Issues on Introducing Model-Based Definition - Case of Manufacturing Ecosystem

Abstract

The benefits of Model-Based Definition (MBD) are well known. Considering this there is a need to understand the reasons why MBD is utilized rarely in the manufacturing ecosystems of low volume, customized products. For studying MBD, manufacturing ecosystems and their mutual relations a literature study and a case study of manufacturing ecosystem were applied. It was noticed that there are differences between the maturities of digital product processes between the actors of the ecosystem, while MBD itself is a matter affecting the whole ecosystem. Investing in education and renewing, integrating and harmonizing processes, legacy data and software lower barriers towards adopting MBD. The motivation of the actors of an ecosystem has to ensure investments and commitment to change. The investment decisions require an ecosystem wide value definition and business case for each actor. The role of an actor within an ecosystem, how common or niche the utilized product and production technology is and the economic situation of a company appear to impact companies' willingness to change into MBD. Also, the motivation to adopt MBD depends on the amount of legacy data and the complexity of manufactured parts. Adopting PMI-data can increase the efficiency of manufacturing processes, such as quality control.

Will Model-Based Definition Accelerate the Inspection Phase in the Manufacturing Process?

“…Parts 1 and 2 are machined and Part 3 is 3D-printed part. Parts 1 and 2 were used in the collaborative industrial project (Uski et al, 2020). Part 3 we created for this experiment to represent complex part for inspection.…”

Model-Based Definition Accelerates Product Life Cycle in Manufacturing and Inspection Phase – Experiment of Machined One-Off Production

“…A manufacturing ecosystem is one kind of business ecosystem (Paulus-Rohmer et al, 2016;ISO 44001, 2017). The manufacturing ecosystems were researched in the joint development and research project called "Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem" (IME) during 2019-2020 (Uski et al, 2020). The manufacturing ecosystem in the project consisted of one keystone company, four suppliers and an inspection laboratory.…”

“…Generally, automotive and aerospace companies have been the leading industries in introducing this new technology. However, several issues on implementation of MBD have been recognized, such as: High investment costs, technological limitations, interoperability, authenticity, trustworthiness, and transformational issues (Quintana et al, 2010;Ruemler et al, 2017;Uski et al, 2020). Bijnens and Chesihre (2019) give a critical and practical analysis on implementation of MBD.…”

“…This entity is called as manufacturing ecosystem and there is a need for exchanging product and manufacturing information between engineering and manufacturing organizations. This need is one of the known issues for implementation of semantic PMI (Quintana et al, 2010, Ruemler et al, 2017, Uski et al, 2020. Especially in conventional manufacturing ecosystems all required changes for implementation of MBD have been found time consuming and challenging to companies especially due to required investments on hardware and software as well as on staff training for new work practices (Uski et al, 2020).…”

“…This need is one of the known issues for implementation of semantic PMI (Quintana et al, 2010, Ruemler et al, 2017, Uski et al, 2020. Especially in conventional manufacturing ecosystems all required changes for implementation of MBD have been found time consuming and challenging to companies especially due to required investments on hardware and software as well as on staff training for new work practices (Uski et al, 2020). Therefore, the latest phase in this development is still rarely adopted in most companies.…”