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The development from prototype construction to workshop production of an advanced underground locomotive: A case study
Author(s) -
Dale B. G.,
Winderbank J. M.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
randd management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.253
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1467-9310
pISSN - 0033-6807
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9310.1985.tb00031.x
Subject(s) - production (economics) , process (computing) , work (physics) , point (geometry) , order (exchange) , volume (thermodynamics) , manufacturing engineering , transport engineering , computer science , development environment , engineering , construction engineering , business , mechanical engineering , software engineering , geometry , mathematics , physics , finance , quantum mechanics , economics , macroeconomics , operating system
This paper reports on the problems encountered and their subsequent solution during the development and construction of an advanced locomotive from prototype to full production assembly. A fleet of these locomotives are to work in the UK National Coal Board's (NCB) Selby coalfield. In order to ensure that all the information was accurately recorded and could be applied to a reasonably precise point in the development process, visits were made to the company at intervals of about two weeks. In developing products of this nature a strongproblem solving capacity is a necessity and in the main it was found that engineering and theoretical design problems were solved quickly and once solved did not recur on subsequent units. Strong links between specialist suppliers and customers are vital, since components will often be used in unfamiliar applications and the customer may have to spend time carrying out applied development of suppliers' components. The development and production of the locomotive would have been aided by the NCB providing more accurate specifications, giving an indication of future volume requirements and being better prepared to site test the prototype after its delivery.