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Collaborative environment for concept generation in new products
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Concept Generation for new products is becoming more and more challenging as the products have to address global customers with contemporary technology and short product life spans. This demands customer centered concept development with all the key players like technology providers and manufactures playing a key role in concept generation and evaluation. At the Industrial Design Programme of The Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi we have specially focused on the collaborative development of concepts and have conducted courses and workshops. The result is that we have enhanced creativity due to increased information; and concept evaluation acquired a new meaning by making it more user-and industry-centered. Similarly at mkl at University of Karlsruhe Germany we focused on collaboration for innovative products in the course on Integrated Product Development. This methodology helped students in getting a wider perspective in design. It also helped them to appreciate the value of the other players in the total life cycle of the product. A number of studies were undertaken and the most interesting case was the development of a shaving system. The innovative concepts evolved were varied and interesting ranging from bio-technology solutions to laser-based systems and resulted in completely new products. The collaborative environment used was the internet and standard programs were used to make it compatible to all. The important distinction is that customers and manufactures alike can be part of this process. The latter is particularly important as knowledge and
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... Conceptual design of technical products encompasses the central transition from a problem to (alternative) solution concepts, which are intended to fulfil the requirements and functionality expected from the product. Conceptual design is considered to be the most influential stage for the design of a product and, therefore, to be requiring a joint effort of the involved designers [1]. Particularly in interdisciplinary design, the success of such collaborative work depends on the ability of designers to share their concepts and ideas [2], as well as to establish a shared understanding of the system under developmentincluding its requirements, expected functionality, and solution elements to be implementedacross all involved disciplines [3]. ...
This paper addresses the realization of a consistent modeling chain from requirements modeling to function modeling and eventually system modeling intended to support early system simulation. Therefor, a prototypical software support has been developed, which links existing software tools for requirements management, function modeling and system simulation and enables a consistent transition of information between them. The paper illustrates the development and initial evaluation of the prototypical software support and discusses potentials for further development and improvement.
... Conceptual design is considered to be among the most demanding design tasks, as it includes the central transition from a problem to an early solution concept, which necessitates a joint effort of all involved disciplines [Chakravarthy et al. 2001, Erden et al. 2008]. In order coordinate related design activities, a shared understanding of the requirements for the system under development and its expected functionality needs to be established among the involved designers [Frankenberger et al. 1998]. ...
Recently, the concept of an integrated function modelling IFM framework has been proposed, which aims at integrating different perspectives prominent in function modelling across disciples. It provides a clearly structured, DSM-based modelling approach. In this article, function modelling with the framework is illustrated based on an exemplary system. Furthermore, the potentials for function analysis that result from the framework’s matrix-based setup are explored. Finally, the paper discusses the implications for application of the framework in practice.
... Herein, "technical system" encompasses technical products as well as product/service systems (PSS). Conceptual design is considered to be among the most demanding design tasks and requires a joint effort of involved designers (Blessing, 1997, Chakravarthy et al., 2001. Particularly in an interdisciplinary design context, the success of such collaborative work depends on the ability of designers to share concepts and ideas (Buur and Andreasen, 1989) and to establish a shared understanding of the system under developmentincluding its requirements and expected functionalitiesacross involved disciplines (Kleinsmann, 2008, Alink et al., 2010. ...
Conceptual design is considered one of the most demanding design tasks requiring a joint effort of the involved designers, particularly in interdisciplinary design. Sound decision-making across disciplines on alternative solution concepts may be considerably facilitated through early system simulation. A consistent transition of the available information in function modelling to early system simulation may thus support designers in this task. The IFM framework intends to support cross-disciplinary collaboration of involved designers by providing an integrated function modelling approach. In the paper it is analysed in how far a consistent transition from the IFM framework to established modelling techniques for simulation may be realised. The paper compares the information required for early system simulation in an interdisciplinary design context to the specific information conveyed in the different views of the IFM framework. The analysis identifies specific potentials and barriers for a consistent transition between them. Finally, the implications of the derived insights are discussed.
