Abstract
In the previous chapters, we learned the basics of Axiomatic Design (AD) as Design theory. We learned that users very often express their wishes as customer needs (CNs). These wishes must then be examined by the designer in order to define functional requirements (FRs). Based on the FRs and the two axioms in AD, design solutions are finally derived, so-called Design Parameters (DPs).
AD can be applied in many different areas such as product development, healthcare, software development but also manufacturing system design. Manufacturing systems are complex entities which can be broken down into their functional elements or requirements by the application of AD and for which suitable DPs can be found.
AD has been used for many years for the design of manufacturing systems. The chapter also shows that the number of uses of AD in manufacturing has increased continuously. While in the past, there were many topics related to specific manufacturing processes and systems as well as lean manufacturing, the focus has changed somewhat in recent decades. Today AD is often used in manufacturing to derive design characteristics for the intelligent and sustainable manufacturing of tomorrow.
In this chapter, several case studies from the field of production management and manufacturing system design are shown. By means of these practical case studies, the students will understand in which cases AD can be applied in industrial practice.
The first case study deals with the derivation of design guidelines for flexible as well as changeable manufacturing systems. The second case study describes the digitization in shopfloor management by developing a tool for a systematic acquisition, analysis, and evaluation of production data. In the third case study, AD is used to design an assembly station in which robots and humans work together and collaborate safely. The fourth case study shows how AD can also be used to derive design guidelines for Industry 4.0 learning factories. Finally, the fifth and final case study deals with the re-design of a demonstrator for cyber-physical production systems.
At the end of all case studies there are short exercises, which students should work on. The exercises encourage students to reflect on what they have learnt, to think on it independently and to apply AD in practical case studies.