Influencing manufacturability by concurrent engineering

Abstract

This Master Thesis was made for ALTE Oy as a part of on-going research and development projects driven by KONE Oyj. Plastic injection moulded parts which are visible for end-user played a major role in these R&D projects. The objective of this Master Thesis is to clarify how an engineer working as a subcontractor could contribute to global R&D projects in a more effective way. The objective is also to create a tool that helps new engineers in future R&D projects. The main challenges were found to be the lack of knowledge in plastic injection moulding design and manufacturing process, conflicting demands for product features and the co-operation with Chinese manufacturers.

In the theory part of this thesis there is described R&D process, the tools that can be used helping the engineering in R&D process and the impact of globalization. The project teams have to take into concern several demands from different stakeholders and from the end-users. The conflicting demands and the need for faster time-to-market put pressure to the product development team. Concurrent engineering and more co-operative work is needed. Low cost targets for the product contribute to manufacturing taking place in China and parts made by plastic injection moulding.

As a result of this study was created a tool which is helpful in future R&D projects where there are used visual plastic parts in the products. The results of this Master Thesis will help the employees of ALTE to take into account requirements and pitfalls that are faced in the designing and producing plastic injection moulded parts.