Ce travail de thèse propose une approche pluridisciplinaire de la qualité dans les systèmes de production manufacturiers, couplant les approches d'ingénierie et de sociologie des organisations. Il s'intéresse aux risques de non-conformités qui peuvent se propager dans le processus de réalisation et atteindre le client final. Il est basé sur des études de cas réalisées chez Siemens E T HS (Energy Transmission High-voltage Substation), une entreprise produisant de faibles quantités de matériel haute-tension hautement personnalisé. Il propose tout d'abord une méthode qualité pour améliorer le système de détection des non-conformités en identifiant et en agissant sur ses faiblesses. Dans une deuxième approche, cette thèse propose des instruments organisationnels pour limiter la propagation des non-conformités entre les frontières organisationnelles et améliorer la résilience de l'organisation face à ces problèmes transfrontières. Les deux approches ont été mises en oeuvre dans l'entreprise étudiée puis étendues à une autre entreprise du groupe opérant sur le segment de la production de masse ce qui a permis de tirer des conclusions à la fois académiques et managériales pour les partenaires industriels. / This thesis proposes an interdisciplinary approach of quality in manufacturing production systems that combines quality engineering and organization studies. It is interested in the risk of non-conformities that can propagate in the delivery process and reach the final customer. It builds upon case studies conducted at Siemens ETHS, a company manufacturing low volumes of customized high-voltage equipment. First, a quality methodology is proposed to improve the detection system of non-conformities by identifying its weaknesses and acting on them. A second approach proposes organizational mechanisms to avoid non-conformity propagation between organizational boundaries and improve the organizational resilience in case of transboundary problems. Both approaches have been implemented in the company under study and then extended to another company of the group operating in the high volume field, what enabled the researcher to draw academic conclusions as well as to build practical knowledge for the industrial partners.

Geometrical variation is an unavoidable aspect in all types of manufacturing that may, unless managed, risk failure in fulfilling product requirements which may result in rework, delays and bad publicity. The term geometry assurance includes the tools, methods and processes that can be utilized to manage the effects of geometrical variation and to ensure fulfillment of esthetical, functional and assembly requirements. While state of the art research in geometry assurance is extensively applied within the automotive and aerospace industries with great success, its application in low volume manufacturing of complex products remains limited. The shipbuilding industry is an example of such an industry, often manufacturing large and complex products in low quantities. Further, the shipbuilding industry has historically been labor-intensive and relied on craftsmanship throughout the product realization process. However, studies indicate that a technology-intensive development is crucial for companies in order to maintain market competitiveness. This transition places high demands on a well-established geometry assurance process in order to ensure successful assembly and fulfillment of product requirements.  In this thesis, a feasibility study is conducted on how geometry assurance may be applied in low volume manufacturing of complex products. By developing guidelines on how geometry assurance may be applied, the purpose is to improve geometrical quality throughout the product realization process and to reduce lead times, costs and increase assembly precision.  To explore the feasibility of geometry assurance in low volume manufacturing of complex products, a work structure consisting of three phases was established. In the first phase, a current state analysis of the collaboration partner Saab Kockums was conducted parallel to studying state of the art research in geometry assurance. In phase two, the state of practice of companies in the automotive and aerospace industries was studied in order to determine how they apply state of the art research. By interviewing industry specialists and combining gained knowledge from the first two phases, guidelines on how geometry assurance may be applied in low volume manufacturing of complex products was developed. In phase three, based on these guidelines, suggestions on how the geometry assurance process in pipe manufacturing at Saab Kockums can be improved was developed. The results of this study indicate that geometry assurance is applicable in low volume manufacturing of complex products. However, alternative methods may be required. Based on gained knowledge and insights from interviews with industry specialists, guidelines on how geometry assurance in low volume manufacturing of complex products may be applied are proposed. In order to improve the geometry assurance process in pipe manufacturing at Saab Kockums, this study proposes general guidelines for improvement along with a process and prototype measurement tool for the fitting-pipe methodology. The specially designed prototype measurement tool presents an alternative measurement method that can be used in cramped spaces where it is difficult to access with a 3D-measurement arm, the proposed primary measurement technique. In conclusion, this study indicates that geometry assurance is applicable in low volume manufacturing of complex products and suggests three methods for how it may be achieved. However, each of these methods needs to be further investigated in order to determine their applicability in other low volume manufacturing industries. Further, the prototype measurement tool and process for the fitting-pipe methodology indicates potential for improving the geometry assurance process in pipe manufacturing. However, further work is needed to complete the process for fitting-pipes and to finalize the prototype measurement tool for production use.

No / A conceptual design approach is an important stage for the development of a hybrid Knowledge-Based System (KBS) for Low Volume Automotive Manufacturing (LVAM). The development of a hybrid KBS, which is a blend of KBS and Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP), is proposed for LVAM research. The hybrid KB/GAP system identifies all potential elements of LVAM issues throughout the development of this system. The KBS used in the system design stage of the LVAM system analyses the gap between the existing and the benchmark organisations for an effective implementation through the GAP analysis technique. The proposed KBLVAM model at the design stage explores three major components, namely LVAM car body parts manufacturing perspective, LVAM competitive priorities perspective and LVAM lean environment perspective. Initial results reveal that the KBLVAM system has identified, for each perspective modules and sub-modules, the Problem Categories (PC) in a prioritised manner. / The financial support by the Malaysian Government, Universiti Malaysia Pahang and University of Bradford for this research is grateful acknowledged.