Gorenje Orodjarna, a subsidiary of Hisense Europe, is a renowned Slovenian toolmaking company with a legacy of over 70 years. Specializing in the development and manufacturing of tools for sheet metal processing, plastic injection molding, and thermoforming, Gorenje has consistently demonstrated its commitment to precision engineering and innovation. With operations spanning across Europe and North America, the company serves both the automotive and household appliance industries.
Gorenje is participating in the R3GROUP project as a pilot company, collaborating with developers to apply and test new reconfigurability and resilience manufacturing solutions within its processes.
R3GROUP Pilot at Gorenje: A Vision for Digital Transformation
The R3GROUP pilot at Gorenje aims to revolutionize the company’s toolmaking and serial production capabilities through digitalization, reconfigurability, and enhanced supply chain integration. The overarching goal is to eliminate production disruptions while improving efficiency, collaboration, and adaptability.
Key aspects of this transformation include:
1. Fast Simulations for Early Decision-Making
Gorenje utilizes AutoForm software to conduct simulations that evaluate the feasibility and quality of manufacturing processes. However, traditional simulation methods require significant time—sometimes exceeding a week—to deliver accurate results. The R3GROUP initiative aims to refine these simulations, making them faster and more reliable, which will allow Gorenje to:
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Expedite design iterations
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Enhance early collaboration with customers
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Reduce time spent on modifications and validation cycles
2. Enhanced Macro-Planning Capabilities
The current production planning system at Gorenje lacks integration across various departments. The R3GROUP initiative seeks to streamline macro-planning by enabling real-time resource visibility. By linking design, research & development, and production planning within a unified system, Gorenje aims to:
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Optimize resource allocation
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Automate production scheduling adjustments
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Improve decision-making regarding new orders and capacity management
3. Digitalization and Predictive Maintenance of Tooling
Through sensor integration on metal-forming tools, Gorenje plans to enable predictive maintenance, which will help forecast wear and tear. This innovation will:
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Prevent unexpected tool failures,
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Reduce downtime and production delays,
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Enhance the longevity of tools, improving cost-efficiency.
4. Supply Chain Digital Twin (SC DT)
Gorenje operates within a multi-tier supply chain, making it susceptible to disruptions such as material shortages, price fluctuations, and unexpected breakdowns. The introduction of a Supply Chain Digital Twin (SC DT) will allow Gorenje to:
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Simulate supply chain risks and prepare mitigation strategies,
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Increase the resilience of its production line,
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Minimize financial and operational losses due to unforeseen disruptions.
5. Addressing Production Reconfiguration Challenges
Each new order at Gorenje presents a challenge of reconfiguration, requiring a balance between existing and new tasks. Through the R3GROUP project, Gorenje seeks to:
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Minimize production reconfiguration time,
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Improve coordination between departments,
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Introduce real-time monitoring to mitigate disturbances such as raw material shortages and customer-driven design changes.
Benefits of R3GROUP Implementation in Gorenje operations
The integration of R3GROUP solutions is expected to yield significant improvements across various operational aspects. These include:
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Reduction in downtime and ramp-up time for new designs,
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Enhanced visibility of company resources for better planning and decision-making,
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Predictive maintenance capabilities, preventing costly breakdowns,
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Greater adaptability to market fluctuations, reducing financial risks.
By embedding advanced simulations, digital twins, and predictive maintenance tools into its workflow, Gorenje is poised to transform its manufacturing landscape. The R3GROUP initiative stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainability in modern toolmaking.
About R3GROUP technologies
R3GROUP believes in the power of rapid reconfigurability and digitalization solutions to transform the agility of the manufacturing sector and build more resilient supply chains capable of adapting to unpredictable events.
We are developing technologies that will improve the resilience and reconfigurability of manufacturing processes applied to different sectors such as automotive, and wearing apparel.
R3GROUP will offer the possibility to test their solutions to address rapid reconfigurability in all production levels, ranging from the factory to the machinery and to each individual process step, as well as the interaction with the supply chain.
Want to be one of those beneficiaries? Join the R3GROUP newsletter and we’ll let you know once you can apply for it!