Monoklonala antikroppsbaserade läkemedel (mAb) är ett av de snabbast växande segmenten på läkemedelsmarknaden, främst på grund av deras tillämpning inom onkologi, immunologi och hematologi. Traditionellt sker den industriella produktionen av mAb med fed-batch-odling. Detta är en relativt lätthanterlig process med mAb-utbyten på 5-10 g/L, men dess brist på kontroll över kritiska processparametrar (CPP) orsakar höga mAb-förluster på grund av att kvalitetsspecifikationer inte uppfylls. Ökande marknadskrav och regulatoriska förändringar pådriver läkemedelsindustrin iinnovation inom mAb-tillverkningsprocessen, för att nå kontinuerlig tillverkning. För närvarande, som ett övergångssteg till kontinuerlig tillverkning, sker investeringar i intensifierade fed-batch-odlingar. Dessa uppnår högre celldensiteter på cirka 25-30 g/L, men detta är fortfarande mycket lägre än motsvarande mAb-koncentrationer på 130 g/L som kan uppnås med perfusionsprocesser. Andra fördelar med perfusionsprocesser är att de tillåter flexibla produktionsanläggningar och möjliggör en nivå av processkontroll som skulle tillåta realtidstestning av release. För att upprätthålla en perfusionsprocess under de specificerade förhållandena som garanterar den önskade mAb-kvaliteten, måste CPP kontrolleras noggrant. Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) kan mäta CPP i realtid på ett icke-destruktivt sätt. Denna studie undersökte tillämpningen av två PAT, ArgusEye®-sensorerna och Time-gated Raman-spektroskopi, på perfusionsprocesser. Vi visade att ArgusEye®-sensorerna kan användas för att mäta IgG i perfusionsprover med ganska bra korrelation med referensmetoden. Vi har också visat att multivariata Raman-baserade modeller kan konstrueras för att förutsäga flera CPP, baserat på samma spektra. Framförallt belyser denna studie komplexiteten i tillämpningen av dessa PAT för att kontrollera perfusionsprocesser. För ArgusEye® drar vi slutsatsen att för att få exakta mätningar måste vi ta hänsyn till förändringarna i koncentrationen av värdcellsprotein under en perfusionsprocess, eftersom deras ospecifika bindning till sensorerna är den troliga orsaken till variationen i IgG-mätningarna. För de Raman-baserade modellerna, visar denna studie att en stor mängd data krävs för att bygga korrekta prediktionsmodeller, något som rapprterats om i litteraturen. Sammantaget visar denna rapport att dessa PAT har en stor tillämpningspotential, men de måste förbättras ytterligare innan de kan användas som automatiska återkopplingskontrollverktyg. / Monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics (mAb) are one of the fastest-growing segments in the pharmaceutical market, mainly due to their application in oncology, immunology, and hematology. Traditionally, the industrial production of mAb is done with fed-batch cultivation. This is a relatively easy to operate process with mAb yields of 5-10 g/L, but its lack of control over critical process parameters (CPP) causes high mAb losses due to unmet quality specifications. Driven by increasing market demands and regulatory changes, the pharmaceutical industry is innovating in the mAb manufacturing process to reach continuous manufacturing. Currently, as a transition step to continuous manufacturing, the pharmaceutical industry is investing in intensified fed-batch cultivations. They achieve higher cells densities and present yields around 25-30 g/L, but this is still much lower than the equivalent mAb titers of 130 g/L that can be achieved with perfusion processes. Other advantages of perfusion processes are that they allow the existence of flexible production facilities and enable a level of process control that would permit Real-Time Release Testing. To maintain a perfusion process under the specified conditions to guarantee the desired mAb quality, the CPP need to be closely controlled. Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) can measure CPP in real-time and non-destructively. This study evaluated the application of two PAT, the ArgusEye® sensors and Time-gated Raman spectroscopy, on perfusion processes. We showed that the ArgusEye® sensors can be used to measure IgG in perfusion samples with quite good correlation to the reference method. We have also shown that multivariate Raman-based models can be constructed to predict several CPP based on the same spectra. Most importantly, this study highlights the complexity of the application of these PAT to control perfusion processes. For the ArgusEye®, we conclude that to obtain accurate measurements, we need to account for the changes in the concentration of host cell protein during a perfusion process, as their unspecific binding to the sensors is the probable cause for the variation in the IgG measurements. For the Raman-based models, as previously reported in the literature, this study shows that a high volume of data is require to build accurate prediction models. Overall, this report shows that these PAT have a great potential of application, but they need to be further improved prior to their use as automatic feedback control tools.

