Concurrent Simultaneous Engineering Systems

Competitive edge in today's world markets can only be achieved by an integrated approach to manufacturing. Concurrent or Simultaneous Engineering offers the promise of a reduced product development cycle, using complex technologies to satisfy customer demand for high quality, competitively-priced products brought to market in minimum time. The CONSENS implementation of Concurrent/Simultaneous Engineering (CSE) is an integrated package developed over recent years by some of the leading manufacturers and research institutes in Europe. It is the product of the flagship EU research project into the use of IT in Manufacturing led by the Fraunhofer Institute in Stuttgart. In particular, this study describes the management of change, network organisation, CONSENS architecture and module integration, SiFrame Management Information System, design for CSE and industrial implementations of CONSENS.

1. Introduction. - 2. A Concept for Revitalisation of Product Development. - 2. 1 The Worldwide Tendencies in Economy. - 2. 2 The New Orientation for Product Development Interactions between Time, Costs, and Quality. - 2. 3 Concurrent Simultaneous Engineering (CSE) Strategy and Methodology of New Oriented Product Development. - 2. 4 Topics of Concurrent Simultaneous Engineering. - 2. 5 Implementation of Concurrent Simultaneous Engineering A Business Process Re-Engineering Approach. - 3. The Organisational Environment of Concurrent Simultaneous Engineering (CSE). - 3. 1 Required Characteristics of a CSE Organisation. - 3. 2 Project-management in a CSE Organisation. - 3. 3 Team Organisation. - 3. 4 Incentive & Motivation in a Team Organisation. - 3. 5 Organisational Learning in a Team Organisation. - 3. 6 Conclusion. - 4. Enabling Technologies I: The CONSENS Platform. - 4. 1 Support of CSE by the CONSENS Platform. - 4. 2 The main Components of the CONSENS Platform. - 4. 3 Modules of the CONSENS Platform. - 4. 4 Summary. - 5. Enabling Technologies II: CONSENS Tools. - 5. 1 Introduction. - 5. 2 Support of CSE by Product Oriented Tools. - 5. 3 Product Oriented Tools. - 5. 4 Support of CSE by Project Oriented Tools. - 5. 5 Project Oriented Tools. - 5. 6 Conclusion. - 6. Case Studies of Successful CONSENS Implementation. - 6. 1 Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbH. - 6. 2 Dasa Military Aircraft Division. - 6. 3 Hidrosorefame. - 6. 4 ALCATEL BELL. - 6. 5 AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH. - 7. Future Trends in Concurrent Simultaneous Engineering. - 7. 1 Conclusion of the CONSENS Project. - 7. 2 Co-operation in Engineering Based on Core Competences. - 7. 3 Co-operation via a Global Engineering Marketplace. - 7. 4 Multi-company Development Co-operations. - 7. 5 Conclusion. - Editors and Authors.