Twenty weeks ago I got the honor to pursue a project for ABB Crane Systems. After success with an innovative direction on their Remote Control Station they wanted a continuation of industrial design in another new product development. The aim was to specify the customer needs and create a concept to a Terminal Test Box (TTB), with hopes to gain momentum and funds for continuation of the project.   The terminals earn their money based on productivity of the quay, meaning that the number of ship-to-shore lifts per minute becomes very important. Clients have requested a solution where they can simulate their cranes to ensure function. At the moment approximately five prototypes have been delivered, for example to Peel Ports in Liverpool and Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico. The current Test box lack a proper casing and user adapted features. Based on interviews with personnel at Crane Systems representing linked/adjacent work with TTB the customer needs was determined to: a solution adapted to commissioning phase,a process panel easy to reach, access to components without exposing them, oversight of components and ability to move TTB. The test box is used either standing on the floor or placed on a table. Placed on the floor the operator must twist and bend to access the box, leading to an unpleasant working posture. Set on the table the box is bulky.   The initial idea development resulted in three potential positions and seven initial concepts. Of these seven three ideas was conceptualized and graded in Pughs matrix. The concept Stand high offered a convenient and ergonomic solution independent of the available interior in commissioning phase. However Stand high had weaknesses where the other two concepts Cross and Transparent showed strengths and therefore the three concepts were combined into one. Knowledge about the included components such as an industrial computer and power supply and their requirements has driven the process.   TTB will be produced in approximately ten units per year. The slim edition made it alluring to look into state of the art manufacturing such as Additive Manufacturing compared to the more traditional use of shielded metal. Possibilities regarding the small series can be used by ABB for continuously trying the product towards the customer and offer a flexible product that can be individually adapted to some extent.   The final concept of TTB is improved compared to the Test box looking at horizontal and vertical spacing between the components, which also enables cable channels. The process panel included has an inclination of 15 degrees to avoid reflections as much as possible and to create an ergonomic working position. It has a see through front door giving access and viewing of the components. A combined CNC and 3D-printing prototype/product from the company HLH in aluminum and Plexiglas would cost approximately 24 750 SEK. Manufacturing in shaped sheet metal at Sweco (without a see through door) would cost approximately 10 000 SEK. This is creating an exciting situation, where the recommendation is to create a prototype to further evaluate the concept into completion.

Die Motivation für die vorliegende Arbeit entstammt zwei Promotionsprojekten, die sich mit höchst unterschiedlichen Fragestellungen befassen, auf Grund des gleichen betrieblichen Umfeldes aber auf eine ähnliche Problemstellung gestoßen sind: Praktisch funktioniert die Anwendung bestimmter Methoden im betrieblichen Umfeld nicht, obwohl dies aus betriebsmorphologischer Sicht möglich sein sollte. Daher zeigt sich ein Defizit hinsichtlich der Abgrenzung zu anderen Bereichen bzw. Betrieben. Etablierte Betriebstypen reichen für die hinreichend genaue Beschreibung des untersuchten Produktionssystems somit nicht aus. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist daher die Diskussion und Entwicklung eines morphologischen Schemas, das eine Differenzierung von Merkmalen erlaubt, die im Hinblick veränderter unternehmerischer Rahmenbedingungen an Bedeutung gewinnen. Insbesondere wird die Möglichkeit geschaffen anhand des Schemas bzw. dessen Auswertung aufzuzeigen, wie sich die Rahmenbedingungen in betrieblichen Strukturen und Prozessen widerspiegeln. Zudem wird eine differenzierte Betrachtung einzelner Betriebsbereiche ermöglicht, ohne dabei das Gesamtbild des Betriebes aus dem Blickfeld zu rücken. Darüber hinaus werden die gebräuchlichen Betriebstypen auf Basis des definierten Merkmalsschemas um die "variantenreiche Kleinserienfertigung" erweitert. In diesem Betriebstyp werden insbesondere Anforderungen und Strukturen abgebildet, die sich heute häufig in deutschen Maschinenbauunternehmen finden.

The topic of this thesis is the choice of optimal production technology for the chosen representative. The aim of this work is to compare production on conventional machine and on NC and CNC machines. Both variants are evaluated in terms of efficiency, speed and economy of production. Outputs are based on recommended production procedures based on the number of pieces produced in the order.