Dagens företag lägger ner allt mer tid och resurser på att utöka variantfloran i deras produktsortiment. Syftet är att nå ut till ett bredare segment av kunder samtidigt som företaget behåller en konkurrenskraftig position på marknaden. Vid framtagning av nya produkter ställs Axis Communications ofta inför utmaningen att ta beslut om att tillverka en eller flera varianter. I dagsläget tas beslut om att tillverka fler varianter i produktsortimentet utifrån priset på direkt material och försäljningsvolymen för varje variant. Axis Communications saknar därmed kunskap om vilka ytterligare faktorer som påverkas när beslut om variantskapande ska tas. Syftet med studien är att ta fram en beräkningsmodell som kan användas som beslutsunderlag vid analys av kostnader i att tillverka mer än en produktvariant. För att besvara syftet har studien genomfört två fallstudier utifrån två olika produkter i Axis Communications produktsortiment. Den första fallstudien analyserar nuläget av tillverkningen hos Axis Communications kontraktstillverkare där kostnader som påverkas av att flera varianter tillverkas identifieras och beräknas. Den andra fallstudien är en fiktivt fallstudie där de identifierade kostnaderna beräknas på nytt men då endast en variant tillverkas och resterande varianter tagits bort. Därefter utfördes en analys på hur de identifierade kostnaderna påverkas vid tillverkning av endast en variant. Utifrån litteraturstudier har de kostnader som påverkas i samband med att flera varianter tillverkas identifierats. Vidare har även processkartläggningar samt ett studiebesök hos en av Axis Communications kontraktstillverkare genomförts där ytterligare relevanta kostnader identifierats och bekräftats av personer med bred kunskap inom området. De kostnader som identifierats i studien och som därmed ansett påverkas mest av att variantfloran förändras är följande: Direkta särkostnader Direkt material Lagerföringskostnader Ställkostnader Fixtur- och verktygskostnader Indirekta särkostnader Kvalitetskostnader Time to Market Investeringskostnader Resurskostnader för utveckling av mekanik Resurskostnader för utvecklig av elektronik Certifieringskostnader Verktygskostnader Kostnader för test av produktion Kostnader för framtagning av prototyper Resultatet för direkt material visade att det går att utgå från ett medelvärde av priset för direkt material samt den prognostiserade försäljningsvolymen per variant för att skapa sig en första uppfattning om hur mycket variantskapande egentligen kostar. Lagerföringskostnaden visade sig också påverkas vid tillverkning av endast en variant. Lagerföringskostnaden minskade i lagret för komponenter men ökade samtidigt i färdigvarulagret eftersom att det endast är den dyrare varianten med avseende på direkt material som tillverkas då det är den variant som har samtliga funktioner jämfört med resterande varianter. Ställkostnaden eliminerades helt då ställtiderna som uppstår vid byte av varianter i tillverkningen försvann. Vidare så halverades kostnaderna för fixturer och verktyg. Kvalitetskostnaden visade sig vara svårare att kvantifiera, dock gick det att inse att desto högre volym som tillverkas av en variant desto fortare når varianten de uppsatta kvalitetsmålen vilket i sin tur bidrar till lägre kvalitetskostnader. Dessutom innebär ett lägre antal varianter i en och samma produktionslina att hanteringen blir lättare då bland annat risken för felmontering minskar. Det blir även lättare att identifiera, prioritera samt åtgärda fel som kan tänkas uppstå i produktionslinan. Det leder i sin tur till att kvalitetskostnaderna minskar. Time to Market påverkades också när endast en variant tillverkades. Även om Time to Market inte direkt kan ses som en kostnad utan snarare som ett intäktsbortfall, påvisade studien att det går fortare att få fram produkterna på marknaden om antalet varianter minskar. Slutligen studerades olika investeringskostnader som går att koppla till tillverkningen av flera varianter och resultatet visade på att det går att minska investeringskostnaderna om endast en variant tillverkas. Utifrån resultatet från de två fallstudierna utformades en beräkningsmodell åt Axis Communications som ska hjälpa företaget med att ta beslut om variantskapande. Beräkningsmodellen lyfter fram de kostnader som påverkas mest av en förändring i variantfloran tillsammans med en beskrivning av hur kostnaderna ska beräknas. Med hjälp av beräkningsmodellen kan Axis Communications beslut om variantskapande underlättas jämfört med hur de tar beslut idag. / Today’s companies spend a significant amount of time and resources on increasing the number of product variants in their product range. The