Automotive manufacturing engineering process development
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Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Quality and operations management (MPQOM), MSc
Publicerad
2020
Författare
Ihrfelt, Axel
Johansson, Johan
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
A manufacturing engineering function acts as the link between R&D and manufacturing, and it
must accommodate and balance the needs and requirements of both. In the automotive industry,
requirements can change rapidly, and the function must be able to manage such change
efficiently.
With increasing market volatility, there is a constant demand to shorten development lead time
and manage changes occurring in the development process. Strict requirements and demanding
customers increase complexity, requiring the collaboration of people in different fields of
knowledge to successfully meet the market demands. CEVT, acting as an innovation center for
the Geely Group, need to continue to improve their development speed and flexibility to stay
competitive in the market.
The purpose of this study is to investigate possibilities and deliver concrete suggestions for lead
time reduction within a manufacturing engineering function without compromising the output
quality of the processes. Increased flexibility has previously been identified as a possible
prerequisite to reduced lead time. To fulfill this purpose, three research questions were
established. The first question aims to determine the critical path of the manufacturing
engineering development process. The second question examines barriers to a more efficient
manufacturing engineering process, focusing especially on the critical path activities. The third
and final research question explores how the process can become more efficient and flexible.
To answer the aforementioned research questions, the method applied uses qualitative data. The
data is mainly derived from interviews with people in the organisation, both engineers,
managers, and field experts. Existing process maps and descriptions along with useful data from
the CEVT intranet are also used to establish a comprehensive view of the current situation.
The study shows that the virtual analysis of manufacturability is the primary bottleneck activity
of the process. It is the activity that is the most dependent on parties outside of the
manufacturing engineering function and where efficient collaboration is essential. Inadequate
communication, insufficient use of best practices, and cultural differences are identified as
barriers in that they generate double or unnecessary work. Whereas the cultural differences
mainly are important to be aware of, communication and work practices can be improved. Three
possible areas of identified and discussed. A culture and mindset emphasising the benefits of
continuous and direct communication need to be established. Work practices must be better
adapted to the reality of the process and organisation. A more holistic organisational
restructuring is also examined considering the interdependencies of manufacturing engineering
and R&D. Important to underline is that the study focuses on improvements and not what
already functions well within the organisation.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
manufacturing engineering , critical path , agile product development , automotive industry , process efficiency , flexibility, , cultural differences , communication