Case-based product development of a high-pressure die casting injection subset using design science research

Abstract

High pressure die casting is widely used in metalworking industry. Many of the components and devices directly linked to the hot parts are subjected to severe wear. However, some design updates can enlarge the lifespan of these components and devices. This paper proposes to show how a sustainable maintenance can be obtained by focusing resources on the analysis of the critical problem and its consequent mitigation, whereas they are originated on the human, machine/process or supplier level. Design science research (DSR) was the iterative research methodology chosen to integrate this work. The completion of the objective with the implementation of this new injection subset concept brought extremely beneficial results, such as reduction of its consumption, reduction of acquisition cost and waste generated, and reduction of the intervention time during maintenance operations, as well as increase in equipment availability time.