A Systematic Approach for Ensuring the Logistic Process Reliability of Supply Chains

In the production logistics context, the process reliability of supply chains corresponds to their ability to meet the logistic performance expectations of customers. This ability depends on the contributions of all supply chain members to the logistic performance of the entire chain. The overall performance is affected by the dynamic Interrelationships between the specific logistic performances of the separate supply chain members. Currently, however, no practical analytical models of the logistic supply chain dynamics are available. This paper presents an approach for modeling and analysing the logistic interdependences across supply chains, the understanding of which enables supply chains to better control their process reliability.     

3-Sigma PPC - A Holistic Approach for Managing the Logistic Performance of Production Systems

Recent developments have led to substantial improvements of production planning and control systems. Despite this, manufacturing companies still have difficulties in meeting their logistic performance objectives and the logistic performance requirements of customers. In order to solve this problem, the 3-Sigma PPC approach introduced in this paper proposes two important innovations. Firstly, 3-Sigma PPC takes a holistic view of PPC systems. It considers the effects that the logistic models, the organisational structure and the decisions of actors of a PPC system have on its logistic performance. Secondly, 3-Sigma PPC comprehensively transfers quality management principles to the context of production management.     

Soft-computing algorithms as a tool for the planning of cyclically interlinked production lines

The planning and configuration of complex flexible production lines—cyclically interlinked systems—cover numerous aspects and various possibilities. It is not possible to determine the applicability and characteristics for each of these variations by applying already existing planning methods. This paper outlines an innovative approach to this problem, which is based on the application of learning algorithms such as artificial neural networks. The iterative design process of a production line is initiated by a customer request. An initial layout is usually planned by an engineer and considered in a forecast system, which classifies the layout as stable or unstable. In case of stable layouts, the performance and cost values are visualized with operating figures. On this basis, the engineer is able to evaluate the layout. If the result is not satisfactory, new production line layouts are generated by modifying the overruled layout and another iteration begins. The research described in this paper is part of the project “Methode zur Planung komplexer, produktionstechnischer Anlagen mit zyklischer Verkettung” funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). It is a is cooperation project between IPH – Institut für Integrierte Produktion Hannover gGmbH and Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik (FAPS) of the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg.     

Service provision as a sub-model of modern business models

Today’s turbulent economic environment confronts Germany’s tooling industry with new challenges. To compete with China and with the new eastern members of the European Union, German companies must come up with innovative products and services to stand out from their competitors. New types of business models shall offer individual solutions to the customers, integrating product and accompanying product-services to a product-service-system.     

Rule-based quotation costing of pressure die casting moulds

An actual analysis in the tool and mould making sector showed that methods and programs insufficiently support the manufacturers of pressure die casting moulds in the quotation costing process. The primary aim of quotation costing is to generate many first-class bids in order to gain a high quantity of profitable orders. For this purpose companies have to achieve a high calculation precision with low expenditure. In addition, a comprehensible calculation is of great importance in order to enable an internal and external comparability and analysis as well as to permit the customer to assess the performance offered. In order to support companies of the tool and mould making concerning these matters, a working group from industry and science analyzed the quotation costing made by manufacturers of pressure die casting moulds. The article discusses the results of this analysis and describes the development of a rule-based calculation approach.     

A controlling system based on cause–effect relationships for the ramp-up of production systems

Due to ever shorter product life-cycles, the duration and costs of the ramp-up phase are becoming even more important. Unfortunately, actual tools for project management are not capable of controlling the ramp-up sufficiently. Currently a ramp-up controlling system is developed with a prognosis model as its core component. This is based on a network of cause–effect relationships, which forecasts the effect of a parameter change on the principal project objectives such as performance, costs and due dates. The paper explains the basic model and the structure of the resulting prototype which consists of project planning software, databases, spreadsheets and simulation models.     

电液伺服系统神经网络建模研究

本文讨论了非线性系统的神经网络建模的有关问题。提出了对神经网络进行泛化训练及对网络的泛化能力进行定量分析的方法。结合文中提出的一种简化动态网络，通过对一个电液伺服系统的仿真，验证了本文提出的方法是可行的。     

Valuation of changeable production systems

The introduction of changeable production systems increases the adaptability of factories in an uncertain environment. This paper analyzes the valuation of the economic efficiency of such systems using the real options theory. The developed approach proposes a structured valuation process for selecting options related to production engineering and factory planning. Based on a classification of possible modifications of a production system, options profiles are derived. Considering the existing uncertainty of a company’s environment these profiles may be utilized to identify real options which ought to be included when valuating a technical production system design.