- Karthik Subramanian, Dr John Olsen & Dr Erik van Voorthuysen, University of New South Wales
DOWNLOAD CONFERENCE PAPER - 39-karthi-subramanian
This paper discusses recent thinking on the topic “Small Is Beautiful” and how this may apply to manufacturing. With advances in robotics and automation, control systems and vision, the downscaling of processes may become technically and environmentally feasible. This paper presents the concept of scalability as it applies to manufacturing processes. It examines economic, technical and social factors that influence the so called “optimum plant size” and looks at the development of technology so as to suggest ways to realise downscaling.
BIOS:
Karthik Subramanian is a PhD student in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales. The topic of his thesis “Scalability of Manufacturing Process”.
Dr John Olsen served an apprenticeship as a fitter and machinist with Elcom Collieries, working at Newvale No 2, Newstan and Awaba Collieries. He later worked as a fitter and machinist at both Newvale No 2 and Newstan Collieries. Dr Olsen completed a mechanical engineering certificate at Tighes Hill TAFE in 1988. He later completed a mechanical engineering degree (1st and Dean’s Medal ) at the University of Newcastle. Dr Olsen did a PhD on the ‘Control of jet turbulence’, completing in 2001. Dr Olsen has been a lecturer at the University of New South Wales since 2002. He has interests in thermodynamics, simulation and the production of biodiesel.
Dr Erik van Voorthuysen conducts teaching and research in the fields of industrial robotics, automation, process control and data acquisition, reliability and life-cycle engineering, computer simulation and manufacturing management at the University of New South Wales. He has gained over twenty years experience in industry as a consultant with Cap Gemini and McKinsey & Co, and as founder and director of an engineering consultancy specializing in process control and asset management. He continues his work with industrial partners in robot design, process control and asset management. Recent research success includes an improved maintenance system for aircraft-engine overhaul resulting in significantly increased on-wing time. Current research focuses on small scale manufacturing and low cost robotic systems, both specifically aimed at SMEs.