Feasibility of manufacturing small economic passenger cars in Bangladesh through rereverse engineering technique

Abstract

The present research study is intended to explore the use of reverse engineering teclmique and' demonstrate its application to industrial projects through the presentation of the case study related to a new model for manufacturing small passenger cars in Bangladesh. Technology is now recognized as the most important agent of social change, industria! development and economic growth, Developing countries like Bangladesh have limited opportunity to develop totally new technology due to lack of technological capabilities, financial resources and appropriate institutions. Technology can'be developed by adapting foreign teclmologies and by producing indigenous technologies. 'Reverse engineering technique' is considered to be the •.. best way for dige~ion a technology. The technique is learnt by 'doing method of research'. The concept of applying the technique depends on the surrounding, the time-horizon and the value system of the decision-makers. The study identifies a good prospect of introducing reverse engineering technique within the country. It is found suitable to adopt and adapt available technologies to meet the local needs. Reverse engineering teclmiquc does not mean to develop all the items of a product locally. The process is based on 'make some buy some' teclmique. It is a technique to replicate a product (technology) by observing and analyzing an existing teelmology. Few drawings and specifications of the spare parts of the cars are made. The study concerned the demonstration of methodology and engineering steps of reverse engineering technique. Technology with major functions involved in cal;h phase, Background, information and exercises of the technique have been identified in the present work. The present case studied a prototype small economic passenger car model through reverse engineering technique. It compares the imported costs of ten items with the local manufacturing cost of that item. Most of the cases the costs of local made items are found lower. finally the study compares the gross vehicle costs of the car. The cost of local assembled car comprising of some imported items and some local made items by reverse engineering technique is much lower than that of semi-assembled imported car. The study has presented graph showing the benefit of reverse engineering technique over import. .' The study prepared some drawings and specifications of some spare/parts that are being suggested to manufacture by local vendor sources. From the analysis and observations the study finally recorrunended some conclusions and scope of future works. Patents and Copyright arc the basic constraints in replicating production process. A foreign made product can not be converted into local made product directly without concerning the patent law. The present study has not being considered the patent laws and copyright restriction. Most of the factories in Bangladesh depend almost on imported spare parts, which are very costly, involve foreign currency consumption and long lead time for procurement. As an attempt to solve the problems present study introduces a project as reverse engineering technique to manufacture either individual sparl;/pal1Sof a 'prodllct or complete products within the country.