A Learning Factory concept for skills enhancement in rail car manufacturing industries

Abstract

Abstract Rail manufacturing industries plays a key role in various countries by developing cost effective transportation solutions that could be used more efficiently to provide movement of freight and passengers. To date, the sector has experienced an increase in technological investments that are fundamental in driving efficiencies, better managed operations as well as offer passenger-focused-services (PFS) through industry 4.0 initiatives. Despite this wave of innovative technologies, the rail industry is struggling to bring them into full fruition due to a significant skills shortage. While various learning factories have been established both in industry and academia in the last decades, there is a need to interlink the activities within these various learning factories in order to address skill shortages. This paper aims at developing that link which will bridge the gap by establishing a state of the art learning factory (LF) concept that incorporates strategic initiatives such as customised training programmes and hands on experience to benefit graduates from various engineering disciplines in order to be ready for industry. Various concepts were developed and selected using decision matrix processes through the allocation of certain scores and ratings on each criterion as well as of synthesis of this rating using the standard procedures obtained through the application of Pugh Matrix, in order to select the most optimum LF design concept. In addition, a systematic layout planning (SLP) approach was used to analyse the sequence of operation performed within the proposed LF concept as well as understanding the relationship between the various workstations. The results reveal the chosen concept which the most suitable characteristics in LF design for the rail manufacturing industry. Lastly various projects were proposed in order to determine the performance of student group within the proposed LF concept.