Virtual Commissioning During the Manufacturing Equipment Procurement Process : From an Industrial Expert Point of View

• The procurement process of investing in new manufacturing equipment can be time-consuming and complex. This is especially prevalent in manufacturing companies specializing in production of cutting-edge low volume components. The focus of increased digitalization in the era of industry 4.0 has brought to light novel technologies, such as virtual commissioning, factory scanning, digital twins, and their respective digital models. The aspects of virtual commissioning in relation to the procurement process were investigated through a case study at a manufacturing company.The data collection was explorative and qualitative, including mapping of the case company procurement process and four in-depth interviews with industry experts, performed during spring 2023. The industry experts were selected to enlighten the procurement process from different angles, i.e., project management, electrical installations, robot programming, and maintenance.The findings from the study are fourfold. First, the existing procurement process was mapped and holistically explained from the viewpoints of different work functions. Secondly, improvements to the current procurement process were identified. Thirdly, the current use of virtual commissioning in the procurement process was brought to light. Finally, challenges and possibilities for using virtual commissioning in the procurement process were brought forward.The conclusion displays possible improvements to flow and time aspects of the procurement process and thus application of virtual commissioning is worthwhile to consider. However, the industrial experts, taking part in the interviews, bring forth certain skepticism and challenges of using virtual commissioning. Thus, to move forward, it is important to proactively engage experts and other employees concerned with sought development. This emphasizes the industry 5.0 perspectives of humans’ interaction and critical thinking when facing challenges of industrial digitalization. Future research is therefore encouraged to involve joint discussions between industrial experts in focus group settings and extending the study to incorporate more functions i.e., managers and machine operators.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Bearbetnings-, yt- och fogningsteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Lärande (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Learning (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Virtual Commissioning; Virtual Production Development; Procurement Process; Industry 4.0; Industry 5.0

Production Technology

Produktionsteknik

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kap (subject category)