The work presented in this thesis is a culmination of a collaborative venture between Matra BAe Dynamics and the Department of Enterprise Integration at Cranfield University. Initially the thesis examines the Engineering Doctorate philosophy, before describing the collaborator's history and the background to the decision to formulate a structured process to aid investment in manufacturing technology. The findings of an extensive literature review are described accompanied by the results of two supporting industrial studies initiated to complement the theoretical work. The literature review and studies revealed a concern about the degree of planning conducted prior to the adoption of manufacturing technology and how insufficient planning can have a negative impact on the implementation of the chosen investment. Further investigation highlighted an awarenesso f this being the problem within industry, yet it also revealed a lack of time and resources to take corrective action. The thesis then extends to the development of a process model constructed using the findings from the literature review and the industrial studies. The process model presents a structured process for investing in manufacturing technology consisting of a series of activities designed to guide managers through the planning and implementation stages of an investment. A third stage is proposed consisting of activities designed to encourage planning for future investments using the results from past investments as guides. Following a review of possible techniques for developing a process aid from the process model, HTML was selected and, based on a series of established requirements, a process aid was constructed. An industrial case study was undertaken to validate the process model and prove that the process is robust. Finally, recommendations for future work are presented and proposals for future developments are outlined.

Магистерская диссертация посвящена проектированию завода по производству стеновых блоков из легкого бетона на основе безобжигового зольного гравия. Проведен эксперимент по получению безобжигового зольного гравия из золы-унос Рефтинской ГРЭС (Свердловская область, РФ). Получен БЗГ, обладающий маркой по плотности М900 для гранул после нормального твердения и маркой М1000 для гранул после пропаривания. Марка по прочности – П250. Полученный БЗГ соответствует требованиям ГОСТ 32496–2013. Получен облегченный бетон на БЗГ класса В12,5. Разработана технологическая схема и подобрано основное оборудование для производства БЗГ. Для производства стеновых блоков выбран агрегатно-поточный способ производства. Составлена технологическая схема, определено количество постов. Рассчитано и подобрано основное и вспомогательное оборудование: для обеспечения работы каждой из четырех линии нужно 65 форм, ямная камера размерами 8,0х4,7х2,9 м, бетоноукладчик СМЖ-859, вибротумба СМЖ-200, рельсовая механизированная тележка СМЖ-151 и мостовой кран грузоподъёмностью 10 т. Рассчитан склад готовой продукции: 30 х 36 м. Определен список и численность работников формовочного цеха. Выполнена графическая часть. / The master's thesis is devoted to the design of a plant for the production of wall blocks made of lightweight concrete based on non-burnt fly ash gravel. An experiment was conducted to obtain non-burnt fly ash gravel from fly ash from Reftinskaya GRES (Sverdlovsk region, Russian Federation). NBFAG was obtained, which has a density mark M900 for granules after normal hardening and a mark M1000 for granules after steaming. The strength grade is P250. The resulting NBFAG complies with the requirements of GOST 32496-2013. Lightweight concrete was obtained for NBFAG of class B12.5. A technological scheme has been developed and the main equipment for the production of NBFAG has been selected. An equipment-flow production method has been selected for the production of wall blocks. A technological scheme has been drawn up, the number of posts has been determined. The main and auxiliary equipment was calculated and selected: to ensure the operation of each of the four lines, 65 forms are needed, a pit chamber with dimensions of 8.0x4.7x2.9 m, a concrete paver SMJ-859, a vibrating column SMJ-200, a rail mechanized trolley SMJ-151 and an overhead crane with a lifting capacity of 10 tons. The warehouse of finished products is designed: 30 x 36 m. The list and number of employees of the molding shop have been determined. The graphic part is completed.