aim is to reach a wider segment of customers while maintaining a competitive position in the market. When developing new products, Axis Communications is often faced with the challenge of deciding whether to focus on one or more product variants. At present, focus is directed towards developing more product variants in the product range based on the price of direct material and the sales volume for each variant. Axis Communications therefore lacks knowledge of what additional factors that are affected when decisions about creating more product variants are taken. The purpose of the study is to provide a calculation model that can be used as a basis for analysing costs in producing more than one product variant. In order to achieve this purpose, the study has carried out two case studies based on two different products in Axis Communications product range. The first case study analyses the current state of production at Axis Communications’ contracted manufacturers, where costs that are affected by the production of multiple variants are identified and calculated. The second case study is a fictitious case study where the identified costs are calculated again, but only when one product variant is manufactured and the remaining product variants are disregarded. This was followed by an analysis regarding how the identified costs are affected when only one product variant is manufactured. Based on literature studies, the costs associated with the production of several variants have been identified. Furthermore, process flow charts have been developed and a study visit to one of Axis Communications contracted manufacturers was undertaken, where additional relevant costs have been identified and confirmed by persons with broad knowledge about the manufacturing processes. The costs identified to be affected the most by the variation of product variants are as follows: Direct incremental costs Direct material Inventory carrying costs Setup costs Fixture- and tooling costs Indirect incremental costs Quality costs Time to Market Investment costs Resource costs for the development of mechanics Resource costs for the development of electronics Certification costs Tooling costs Costs for testing of production Costs for prototyping The result for direct material showed that an average of the price of direct material as well as the forecasted production volume for each product variant can be assumed to create an initial perception of how much an increase of product variants actually costs. The inventory carrying cost also proved affected by the manufacturing of only one product variant. The inventory carrying cost decreased in the inventory of components but increased at the same time in the finished goods inventory since it is only the most expensive product variant with all functions compared to the other product variants that is being stored. The setup cost was eliminated since the setup times that occurred when changing product variants in the production disappeared. Furthermore, the cost of fixtures and tools was halved. The quality cost proved to be harder to quantify, however, it was realized that the higher the volume produced by a product variant the faster the product variant reaches the set quality goals, which in turn contributes to lower quality costs. Additionally, a lower number of product variants in the same production line means that handling becomes easier, including the risk of errors in assembling the product variant. It will also be easier to identify, prioritize and correct errors that may occur in the production line. This in turn leads to a reduction of quality costs. Time to Market was also affected when only one product variant was manufactured. Although Time to Market cannot be seen directly as a cost but rather as a loss of revenue, the study showed that it is faster to launch the product on the market if the number of product variants decreases. Finally, various investment costs were studied that could be linked to the production of several product variants, and the result showed that it is possible to reduce the investment costs if only one product variant is manufactured. Based on the outcome of the two case studies, a calculation model was designed for Axis Communications to help the company decide whether to manufacture product variants or not. The calculation model explains the costs that are affected the most by a change of number of product variants together with a description of how the costs are to be calculated. Using the calculation model will enable Axis Communications to make well-informed decision on whether or not to introduce more product variants in the product range.

