Process Automation in a Medium-Sized Mechanical Engineering Company. Development of a Systematic Approach for the Identification of Potentials

Masterarbeit , 2020 , 133 Seiten , Note: 1,3

Ingenieurwissenschaften - Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen

In this thesis, a transferable concept is developed to identify possible automation potentials in existing processes in small and medium-sized enterprises, taking into account the following research questions: How does the existing process of machine labeling work? What are the weak points of the current process of machine labeling? How can possible weaknesses be eliminated and, in the best case, automated? Can the developed concept be transferred to other processes? This in turn raises the central research question of the scientific paper: How can a structured procedure for the identification of optimization potentials as a basis for process automation look like and what has to be considered when applying it?

To answer these research questions, existing concepts in the relevant literature are examined with regard to their advantages and disadvantages for the planned application. From this, a procedure divided into three main steps is developed, which offers different methodologies for the steps to be worked on. The process to be investigated and the desired primary goal of automation determine which of the methods should be used. Subsequently, the practical suitability of the developed concept is tested on the given example process of machine labeling of a medium-sized mechanical engineering company. The results of the exemplary application show that it is possible to develop a clearly structured and easy to handle concept for a medium-sized company, which recognizes the weak points and optimization potentials.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• List of Abbreviations
• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 Problem Definition
• 1.2 Literature Review
• 1.2.1 Existing concepts.
• 1.2.2 Process.
• 1.2.3 Automation.
• 1.2.4 Small and medium-sized enterprises.
• 1.3 Research Question
• 1.4 Hypotheses
• 2. Method
• 2.1 Object
• 2.2 Procedure and methods
• 2.2.1 Process analysis.
• 2.2.1.1 Process identification.
• 2.2.1.2 Process recording.
• 2.2.1.3 Process documentation.
• 2.2.1.4 Process evaluation.
• 2.2.2 Target Concept Creation
• 2.2.2.1 Conception of target processes
• 2.2.2.2 Comparison to the current situation
• 3. Results
• 3.1 Process analysis
• 3.1.1 Process identification.
• 3.1.2 Process recording.
• 3.1.3 Process documentation.
• 3.1.4 Process evaluation.
• 3.1.5 Summary of the process analysis
• 3.2 Target Concept Creation
• 3.2.1 Conception of target process.
• 3.2.2 Comparison to the current situation
• 4. Discussion
• 4.1 Confirmation / Disconfirmation Hypotheses
• 4.1.1 I. Hypothesis.
• 4.1.2 II. Hypothesis.
• 4.1.3 III. Hypothesis.
• 4.2 Limitation
• 4.3 Implication
• 4.4 Conclusion
• References
• Annex

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to develop a transferable concept for identifying automation potentials in existing processes within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), using the example of machine labelling at F Maschinenbau GmbH. This concept aims to provide a structured approach to identifying weaknesses and optimisation potential, ultimately leading to the development of automation solutions. The study examines the current process of machine labelling and explores its strengths and weaknesses. It also investigates the feasibility of applying the developed concept to other processes.

• Systematic identification of automation potentials
• Structured approach to process automation
• Implementation of automation solutions in SMEs
• Improving process efficiency and reducing error rates
• Increasing process reliability and reducing costs

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter 1: Introduction outlines the problem definition, a review of relevant literature, the research question, and the hypotheses guiding the study. It addresses the challenges faced by SMEs in adopting Industry 4.0 and automation solutions, highlighting the need for a structured approach.

Chapter 2: Method details the structured concept developed for identifying optimisation potential, encompassing the process analysis and the target concept creation. It describes the object of the study, F Maschinenbau GmbH, and its existing processes.

Chapter 3: Results presents the findings of the process analysis, covering the identification, recording, documentation, and evaluation of the machine labelling process. This chapter includes the application of methods like Activity Focus Analysis (AFA) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) to identify weaknesses and potential for improvement. Subsequently, the chapter outlines the creation of a target concept, encompassing the design of the target process and its comparison with the current state.

Chapter 4: Discussion critically analyzes the results obtained, examining the confirmation or disconfirmation of the initial hypotheses. This chapter discusses limitations encountered during the study and highlights the implications of the research findings. It concludes with a summary of the main findings and future recommendations.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The thesis focuses on the systematic identification of automation potentials, process automation, and its application in SMEs. It examines key concepts such as process analysis, target concept creation, Activity Focus Analysis (AFA), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), and Industry 4.0. The study uses the example of machine labelling at F Maschinenbau GmbH to demonstrate the practical application of the developed concept.

• Hochschule: University of South Wales
• Note: 1,3
• Autor: Felix Metzger (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2020
• Seiten: 133
• Katalognummer: V1183172
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346613554
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Prozessanalyse, Mittelständische Unternehmen, KMU, Identifizierung von Potentialen