” analysis from a production system perspective is presented and a case study has been performed to test this analysis in practice.

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.

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.

Real time discrete event simulation of a PCB production system for operational support

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how discrete event simulation can support the growing need of information in the production system. Agility, one key to future competition, is the ability to quickly manage and compensate for disturbances and uncertainty. It is achieved by combining flexible production technologies with a flexible and motivated workforce. To quickly respond to the demands from customers and compensate for internal disturbances, it is necessary to have information which supports decentralized decision making in target oriented teams. Discrete event simulation is a tool that can be used to generate customized information for decision support. The results from a case study at ABB Industrial Systems in Vasteras, Sweden, show the possibility of using simulation and real time forecasting for operational support in target oriented teams.

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

Managing Automation Development Projects: A Comparison of Industrial Needs and Existing Theoretical Support

The use of automation can increase competitiveness but does not guarantee advantageous results. The right choice of technology and correct implementation and use is the key to a successful outcome. This in turn puts great demands on how automation development projects are managed. The aim of this paper is to make a comparison between industrial needs and existing theoretical support associated with managing automation development projects. Through a multiple case study, challenges and success factors related to managing automation projects have been identified. The empirical findings are compared with automation development support found in literature. The results from the empirical study indicate the need for improved process models and clear strategy connected to automation development. The importance of an overall view and planning during automation projects is highlighted as a success factor while difficulties in collaborating with third parties is identified as existing challenges. It is concluded that the support in literature deals with many of the identified challenges and success factors and offers some support for specific parts of the automation development project. There is however still need for an overall framework connecting existing theoretical support, and suggesting how strategy can be connected to the process of developing automation.

Supporting Production System Development through the Obeya Concept

Manufacturing Industry as an important part of European and Swedish economy faces new challenges with the daily growing global competition. An enabler of overcoming these challenges is a rapid tran ...

Linking product design to flexibility in an assembly system: a case study

Purpose The recent shift towards accommodating flexibility in manufacturing companies and the complexity resulting from product variety highlight the significance of flexible assembly systems and designing products for them. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the requirements of a flexible assembly system for product design from the assembly system’s standpoint. Design/methodology/approach To fulfil the purpose of the paper, a literature review and a case study were performed. The case study was conducted with an interactive research approach in a global market leader company within the heavy vehicle manufacturing industry. Findings The findings indicate that common assembly sequence, similar assembly interfaces, and common parts are the main requirements of a flexible assembly system for product design which reduce complexity and facilitate various flexibility dimensions. Accordingly, a model is proposed to broaden the understanding of these requirements from the assembly system’s standpoint. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the overlapping research area of flexible assembly systems and product design. Practical implications The proposed model is largely based on practical data and clarifies the role of product design in facilitating flexibility in an assembly system. It can be used by assembly managers, assembly engineers, and product designers. Originality/value The key originality of this paper compared to the previous studies lies in presenting a novel assembly-oriented design model. The model enhances understanding of a flexible assembly system’s requirements for product design with regard to reducing complexity and managing variation in a flexible assembly system. These requirements can be applied to product design across various product families within a company’s product portfolio.

Revisiting Challenges in Using Discrete Event Simulation in Early Stages of Production System Design

This paper presents challenges of using discrete event simulation when supporting decision in early stages of production system design, when significant changes are introduced. It was based on three real-time case studies performed at one manufacturing company during 2014–2016. Challenges in the cases were mapped to previous literature, pointing out discrepancies and highlighting three additional challenges, specifically related to issues in the early stages of the production system design process. The significant change introduced to the assembly system, and the early phases of evaluation put significant challenges to the use of discrete event simulation and the study points out further efforts needed to support manufacturing companies under change, with an established industrial structure and legacy systems to consider.

Knowledge integration in manufacturing technology development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze knowledge integration in manufacturing technology development projects required to build competitive advantages. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal case study has been conducted at a Swedish manufacturing company by following a manufacturing technology development project in real time during a two-year period. Findings The results show that three different knowledge integration processes exist when developing unique manufacturing technology: processes for capturing, for joint learning, and for absorb learning. The findings of the current research suggest that the three knowledge integration processes are highly interrelated with each knowledge integration process affecting the other two. Research limitations/implications The major limitation of the research is primarily associated with the single case, which limits generalizability outside the context that was studied. Practical implications The findings are particularly relevant to manufacturing engineers working with the development of new manufacturing technologies. By using relevant knowledge integration processes and capabilities required to integrate the knowledge in manufacturing technology development projects, companies can improve design and organize the development of manufacturing technology. Originality/value Previous research has merely noted that knowledge integration is required in the development of unique manufacturing technology, but without explaining how and in what way. This paper’s contribution is the identification and analysis of three knowledge integration processes that contribute to the building of competitive advantages by developing unique manufacturing technology and new knowledge.