The process planning activities and especially the selection of efficient production technologies are still sequential and insufficiently integrated within the process of product development. This paper proposes a methodology to eliminate this deficiency by means of an integrated configuration and evaluation of technology chains. Basically, the methodology consists of a product-technologymatrix, a modular generic technology chain model and a combined quantitative/qualitative evaluation model. These elements allow an adequate knowledge management concept regarding products, technologies and their relations. Furthermore, a fast configuration of alternative technology chains and a selection of the most adequate for newly designed products are addressed. Finally, procedure descriptions for the application of the methodology as well as an approach for its company specific implementation by different types of software tools are presented.Keywords Production management Á Integrated process planning Á Evaluation
Initial situation and objectivesThe configuration, evaluation and selection of technology chains are some of the most critical tasks regarding the determination of optimal product and production costs. Therefore, it is indispensable that product development procedures are closely integrated with production process planning procedures [1]. Numerous integration efforts like axiomatic design [2], design for manufacturing and assembly [3] or cost-effective development and design [4] were elaborated to bring these functions closer together. Especially, the definition of adequate technology chains forms a sort of linkage between product design and process planning. Within the early phases of product development and process planning, the product design can still be influenced by production oriented optimization suggestions. Consequently, the definition of technology chains represents a key role regarding the divergence of cost determination and cost occurrence [4]. In this paper, a technology has to be perceived as a general production technique. Therefore, the planning of technology chains represents the early phases of process planning.A survey of trends in technology management [5] within German production companies approves the importance of performing a systematic technology management. It is depicted that a proper management of technologies increases efficiency and innovation rate. Therefore, the importance of systematic technology handling will increase. An almost sequential proceeding within product development and process planning is still dominating, even though multidisciplinary teams can often be found. The results within product development and process planning are often dependent on the individual experiences of the involved persons. That means that in practice a lack of standardization in the field of integrating the departments and procedures leads to suboptimal results. These are a partly optimal design and work plan, however, a suboptimal overall result with suboptimal overall costs.
