ITR: Collaborative Research - Information Technology Issues for Complex Engineering Product: Mass Customization in Geographically Distributed Environment

这项研究是一项调查的问题与信息技术在制造复杂的工程产品，采用大规模定制的北/南加工制造系统。 大规模定制是一个概念，其基础是根据客户的要求，在很短的交货期内生产和交付具有不同配置的产品。 据信，大规模定制可以为墨西哥的出口加工制造商提供竞争优势，并减少海外业务的就业机会和业务损失。 这项研究将集中在IT骨干的发展，这是成功实施大规模定制方法组装复杂的定制产品的关键。 本研究有三个关键要素：确定一个适当的设计方法，为大规模定制的复杂，客户定义的产品，为北/南出口加工制造环境，确定制造方法，以支持大规模定制;以及识别关键信息技术问题，以实现产品设计-部件制造-产品装配，以优化大规模定制过程中的成本和速度方面的有效性。本研究的结果将提供一个总体框架，以了解与大规模定制相关的信息技术问题。 在这项研究中要解决的长期目标是：一种方法的识别和建模的产品变体及其对大规模定制的影响;一种方法的识别和建模的制造过程及其对大规模定制的影响;一个适合大规模定制的度量;一个概念框架的信息技术问题在大规模定制;和评估的概念框架。 这项研究将在密歇根州立大学和位于德克萨斯州下格兰德河山谷的德克萨斯大学泛美分校联合进行。 这两个机构的位置反映了许多出口加工业务的地理配置-北部的工程功能和南部的制造。 参与这项研究的工业合作伙伴，在密歇根州的总部和出口加工业务在得克萨斯州，和应用大规模定制框架开发的制造业务，根据北/南计划，特别是历史上经济落后的地区在南得克萨斯州提供的好处。

This study is an investigation of the issues associated with information technology in the manufacturing of complex engineering products using mass customization in the north/south maquila manufacturing systems. Mass customization is a concept based on the processes associated with the production and delivery of products with diverse configurations, as prescribed by the customer, with a very short lead time. It is believed that mass customization can provide a competitive advantage for the Mexico based maquila manufacturers and reduce the loss of jobs and businesses to overseas operations. This research will focus on the development of the IT backbone which is critical for successful implementation of mass customization methodology for assembly of complex, customized products. There are three key elements of this research: the identification of an appropriate design methodology for mass customization of complex, customer-defined products for the North/South maquila manufacturing environment; the identification of manufacturing methodology to support mass customization; and the identification of critical Information Technology issues for integration of product design-component manufacturing-product assembly to optimize the effectiveness in terms of cost and speed of the mass customization process.The results of this research will provide a general framework with which to understand the information technology issues associated with mass customization. The long term goals to be addressed in this study are: a methodology for the identification and modeling of product variants and their impact on mass customization; a methodology for the identification and modeling of manufacturing processes and their impact upon mass customization; a suitability metric for mass customization; a conceptual framework for information technology issues in mass customization; and an evaluation of the conceptual framework. This research will be jointly conducted at Michigan State University and the University of Texas - Pan American, that is located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The location of the two institutions mirrors the geographic configuration of many maquila operations - engineering function in the north and manufacture in the south. Participation in this research by industrial partners that have home offices in Michigan and maquila operations in Texas, and application of the mass customization framework developed should provide benefits for the manufacturing operations that operate under the north/south scheme; particularly the historically economically disadvantaged areas in South Texas.