Lean Manufacturing Research - Project Objectives

The objectives of this research project are to create a library of components called the VDEPS library. These modelling elements will be used to simulate production facilities. The modelling elements will contain programs that implement Lean Manufacturing Enablers. The Lean Enablers will encourage and inform the user of mistakes and possible methods to make a lean production facility. For example when setting up a machine tool the modelling element will encourage the user to include TPM (Total Productive Maintenance). Once the production facility has been modelled the user will be able to create a Value Stream Map of the work flow and optimise the work flow using such tools as Genetic Algorithms and Design of Experiments.

In this project the library specifications and uses cases are being supplied by two users Magna Intier Automotive and Perkins Engines. The project deliverables are being provided by the technology providers SimX, De Montfort University, Virtalis and Sustainable Technology. The project is a three year R&D project funded by the Technology Strategy Board.