Value Engineering

Value Engineering is an interdisciplinary system of product/process analysis based on assignment of use value and prestige value and tempered by cost.

Value /cost is the figure of merit

Information: gather facts and determine costs

Analysis: define cost functions and identify problems(opportunities)

Creativity: Brainstorming ideas to solve problems(no judgment)

Evaluation: select ideas to be developed and costs involved

Implementation: presents facts,costs, and values to management, forma plan, get resources, accomplish something

Design

• Can the design be simplified without loss of function?
• Can unnecessary features be eliminated?
• Can the design be made lighter/smaller?
• Have all alternative designs been examined?
• Are assigned tolerances and finish call-outs too severe?
• Has assembly and maintenance been considered?
• Has the total part count been minimized?
• Can exotic parts, materials or sources be reduced? Standardize!

Materials

• Do the materials selected have properties sufficient to meet reasonable service conditions?
• Can cheaper materials be substituted for more expensive ones?
• Do selected materials require special manufacturing equipment, facilities, or great care in processing?
• Are the materials to be ordered available in standard sizes, finishes, tolerances, etc.?
• Is the material supply reliable?
  

Processes

• Have all other manufacturing processes been investigated?
• Are the methods chosen economical now and as the demand changes?
• Can the part be formed and shaped rather than made through material removal?
• Are machining, deburring, finishing, etc. required and necessary to obtain desired functionality?
• Is tooling available, cheap, plentiful?
• What value does any produced scrap have?
• Are the process parameters optimized?
• Can computer controls be added?
• Can group technology be implemented for parts with similar geometric or manufacturing attributes?
• Are inspection techniques and QC being implemented properly?