18th APIS User Meeting in September 2012: review, lectures, and pictures
More than 200 participants made the 18th APIS User Meeting in Würzburg a very well-attended and highly successful event.
First of all, we would like to thank our external lecturers:
- Orkan Özdemir (Autoliv B.V. & Co. KG)
Preparation of FMEA – Boundary diagram, P diagram, robustness checklist - Martin Werdich (Werdich Engineering)
Modeling along the development reality – an integrated solution for the future - Dr. Alexander Schloske (Fraunhofer IPA)
Safe logistics processes through systematic risk analysis with FMEA
Securing of mechatronic systems through functional safety and special characteristics - Dr. Ulrike Jaeger (Institut für Potenzialmanagement)
Requirements for the FMEA moderator for failure analysis in teams – neurobiological processes - Jane Krakow (Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG)
Simultaneous engineering in practice - Andreas Beckert (Continental Automotive GmbH)
Simultaneous engineering – comparison of application approaches - Nenad Bartolic (Festo AG & Co. KG)
Prevention and detection actions in the error chain
The range of topics comprised…
- Preparation of an FMEA (Orkan Özdemir, Autoliv B.V. & Co. KG):
A general approach for the robust product development was introduced, in which FMEA, boundary diagram, parameter diagram (P diagram), and robustness checklist play a role. The simple example of a “seat belt buckle” was used to describe how the individual components are interdependent. - Thoughts on an integrated solution (Martin Werdich, Werdich Engineering):
Starting with a historic review, the need for further optimizations in the environment of FMEA methodology was demonstrated. The structure and function block diagram, an extended failure net, and the layered function block diagram are the introduced extensions, which led to the question whether the time is ripe for such improvements. - Logistics processes and FMEA (Dr. Alexander Schloske, Fraunhofer IPA):
Logistics processes that are as safe as possible were the topic of this lecture. After examples of the known FMEA elements in the field of logistics were described, it demonstrated that FMEA and value stream design (VSD) complement one another. The conclusion for a logistics FMEA was drawn that it is a special form of the process FMEA, which can be applied to analyze logistics processes almost without being modified. - Neurobiological processes (Dr. Ulrike Jaeger, Institut für Potenzialmanagement):
Focusing on the requirements for the FMEA moderator, the lecture described which findings from current brain research must be observed in FMEA. Brain, nerves, spinal marrow, perception and forwarding of stimuli, conscious and unconscious thinking and acting are influences not be underestimated for FMEA. - Innovations V6.5 (John Rainer, Alexander Weiß, Stefan Weidner, APIS IT GmbH):
Some important innovations of the next version 6.5 were introduced. The participants could see that many required and desired functions will be available. The field of risk matrixes will be entirely revised and alternative options in the field of control methods and reaction plan can be additionally accessed in the control plan segment. - Special characteristics (Ingo Wroblewski, Stefan Weidner, APIS IT GmbH):
The lecture explained how version 6 of the APIS IQ software can identify the special characteristics and how the continuity from the system FMEA to the process FMEA is ensured. In this regard, it went into the details of the structure editor, the net editors and the tabular representations (FMEA form, production control plan) as well as the handling of the variant processing. - Simultaneous engineering (Jane Krakow, Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG/ Andreas Beckert, Continental Automotive GmbH):
Two professional experts gave an account of their vast experience in working with file clones as well as structure and variant interfaces. They provided numerous tips and tricks regarding this topic, making consolidations easier. - Prevention and detection actions (Nenad Bartolic, Festo AG & Co. KG):
Considerations regarding the allocation of prevention and detection actions to the correct place in the error chain were presented. Correct allocation helps to make use of the still existing room for improvement. - Securing of mechatronic systems through functional safety and special characteristics (Dr. Alexander Schloske, Fraunhofer IPA):
Based on considerations on functional safety pursuant to ISO 26262 and special characteristics (SC S, SC Z, SC F), the lecture explained that due diligence in the product design process (PDP) includes a proper analysis of mechatronic systems. Applying the APIS IQ software, the lecturer demonstrated by means of an example how to implement an approach. - Tips and tricks (Alexander Weiss, APIS IT GmbH):
Assistance in the use of the APIS IQ software from the experience of the APIS support team has become a classic during user meetings. Many an unexpected and unknown possibility was presented to increase the efficiency when using the APIS IQ software. The great usefulness is again and again confirmed by the participants. - Graph Editor (Peter Rosenbeck, APIS IT GmbH):
In the past, the focus was placed on the new possibilities of the graph editor (available as of version 6.5) in the functional safety environment. The lecture demonstrated that the application of the graph editor can be very useful as well in the field of the usual, previous FMEA work.
Lectures in pdf format
You can request pdf files of the 2012 lectures by E-Mail at: training@apis.de
Additional workshop Simultaneous Engineering (Peter Rosenbeck, John Rainer, APIS IT GmbH)
Following the user meeting, a workshop on the subject of Simultaneous Engineering took place. This workshop day was offered, because not all the details of the possibilities contained in APIS IQ-FMEA PRO and APIS IQ-RM PRO are yet known. An additional understanding of possible conflict situations when consolidating could be established in all the participants, and possible solutions were discussed. Exercises at the participants’ own computers were done and the arising questions answered.
It is still left open whether another workshop will be held at the next user meeting in Dresden in 2013. The subject of “Innovations in version 6.5” or another special topic from the wide range of possible topics is being discussed.
The social program
The social program was greatly enjoyed by the participants. More than half of them already attended the get-together the night before the meeting started. At an informal dinner, they had the possibility to meet familiar and new faces and to casually exchange experience and information.
Like in the previous years, there was a lot being offered on the night of the first day.
In guided tours to the Fortress Marienberg, the participants were given information on the castle’s history.
Smaller groups went on guided tours through the castle, during which impressive details were shown and explained. 
A multi-course dinner with a guided wine tasting of regional wines concluded the meeting. One of the wines is grown in a vineyard only a few meters away from the venue. The discussions of specific issues of the user meeting that were heard from all the tables confirm again that everyone likes to seize the opportunity to exchange information with colleagues from other companies.
Pictures of the user meeting
Many photographs were taken again this year. Please find a selection of the best photographs at our picture gallery.
Outlook on the next user meeting
We hope that all the participants got interesting and helpful suggestions and had as much fun as we had. And of course, we already look forward to meet many of our IQ users again in person in Dresden next year!
Seeing the software as well as the user meeting you can tell that APIS does not rest on its laurels, but remains innovative! We want to particularly thank everyone who contributed to the successful user meeting in Würzburg!
The 19th APIS user meeting will be held in Dresden on September 17 and 18, 2013.
Those who are interested should keep that in mind and obtain further, more detailed information at a later date.
Your APIS team