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The design of a new production system requires a framework for ensuring that high level system objectives are satisfied by all subsystems and components. Since production system design is a multidisciplinary activity that extends beyond the boundary of any single company, a means to communicate these objectives and provide understanding to outside vendors and suppliers is also important. This paper describes both the framework and guidelines used to design a production system for a recently developed automotive compressor. The actual production system that was designed is given along with specific system and equipment examples originating from the design guidelines. These examples also show how the low level design decisions satisfied high-level system requirements.

The construction of a robust technology demonstrator vehicle for evaluation by senior management is a vital tool in the process of bringing new technologies to the market place. The vehicle must be a fully functional test bench, able to highlight the advantages of the new technology, while at the same time indicating the areas requiring further development. Prodrive has been involved for many years in the construction of advanced engineering concept vehicles, both for vehicle manufacturers and to demonstrate its own chassis and powertrain technologies. This paper looks at the proven methods developed by Prodrive to enable development of a running prototype vehicle and makes particular reference to the technologies used to bring a hybrid vehicle from specification to road in six months. The key to this rapid timescale was the development of the control system and the overall process control.