Assembly Planning Process

Assembly planning process involves a sequence of tasks that bring together all the parts. We look at this via the assembly of pencil sharpener. The steps involved are outlined in Fig. 6.1. 

Understanding the planning processes described in these documents and how the information being assembled will be used is a prerequisite for determining which computer application will best address the specific set of needs involved. 

Sometime before, after, or dining the planning process, the development team is assembled. Even though it may not follow in that sequence, the process of building the team will be discussed even before the planning phase. The steps in building the team are probably as important as any in a serious development task. Even if it is to occur later, it must be considered carefully in laying out the plan. 

The core team for a new vacuum cleaner motor is usually small (ca. 3 members). Internal communication, therefore, is not problematic. It is not realistic to collocate the extended team (tooling, assembly line, process planning). Extended team members are working on the project part-time only. Specific knowledge and methods for the vacuum-cleaner development are presented in Fig. 22.10. 

Computer-aided automation of process design requires a whole new approach to part manufacture and assembly planning. This centres on the decision logics, formulae, algorithms and data extractions. This approach is labelled as the Generative Method [4]. Examples of such procedures are Decision Trees, Decision Tables, Axiomatic and Expert systems. Regardless of their approach they remain complex in nature and this led to the specific applications, such as those in sheet metal fabrications and electronics manufacture, where parameters are more... 

After all the tasks have been analysed in this manner it becomes possible to integrate the information on time and cost and output the summary as shown in Fig. 4.5. This information incorporates all aspects of the part manufacture. When this part is used in the assembly planning it appears as a live relationship. Any changes in it are directly reflected in the assembly planning information and this enables the connectivity of all process information in an integrated fashion. 

Moreover, sourcing processes are also carried out at the laptop distributors as well as at the desktop retailers place. Here, laptops and desktops are sourced for further distribution. Regarding the distribution processes, they are carried out at various places in this example. However, the desktop distribution center and the laptop distributor represent the assembly point for the worldwide distribution of the products. The plan process associated with the planning activities required to operate the supply chain are conducted at the headquarter. The source returns as well as the deliver return processes are not carried out in this specific example. 

The planning process central focus will be the trade-offs between the loss and gain in performance for layout, fabrication, assembly, and test versus the costs in these domains. Therefore, some major considerations will be discussed in the following sections ... 

Draw up the work plan The final step in this development methodology is to define the work pian, a process that breaks down into work-sequence and work-resources pianning. The former entails drawing up work and assembly plans and machine controi programs. The machines and jigs are designed in work-resources planning, with number of units to be produced, tolerances, and capacities all taken duly into account. 

Work planning deals with detailing of the blank (type of blank and its dimensions), definition of process sequencing, choice of production resources (machines and tools), and calculation of specified times for the process steps. Assembly planning... 

An additional part of the pre-planning process consists of assembling the equipment you wdl need to perform your investigative duties. This equipment should be contained in an accident investigation kit. 

The two most important activities of the Project Planning Process are development of the SEMP and assembly of the IPDT. 

For example, the characteristic dimension A on the cover support leg was critical to the success of the automated assembly process, the potential failure mode being a major disruption to the production line. An FMEA Severity Rating (S) = 8 is allocated. See a Process FMEA Severity Ratings table as provided in Chrysler Corporation et al. (1995) for guidance on process orientated failures. The component cost, Pc = 5.93 and the number planned to be produced per annum, N = 50000. 

Fitting analysis. For this to be possible, an assembly sequence plan must be constructed and the difficulty of assembling each part in the sequence rated using the design for assembly analysis tables. Difficult assembly tasks and non-value added processes are revealed as candidates for correction by redesign. Simple concepts such as the ability to assemble in a layer fashion can result in major cost savings. 

The test sample to have successfully passed all planned in-process and assembly inspections and tests prior to commencing qualification tests... 

The production plan referred to previously is a work instruction, as it instructs those to whom it applies to carry out certain tasks. Control procedures may include assembly procedures, plating procedures, painting procedures, maintenance procedures, etc. and differ from process specifications (see later) in that the process specification defines the results to be achieved in operating a process rather than how to run the process. In addition to the list of contents provided in ISO/TS 16949 clause 4.9.2, the documentation should define ... 

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