TY  - THES
A1  - Juneja, Nikhil
T1  - Development of a feasibility & cost analysis template for assessing the automation potential of an assembly line integrating the Design for Automation principles.
N2  - Recent global and technological trends have intensified the demand for automation in manufacturing, presenting both opportunities and challenges. The biggest challenge for industries is the effective implementation of automation at the shop floor level. However, blindly adopting automation can lead to wasteful investments and inefficiencies. To counter this, industries require a robust framework or tool. This tool should evaluate the automation potential of already existing assembly lines, focusing on “Retrofit Automation”, and guide them in making wise decisions, ensuring that investments align with the objectives. Businesses need a smart approach to automation decisions, one that boosts efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness with minimal complexity and efforts. Despite the growing interest in digitalization and technological advancements, companies often find it challenging to implement automation due to uncertainties. This framework acts as a bridge, empowering businesses to make well-informed decisions and effectively evaluate costs. 
Consequently, this master's thesis aims to develop a comprehensive feasibility and cost analysis template. It assesses various design-for-automation factors, identifying the most crucial ones. This process would lead to a comprehensive framework for investigating automation viability through technical and commercial analysis, which would become the cornerstone for strategic decisions. 
The master's thesis draws from both extensive literature research and practical industry insights, validating the template through a case study and a thorough examination of necessary data. By systematically assessing the existing processes and choosing the factors that match the corresponding process, automation potential of the existing assembly lines is calculated. This thesis serves as a valuable resource, supporting industries to implement automation effectively and paving the way for the progressive stages of automation.
Y1  - 2024
UR  - https://epub.fir.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/3486
CY  - Aachen
ER  -