SEED Guides Selecting Manufacturing Processes < >

The purpose of this section is to provide a general guide as to what processes may be suitable targets for a component and Figure 5 shows the process selection flowchart. The principal intention is that the candidate processes are selected before the component design is finalised, so that any specific constraints and/or opportunities may be borne in mind.

To this end, a PRIMA selection matrix (see Figure 6) has been devised based on two basic variables:

• Material type
• Production quantity

As mentioned previously there are many cost drivers in process selection, not least component size, geometry, tolerances, surface finish, capital equipment and labour costs. The justification for basing the matrix on material and production quantity is that they mix PRIMA technological and economic issues of importance. The boundaries of economic production can be vague when so many factors are relevant, therefore, the matrix concentrates rather more on the use of materials.

By limiting itself in this way the matrix cannot be regarded as comprehensive and should not be Fabrication techniques are not included in the selection matrix due to their unique application in joining and assembly. Such processes can be used for all production quantities, including one-offs, and are used on many different types of material and the reader interested in fabrication techniques should refer to reference (1).

Figure 5 Process selection flowchart

Figure 6 PRIMA selection matrix