AREA: Digital Lifecycle Management
Sub-area: Digital factory Modelling
Dr Kobby A Kodua, Asst. Professor of Digital Manufacturing
(k.agyapong-kodua@warwick.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0)24 7657 4259)
PhD Research area: Cost Engineering of production systems
DESCRIPTION:
In designing processes and resources capable of realising products, the cost of suitable sets
of manufacturing systems is crucial. Many cost engineering techniques have focussed on
product and process technologies with limited concentration on production resources.
A highly motivated PhD student is therefore required to develop the scientific models and
algorithms which underpin the interplay between products-processes-resources and cost.
This research will help to provide new knowledge related to the cost implication of changes
made to products, processes and resources. The research will extend to the development of
virtual production systems models (processes and resources) which can match product
requirements. This will enhance existing product and process-based cost modelling
techniques by introducing new dimensions of virtual production resources, their utilisation
and implication on cost.
The research will lead to the development of:
1. New design methodologies focussed on the integrated analysis of the cost
implication of changes to product, process and resource requirements
2. Enriched knowledge-based cost models of production systems
3. Integrated models of products, processes, resources and cost for virtual design
analyses
Requirements:
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Candidates must have a very good degree in one of the following fields: Mechanical,
Production, Manufacturing, Industrial or Systems Engineering; Operations
Management; Decision Sciences; Computer Science/Engineering; Cost Engineering;
Knowledge Engineering.
Candidates must be self-motivated, possess excellent communication skills, an
ability to work in teams and adhere to project deadlines.
The candidate is expected to develop analytical, visual and computational skills and
submit results of work for publications in academic journals. An original contribution
to knowledge in the field is expected.
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Candidates with some knowledge or experience in any of these: Cost Accounting,
CAD/CAD/CAP/CIM, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ontologies and Semantic
Technologies, Databases, Web-GUI development, Programming Languages (C++,
Java, Visual Basic), Cost Engineering software such as aPriori, are encouraged to
apply