Bakgrund: Dagens marknader har med tiden tenderat att bli mer globala vilket i sin tur har ökat konkurrensen mellan företag. Detta har inneburit att många industriorganisationer har behövt förändra sig för att vara konkurrenskraftiga på marknaden. Ett koncept som idag genomsyrar många företag är lean vilket bygger på att maximera användandet av sina resurser, eliminera slöserier och skapa en effektivare tillverkning. Genom att arbeta med lean kan företag uppnå snabbare genomloppstider. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att kartlägga Press Kogyos propellerprocess för att kunna identifiera icke-värdeadderande aktiviteter i processen. Vidare kommer studien bidra Press Kogyo med förslag gällande hur en effektivare material- och produktionsstyrning kan reducera genomloppstiden i propellerprocessen. För att studien ska uppnå teoretisk relevans är ytterligare ett syfte med studien att bidra med teori kring hur tillverkande företag, med en funktionell layout, kan reducera de nackdelar som finns med layouten med effektivare material- och produktionsstyrning. Genomförande: Studien har delats upp i tre forskningsfrågor. De två första forskningsfrågorna var specifikt inriktade mot det studerade företaget medan den tredje forskningsfrågan var mer generellt ställd mot tillverkande företag med funktionell layout. Studien har genomförts som en fallstudie och präglats av kvalitativa forskningsmetoder. Empiriska data har samlats in genom intervjuer, observationer samt en fokusgrupp. För första forskningsfrågan skapades processkartor och VSM-kartor. Dessa i samband med diverse intervjuer låg till grund för att identifiera icke-värdeadderande aktiviteter/slöserier i propellerprocessen vilka påverkade genomloppstiden. För forskningsfråga två applicerades teori kring material-och För tillverkande industriföretag kan en reducering av genomloppstid generera diverse fördelar. Några av dessa fördelar är: minskat antal produkter i arbete, bättre kvalité, minskade kostnader, bättre prognoser, ökad flexibilitet samt minskad ledtid gentemot kund. Press Kogyo har under en längre period upplevt en problematik kring en av deras processer. Problematiken har legat i att de inte vetat om vilka icke- värdeadderade aktiviteter som finns i processen samt hur de påverkar genomloppstiden.   produktionsstyrning i syfte att reducera de icke-värdeadderande aktiviteterna/slöserier som identifierats och följaktligen reducera genomloppstider i processen. Gällande forskningsfråga tre genomfördes intervjuer med det studerade företaget och ett annat tillverkande företag med funktionell layout. Författarna ämnade att genom dessa intervjuer besvara hur tillverkande företag med en funktionell layout kan reducera de nackdelar som finns med den layouten med hjälp av effektiv material- och produktionsstyrning. Slutsats: I studien identifierades sju slöserier där väntan ansågs vara det slöseri vilket mest påverkade genomloppstiden i propellerprocessen. För att eliminera alla slöserier och framförallt väntan applicerades teori kring material- och produktionsstyrning med fokus på production activity control (PAC). Den teori vilken användes skapade också en teoretisk modell vilken kan vara en bra grund när företag med funktionell layout vill effektivisera sin planering. Vissa delar av den teoretiska modellen användes också senare i studien där den användes för att reducera de nackdelar vilka kan finnas med en funktionell layout. / Background: Today's markets have over time tended to become more global, which in turn has increased competition between companies. This has meant that many industry organizations have had to change in order to be competitive in the market. A concept that today permeates many companies is the lean practice, which is based on maximizing the use of resources, eliminating waste, and creating more efficient production. By working with lean, companies can achieve faster throughput time. For manufacturing industrial companies, a reduction in throughput time can generate various benefits. Some of these advantages are: reduced number of products in work, better quality, reduced costs, better forecasts, increased flexibility and reduced lead time towards customers.Press Kogyo has for a long period experienced problems with one of their processes. The main problem has been that they do not know what non-value-added activities/waste that can be found in the process and how these activitiesaffect the total throughput time of the process. