Automatisering av produktionsprocess Kartläggning hos Hitachi ABB Power Grids

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this thesis is to identify areas where the present production process can be more effective with the help of automation solutions and how this efficiency can contribute to improved productivity, quality, safety and ergonomics. Today, Hitachi ABB Power Grids has a manual manufacturing process for customized power transformers and seeks to meet a demand that requires a more automated approach. The research problem deals with five workstations for Hitachi ABB Power Grids production process of the internal components of power transformers. These workstations are connectors (A-donet), core stacking (including core cutting), winding, active part assembly and final assembly.  The study's questions are, 1. how should Hitachi ABB Power Grids manually based production process be more effective through automation solutions? and 2. which automation solution meets the best requirements of increased productivity, quality, safety and ergonomics with acceptable profitability? To answer these questions and achieve the thesis purpose, the study was carried out in the form of a qualitative case study, which data was collected via documents, observations, interviews and literatures.  Hitachi ABB Power Grids current production process was studied and a dialogue was held with the employees. Consequently, the obstacles that have prevented Hitachi ABB Power Grids from implementing automation were identified. Together with a market description, several concept proposals have been brainstormed. Core-laying machine is a potential automation solution in Hitachi ABB Power Grids production but is not taken into account based on the company's needs. The study resulted in Augmented Reality (AR) in the production process for increased communication. A complete solution is discussed to avoid a shifting effect that can occur when automating only one workstation. If the company implements the core-laying machine, the bottleneck will disappear at this workstation where pre-cut sheet metal is waiting to be used. Consequently, a new bottleneck would arise at the winding which would not be able to maintain the same speed, thus more cores can be manufactured than to be wound. To maintain the same productivity, the total workstation area of the winding should be widened and make room for more winding stations. The workforce that was previously at the core, can be trained to become a winding worker which can be made more efficient by letting the workers be trained in a mixed reality. The conclusion is that Microsoft's AR equipment, HoloLens 2 Remote Assist, is the automation solution that best meets the requirements of increased productivity, quality, safety and ergonomics. An investment in this information technology solution would result in a payback period of 12 months.