Innovative Digital Solutions for the Implementation of World Class Manufacturing Methodology and Tools

The present thesis focuses on the theme of innovation in production processes through the adoption of methodologies and tools characteristic of World Class Manufacturing. At first, it analyses the structure of the WCM, with a special focus on the People Development and Logistics & Customer Service pillars by highlighting the importance of the former, for the training of human resources and the continuous improvement of competencies, for the latter of developing safe, flexible and lean flows. In this context, the Skill matrix tools have been digitalized. These are fundamental for monitoring and developing the operators’ competencies, to transform it into a dynamic system able to monitor in real-time the skills present in the company and to support more effective human resources and production management. Regarding the Logistics & Customer service pillar, it has been developed a preliminary study through a discrete simulation with the Siemens software Plant Simulation. The layout of a warehouse for the picking operation has been modelled and partially automatized with the auxilium of an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), to check the feasibility and the potential benefit of this light automation in internal logistics. Overall, the thesis demonstrates how the synergy between World Class Manufacturing and digitalization could represent a good way to transition to a more lean, efficient and flexible company, while maintaining a focus on human beings, especially on workers, and on the environment.