Abstract
This paper presents both Simultaneous Engineering and Factory Innovation to achieve the following two objectives:
.to facilitate operators in their efforts to concentrate more on human dignity so that they enjoy working and find work easy
.to upgrade product quality through mechanisation with less direct human activity.
At the same time marketing studies reveal real customer demand for undisputed top quality and the need to overcome the barrier caused by the authority division between departments (Antinomy).
Key messages presented in this paper are: The importance of Break through engineering (BTE), the challenge to reduce intolerance, the need to switch from knack/skill to mechanisation, stopping assembly defects by introducing computer aided control, sharing information sufficiently to enable each member of staff to behave with credibility and be empowered to take responsibility, and finally adopt front end planning and evaluation (MAEDASHI).