Amit J. Lopes

Integrating stereolithography and direct print technologies for 3D structural electronics fabrication

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a hybrid manufacturing system that integrates stereolithography (SL) and direct print (DP) technologies to fabricate three‐dimensional (3D) structures with embedded electronic circuits. A detailed process was developed that enables fabrication of monolithic 3D packages with electronics without removal from the hybrid SL/DP machine during the process. Successful devices are demonstrated consisting of simple 555 timer circuits designed and fabricated in 2D (single layer of routing) and 3D (multiple layers of routing and component placement).Design/methodology/approach – A hybrid SL/DP system was designed and developed using a 3D Systems SL 250/50 machine and an nScrypt micro‐dispensing pump integrated within the SL machine through orthogonally‐aligned linear translation stages. A corresponding manufacturing process was also developed using this system to fabricate 2D and 3D monolithic structures with embedded electronic circuits. The process involved part de...

Service Systems Engineering Applications

Abstract The rapid growth in the global service economy has greatly increased research in Service Science and Service Systems Engineering (SSE). In Service Systems practice, the service value chain in terms of links among system entities is defined to co- create value and deliver high quality of service. A Service System is thus defined by its value co-creation chain in which all relevant stakeholders collaborate dynamically in real time or near-real time to deliver high quality service according to the business, service, and customer goals. This paper illustrates how SSE can help define, and discover relationships among Service System entities and addresses the service-oriented, customer-centric, holistic systems view in order to plan, design, adapt or self- adapt to co-create value. Modern service systems, which may be classified as system of systems (SoS), mandate well-defined integration and governance to link service system entities for the real-time dynamic analysis of ever-changing requirements within a Service System. In this paper, SSE concepts and methodologies are applied across various SSE stages to describe an intelligent emergency transportation system and a near real-time dynamic Smart Grid service system. Additionally, issues which need to be addressed within SSE methodologies for global deployment of efficient world-wide service systems are discussed. Finally, future work required for improving current SSE methodologies and help steer research towards achieving global service effectiveness is discussed.

Model Based Systems Engineering for Smart Grids as Systems of Systems

Abstract This paper presents a System of Systems (SOS) approach to understand, analyze, and design modern energy Smart Grids using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies. The concept and definition of a Smart Grid as SOS is presented and Smart Grids are analyzed in the form of detailed architectural artifacts with System Modeling Language (SySML) using industry standards. As part of this research, the design space for Smart Grids was viewed from a logical, behavioral, physical, and techno-economical perspective for the optimal integration of various systems. In summary, this paper uses Methods, Processes, and existing Technologies (MPTs) in systems engineering (SE) and extends them to SOS perspective to help provide an end-to-end life cycle view of a fully functional energy Smart Grid system; in addition, we complement the NIST reference model with an Enterprise layer to address specific enterprise strategies. The paper intends to provide an insight into the methodologies that are involved to realize a functional Smart Grid as a self sustaining energy enterprise and presents the challenges and benefits of achieving the above goal.

Integration, Verification, Validation, Test, and Evaluation (IVVT&E) Framework for System of Systems (SoS)☆

Abstract The traditional systems engineering (SE) methodologies for integration, verification, validation, test and evaluation (IVVT&E) throughout the lifecycle are focused on expected outcomes (behavior, capabilities), which may not necessarily apply for system of systems (SoS), where some emergent behavior and knowledge may be needed in untested scenarios (unknown environments). Next-generation SoS consisting of partially or fully decentralized systems are incorporating advances in computing, sensing, and communications operations to address uncertainty and emergence in SoS. Thus, current standardized and formalized IVVT&E methodologies will need to be modified, adapted, or an evolutionary IVVT&E framework for SoS is required to test and evaluate integrated SoS capabilities in unknown scenarios. This paper discusses several potential strategies and explores possible methodologies that may be applied to develop a SoS IVVT&E framework, as applied to an unmanned aerial system (UAS), based on existing architectural frameworks such as Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF).

Service Systems Engineering: Emerging Skills and Tools

We are living in a global service economy in which services now make up more than 78% of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This growth in Service has also become a global phenomenon and this has brought much needed attention to Service Science and Service Systems Engineering (SSE). As part of these efforts, this paper proposes the enhancement of existing architectural frameworks for Service Systems. We readily concede that IT is at the heart of Service Systems but we argue existing frameworks need to be expanded to address service systems governance and insertion of technology breakthroughs. A modified NIST framework is illustrated, that includes an Enterprise/Service Management plane to analyze energy Smart Grids as an end-to-end service provider. We also realized the need for integration of tools for the real-time dynamic analysis of ever-changing requirements within a Service System. This concept is illustrated in the form of an internet manufacturing laboratory where design, fabrication, IT, and other supporting tools are integrated to rapidly fabricate complex 3D prototype models. Finally, we discuss issues which need to be addressed for the creation of curricula and professional degree programs in Service Systems Engineering at the graduate level. As a result, we propose a plan for including a Service Systems Engineering specialization track within traditional Systems Engineering programs.