Concurrent Engineering

Developed by: Robert Wyant Penn State University

What Will Be Covered

Concurrent Engineering Defined Brainstorming Nuts and Bolts How It Works

Example of Concurrent Engineering

An Exercise

Concurrent Engineering Defined 1st Definition

The simultaneous performance of product design and process design. Typically, concurrent engineering involves the formation of crossfunctional teams. This allows engineers and managers of different disciplines to work together simultaneously in developing product and process design.
Foster, S. Thomas. Managing Quality: An Integrative Approach. Upper Saddle River New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001.

Concurrent Engineering Defined 2nd Definition

Concurrent engineering methodologies permit the separate tasks of the product development process to be carried out simultaneously rather than sequentially. Product design, testing, manufacturing and process planning through logistics, for example, are done side-by-side and interactively. Potential problems in fabrication, assembly, support and quality are identified and resolved early in the design process.
Izuchukwu, John. Architecture and Process :The Role of Integrated Systems in Concurrent Engineering. Industrial Management Mar/Apr 1992: p. 19-23.

Brainstorming
Brainstorm some ideas about Concurrent Engineering How can this tool be used in your organization?

Nuts and Bolts

Basic Tenets of Concurrent Engineering

-Doing things simultaneously -Focusing on the Process -Converting hierarchical organizations into teams

Nuts and Bolts

Basic Goals of Concurrent Engineering

-Dramatic improvements in time to market and costs -Improvements to product quality and performance -Do more with less

Nuts and Bolts

Concurrent Engineering = Teamwork

-The more communication exists, the better the product.

Balances Needs

-Customer, Supplier, Engineers, Marketing, and Manufacturing needs.

Nuts and Bolts

Management

-Good mgmt is vitally important -Encourage communication -Strong mgmt support

How it Works

3 Main Areas to Concurrent Engineering 1) People 2) Process 3) Technology

How It Works
Area 1: People

-Formation of teams

-Training

How It Works
Area 2: Process

-Changes in your processes

-Be open to change

How It Works
Area 3: Technology

-CAD/CAM

-Software. Hardware, and Networking

How It Works
Basic Summary

-Most important aspect is People -Process and Technology: Dont be afraid of change

Real World Example

Titan Linkabit -Develops circuit boards

- CAE technical manager, Chip Ciradot

Real World Example

Titan Linkabit -Old CAD system: 21 weeks to develop 8layer circuit board. -Implemented new CAE tools and CE -New circuit board: 12 weeks to develop, 10 layers, twice the functionality of the 8 layer.

A Short Exercise
Come up with some ideas as to how

implementing Concurrent Engineering could be useful in your organization? How will you form teams? Open communication? Change processes? Implement technology?

Summary
Concurrent Engineering: Simultaneous

development of product and process. Most important aspect is communication and formation of teams Management support is vitally important Dont be afraid to change current processes and technologies

Bibliography
Foster, S. Thomas. Managing Quality: An Integrative Approach. Upper Saddle River New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001. Izuchukwu, John. Architecture and Process :The Role of Integrated Systems in Concurrent Engineering. Industrial Management Mar/Apr 1992: p. 19-23. Litsikas, Mary. Break Old Boundaries with Concurrent Engineering. Quality Apr 1997: p. 54-56. Mills, Robert. Concurrent engineering: Alive and well. CAE. Aug 1993: p. 41-44