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In 2006, Michelin produced 190 million tires. Its Technology Centers are
located in France, the United States and Japan, however the Group counts 69
production sites in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa, in order
to meet the needs of the consumer market for replacement parts that accounts for
70% of sales.
Thus, several sites could manufacture and implement a production machine.
Models were developed by TraceParts according to
Michelin's specifications
In order
to reduce development, manufacture and maintenance cost for production, the
Michelin Group has used a standardization policy for several years now for both
technical and sales standards with industrial parts suppliers.
Jean-Claude AVRILLON, a member of the Group’s
Standardization Department, explains the origin of the procedure to us:
"In the early 90’s, Computer Aided Design was used mainly for designing
special machines, with software for 3D designing. We quickly realized that our
designers would be tempted to use libraries containing blueprints or models
provided by manufacturers via electronic platforms. Although their use might
have saved time for designing or creating models, it also may have worked
against our objectives for standardization and cost control. Yet, there was a
real potential for saving time in research. Therefore, we had to go along with
the procedure of using libraries while providing a framework. Better yet,
libraries would serve as platforms for our standardization procedures."
Michelin launched a bid to two component library providers and retained
TraceParts in 1995. In particular, specifications stated that the Group should
have its own library using specific methods of representation enabling easy
consultation and sales with suppliers. The library had to be one of the
components of standardization based on standardization work in terms of:
• Parts description
• In-house codes
• Classification (see insert about Michelin’s involvement in PFI)
However, Michelin was not to be in charge of handling the library's design for
both graphic modeling and programming.
"TraceParts was able to prove its skills in providing
quality models – even the most complex – as well as its ability to personalize
its product according to our requirements", recalls Jean-Claude
AVRILLON.
One representation for several suppliers
Manufactured machines use some components on the market that have standard
representations (an example: jacks). Therefore, the program generates one
representation for these components. For other parts, the Standardization
Department led a meticulous research study to define a graphic envelope “with
the maximum amount of space” enabling definition of a single generic component
to be applied to several manufacturers.
The machine’s designer does not have to worry about which supplier to choose
because he only has access to a set of “compatible” parts in terms of technical
space and characteristics. A unique Michelin item code is associated with this
component. The code is used to generate nomenclature.
This meticulous study is completed by a sales research study of suppliers. The
“sales” platform enables finding components for each item code that were
included in contracts.
 For
standardized components (sections, joints, fastenings, etc…) the library has
them all, “under control”. In fact, standardized dimensions are not always
“carried” by suppliers and Michelin has limited the use to only those that are
available on the market.
Models are developed by TraceParts according to Michelin’s specifications and
following two types of graphic representation. That is because although many
machines are designed in 3D using SolidWorks, older machines that need to be
maintained were designed in 2D using AutoCAD. In the first case, the imported
model is a volume component; the user can also select the context for use, for
example, a cylinder rod guide. In the second case, the user can select one or
several views of the part.
A homogenous work interface was implemented to facilitate model selection and
placement.
More than a graphic representation
In addition to the item code and 2D and 3D representations, various technical
documents and guides are provided for each part to help designers select
component placement. TraceParts ensures links between the library and documents
that are created by Michelin’s Standardization Department.
Emphasis has been put on assisted part searching. The library takes advantage of
the Group’s work on classification and suggests relevant criteria for selection,
including advanced technical characteristics. These criteria accelerate the
selection process as well as guarantee their validity.
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The library may be accessed directly from each designer’s
workstation in the Engineering Department, as well as in
the customer service department, sales and spare parts
department and in general, by all people who work in
manufacturing operations.
"Sub-contractors make machines for our factories",
specifies Jean-Claude AVRILLON. "They have access to
a specific Trace-Michelin portal. The Group informs
TraceParts of certified sub-contractors and they are
given access to the portal that provides access to our
libraries and associated documents and guides for online
consultation or downloading. Sub-contractors also have
access to the purchase platform that enables them to
order required parts from our suppliers. For one item
code, sub-contractors have the choice between up to four
items on the market. For standardized components,
sub-contractors can also select a local supplier in
order to reduce supply costs."
Rigorous controls before deployment
The Standardization Department has 20 employees. One of
its roles is to define standardized representations that
are sent to TraceParts (with the objective of reducing
maximum weight of models), to receive and verify
libraries and finally, to provide help to designers. A
“library work group” periodically brings together
department members and designers in order to take into
account designers’ needs and wishes.
It also has the mission to develop all reference systems
that are associated with components (specifications,
guides, instructions). Finally, its mission is to make
available all entities that work on machines that are
included in the manufacturing process, including
sub-contractors who design equipment.
A unique, universal library to ensure success
The library is unique and universal, however data can be
removed using two languages, the choice is made when
extracting nomenclature. In the same manner, some local
measurement units (dimension, power…) specified during
selection.
95% economy on design alone
The Michelin Group carried out an in-house survey with 80
machine designers. Although reduced engineering time was
not the main objective, economy during this stage is
very significant: a designer that did not have access to
the library when designing a model spent an average of 2
hours and 30 minutes (specification research and
information, modeling, identification). Using the
TraceParts library, the average time was reduced to 3
minutes!
"The economy is impressive but it is only one portion
of total economies", recalls Jean-Claude AVRILLON.
"We also have to take into account the increase in
modeling quality, decrease in errors, increase in
reliability of exchange and naturally, the economies
further down the line for purchases and machine park
management."
Tracing components
Built-in tools also enable tracing components in
equipment. When opening a file for a particular machine,
component updates can be set to automatic if the
original reference library was too old. In addition, the
codification that is used immediately displays
standardization status for every part on the market that
is used in the machine: elements are labeled
“standardized”, in “warehouse for maintenance” or
“obsolete” (that means that it is no longer on the
market or is no longer certified by Michelin). The list
of obsolete parts can be edited in order to define
replacement parts.
A partnership choice confirmed by experience
“Our experience with TraceParts since 1995 reassured
us in our initial decision”, concludes Jean-Claude
AVRILLON. “The continuous
addition of catalogues and associated tools as well as
TraceParts’ rigorous attentiveness to our specifications
makes TraceParts a key element in our standardization
policy and its success.”
Striving for Standardization instigated by Industries in the Automobile
Sector
Jean-Claude Avrillon represents Michelin at the PFI Authority (Products for
Industrial Operations), a project for Grouping and Improving Liaisons in the
Automobile Industry (GALIA). The PFI workgroup addresses issues for
standardized identification in component catalogues and covers codification,
description, classification (e-cl@ss) of these products, using international
tools or standards. It especially strives to put pressure on industrial
component manufacturers in order to incite them to adopt these standards
that represent economic challenges that are altogether beyond the only needs
of the automobile sector.
For further information:
Michelin website:
www.michelin.com
Contact us:
info@traceparts.com
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