A framework for the quality-oriented design of micro manufacturing process chains
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
ISSN: 1741-038X
Article publication date: 26 August 2014
Abstract
Purpose
In micro cold forming, the high degree of technological dependencies between manufacturing, quality inspection and handling technologies leads to an extremely complex planning of process chains. In addition, the lack of standardised processes and interfaces further complicates the planning. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to provide consistent and comprehensive planning of micro manufacturing processes, this paper discusses a method, which integrates the planning of process flows, the planning of technological dependencies and capabilities, as well as of the corresponding material flow.
Findings
The paper presents the micro-process chain planning and analysis (μ-ProPlAn) framework. It consists of a specific modelling method, a simultaneous engineering procedure model for the model creation, as well as of methods for the analysis of technological dependencies and logistic key values along the modelled process chains.
Research limitations/implications
As the results presented in this paper originate from an on-going research project, the paper focuses on a detailed presentation of the modelling methodology and the procedure model.
Practical implications
In practice, the μ-ProPlAn framework provides process designers in the field of micro manufacturing with tools and methods to clearly depict the interdependencies between and within a product's different manufacturing stages.
Originality/value
By following a simultaneous engineering approach, μ-ProPlAn aims to reduce the efforts in process design by supporting the design of manufacturing processes in the early stages of the product design and by providing suitable methods for the analysis of these process chains.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the DFG (German Research Foundation) for Subproject C4 “Simultaneous Engineering” within the CRC 747 (Collaborative Research Center) “Mikrokaltumformen – Prozesse, Charakterisierung, Optimierung”.
Citation
Rippel, D., Lütjen, M. and Scholz-Reiter, B. (2014), "A framework for the quality-oriented design of micro manufacturing process chains", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 25 No. 7, pp. 1028-1048. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-11-2012-0110
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited