Set-based Concurrent Engineering Principles Research Articles

Application of Set-Based Concurrent Engineering Principles in R&D Project Prioritization

This paper aims to analyze the application of Set-Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) principles in a two-staged R&D project selection process based on alternative technology routes for grant allocation. A case study approach is applied in the field of sustainable solutions. The SBCE process occurred in two stages. First, six proposals were selected for concept development. Results were assessed to select the two most promising concepts for detailed development. The four projects that were deprioritized consumed 19% of the grant budget. In the case study, applying SBCE principles allowed the assessment of technology routes, supporting the identification of most promising alternatives.

Integrating model-based system engineering with set-based concurrent engineering principles for reliability and manufacturability analysis of mechatronic products

The point-based approach consists of committing a set of requirements and a single design solution from the design space. This approach is time-consuming and often leads to deadline excess when developing a new complex system such as mechatronic systems. In fact, this approach could generate iterative loops between engineers in the downstream design stage to evaluate the manufacturability and the quality of the developed system. To overcome this issue, introducing a model-based system engineering (MBSE) approach in the upstream design stage hinged on set-based concurrent engineering (SBCE) principles is a good solution to diminish the exchange loops between engineers and to enhance efficiency in the design process. This approach consists in evaluating a large set of system solutions, then gradually narrowing these solutions until converging to a limited set of optimized solutions. In this article, a novel approach entitled “Model based for reliability and manufacturability analysis (MBRMA)” and based on model-based system engineering and set-based concurrent engineering in the preliminary design phases is used to filter out weak or costly solutions over time and to assess system engineer when adopting trade-off analysis. First, customer requirements, functional and structural aspect of the system are defined using SysML diagrams. Next, the application of the algorithm allows narrowing the design space, and finally, a trade-off analysis is carried out to select the best system architecture. The first contribution of this article is the creation of novel stereotypes of composition and allocation flows in a profile diagram between functions and alternative solutions. The second contribution is the implementation of an algorithm to analyze system robustness and to converge on the final set of optimized solutions. To test this newly developed model “model based for reliability and manufacturability analysis (MBRMA),” a case study of an air conditioning electrical compressor is considered to illustrate the various stages of this concurrent engineering approach.

A Strong Foundation for Global Product Development (GPD): Set Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE), TRIZ, and Customer Value Proposition (CVP)

The rising best practice in product development utilizes a highly distributed and networked development process facilitated by a fully digital product development system. The impacts of globalization have begun on the practice of product development across a broader range of service and manufacturing industries. Organizations are utilizing skilled labors spread around the world to develop products in a collaborative manner. Best practice in product development (PD) is now rapidly migrating from local, cross-functional collaboration to a mode of global collaboration. Global product development (GPD) therefore represents a major transformation for business. However, there are certain limitations of the Global product development (GPD). The problems of new product developers are compounded due to the complexity of the products and great amount of software that is embedded in many products. The non-physical nature of software systems, where intuition, experience and judgment of experts plays more important role than quantitative and measurable metrics of the traditional engineering world, increases the complexity for the global product developers.The objective of this paper is to present frameworks that can help companies addressvarious strategic and tactical issues when considering adoption of GPD combining TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem solving), Customer value Proposition (CVP), and Set Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) pioneered by Toyota. Set Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) as a process for developing new products has started gaining traction for global product development. However, GPD projects are finding it difficult to adapt to SBCE process where time spent in the early phases of development typically is more. We propose in this paper how TRIZ & CVP based SBCE framework will make the GPD projects efficient, more robust and faster in many different GPD scenarios.Further it is proposed that principles of SBCE as practiced by Toyota Motors are natural fit for Global Product Development. However, the SBCE principles of strategic value research and alignment, map the design space, create and explore multiple concepts in parallel, integration by intersection, and establishing feasibility before commitment, need a set of tools and techniques to create an evolving picture of the situation at a particular point of time for all stakeholders in the process of development. The TRIZ & CVP based SBCE framework specifically takes care of information complexity, structural complexity, decision complexity, organization complexity& strategic value, and customer value for product of the GPD projects. TRIZ concepts of ideality, functionality, resources and contradictions elimination are used to come up with inventive solutions to sub-system functionality. TRIZ is used to generate a set of alternatives or possible solutions to various sub-systems to be made in the design space. The number of alternatives reduces gradually as the project is executed and more clarity about the components emerges. However, the goal of SBCE is to keep the alternatives till as late as possible. TRIZ helps in creating alternatives maintaining this picture and keeping all the alternatives during the whole life cycle of the project. Further the three major types of the customer value i.e. all benefits, favorable points of differences, and resonating focus and various customer value equations are added in SBCE to quantify the absolute component of value.

The transformation of product development process into lean environment using set-based concurrent engineering: A case study from an aerospace industry

This article presents a transformation process towards lean product development in an aerospace industry. This transformation was achieved in two main stages: the first was to integrate the principles of set-based concurrent engineering into an existing product development model of an aerospace company. This stage included defining activities and associated tools. The second stage was to implement the developed model in a research-based industrial case study, a helicopter engine in this case. Three main outcomes were realised from this work. First, it presented an industrial case of lean transformation in product development, where the leanness of an existing model was enhanced by embedding set-based concurrent engineering principles. Second, the developed model was structured into a set of well-defined activities and associated tools that were previously scattered or redundant. Finally, the developed model was trialled in an industrial project of a helicopter engine, tested to evaluate its value in enhancing the innovation level and reducing risk. The work presented in this article focused on early stage system level design, and future work will extend the implementation of set-based concurrent engineering to sub-system and component levels.

Practical Applications of Set-Based Concurrent Engineering in Industry

Set-Based Concurrent Engineering is sometimes seen as a means to dramatic improvements in product design processes. In spite of its popularity in literature, the number of reported applications has so far been limited. This paper adds new information by describing implementations of Set-Based Concurrent Engineering in four product developing companies. The research took a case study approach, with the objective to investigate if the principles of Set-Based Concurrent Engineering can improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of the development process. The study shows that set-based projects can be driven within an existing organization, if given proper support. The participants claim that a set-based approach has a positive effects on development performance, especially on the level of innovation, product cost and performance. The improvements were achieved at the expense of slightly higher development costs and longer lead time. However, the positive effects are dominating and the companies involved intend to use Set-Based Concurrent Engineering in future projects when appropriate.