Concurrent Engineering current issue

Signal-to-Noise Ratio for Operating Window Using Unified Methodology

Sharma, N. K., Cudney, E. A. — 2009-09-08

Operating window is a particular case of multi-variate system in which the objective is to make the system robust with respect to one particular factor in the presence of others. The signal-to-noise ratio of an operating window is the addition of the signal-to-noise ratios at the lower and upper thresholds of the window. Linear transformation on the lower threshold and reciprocal transformation on the upper threshold tend to render different weights at these thresholds, which results in an imbalanced optimization of a nondynamic operating window. In this article, a new signal-to-noise ratio for an operating window based on the unified methodology is proposed to reduce or eliminate this bias. Advantages of this methodology are discussed and an example is used to demonstrate the proposed methodology and compare with an existing methodology.

A Concurrent Design Method Based on DFMA--FEA Integrated Approach

Giudice, F., Ballisteri, F., Risitano, G. — 2009-09-08

This article proposes a methodological statement and a design procedure based on an integrated approach combining finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and an instrument oriented at improving the design solutions in terms of ease of production, according to the principles of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA). The result of an overview on product development theoretical models, with particular regard to the evolutionary mechanisms for converging on the final solution which characterize the design process, and of a review on the implementation of concurrent engineering principles, the proposed approach was expressly devised to introduce integrated and simultaneous interventions into design practice, in a way that makes the use of FEA and DFMA instruments as proactive as possible, consequently favoring the effectiveness of design choices, in order to limit the iterative processes of improvement and thereby reduce the burden they present. As evidenced by the results of a case study, this approach can allow the principal constructional characteristics of the preliminary design to be redefined in a way which simplifies manufacture and assembly processes, while guaranteeing and sometimes improving the structural functionality of the product, to the full advantage of product quality and the containment of production times and costs.

Multi-response Problem with Adaptive Weight Consideration by Using Weight Aggregator and ANNs

Hsieh, K.-L. — 2009-09-08

This study proposes a procedure incorporating artificial neural networks technique with adaptive weight consideration to address parameter optimization of a multiple responses problem. No matter what type of the experimental designs being employed, the proposed approach can be directly employed. Besides, the consistency and difference among several evaluations among those multiple responses can also be studied via the designed aggregation weight values in our proposed procedure. An illustrative example owing to the lead frame manufacturer in Taiwan is also employed to demonstrate the feasibility and rationality of the proposed procedure.

Past Projects Memory: Knowledge Capitalization from the Early Phases of Innovative Projects

Marcandella, E., Durand, M.-G., Renaud, J., Boly, V. — 2009-09-08

In order to improve the innovation process, concurrent engineering may be associated with knowledge capitalization methods. The objective is to reuse knowledge having emerged during previous innovative projects. This article brings a methodological contribution to project feedback within new product development tasks. First, the interests of project feedback activities are underlined. More particularly, the impact of project feedback on knowledge management cycles is discussed. Then, a methodology based on a specific information extraction approach from past projects is detailed. The TRIZ theory constitutes the theoretical background of this research. An experiment in the field of machinery development is presented. To conclude, this article discusses the assets and limits of the approach and gives some practical advice concerning the use of memorized data within innovative projects.

Project-driven Concurrent Product Development

Duhovnik, J., Zargi, U., Kusar, J., Starbek, M. — 2009-09-08

When entering the global market, companies encounter several difficulties, the most severe being long product development times and too high costs of sequential product and process development. In order to overcome this problem, the companies will have to make a shift from sequential product development (which is wasteful regarding time and costs) to a project-driven concurrent product development as soon as possible.

The article presents a procedure for project-driven concurrent product development by taking into account three strategic management methods: parallelness, standardization, and integration of product development processes. Also presented are the changes in organizational concept of the company, organization of processes, organization of work and organization of IT, which are required for a transition from sequential to concurrent product development.

Finally, an analysis is presented on concurrent product development teams in a company; this analysis is a prerequisite for a transition to a new method of product development.