Production engineering

This thesis presents a methodology of Comparative Analysis of different Design for Assembly (DFA) Methods. Three DFA methods, Boothroyd's Design for Assembly, Design for Assembly Guidelines and Value Analysis are compared. A "Select DFA Software," is developed using Turbo C++, which would enable a product designer to make a comparative analysis of different DFA methods from which the designer can chose from. In using the Software the designer is not required to know in detail the different DFA methods. Responses to, easy to understand factors that affect the selection of a DFA method enables the designer to use the Software meaningfully. Two case studies are conducted for application of the DFA Software and the three different DFA methods.

This thesis involves original research in the area of semantic analysis of textual databases (content analysis). The main intention of this study is to examine how software engineering practices can benefit from the best manufacturing practices. There is a deliberate focus and emphasis on competitive effectiveness worldwide. The ultimate goal of the U.S. NAVY's Best Manufacturing Practices Program is to strengthen the U.S. industrial base and reduce the cost of defense systems by solving manufacturing problems and improving quality and reliability. Best manufacturing practices can assist software engineering practices in a way that when software companies use these practices they can: (1) Improve both software quality and staff productivity; (2) Determine the current status of the organization's software process; (3) Set goals for process improvement; (4) Create effective plans for reaching those goals; (5) Implement the major elements of the plans.