Automotive design and assembly system modelling research toolset at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited

The purpose of the research and development, validation and application of an advanced concurrent engineering research toolset, developed by the authors, at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited is to: reflect the customers' requirements in a very competitive world market by focusing on product that is very high quality and reliable; shorten lead time; increase productivity; and improve integration between design, manufacturing and assembly, as well as the logistic system so that alternative supply chains could be evaluated before the product design is complete. This paper discusses some of the strategic issues, as well as gives examples of the modelling methods of the research toolset and some of its applications at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited.