Product Innovation Process: A Model Based on Manufacturing Readiness Level (Mrl), Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (Dfma) and Technology Readiness Level (Trl)

Abstract

The product development process is important for industrial competitiveness. Many companies have been reorganizing from a sequential to an integrated path known as simultaneous engineering, whose objective is to reduce development time and costs. This paper proposes a model to improve the use of simultaneous engineering by integrating project and manufacturing knowledge areas based on concepts of Manufacturing Readiness Level, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly and Technology Readiness Level. Based on a bibliographic review and a preliminary study conducted over one year in a multinational metalworking company, a model was proposed that is a systematic approach composed of a sequence of activities and tools to be applied in the early stages of product development. To evaluate this model, a workshop involving professionals who work in the product development was held. The results show an integration of proposed engineering areas into a product development process, reflected by a product cost reduction of 20% and manufacturing investments of 25%, which are mainly related to a 33% reduction in number of parts and to changes in the concepts of joints and in the component manufacturing process. The effectiveness of the model was also proven as a working tool and a reference model.