OVERVIEW

The training is based on a general feasibility analysis that allows to define, through different phases, the elements useful for the design, construction and operation of the system. The course aims to provide mechanical engineering students with the conceptual aspects to study, design and manage these systems through a systemic approach, techniques and methodologies widely used in the industrial field.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Creating the basis for addressing design and economic-managerial aspects over the entire life cycle of a plant. The training is based on a general feasibility analysis and provides through various phases, the elements useful for the management and construction of the system. Industrial competitiveness and sustainability trends will be discussed in the first part. The second part of the course is focused on a preliminary feasibility analysis that allows to define, through different phases and steps, basic elements useful for the design, construction and operation of production systems. The third part provides practical approaches to operate and manage production systems and related logistics using ICT.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with a methodological toolbox for the analysis, preliminary design and management of complex industrial production systems through:

• understanding the role of manufacturing industry and production systems in industrial competitiveness;
• acquiring methods for the design and configuration of industrial plants and production systems;
• developing competencies for carrying out techno-economic feasibility studies;
• the ability to analyze production flows, layouts, production capacity and operational requirements;
• understanding the role of information systems and data in factory management;
• introducing sustainability, resilience and digital evolution topics in production systems.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• understand the role of production systems in the contemporary industrial context and within competitiveness dynamics;
• classify different typologies of industrial plants and production systems;
• analyze the main components of an industrial feasibility study;
• interpret relationships among products, production processes, layouts and resource organization;
• evaluate technical, economic and logistical elements in the preliminary design of a production system;
• use basic tools for inventory, flow and production capacity analysis;
• understand the role of factory information systems and data in industrial decision-making processes;
• interpret the main evolutionary trajectories of production systems with respect to digital and sustainable transition;
• communicate industrial design problems and solutions in a structured manner.

PREREQUISITES

Fundamental exams of Mechanical Engineering of the First Level Degree.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is organized through:

• interactive lectures;
• guided exercises based on application cases;
• discussion of industrial case studies;
• use of basic quantitative tools for production system analysis;
• use of presentations and supplementary material provided through AulaWeb.

Attendance is higly recommended.

Classes will be supported by teaching materials in both Italian and English.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Production systems and industrial competitiveness

• The role of manufacturing industry in economic systems
• Industrial competitiveness, productivity and sustainability
• Evolution of production models
• Classification of production systems and industrial plants

2. Production system design

• Product–process–plant relationship
• Configuration of production systems
• Industrial layout typologies
• Preliminary sizing and production capacity

3. Techno-economic feasibility study

• Market analysis and definition of requirements
• Product and production process study
• Process flow analysis
• Industrial services study
• Preliminary feasibility analysis

4. Flows, materials and operational management

• Flow logics in production systems
• Introduction to inventory management
• Requirement sizing
• Elements of operational planning

5. Information systems and digital factory

• Industrial information systems
• Factory data and decision support
• Introduction to digital factory paradigms
• Evolution toward interconnected production systems

6. Sustainability and resilience of production systems

• Resource efficiency
• Environmental impacts and lifecycle thinking
• Robustness and resilience of industrial systems
• Digital and sustainable transition of manufacturing

7. Economic evaluation and industrial decision-making

• Break-even point (BEP) analysis
• Elements of industrial investment evaluation
• Quantitative support to design decisions
• Discussion of industrial case studies

Practical activities

• Industrial plant location study
• Layout and flow analysis
• Inventory management
• Industrial feasibility study
• Economic investment analysis and BEP
• Integrated exercises

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Course slide and material on AulaWEB.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/8720/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam with 1 general question, 1 specific and vertical and 1 designing exercise.

Esame scritto con 1 domanda generale, 1 di tipo specifico e 1 esercizio progettuale.

Optional oral exam if the written grade is greater than or equal to 18/30.

The test will be on all the topics presented and discussed in class.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it ), the School's disability liaison.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written exam will allow to verify the general knowledge and in the answer the quality of the exposition, the correct use of the specialized vocabulary, the ability of critical reasoning will be evaluated. The exercise part is aimed at verifying the student's analytical ability to resolve.

The test will last 1-1.5 hours depending on the questions.