How Industry 4.0 Technologies can enable Product Modularization within the Low-Volume Manufacturing Industry: The Case of Alstom
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
This study explores how companies within the manufacturing industry canutilize Industry 4.0 technologies to enable product modularization,particularly in a low-volume manufacturing context.Since 2011, when Industry 4.0 was first introduced, it has brought about asignificant shift in the manufacturing industry by promoting an increaseddegree of customization and more flexible production.As customers’ need for more customizable products continues to grow,many manufacturing companies face problems keeping up with thedemands. This forces companies to focus on individual customer needs.Industry 4.0 has a central role in introducing product modularization tosatisfy customer demand by implementing digital technologies in themanufacturing environment.A case study was conducted with Alstom, a multinational company focusedon train component manufacturing. Alstom develops and markets mobilitysolutions that provide a sustainable foundation for the future oftransportation. They have a comprehensive product portfolio ranging fromhigh-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams to turnkey systems,services, infrastructure, signaling, and digital mobility solutions.A literature review was conducted to explore which Industry 4.0technologies enable product modularization in low-volume manufacturing.A single case study was conducted with eight interviews to explore whichare the underlying internal and external factors behind the decision to utilizeIndustry 4.0 technologies to enable product modularization in a low-volumemanufacturing context.This paper’s findings contribute to a better understanding of the internal andexternal factors for why companies within the manufacturing industrydecide to utilize Industry 4.0 technologies to enable product modularization,particularly in a low-volume manufacturing context. The paper alsoprovides direction for future research in this field.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 77
Keywords [en]
Industry 4.0, Product Modularization, Manufacturing Industry, Low-Volume Manufacture
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-54311OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-54311DiVA, id: diva2:1884234
External cooperation
Alstom
Educational program
Master's Programme in Industrial Management and Innovation, 120 credits
Presentation
2024-05-30, R3144, Kristian IV:s väg 3, Halmstad, Halmstad, 09:15 (English)
Supervisors
Examiners
2024-07-152024-07-152025-10-01Bibliographically approved