GOALI/Collaborative Research: Module-Centric Approach to Integrated Adaptation of Assembly Products and Supply Chains

GOALI奖的研究目标是为并行产品装配模块设计和供应商选择开发新的建模方法。这些方法将支持快速有效地调整产品组装模块以适应高产品种类，并允许识别产品模块重新配置与供应链性能之间的关键相互关系。本文的研究思路是：(1)结合产品和供应链信息的基于图论的装配表示方法；(2)基于层次多层装配分解的装配生成方法；(3)基于多目标计算方法的装配模块与供应商关联的数学模型。将由参与的大学和行业合作伙伴联合进行案例研究，以验证上述方法。这项研究的成果包括数学模型、启发式算法、用于教育和技术转移的软件和材料。该研究项目的成功将把装配分解和供应链设计从分散的过程转变为一个集成的决策过程，为制造企业及其所有价值流合作伙伴提供更全面的视角。基于图论的装配表示和分解方法将为装配产品的建模和规划提供更有效的创新途径，提高并行工程的水平。这些增强的建模功能和决策工具将有助于最大限度地减少设计部门和供应商之间不必要的冗长迭代，并通过帮助以更低的成本将产品快速推向市场，提高美国制造业的竞争力。所开发的方法和模型可以产生对工业有用的软件系统和信息技术基础设施。该教育计划将促进学习、教学和向行业转让新技术。

The research objective of this Grant Opportunity for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) award is to develop new modeling methodologies for concurrent product assembly module design and supplier selection. Such methodologies will support quick and efficient adaptation of product assembly modules for high product variety, and allow identification of key interrelation between product module re-configurations and supply chain performance. The approach of this research is to develop three methods and integrate them: (1) graph theory based assembly representation method incorporating product and supply-chain information, (2) subassembly generation method by hierarchical multi-layer assembly decomposition, and (3) mathematical models for linking subassembly modules with suppliers for supply chain efficiency using multi-objective computation methods. Case studies will be conducted jointly by participating universities and industry partners in order to validate the above methods. Deliverables of this research include mathematical models, heuristics algorithms, software and materials for education and technology transfer.The success of this research project will transform assembly decomposition and supply chain design from disjointed processes into an integrated decision-making process, providing a more holistic view of the manufacturing enterprise and its all value stream partners. The graph-theoretic assembly representation and decomposition methods will provide innovative ways to model and plan assembly products more effectively, and will increase the level of concurrent engineering. These enhanced modeling capabilities and decision making tools will help minimize unnecessary lengthy iterations between the design department and suppliers, and improve U.S. manufacturing competitiveness by helping bring products to the market rapidly at reduced cost. The developed methodologies and models can lead to software systems and information technology infrastructure useful to industry. The education program will promote learning, teaching and transfer of new technologies to industry.