Advanced machine service support using Internet-enabled three-dimensional-based virtual engineering

Moore, P. R., Ng, A. H. C., Yeo, S. H., Sundberg, M., Wong, C. B. and De Vin, L. J. (2008) Advanced machine service support using Internet-enabled three-dimensional-based virtual engineering. International Journal of Production Research, 46 (15). pp. 4215-4235. ISSN 0020-7543

Abstract / Summary

This journal paper describes international collaborative research undertaken between Volvo Car, Volvo Powertrain, Euromaint (now Coor Maintenance AB), Delfoi, AP&T and the Universities of Skovde (Sweden) and De Montfort (UK), prior to the author joining Falmouth University. The research programme was commissioned and funded by the Knowledge Foundation (KK Stiftelsen) of Sweden and the British Council’s UK ‘Overseas Student Scholarship Scheme’. The research investigates pioneering approaches to supporting the maintenance and servicing complex machine systems in remote physical and geographical locations., Virtual engineering models had been used previously in the design and development lifecycle of manufacturing machine systems; this study pioneered the use of such tools in the operational phase of machinery (including service and maintenance). However, the key innovation was tight integration between these virtual engineering tools and Internet-based support tools. The system architecture was verified by implementations using different toolsets and various Internet technologies. A case study approach was used in the implementation forms of the testbeds, which include a prototype cylinder head (Volvo), an assembly cell at Euromaint and a robotic multiple press line at AP&T.

This novel approach to remote machine service support devised in this collaborative study informed the strategies and investments made by Euromaint, a special purpose machine systems builder, for the remote support of clients’ systems (in Sweden and worldwide). Euromaint clients included Volvo Car, Volvo Powertrain and AP&T.

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