Strobl, D. (2019). Process analysis and optimization of fastening elements [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12708/79392
fasteners; optimization; product portfolio; process analysis
de
fasteners; optimization; product portfolio; process analysis
en
Abstract:
The world is a very competitive place, companies are trying to be the number one in sales regarding their fields. In order to compete on the market, it is also a legitimate business strategy to diversify the product portfolio to serve the current customer needs by providing many possible solutions. Based on this tactic, the over-diversification characterizes the situation at many companies which has to be controlled to maintain traceability of production, assembly, logistical and administrational processes. As there is an overloaded production at the company OBO Bettermann, there is a need for an inspection of the sophisticated process of the assembly of the exceptionally diverse fastening elements (henceforth named as fasteners) which are built into a large number of products. The target items of this project are all the threaded fasteners that the company purchases – or produce – (screws, bolts, nuts) and furthermore, other additional elements such as washers and specially formed parts. It is recommended to monitor and analyse the whole process from purchasing until the delivery of the finished products. The analysis is based on product requirements, technical parameters, material specifications, types of applications, assembly solutions, packaging types, warehousing and further economic aspects. The main obstacle in this project is the number of product built-ins. Considering the limited time for developing a solution to the mentioned assignment, it is advisable to find a method which can be used to implement for other alternate product spare part merges. The aim of this project is to reduce the number of current fastening elements to a feasible extent so that the implementation of these spare parts will not affect negatively the productivity rates of products where they are built-in elements, resulting a higher (business) return. In addition, the intention is also to decrease lead times when an order is being processed which can also be an outcome of the optimization.