Concurrent Engineering: Research and Applications Devolved Manufacturing

Recent changes in the product creation process have shown reductions in design and manufacturing time and costs due to the introduction of new manufacturing philosophies, and computer based methods. Major improvements have also been found in the distribution phase by use of sophisticated logistic scheduling and monitoring systems. However reductions in delivery costs and times look set to be reversed by increasing congestion on road/rail/air routes. The growth of the Internet and World Wide Web has created new opportunities and most organizations are introducing some form of e-commerce. The term e-manufacturing is now being used to describe attempts to optimize the use of manufacturing facilities by allowing interaction with, and control of, these facilities from geographically distant locations, typically using the Internet/www as the communication medium. This approach uses the conventional ‘model’ of manufacturing. Although the removal of some problems – e.g. those due to time-zones or language – can lead to performance gains, problems associated with delivery remain due to the increased distances to customers. In order to overcome the inherent limitations of the conventional approach and create true e-manufacture, a new approach is required which utilizes existing and emergent technologies to devolve the manufacturing process closer to the customer and thus avoid long distance distribution problems. Possible benefits of this approach include the potential for true mass customization (‘individualization’), elimination of logistical problems, reduction of waste and requirements for working capital, and the creation of new global markets.