Precision Concept Design Model of Manufacture for Competitive Advantage

Introduction:

PREMADE was a three year applied research project.

The stated aim of the wider PREMADE programme from its Project Initiation Document was: ‘… to design an integrated tool that validates the manufacturability of a design and gives precise cost breakdown. A digital engineering model will utilise design geometry to simulate the assembly process and will also model cost as well as cycle time as key decision criteria. Primary studies will be in aerospace and automotive, but will be relevant to any assembled product eg the built environment/micro-electronics.

Key objectives included:

1. simulating manufacture
2. accurate product costing
3. reduced lead-time
4. capturing expertise and knowledge
5. competitive design

LERC was involved in targeting, designing and implementing a new pull system in BAB’s fuselage panel manufacturing centre.

Publications

Journal Papers:

DARLINGTON, J., FRANCIS, M., FOUND, P. and THOMAS, A. (2016). Targeting Lean Process Improvement Projects for Maximum Financial Impact, Production Planning & Control, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp.114-132.

DARLINGTON, J., FRANCIS, M., FOUND, P. and THOMAS, A. (2015). Design and Implementation of a Drum-Buffer-Rope Pull-System, Production Planning & Control, Vol. 26, No. 6, pp.489-504.

Conference Papers:

DARLINGTON, J., FRANCIS, M. and FOUND, P. (2009).  Implementing lean-flow in an aerospace supply chain, Proceedings of 14^th International Symposium on Logistics, Istanbul, Turkey, 5-8 July, pp.34-41.

DARLINGTON, J., FRANCIS, M. and FOUND, P. (2008).  Flow accounting: effective performance assessment for the lean enterprise, Proceedings of 13^th International Symposium on Logistics, Bangkok, Thailand, 6-8 July, pp. 53-61.

DARLINGTON, J., FRANCIS, M. and FOUND, P. (2008).  Flow accounting in application: big picture financial mapping in the aerospace industry, Proceedings of 13^th International Symposium on Logistics, Bangkok, Thailand, 6-8 July, pp. 62-68.

CURRAN, R., BUTTERFIELD, J., COLLINS, R., CASTAGNE, S., JIN, Y., FRANCIS, M., DARLINGTON, J. and BURKE, R. (2007).  Digital lean manufacture (DLM) for competitive advantage, Proceedings of 7^th AIAA Aviation Technology Integration and Operations Conference (ATIO), Belfast, Northern Ireland, September 18-20, Electronic Ref AIAA 2007-7868.

Books/ Chapters:

DARLINGTON, J., FOUND, P. and FRANCIS, M. (2015). Flow accounting: The Next Challenge for 21st Century Businesses, In A. Chiarini, P. Found and N. Rich (Eds.), Understanding the Lean Enterprise: Strategies, Methodologies and Principles for a More Responsive Organization, Springer International Publishing AG, Heidelberg, pp. 79-99, ISBN 978-3-319-19995-5.

DARLINGTON, J., FRANCIS, M. and FOUND, P. (2009). Flow accounting in the aerospace industry, In Lean Accounting: A Tool for Lean Transformation, The ICFAI University Press, Hyderabad, pp. 170-178, ISBN 978-81-314-2491-9.

Other Official Outputs (Reports, Case Studies, Practitioner Publications etc):

Queens University Belfast/ Cardiff University (2010).  PreMade Final Project Report,  Queens University Belfast/ Cardiff University, Belfast, 2010.

Queens University Belfast/ Cardiff University (2010).  Digital Lean Methodology for Manufacturing Assembly Process (DLM-MAP),  PreMade Project Graphical User Interface, Queens University Belfast/ Cardiff University, Belfast, 2010.

DARLINGTON, J., FRANCIS, M. and FOUND, P. (2008).  C04 Pull System Design at Bombardier Aerospace Belfast: Final Report (WP3/D3), PreMade Project, Lean Enterprise Research Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, 03/04/08.

DARLINGTON, J. and FRANCIS, M. (2007).  Big Picture Financial Mapping at Bombardier Aerospace Belfast: Final Report (WP2/D6a), PreMade Project, Lean Enterprise Research Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, 24/08/07