Investigate and evaluate the potential cost reductions in Wind Turbine Blade manufacturing equipment used within MHI Vestas
Introduction
The manufacture and supply of Wind Turbine Generators is a highly competitive industry with multiple suppliers chasing to win generation sites. One of the criteria suppliers are measured on is the cost of energy. within this there are several areas of potential cost reduction, some being direct as in the reduction in labour or material and material quantity cost that have a direct effect on the cost of a Wind Turbine Generator. Other costs are indirect but have a large effect on profitability, some of the largest investments is the purchase of manufacturing tooling seen as capital expenditure (capex).
The aim of my project is to identify, present and implement cost savings within the manufacturing equipment purchasing. This will be achieved by pursuing several routes including Requirement simplification, identifying the true critical to quality (CTQ) requirements and the level of technology required within a manufacturing tool. Investigation of alternative suppliers and manufacturing technology outside of those normally used within MHI Vestas Offshore Wind and supporting each one of these potential technologies with a risk calculation.
Project Activities
Analysis of current high cost Tooling Requirement specifications assessing them to design, process and quality criteria supplied by business departments.
Based upon review outcomes create new versions of Tooling requirement specifications.
Collaboration with Global sourcing to meet with current suppliers and identify potential new suppliers.
Develop Manufacturing Tooling cost model into a presentable format.
Present cost model to senior level of manufacturing business unit.
Produce a full report for each tool detailing the entire process from conception through evaluation and to delivery, demonstrating the reasoning and factual information behind the cost model.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this project I will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate existing requirements and measure them against challenged/new specifications.
2. Design and present a fully detailed cost model measuring current state against future state.
3. Write a technical report supporting cost models, including recommendations to the business based on the results of research.
Academic Resources
Evidence
1. Technical report 11000 words
o Analysis process
o Definition of requirements
o Conclusions
o Recommendations
2. Reflective review of learnings 3000 words