A Case Study for Financial Feasibility of Automated Costing Support in A Small Machine Shop

Authors

Benito A. Gonzalez, University of Texas-Pan American

Date of Award

8-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Manufacturing Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Alley Butler

Second Advisor

Dr. Rajiv Nambiar

Third Advisor

Dr. Douglas Timmer

Abstract

A knowledge-based cost estimating expert system is chosen by a Mexican machine shop. Differences between the traditional experience-based system employed and the automated system are studied. Data is gathered to analyze time effectiveness, accuracy and payback of the software. Data from seventy part models is recorded to study the time experiment, and data from fifty part models is used to study the accuracy and consistency. Data is analyzed by calculating mean, standard deviation, and test of hypothesis. The results indicate that the software is faster than the traditional quoting system; however, the payback point is high. Also, results show the software has a smaller average time-to-manufacture percentage difference between the automated system and the actual time-to-manufacture (TTM) compared to the percentage difference between the traditional’s TTM and actual TTMs, and this difference is statistically significant. The standard deviation for the automated system is also less implying better consistency.

Comments

Copyright 2012 Benito A. Gonzalez. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/case-study-financial-feasibility-automated/docview/1152530433/se-2

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American