Autor: Berend Denkena

The increasing awareness of energy-neutral production generates the desire for methods for the energetic evaluation and optimization of process chains. In this context, it is not sufficient to consider only the electrical energy demand along the process chain. Within the scope of this work, a procedure for the holistic energetic evaluation and optimization of process chains in machining was developed, which takes into account cross-material flow interactions by adjusting the process parameters.

Companies sometimes miss opportunities to pursue long-term people-related targets despite short-term performance targets. There is a lack of a measurable variable that shows possibilities for the pursuit of person-related targets. This paper will therefore present an approach based on a simulation-based robustness analysis that makes it possible to integrate long-term targets into production planning. By identifying critical workplaces and determining the tolerable change in the planned personnel deployment, possibilities are shown for pursuing long-term people-related targets.

Correct pricing becomes increasingly a key competitive factor for the tool and mould manufacturing industries. However, pricing is characterized by an inconsistent and subjective supply calculation, especially in the customized production area. In addition, dynamic costs, which have a decisive influence on pricing, are not regarded with adequate attention. This paper presents an approach that allows for a statement on the offered price related to time dynamic costs. Furthermore, the approach permits propositions concerning the probability with which an estimated price occurs based on the enterprise related aggregation of knowledge.

Plant operators are getting more and more aware that operating costs are usually exceeding acquisition costs. For that reason there is an increased interest in methods like Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Weakness of these methods is their exclusive focus on costs. Because they do not allow differentiating benefits of various machines and plants, a holistic evaluation is difficult. The concept developed by the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools (IFW) is concentrating on that issue, extending the Life Cycle Costing by a benefit assessment of investments.

Although using CAM-systems effect the efficiency of manufacturing processes significantly, small and medium size enterprises often avoid establishing computer-aided systems for financial reasons. The IFW (Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools) develops a business concept for a cooperation of machine manufacturers, software manufacturers and engineering consultants. A collective supply of services for CAM-based optimization of manufacturing processes would enable small and medium size enterprises to use CAM-systems and simulations without high investments.

Complexity will be characteristic for future economic and technological development. Highly integrated and customer-specific products, that are manufactured in short times and call for life-long services, pose demanding challenges for companies of all sizes. Life cycle orientation and product variety thus mean a new dimension of complexity for production management, knowledge engineering and general management. Consequently, in future it will not necessarily be the fastest, cheapest or technologically most advanced company, that will be most successful, but possibly the one that is able to cope with this growing complexity in the best way.