A modeling approach to logistics in concurrent engineering

This paper advocates logistics involvement in the early phases of product design and development in a concurrent engineering environment. A concurrent engineering environment and the benefits of such involvement are explained in detail. The paper focuses on facilitating an interface and a collaboration between the designer and the logistician. A conceptual interface for design for logistics is presented. Four areas of interface are considered: (a) logistics engineering, (b) manufacturing logistics, (c) design for packaging, and (d) design for transportability. A set of detailed design factors pertaining to each area are presented. A modeling approach, Bond Energy Algorithm, is used to accomplish the design for logistics concerns developed throughout the paper. An example is provided to test and validate the algorithm. The results are analyzed and appropriate perspectives for managerial implication of the methodology are provided. Finally, some conclusions and assessments are presented. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.