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to map Press Kogyo's propeller process in order to be able to identify non-value-adding activities in the process. Furthermore, the study will provide Press Kogyo with proposals regarding how more efficient material and production control can reduce the throughput time in the propeller process. In order for the study to achieve theoretical relevance, another purpose of the study is to contribute with theories about how manufacturing companies, with a functional layout, can reduce the disadvantages of the layout with more efficient material and production control. Methodology: The study has been divided into three research questions. The first two research questions were specifically aimed at Press Kogyo, while the third research question was more generally directed at manufacturing companies with a functional layout. The study was conducted as a case study and was characterized by qualitative research methods. Empirical data has been collected through interviews, observations, and a focus group. For the first research question, process maps and VSM maps were created. This together with various interviews created the foundation for identifying non-value-adding activities/waste in the propeller process which affected the throughput time. For research question two, theory of material and production control was applied in order to reduce the non-value-adding activities/waste and consequently reduce throughput time in the process. Regarding research question three, interviews were conducted with Press Kogyo and another manufacturing company with a functional layout. The authors intended to, through these interviews, find answers to how manufacturing companies with a functional layout can reduce the disadvantages of the layout with the help of efficient material and production control. Conclusions: In the study, seven wastes were identified where “wait” was considered to be the waste that affected throughput time the most in the propeller process. To eliminate all waste and specifically the waste “wait”, methods and theories regarding material and production control was applied with a focus on production activity control (PAC). All the different theories that was used also created a theoretical model which can be a good basis for planning when companies with a functional layout want to find ways tostreamline their planning. Some parts of the theoretical model were also used later in the study where it was used to reduce the disadvantages that may exist with a functional layout

Every artifact in this consumerism world is connected to Earth’s four ecological layers. Everything around us, air, organism, water, and soil/rock also known by the names; atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. All together form the ecosphere, the place that contains all materials and resources that we use when creating artifacts.  »Every material that we use comes from the ecosphere and eventually goes back to it.« - Ann Thorpe The way humans use, extract, manufacture and dispose of materials has concerned me for many years, long before I started this design program. It has formed my way of making as a designer, and because of my love for textiles, I have been applying it in that field of practise. I want to design textiles that function and can be used frequently, with a purpose and in the end, decompose before I do. The aim of this conducted design project is to, in a playful way, break down the barrier between maker and user. Combined with unfolding the hidden truths about garments, how they are manufactured and where those textile components originate from. This would enable me to broaden my knowledge in the field and in return I will have the opportunity to share my insights with the public. Within this project I will also put the emphasis on the impact textiles have on our bodies, reproductive health and surrounding ecosystems.  Designing with the intention to highlight topics like this, the whole life cycle of garments, creates a stronger bond between user and maker. This is something I as a designer and maker want to build my foundation on.  In order to do this I needed to pin down where this conducted design project could take place and what sustainable possibilities of change it could embed for the future.

