Title: Towards a model for robust design and design process in one-of-a-kind production of large power transformers

Authors: Mitja Varl; Jože Duhovnik; Jože Tavčar

Addresses: Kolektor ETRA d.o.o., Šlandrova ulica 10, SI-1231 Ljubljana, Slovenija ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract: The robust engineering seeks for design of products and processes insensitive to changes in the work environment and to the variation of the components. The robust process has built-in mechanisms to detect potential errors on time, to eliminate them and to initiate all the necessary measures to ensure the same error does not occur again. One-of-a-kind production is characterised by unique products which contain characteristics of prototypes with all the imperfections. Such an industrial environment is very specific, therefore robust design process plays a key role in the final value of the product. Based on a systematic analysis of the sample company, this paper proposes a model of multi-level, systematic approach for a complete renewal of system information and working methodology, where reorganisation of activities are anticipated to result in an increase of overall effectiveness.

Keywords: robust design; robust engineering; robustness; one-of-a-kind production; OKP; individual production; unique products; parametric design; lean methods; concurrent engineering; simultaneous engineering; technical information systems; power transformers; product design; design process.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2016.076578

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2016 Vol.9 No.1, pp.67 - 88

Received: 02 Jul 2015
Accepted: 17 Jan 2016
Published online: 14 May 2016 *

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