Although the conceptual design is a fundamental process through which design decisions are made, its focus is on finding the right solution. Is finding the right solution enough for a good design? Defining the problem or applying a solution-focused process may not be enough to create the differences that must be present in today's variable conditions. This can be overcome through seeking meaning instead of seeking a solution. The purpose of this article is to develop an approach that focuses on seeking meaning for products by starting with a design-thinking approach to the conceptual design process in engineering design. Focusing on a search for meaning in engineering design will provide advantages, such as creating unique values and sustainable competition.
Industry is confronted with ever-changing and increasing demand of customers on global markets for integration of diverse functions into newly developed products and systems. As a consequence, companies increasingly often combine different engineering technologies into their products necessitating close collaboration of experts from various disciplines. New types of products, such as Product-Service Systems (PSS), which have become increasingly important in the recent past and combine (multi-disciplinary) products with associated services, extend interdisciplinary system development by including further disciplines. Problems in the (cross-disciplinary) exchange of information between the involved designers are considered one of the central risks posed to the success of interdisciplinary system development. Function modelling is expected to provide suitable means for the integration of different disciplines, as it addresses solution finding early in the design process and results in a first abstract representation of the system under consideration. However, a large variety of different and often incompatible function models can be found in the different disciplines, which hampers shared, cross-disciplinary function modelling.
The research project presented in this thesis provides comprehensive insights into central barriers and enablers for cross-disciplinary function modelling in the development of mechatronic systems and PSS. Conducted research comprises comprehensive literature reviews of diverse function models and function modelling approaches proposed in disciplinary and interdisciplinary design approaches. The derived insights are complemented by empirical studies in ten companies active in diverse market areas, such as machine design, automotive, aerospace, and consumer product development. The empirical studies provide compelling insights into the actual application of function modelling in different disciplines and design departments, as well as into specific needs and preferences of practicing designers from different disciplines. A central contribution resulting from this research is the ”Integrated Function Modelling framework”, which is intended to address the identified needs and provide practicing designers with a flexible and generic modelling approach supporting interdisciplinary conceptual design. The project is concluded with an initial evaluation of the developed framework in industry and academia.
Harman-Motive wanted to simplify the assembly of complex enclosures for automotive sound systems. Working with key suppliers, the company now produces the systems on a single assembly line. Productivity is up and customers are getting what they ask for, fast. Engineers at A.B. Chance recently redesigned a high-voltage switch with improved options and expanded ratings. The result: a quality product with 38% fewer parts. Meanwhile, engineers at Tandy Electronics jointed forces to drastically reduce the cost of printed circuit assembly. Production time plummeted from more than forty days to a seemingly impossible 12 days. What do these firms have in common? Concurrent engineering (CE). Here's a close-up look at how design teams achieved feats such as these.
Why, in light of all the substantial resources firms devote to improving their performance, do so few management practices actually change? In fact, knowledge management at many companies often makes the "knowing-doing" gap worse. This article explains why firms find it so difficult to translate knowledge into practice and offers a set of guidelines that address the sources of this problem. Knowing what to do is not enough; the challenge for managers is to figure out how to do what they know needs to be done.
The use of concurrent engineering (CE) as the de facto methodology for product development has become a reality. However, CE program implementors and CE practitioners have reported widely varying results. The results of a survey of industrial organizations implementing or considering implementation of CE are presented in this article. The difficulties in quantifying the benefits of CE are highlighted. Some surprising observations concerning the expectations of CE programs and actual implementation strategies are presented and explained.
When undertaking mergers, too often companies focus more on the deal than the subsequent integration of the companies. Seven practices described here can dramatically improve the integration process.
Fast-Track corporations take strategic initiatives in responding quickly even to weak signals from their external environments. Implementation of this strategic intent demands an effective mobilization of the organization's internal resources and configuration. This paper begins by discussing the evolving micro-economic relationship between producers and consumers of goods and services in globalized economy, and explores the origins of organizations' product development programmes. Then classical and current approaches to product development are reviewed with respect to understanding the anatomy of a concurrent approach. Three different modes of integration, with stress on hardware, humanware and software, are discussed. A portfolio of alternative routes to achieving concurrence is proposed.