Concept for Planning and Controlling of Multiple, Parallel Engineering Changes in Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

Manufacturing companies have to adapt existing factories due to changing customer demands and new technologies. The coordination of several engineering changes in manufacturing systems is a key factor for the efficiency of their implementation. In this paper, a concept for planning and controlling of multiple engineering changes is presented. The concept includes the preselection, planning and execution of engineering changes. The engineering changes can be classified with regard to their relevance and urgency. The needed work steps for the implementation are deduced from the software-based planning and the time schedule for the work steps is created. The work steps are monitored while executing and events are initiated, if necessary. The concept is implemented in a software demonstrator and validated through this software.