Wilfried Sihn

Product redesign using value-oriented life cycle costing

A new redesign approach has been developed considering the perspective of a designer who wants to improve product performance over the whole life-cycle while simultaneously optimising costs. Product components can be identified which incur high costs compared to their functional value. In order to identify the optimisation potential, the methods of Value Analysis, Quality Function Deployment and Life Cycle Costing have been matched to each other and integrated into a comprehensive concept. Based on a case study of vehicles, this paper explains the theoretical approach and analyses for designers to optimise costs and conduct product redesign by using Value-Oriented Life Cycle Costing.

Systematic improvement of value streams - fundamentals of value stream oriented process management

Improving processes is a daily base challenge for enterprises. In particular improvement attempts occur in various different levels of detail and are commonly not linked methodically. Process management systems in general are suitable approaches to manage process improvements. A systematic routine to improve processes and value stream mapping (VSM) are integrated into the organisational framework of process management in order to enable a methodically fostered improvement of value streams in different levels of detail. The outlined approach to systematise the application of VSM is the conjunction of volatile and short-cyclic improvements of a value stream and the determination of target-conditions in order to develop the value stream towards an ideal-state which is specified by productivity and quality criteria.

Morphology of time data management – systematic design of time data management processes as fundamental challenge in industrial engineering

During the last 10 to 15 years, a renaissance of industrial engineering can be observed in manufacturing industry, as well as in scientific research. As a consequence, time and motion studies (TMS) become more important again. During the downturn of methodical approaches in industrial engineering in the 1980s, TMS-related competencies were lost in industry. Many companies are still missing the know-how for establishing a proper time data management (TDM). This paper presents a morphology of time data management (MoTDM), which was developed in order to create a comprehensive view on the processes of TDM as well as to detect relevant areas of improvement. The MoTDM can be used to optimise TDM processes within a company and also acts as scientific fundament for research in the field of industrial engineering.

A Concept for Knowledge Transfer between New Product Projects in the Automotive Industry

Global mergers and acquisitions in the automotive industry have left only a few companies offering a variety of brands. Shorter product life cycles have increased the number of product launches for each brand, raising the number of new product projects for companies in the automotive sector. In a new vehicle project, covering all product creation stages, the knowledge about product and production process gained by vehicle and production tests increases as the new product project approaches the start of production. The approach in this paper focuses on potential changes to product and production process that do not go through the change management process. These potential changes can be exploited in current or subsequent projects.

Developments of traditional value stream mapping to enhance personal and organisational system and methods competencies

This paper presents developments of traditional value stream mapping (VSM) related to enhancing system and method competencies of both individuals and organisations. Since systematic immersions in traditional VSM – a highly accepted technique for improving production systems – are necessary, this paper describes from a production research point of view approaches for systematic productivity increases, reduction of lead time and an approach to improve sustainability indicators of value streams. The introduced developments of VSM focus on the entire flow and on details, thus creating synergies for designing and improving value streams, processes and work systems both economically and ecologically. On the one hand, this paper shows how practical approaches respectively rationalisation concepts (Lean principles, VSM, Process Management, short-cyclic improvement routine, Methods-Time Measurement) are used in industry in order to manage and improve processes and value streams. On the other hand, sustainability management can be supported on shop floor with utilisation of VSM. It aims to extend the view on value streams of both researchers and practitioners in sense of system and methods competencies.

Development of a Simulation Model for Multimodal, Cross-Company Logistics Networks

Continuous cost pressure causes companies to move production sites to low cost countries. Although production costs decline, logistics costs are negatively affected. Individual companies with limited shipment volumes do not have access to cost efficient and highly productive transport networks.Multimodal, cross-company logistics models are one approach to open up the potentials of transport networks for companies. This paper deals with the conceptual design and evaluation of cross-company logistics models. A new, holistic simulation and evaluation model was designed for development support of multimodal logistics concepts and potentials are validated instancing an example region.

Auf dem Weg zur Industrie 4.0 – ein dreistufiges Vorgehensmodell

Der europaische Industriesektor steht derzeit vor Herausforderungen, welche vor allem durch die Globalisierung der Markte, demographische Veranderungen sowie durch steigende Kunden- und Qualitatsanspruche und dem damit verbundene Innovationsdruck entstehen. Des Weiteren erfordert die sinkende Verfugbarkeit von Rohstoffen eine Neuausrichtung und Flexibilisierung der Wertschopfungskette. Hierzu mussen alle Elemente entlang der Wertschopfungskette – uber den gesamten Lebenszyklus von der Ideenfindung uber die Produktion, bis zur Distribution – eng integriert und vernetzt werden (Walters und Rainbird 2007).

Method to Determine and Quantify Changes in Value Chains Caused by E-Mobility

Increasing production and sales figures for electrically powered vehicles affect the medium term value chains of the automotive industry. Due to the enormous importance to the automotive industry for national economies or economic areas, the issue of determining the medium-term effects arises as a result. To this end, a method for the determination and quantification of e-mobility-induced changes has been developed, using Austria as an example.

Integrierte Programm- und Personaleinsatzplanung sequenzierter Produktionslinien

Inhalt des Beitrages ist die Beschreibung einer integrierten Produktionsprogramm- und Personaleinsatzplanung fur sequenzierte Produktionslinien. Dazu wurde das Sequenzierungswerkzeug der Fa. flexis AG mit einer ereignisdiskreten Simulation zur Bewertung der Reihenfolgebildung unter Berucksichtigung personeller und prozessoraler Restriktionen gekoppelt.

Towards a model to identify the need and the economic efficiency of digital assistance systems in cyber-physical assembly systems

Digital assistance systems (DAS) in cyber-physical assembly systems (CPAS) encounter the challenge of increasing need for transparent and personalized information that facilitates correct and efficient execution of an individual assembly task. Risks of rising physical and psychological stress triggered by constantly changing work tasks - due to lot-size one - and the resulting issue that work routine cannot be built up prospectively in CPAS can be encountered by DAS. This paper illustrates an approach for a planning and analysis model to clarify requirements of DAS components as well as productivity values of such systems at the same time.