Syftet med detta examensarbete har varit att ta fram vilka leanprinciper och leanverktyg som passar en processindustri med målet att minska ledtiden. För att kunna genomföra studien har en jämförelse mellan teori och verklighet gjorts där hjälp tagits av Lesjöfors industrifjädrar AB. Utmärkande aspekter för företagets produktion är långa led- och omställningstider, produktion i batcher med stora partistorkekar samt tryckande tillverkning. Litteraturstudien omfattar fem principer och fem verktyg. För att identifiera nuläget har en värdeflödeskartläggning genomförts samt intervjuer med anställda på företaget. När teori kopplas med empiri har lämpliga principer och verktyg utifrån de studerade 10 valts ut. De principer som har identifierats som lämpliga för en processindustri är standardiserat arbetssätt, ständiga förbättringar, utjämnad produktion. De verkyg som utefter principerna identifierats som lämpliga är SMED, 5S samt värdeflödeskartläggning. Dessa har sedan används i en sammanfattning i form av ett TPS-hus, unikt för produktionen på Lesjöfors industrifjädrar AB. / The aim of this bachelor thesis has been to identify which lean principles and lean tools that would suit a process industry with the goal of reducing lead times. In order to complete the study, a comparison between theory and reality has been made where assistance has been provided by Lesjöfors industrifjädrar AB. Key aspects of the company's production include long lead times and set up times, production in batches with large lots and push production. The literature study comprises five principles and five tools. To identify the current situation, a value stream mapping has been conducted and interviews with employees at the company. When theory is linked with empirical studies, suitable principles and tools based on the selected 10 have been chosen. These have then been used in a summary in the form of a TPS-house, unique to the production at Lesjöfors industrifjädrar AB.

Firms often stand before decisions on whether to make or buy components. Various well-established theories that have been applied and developed to understand make or buy decisions have also been critiqued for not generating a well-based decision basis. Research indicates that make or buy decisions are more complex than most theories suggest and that theories within make or buy don’t seem to account for situations when the production technology does not exist in-house. In instances of new technology, in this case metal AM, there is a need to understand and account for the case specific attributes to determine the best course of action. This study explores the decision situation of invest to perform internally versus outsourcing of metal additive manufacturing. The aim is to investigate and identify what factors affect the decision. The research design is a qualitative exploratory case study including 10 interviews and a cost analysis of two products, to answer how metal additive manufacturing affects these decisions. The cost analysis is included, as economic performance is a factor of importance, which makes it meaningful to understand in such situations. The most prominent factors in the result are found to be competency, control, economy, interaction, organization and strategy. The results of the study indicate overlapping similarities of the results through existing theories and suggest that these decisions are more complex than the individual application of single theories. However, the cost analysis shows that the currently held outsourcing alternative is more expensive and this might indicate a non-rational decision in regards to the financial perspective. The main contribution of this study is to the field of decision-making with the conclusion of that individual theories are not sufficient to explain the phenomenon of invest to perform internally versus outsourcing. To evaluate these decisions, the results indicate the necessity to have a multi-criteria approach and include several theoretical perspectives.

The main problem encountered in this thesis is the lack of research and knowledge of selective laser melted-printing with Uddeholm Dievar®. This absence of information could cause issues regarding quality and properties of the alloy as well as uncertainty regarding an appropriate heat treatment cycle. This thesis mainly focuses on observing the changes that occur in the microstructure when Uddeholm Dievar® is manufactured through the additive manufacturing (AM) method known as selective laser melting (SLM). The SLM- method consists of a high-power laser that melts together thin layers of powder, one layer at a time, until a three-dimensional product is created according to selected drawings. The methodology on which this thesis is based on is the execution of a theoretical study, scientific experiments and thermodynamic calculations. Analysis of the microstructure is performed using a scanning electron microscope with techniques such as Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The purpose of the methods are to map the constituent elements of the alloy and observe the orientation of the crystallographic phases in the atomic lattice respectively. The results show that the powder, both before and after printing, mainly consists of martensite with a low amount of residual austenite. The amount of primary carbides is relatively low and has been classified as MC (V-rich) and/or M6C (Mo- rich) type. The remaining residual austenite could be explained by the segregation of constituent alloying elements, where the carbon content is a dominant factor to why the MS -temperature lowers significantly causing the presence of retained austenite even though SLM has a cooling rate that varies between 103 and 108 [K/s]. / Det huvudsakliga problemet som denna avhandling behandlar är bristen på forskning och kunskap inom selective laser melting (SLM) 3D-printing med Uddeholm Dievar®. Avsaknaden kan leda till sämre kvalité och produktegenskaper hos legeringen. Det kan även leda till ovisshet gällande val av