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This paper presents a method that enables project managers to evaluate the complexity of an intended new product development project and adapt it to ensure fit with the organization's capacities and the project setting. Central hypothesis is that complexity drivers of the project are causing resource consumption and thus costs. Therefore, a systematic evaluation of complexity drivers and their subsequent demand placed on the resources of the organization for each activity of the project needs to be conducted. For this purpose a novel approach based on a resource-oriented process cost calculation method has been developed. The approach includes a consideration of uncertainties regarding the complexity impact and definition of a capacity to tolerate complexity. Consequently, by analyzing the project's complexity for its cost and resource impact as well as comparing it with the organization's capacities, planners are able to identify critical complexity drivers upfront that would disrupt project execution and develop countermeasures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant advances in the development of computer science, information and communication technologies is represented by the cyber-physical systems (CPS). They are systems of collaborating computational entities which are in intensive connection with the surrounding physical world and its on-going processes, providing and using, at the same time, data-accessing and data-processing services available on the Internet. Cyber-physical production systems (CPPS), relying on the latest, and the foreseeable further developments of computer science, information and communication technologies on one hand, and of manufacturing science and technology, on the other, may lead to the 4th industrial revolution, frequently noted as Industrie 4.0. The paper underlines that there are significant roots in general – and in particular to the CIRP community – which point towards CPPS. Expectations towards research in and implementation of CPS and CPPS are outlined and some case studies are introduced. Related new R&D challenges are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular product architectures are used to optimize the tradeoff between product differentiation by increased fit to costumer needs and economies of scale augmented by product standardization. Especially the development and the ramp-up of modular product architectures requires a new development process due to the interdependencies in the product itself, the impact on the production process and the higher level of market requirements. Literature describes different methods for single aspects of the development of modular product architectures, like the modularization of products but does not give a approach which considers all the needed steps and requirements. Therefore, this paper describes an holistic approach for the development of modular product architectures in three stages. In the first phase the requirements for the modular product architecture, that depend on internal and external circumstances, are identified. Based on the requirements the modular product architecture standards are defined. Afterwards the modular product architecture including the modularity as well as the variety and the interfaces are defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A great challenge facing industry today is managing variety throughout the entire products life cycle. Drivers of products variety, its benefits, pre-requisites and associated complexity and cost are presented. Enhancing consumers’ value through variety and approaches for achieving it efficiently including modularity, commonality and differentiation are discussed. Variant-oriented manufacturing systems paradigms, as enablers of product variety, and the effective co-development of variants and their manufacturing systems to ensure economic sustainability are reviewed. Industrial applications and guidelines to achieve economy of scope with advantages of economy of scale are discussed. Perspectives and insights on future research in this field are offered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Maximizing economies of scale and economies of scope simultaneously is a vital issue for producing companies in high wage countries. A decisive enabler for this is the management of product complexity. Due to the strong and far-reaching impact of product complexity on the value added chain, its management requires an integrative consideration of the entire product and production system. The following paper introduces a methodology facing this challenge. The core element of this methodology is an integrative and complexity-focused assessment model. Based on this model an approach for the comprehensive configuration of the product and production system is presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Manufacturers seek customers’ satisfaction by increasing products variety and customization while striving for agility and productivity. Large variations in products scope and production scale are evident. A hierarchy of parts/products variants is introduced to illustrate the propagation of variations. A unified approach that links products design to manufacturing processes, through variation-oriented data structures and planning methodologies, and capitalizes on commonalities, is presented. The use of variation assessment metrics is demonstrated. Methods for manufacturing systems design for variation are discussed. Lot-size capping is introduced to manage variations in batch sizes and product mix. A gearbox case study is used for illustration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Current concepts to achieve product commonality follow static approaches. To achieve economies of scale, standards are defined across the product program. However, these standards typically need to be compromised at new product introductions due to unforeseen innovations and economies of scale decrease over time. Accordingly platform standards need to be re-defined. This paper presents an approach for adaptive product platforms. Degrees of freedom in product and process design are managed pro-actively based on functional and technological models. This way adaptivity towards product innovation can be ensured. The concept of adaptive modular platforms is explained based on a practical application. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Engaging in collaborations and managing relationships within the same have become a major concern for managers in industrial companies. However, the direct transfers of current management approaches to complex networked enterprises working in highly dynamic environments fail regularly, as they lack problem-oriented interdisciplinary inferences. The cooperative EU funded project, COLL-PLEXITY, – Collaborations as Complex Systems – shifts from existing approaches to collaboration. It targets the interdisciplinary development of a Generic Model of Complexity as the basis for a problem-to-system match framework for collaborative systems in the production industry. The paper explains the scientific approach to this model and its expected applicability in production industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Collaborative engineering is the practical application of collaboration sciences to the engineering domain. In today''s highly connected technology-driven economy, the production industry must rely on the best practices of collaborative engineering to stay competitive when designing, manufacturing and operating complex machines, processes, and systems on a global scale. Despite its importance, collaborative engineering is currently more of a practiced art than a scientific discipline. A better understanding of how engineers should collaborate with all stakeholders to accomplish complex tasks that fulfill our increasing social responsibilities is a grand challenge. However, because we currently lack well-defined sciences of human collaboration, we must first establish a scientific foundation of collaborative engineering to develop this emerging field into a rigorous discipline. This paper reports on the CIRP community''s collective efforts to establish such a scientific foundation according to the “Observation → Hypothesis → Theory” development pathway. Our objective is to spearhead the rigorous development of this new human-centered engineering discipline, so that useful knowledge can be generated to educate students and practical guidelines can be developed to enable engineers to become more productive collaboration leaders in the new global production industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High Resolution Production Management describes the approach to set up a network of sensors for online order identification and localisation in production consisting of new and existing information technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA). It is intended to establish a new order optimisation principle between the interlaced planning levels, which allows an improved real-time decision making. Finally, a software architecture is proposed which allows for a consistent interaction of the heterogeneous planning and control systems. The paper introduces the approach and first concepts of High Resolution Production Management and presents first experiences of application to industrial cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Inbound logistics is even in mass production often characterized by a growing number of product variants and the trend towards “lot size one”. In comparison with classic demand-oriented supply principles and Kanban, an event driven planning and control system based on negotiation mechanisms leads to more efficient and secure logistics processes. Therefore three solutions have been developed. To acquire the needed real time information, RFID-tags are used and an electronic assistance system is developed. Second, different levels of information processing provide a dynamic and flexible planning module and a process controlling with plausibility checks. Third, a robust sensing infrastructure on the shop floor can be ensured despite interferences like electromagnetic fields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]