Die Motivation für die vorliegende Arbeit entstammt zwei Promotionsprojekten, die sich mit höchst unterschiedlichen Fragestellungen befassen, auf Grund des gleichen betrieblichen Umfeldes aber auf eine ähnliche Problemstellung gestoßen sind: Praktisch funktioniert die Anwendung bestimmter Methoden im betrieblichen Umfeld nicht, obwohl dies aus betriebsmorphologischer Sicht möglich sein sollte. Daher zeigt sich ein Defizit hinsichtlich der Abgrenzung zu anderen Bereichen bzw. Betrieben. Etablierte Betriebstypen reichen für die hinreichend genaue Beschreibung des untersuchten Produktionssystems somit nicht aus. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist daher die Diskussion und Entwicklung eines morphologischen Schemas, das eine Differenzierung von Merkmalen erlaubt, die im Hinblick veränderter unternehmerischer Rahmenbedingungen an Bedeutung gewinnen. Insbesondere wird die Möglichkeit geschaffen anhand des Schemas bzw. dessen Auswertung aufzuzeigen, wie sich die Rahmenbedingungen in betrieblichen Strukturen und Prozessen widerspiegeln. Zudem wird eine differenzierte Betrachtung einzelner Betriebsbereiche ermöglicht, ohne dabei das Gesamtbild des Betriebes aus dem Blickfeld zu rücken. Darüber hinaus werden die gebräuchlichen Betriebstypen auf Basis des definierten Merkmalsschemas um die 'variantenreiche Kleinserienfertigung' erweitert. In diesem Betriebstyp werden insbesondere Anforderungen und Strukturen abgebildet, die sich heute häufig in deutschen Maschinenbauunternehmen finden.

The purpose of this thesis is to increase the understanding of supply network configuration (SNC) for small series production in high-cost contexts in relation to the textile/apparel industry. SNC encompasses strategic structural and infrastructural decisions at the supply chain level, motivated by capabilities/priorities. The key configuration decisions addressed concern textile/apparel production in Europe, with associated context-specific advantages and challenges. The thesis takes a particular focus on how practitioners consider these configurations and motivations. The thesis begins with identification of motivations for locating textile/apparel production in high-cost contexts, to capture the driving priorities. Thereafter, the thesis extends the focus beyond location motivations to identify the key SNC aspects and characteristics for small series production in high-cost contexts. These configuration-related aspects and capabilities are elaborated upon and modelled to understand how they are interrelated in textile/apparel industry contexts. The empirical work uses mixed-methods and seeks to bring together the relevant topics using a SNC and capabilities approach. The specific methods, Delphi study and interpretive structural modeling, are focused on sensitivity practitioner perspectives. Findings show multiple key motivations/capabilities for high-cost textile/apparel production, specifically small series production (customization); which is closely linked with several other priorities, including quality and flexibility/delivery. Expanding the view to the SNC aspects, the findings confirm and extend the literature regarding complexities, multi-level characteristics, synergies and trade-offs, and industry/location contingencies. Regarding this European textile/apparel context, several interrelated considerations create challenges with respect to balancing configuration, capabilities and location; in particular related to multiple priorities such as flexibility/delivery, quality, innovation/sustainability, and the level of product variety/customization. Several relational characteristics are also crucial, including focus on trust and information sharing, although, with a few significant exceptions, limited supplier integration levels are found. These findings indicate the need to build upon existing relationships to develop end-to-end digital connections. The thesis approaches issues at the intersection of theory and practice, regarding configuring supply networks for small series production in high-cost contexts. Practically, it develops an approach to evaluate and model decision aspects, demonstrating how this can be used with a variety of textile/apparel companies. Several extensions are required to support current and future state mapping, including developments related to the method and the addition of performance considerations. The thesis contributes to theory by broadening the focus on high-cost locations to include small series production and the SNC perspective. Thus, the research confirms multiple priorities including innovation and sustainability; additionally finding several challenges associated with small series textile/apparel production in high-cost contexts. Further research should extend the focus to understand (re)configuration processes, and implications on priorities like sustainable innovation.