Methodology for Dimensioning Technological Interfaces of Manufacturing Process Chains

The paper introduces a methodology for process chain planning that is based on the optimisation of technological interfaces and uses multi-criteria optimisation techniques. The manufacturing of helical car-gearings including precision forging technology was investigated as a reference for validation. An employment of modern materials and technologies is often not sufficient for an optimisation of entire process chains. In the future, technological and computational integration of alternative production technologies will be decisive for long-term success. This integration can be seen as an important step towards sustainable process chain optimisation. Having this in mind, the positioning of technological interfaces has been addressed by scientists at Hannover University.