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Project Summary:
This project aims to transfer digital manufacturing technologies for evaluating, optimising and validating WCM methodologies from the Automotive/Aerospace sector to the Precision Engineering sector.

The first step is to generate an “as is” 3D discrete event model of existing demonstrators’ facilities and use this to identify and evaluate problems. New manufacturing methodologies will be applied to optimise into a future model of the facilities. This enables the company to validate the impact of potential investments in plant & equipment and also to evaluate the effect of implementing changes in processes. Integrating the model with a scheduling tool of a live schedule will further enhance this process. Additional developments will involve linking a supplier model to an OEM model to evaluate opportunities for supply chain collaboration. This enables potential savings and benefits to be realised by the digital environment before commitment to actual expenditure on the shop floor.

Project Partners:
Bombardier Shorts (Machine Shop)
Moyola Precision Engineering
Langford Lodge
DELMIA Uk Ltd.
PREACTOR International
INVEST NI
COM-MET2005
TaNET

Need:
Precision Engineering involves the production of (usually) small components to fine tolerances (typically less than 4 thousandths of an inch). Turning and milling are the main processes, which are predominantly carried out on CNC machines. Other ancillary processes include drilling, tapping and grinding. The sector also includes Tool Making, which involves the manufacture of tools as jigs and fixtures and the machinery used is mainly manual with a higher skill level required.

Solution:
By combining scheduling, discrete event simulation and visualisation tools companies can benchmark their existing facility with a proposed future alternative based on lean/agile principles and provide the confidence that any future investment they make will be taken from a more informed position, in addition to supporting their business case to prospective customers. By using scheduling and simulation techniques off-line the project will have minimal impact on the day-to-day running of the business. Along with visualisation the transition to a new process can be planned more effectively and be presented to staff in a form they can easily understand and appreciate.

Benefits:
Projected benefits to companies include:

• Reduced Risk
• High return on investment
• Higher Quality Manufacturing Process
• Lower Manufacturing Process Development costs
• Reduced inventory
• Increased Floor utilisation
• Boost direct and indirect labour productivity
• Improved Equipment capacity
• Lower Manufacturing Lead Times
• Improved Quality by decreasing in scrap and rework