Applying AFMEA for Improving the Performance of Complex Production Processes

The paper focuses on the topic Advanced Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (AFMEA) along with Behavior Modeling (BM) and gives general guidance in the application of the technique to analyze and improve the manufacturing process. In order to improve process efficiency, product quality through attributes and time to market, a method has been proposed which can be applied to early process design. This is very important in the context of an industry working with Supply Chain Management (SCM). The current method uses BM approach to connect process functions and performance state variables with physical entities. Thus, to have a framework for assessing the cause and effect, it is indeed required that process failures must be defined explicitly. The paper shows how AFMEA applies readily to the early stages of manufacturing process and captures failure modes, normally missed by conventional Process FMEA. An example of a Friction Welding (FW) process in an assembly line of turbocharger industry has been presented to show how BM is beneficial for SCM as compared to traditional FMEA