A study on Autonomous Maintenance (AM) implementation was conducted for CNC machine at automotive components manufacturing line in order to identify and measure equipment losses related to availability, performance and quality rate. These values were used to determine the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) of the manufacturing line before and after AM implementation. The project started with AM team formation before it was continued with 5S activities and fuguai (abnormality) detection and restoration. Kaizen was used for continuous improvement to restore deteriorated parts and components of the machine. Autonomous Maintenance standards such as cleaning, lubricating and inspection were developed. The AM team members consistently followed the operator maintenance standards to ensure that machine is always in good working condition. The OEE results were taken daily after AM implementation and compared with the data before the implementation. The average OEE result shows significant improvement from 65.8% to 80.4% after the AM implementation. However, the result still did not achieve the company’s target. The main reason was because the machine was very old, which almost reaches deterioration stage according to the bath tub curve. Some recommendations are suggested as to push the OEE value closer to the company’s target including a review on other pillars in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).

Today competitive manufacturing requires innovative approaches in the production management, as well as for customer satisfaction. Production management requires an effective and efficient maintenance management system. One approach to improve the performance of the maintenance system is through the implementation of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). The key performance index to measure the effectiveness of TPM implementation is Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). The TPM activities will eliminate equipment losses related to availability, performance rate, and quality rate. Hence, the TPM implementation will increase the OEE value. This paper outlines the theories of TPM and OEE. The paper also presents the studies carried out by different authors to show the improvement of OEE through implementation of TPM in manufacturing, such as electronic industry, steel manufacturer, as well as locomotive components manufacturer.

The joint technology using ultrasonic welding is used to bond plastic material. Currently there are many researches to study the feasibility of using ultrasonic bonding to joint other materials. This paper reviewed the study on using ultrasonic bonding to joint multi metal, surface mount component, and textile material. The process configurations of each material are discussed and the results for each study are also presented. The multi metal materials bonding result shows that these materials bonded well to each other. The ultrasonic bonding strength for SMT components was as good as reflow oven and it was cosmetically accepted. The configuration of textile materials is investigated using vibrating ultrasonic horn and stationary anvil using high mechanical vibration and the result show it can be integrated ultrasonically. With advancement of computer control in ultrasonic welding, this technology can be used for any material in future to achieve world class manufacturing.

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites (CFRP) is one of the common materials used in machining by various manufacturing industries. The most persistent challenges during the machining, both concerning the consistency of machined surfaces and the properties of the material, are the difficulties such as fibre pull-out, delamination, and decomposition of the material matrix. This preliminary research highlights the laser machining of thick CFRP using a fibre laser of more than 1 kW. Laser machining experiments have been conducted to examine the ability of the fibre laser machine to cut thick CFRP through their high-quality laser beams. Based on the results, the study showed how the heat affected zone can be reduced when the higher cooling period is used. The effects of modulated beam mode include substantial reductions in HAZ compared with other experimental results. In all experimental attempts, substantial damage has occurred. The results are important in assessing the relationship between laser machining parameters and cutting results.

This paper describes the proposal of Poka Yoke Roller Coaster (PKYC) jig as a device to detect nut weld missing of door patch base line model (BLM) at assembly line station. The PKYC was proposed in order to detect nut weld missing problem and to reduce cycle time and manpower that lead to higher cost by applying quality management concept as a problem-solving tool. This special purpose tool was capable to meet specific job based on industrial need by providing repeatability, interchangeability and accuracy in the manufacturing of products. A Quality Control (QC) approachcalled the Zero Quality Control (ZQC) was used to achieve zero defects at production line. In order to reach zero defects, poka yoke method was applied in this research. Outcomes indicate that PKYC can be utilised as a custom-tailored jig for detecting nut weld missing as well as fulfilling other objectives.