Reducering av en komplex produktstruktur : - En studie av bränsletanksinstallationen på Scanias lastbilschassier

Sammanfattning: The product structure of the fuel tank installation is one of the most complex product areas at Scania. Caused by the number of parameters, which affect the fuel tank installation, a product structure is created which is very difficult to handle. Knowledge exist that the structure in a nearby future will be considerable more complex. The purpose of the study has been to understand in why this complexity exist and find ways to break the trend of a growing product structure. The goal was to achieve a more standardized fuel tank installation. A theoretical study was performed in order to bring knowledge in relevant areas both in general theory but also in documentation at Scania. A comprehensive study was made over the parameters that affect the fuel tank installation including a weighting of impact, reduction potential and resource quantity. The result of this showed that the separation of chassis installation between the wheel configuration is the major concern when endeavor for a standardized chassis installation. After a comprehensive look at the similarities between the wheel configurations and chassis adaptations all the chassis were divided into three groups in regard of the arrangement of the steering and driving axles. The installation is proposed to be carried out within each of this three groups and then only driven by the axle distance. This would promote the standardizing work and it is estimated that there is a great potential in achieving large resource savings in the future. A small number of technical solutions was investigated very basic with an intention to give rise to future studies. The conclusion of this study is that a standardization of the chassis should be made by grouping the wheel configurations. An interface group with the focus area of the side member side is recommended to be started. A new chassis installation should be built from scratch with a characterization by standardized installation and positions of Scanias components located between the wheel axles.