Practical Framework of Manufacturing Technology Management for Efficient Cooperation between Design and Manufacturing Sections

One of the most important issues in technology management at manufacturing companies is establishing practical methodologies for efficient integration of product design technologies for creating competitive functions and manufacturing technologies for producing high-quality, low-cost products with a short lead time. Many research studies concerning cooperation between product design and manufacturing technology sections have been reported, such as concurrent engineering and design for manufacturability. However, in these research studies, concrete management methods and practical frameworks from the viewpoint of manufacturing technology were not fully discussed. In this paper, a practical management framework of the manufacturing technology management required for promoting efficient cooperation between product design and manufacturing technology sections are discussed and proposed, with references to actual applications, as one of the methodologies of manufacturing technology management for strengthening the competitiveness of manufacturing industries.