Test Drive | Page 39

the processes and resources of a company. ERPs are commonly used in manufacturing because of the complex chain of events that must occur after a manufacturer receives an order from a customer. An ERP reduces warehouse and inventory costs, and results in less waste of materials, time and resources. ERPs also give management access to global business intelligence. Environmental Friendly Processes & Materials - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies regulate the impact of businesses on the environment. The EPA develops and enforces regulations that implement environmental laws enacted by Congress. Environmental Processes are the method in which manufacturing is performed. Environmental Materials are the different types of materials used in manufacturing which cause no harm to the environment. Ergonomics - An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely Experience CAD- SolidWorks/ProE/Catia/NX - Software programs used in the Manufacturing Industry. Facilitation Skills- A facilitator is someone who engages in the activity of facilitation. They help a group of people understand their common objectives and assists them to plan how to achieve these objectives; in doing so, the facilitator remains "neutral" meaning he/she does not take a particular position in the discussion. Flexibility/Agility - In a changing marketplace, businesses have to be able to make changes quickly to adapt to client needs and competitor offerings. This means that companies must be able to master both planning for unexpected changes, as well as have business processes in place that allow for changes. The terms “flexibility” and “agility” are frequently used to describe this aspect of supply-change management. While both have similar end goals, there are clear differences between the two in the business world. When referring to flexibility in supply-chain management, managers generally mean scheduling or planning for an unforeseen development. These types of developments are usually unexpected surprises, but businesses can plan for them and make room in their regular business procedures for adaptations, as necessary. When referring to agility in supply-chain management, managers usually mean being able to respond to unplanned for or unscheduled external circumstances. An example of this is an unexpected terrorist attack. No one would be able to predict such an attack, so grocery stores wouldn’t order extra supplies in advance. However, the test of the store’s agility is seeing how many essential supplies it has in its stockroom, as well as how fast its vendors will deliver more supplies. Fluid Dynamics - The scientific study of the forces acting on liquids and gases and the resulting movements of these fluids. Forecasting - The process of making predictions of the future based on past and present data and analysis of trends. Prediction is a similar, but more general term. Generative Design - Software designs the optimal part based on the parameters governing how the part needs to perform. For instance, programmers specify the loads a new bracket has to withstand during aircraft operation, and then the software can design the bracket, without human input. This can provide a set of design solutions that are inherently different to the shapes created with traditional design methods. Global Standardization (ISO-AWS) - The process of designing things according to a set of agreed international standards. ISO – International Organization for Standardization and AWS – American Welding Standards. Global trade compliance (Product Classification) - The process of classifying products for the purpose of complying with customs authorities, qualifying for free trade agreements and filing entries to customs during the importation or exportation of those products. A slight difference in classification can mean a huge difference in the duties that are paid. Green Facilities/Environments - Are generally healthier, more comfortable, more durable, and more energy efficient and have a much smaller environmental footprint than conventional buildings. Sustainable properties are the future and demand, residential builders, federal government incentives, and local government policy are making driving the initiative for green environments. Hybrid Manufacturing - Additive manufacturing (3D Printing) is not always the best manufacturing process for some designs. Taking a simple example, it is much more efficient and more accurate to create a hole in something with a drill than with additive manufacturing. At the same time, subtractive manufacturing can be incredibly wasteful, with large amounts of the original material being discarded in order to get to the finished shape from a block of an expensive material like titanium. By combining the two processes in a hybrid approach, t