Romax outlines roadmap for process improvement ‘Right first time’ is key to staying ahead of the competition in the automotive industry
Increased competition for organisations operating in sectors such as the automotive industry is intensifying the production process, resulting in emphasis placed on shorter design and development times. In order to address this, firms are being encouraged to adopt a ‘right first time’ approach within the early design and analysis phases, therefore saving time on errors without compromising on quality.
The challenge for organisations can often be when it comes to implementation. To address this, a new white paper from driveline design simulation experts Romax Technology has outlined six key steps which need to be considered when applying ‘right first time’ to improve the design and development process.
Recent research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed that confidence is returning to the UK automotive industry, with new UK car sales this year seeing the strongest September on record in the last ten years. While the fallout from this is positive for the industry, carmakers will be forced to identify how it can best stay ahead of competitors, while accounting for tighter-budgets, addressing green initiatives, whilst not compromising on speed and quality
The design and development stage is widely identified as one particular area in which efficiencies can be made. Traditionally, the earliest stages of production are carried out in isolation with prototypes tested and problems fixed later during the production process. The fallout from this includes slow development cycles, high development costs, opportunity for miscommunication and errors and limited opportunity for innovation.
Championed by Romax, the ‘right first time’ approach aims to update designs at the right time, early on in the design process where changes can be made with comparative ease, and in turn minimise late changes in the design and production process.
Jonathan Airey, Director for Software & Services at Romax said, “Looking particularly at the automotive industry and speaking to our customers, the market is performing well but manufacturers and designers are under constant pressure to achieve faster market results. An example of this is GKN Driveline, one of the
world’s leading manufacturers of automotive driveline who has discussed the importance of getting it ‘right first time’ in order to meet increasing customer expectations and faster development cycles.”
In order to address this Romax has identified six key steps which need to be considered to ensure ‘right first time’ is implemented effectively: • Educate & Evangelise: Senior management up to the highest levels need to understand the benefits provided by early analysis and its strategic importance in design and development
• Assess: Firms must complete a full audit of your design and development process – to understand the scale of the challenge, and better target activity
•
Identify: It’s important to find the ‘quick win’ areas where analysis can add immediate value
• Implement: Organisations must deploy appropriate analysis tools in the area(s) identified – and do so with commitment based on senior management buy-in and sponsorship
• Focus: Firms must ensure they have effective analysis tools at the concept design stage that are able to consider layout, centre distance, gear and bearing sizing, loads, packaging, NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness)
• Improve: Firms must be prepared to continuously monitor, update and develop your processes – continuous improvement will consolidate and extend the gains being made
Jonathan continued: “The focus of the paper provides a resource for firms looking to implement a more open and flexible platform when it comes to design and development. More focused analysis in the planning stage enables easier comparisons to be made with previous designs and with competitive products. It helps inform more realistic target setting as well as pointing designs in the right direction at a time when effective changes can be made with minimal long term impact.”
LINK
www.campaign.romaxtech.com/
Right-First-Time-White-Paper.html
Ergon Europe Selects Orbichem Petrochemicals as its Exclusive Naphthenic Oil Distributor in South Africa
Ergon Europe MEA, recently announced it has appointed Orbichem Petrochemicals Pty Ltd (Orbichem) as its exclusive naphthenic insulating oil, base oil and process oil distributor in South Africa and the sub-Saharan African region.
Orbichem, a member of the Calulo Group of companies, is an established regional distributor and marketer of petrochemical products, specialising in premium base oils and specialty oils.
Cliff Classen, CEO of Orbichem said, “The partnership with Ergon ushers in a new era not just for Orbichem, but for the region as a whole. Having Ergon’s range of oils available to the region is a major boon. That Ergon chose Orbichem as its partner in Africa is also a landmark sign of support for new, emerging African-owned businesses in the oil industry.”
Per Klintstam, President of Ergon Europe MEA said, “Bringing our products to South Africa and the sub-Saharan African region is an important step in Ergon’s strategy to make our naphthenic oils available across the globe. In Orbichem, we have found an ideal partner to achieve steady, long-term growth in the region. We’re excited about this opportunity to provide Ergon’s base oil, process oil and transformer oil products to a wide range of new customers.”
LINKS
www.ergoneurope.com
www.orbichem.co.za
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LUBE MAGAZINE NO.125 FEBRUARY 2015
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