lämplig värmebehandling. Arbetet fokuserar på att dokumentera utformningen av stålets mikrostruktur när Uddeholm Dievar® tillverkas med den additiva tillverkningsmetoden SLM. Tillverkningsprocessen består av en högeffektslaser som detaljerat smälter samman tunna lager pulver, ett lager i taget, tills att en tredimensionell produkt skapats utefter valda ritningar. Använda metoder är; utförandet av en teoretisk studie, vetenskapliga experiment och thermodynamiska beräkningar. Analys av mikrostrukturen genomförs med hjälp av svepelektronmikroskåp där teknikerna Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) och Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) används. Syftet med EDS är att kartlägga de ingående elementen i legeringen, syftet med EBSD är att se orientering av de kristallografiska faserna i atomgittret. Resultaten visar på att legeringen, både före och efter printing, till största del består av martensit med en låg mängd restaustenit. Mängden primärkarbider är relativt låg och har klassifiserats som typen MC (V-rik) och/eller M6C (Mo- rik). Den kvarstående restausteniten kan möjligen förklaras av segringen av ingående legeringsämnen där kolhalten är en dominerande faktor som sänker MS-temperaturen. Detta gör att restaustenit förekommer trots den höga kylhastigheten som varierar mellan 103 och 108 [K/s] i SLM.

This study presents a holistic view of which factors small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have to consider, in moving their customer order decoupling point (CODP) further from the customer, thereby becoming more customized. The study also investigate whether SMEs and larger enterprises differ in the strategic questions relating to what influences an enterprise to become more customized, which prerequisites are required and which problems enterprises should anticipate and prepare for. These questions are important, given that strategic change is challenging, and can take considerable time to accomplish; it therefore needs to be based on the right decisions. This study is motivated by the fact that the markets SMEs are selling to tend to become more and more complex and harder to anticipate. Increased globalisation and use of IT and ICT have lead to greater uncertainty in customer demand. At the same time customers have ever more demanding needs and specifications; if these are not met, they will go elsewhere rather than reducing or adapting them. This complexity requires a more customized production and is a way to gain commercial advantages.       Customised production includes many benefits such as reduced uncertainty, by producing totally customized products less capital bound is tied up. But meanwhile many challenges such as reduced production efficiency, furthermore flexibility must be increased and higher demands on communications and IT systems are often necessary. The study starts with a wide and thorough theoretical overhaul around the movement of the CODP, but also addresses other parts of the organization to get the all-important big picture. This theoretical work is leading to a work-model which is used in six interviews within SMEs. In order to get a thorough picture, the enterprises that take part in the study are from different line of business and have from 18 to 235 employees. During these interviews, conducted on a single occasion per company, the model and related questions are discussed. Thereby an analysis of the interviews and the theory is done, with the model as the starting-point.   The result of this study is a basic model, which SMEs can use as an analytical tool, and a checklist, to facilitate a move towards a make-to-order manufacturing strategy, thereby gaining more flexibility. The study provides a basic generic framework which can be adapted and tailored by the company in question to see which parts are relevant to specific circumstances.

This thesis describes corporate greening in general, and specifically the environmental technology (ET) sector as a green sector. The thesis has also particular focus on production and products related aspects and the influence of the environmental profile of the ET sector on the environmental engagement of companies in the sector. The study is based on a questionnaire-based survey, online surveys and on semi-structured open-ended interviews. The organizations within the ET sector were identified using existing platforms within this sector: Sustainability Sweden and Swentec. The results show that not all companies and industry associations in the ET sector clearly distinguish between product and production related environmental aspects. Furthermore, the product related environmental profile, which constitutes the legitimacy for the sector, can influence companies’ environmental strategy, not only positively but also negatively. The results from the survey on Global Supersector Leaders 2009/2010 in Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) show that all companies are aware of production and product related environmental issues. Based on results from this survey a model of corporate environmental profile consisting of product and production oriented activities as well as initiatives that go beyond the core business operations is proposed. These initiatives can be divided into two groups: environmental education and environmental projects and sponsorship. This thesis proposes products and production related impacts and environmental activities as bases for defining corporate environmental profiles, corporate greening, and for defining ‘green’ and ‘green-green’ business as well as environmental leaders. The distinction between product and production related environmental initiatives as well as the other dimensions of the proposed model in this thesis can support companies in their communication of environmental performance and environmental activities.  Furthermore, ‘competitive advantage’, ‘environmental responsibility’ and ‘environmental leadership’ should motivate companies within the ET sector to be ‘vocal’ green-green firms.

