Integrated Process Chains: From Product Idea to Production System

For the rapid market launch of new and innovative products it is essential that today's manufacturing processes be linked in tightly organised and efficient process chains. Opportunities for successfully optimising these process chains take the form of modern computer-based information technologies and new methods and tools. This article identifies new ways to reduce the time between the product idea and its transformation into a functioning production system, taking the whole system one step further towards the ideal completely integrated, rapid product and production development. The activities of Fraunhofer-IPA dealing with the advancement of integrated processes through the new methods, tools and technologies are the focus of this paper. New methods and opportunities allow for a num ber of improvements. In order to uncover hidden potential, the required processes must be integrated and shortened. Fraunhofer IPA makes use of this approach by involving the various research fields of its institute in a process chain to work on further improvements. This procedure includes a common development environment called the "Centre for Parallel Product and Production Development" for the step-by-step integration of product and production development processes.