Modern manufacturing processes are under a never ending evolvement. Lowered manufacturing costs, higher part quality, shorter lead times and lower environmental impact are some important drivers for this development. Aluminum die casting is an effective and attractive process when producing components for e.g. the automotive sector. Die casting process development, and hot work tool steel development for the die casting dies has led to the state of the art of die casting today. However, with the disruptive emergence of Additive Manufacturing (AM) of hot work steel alloys, new interesting features such as improved conformal cooling channels inside die casting molds can be produced. The new way to manufacture die casting dies, need basic investigating of the AM produced hot work tool steel properties, and their applicability in this demanding hot work segment. Die casting dies face several detrimental wear mechanisms during use in production, three of which has been isolated and used for testing three AM produced steel alloys and one conventional premium hot work tool steel. The wear mechanisms simulated are; thermal fatigue, static soldering and agitated soldering. The aim is to study the AM produced steels applicability in the die casting process. The tested materials are; Premium AISI H13 grade Uddeholm Orvar Supreme, AM 1.2709, AM UAB1 and AM H13. Based on current investigations the conclusion that can be made is that with right chemistry, and right AM processing, conventional material Uddeholm Orvar Supreme still is better than AM H13. This also complies with the literature study results, showing that conventional material still is better than AM material in general. / Våra moderna tillverkningsprocesser är under ständig utveckling. Drivande motiv är minskade tillverkningskostnader, högre tillverkningskvalitet, kortade ledtider samt minskad miljöpåfrestning. Pressgjutning av aluminium är en effektiv och attraktiv tillverkningsprocess ofta använd inom till exempel fordonsindustrin. Utvecklingen av pressgjutningsteknologin har gått hand i hand med utvecklingen av det varmarbets-verktygsstål som används i gjutformarna (pressgjutningsverktyget). Den utvecklingen har lett till dagens processnivå och branschstandard. Men med den revolutionerande additiva tillverkningsteknologins (AM) intåg, och möjlighet att producera komponenter av varmarbetsstål, kommer nya intressanta möjligheter att integrera komplex geometri så som yt-parallella kylkanaler i verktyget utan att tillverkningskostnaden blir för hög etc. Det nya sättet att producera pressgjutningsverktyg ger upphov till behovet av grundläggande materialundersökningar av sådant AM-material, samt hur tillförlitligt det är i pressgjutningsverktyg med pressgjutningens krävande materialegenskapsprofil. Pressgjutningsverktyg utsätts för många förslitningsmekanismer och för höga laster, tre av dessa mekanismer har isolerats för kontrollerade tester av ett konventionellt material och tre AM materials responser. Förslitningsmekanismerna som efterliknats är; termisk utmattning, statisk soldering och agiterad soldering. Målet med undersökningarna är att studera AM producerade materials lämplighet i pressgjutningsprocessen. De material som testats är konventionella premium varmarbetsstålet Uddeholm Orvar Supreme av typ AISI H13, AM 1.2709, AM UAB1 och AM H13. Undersökningarnas slutsats är att med rätt kemisk sammansättning, och med rätt AM printing parametrar, är konventionellt material fortfarande mer applicerbart i pressgjutning än AM producerat. Den slutsatsen faller väl I samklang med resultaten från mekanisk provning som återspeglas i litteraturstudien, som visade visar att konventionellt material är generellt bättre än AM material.