Manuel Neuwirth

The Result: A New Design Paradigm

One of the key challenges faced by engineers is finding, concretizing, and optimizing solutions for a specific technical problem in the context of requirements and constraints (Pahl et al. 2007). Depending on the technical problem’s nature, specifically designed products and processes can be its solution with product and processes depending on each other. Although products are usually modeled within the context of their function, consideration of the product’s life cycle processes is also essential for design. Processes of the product’s life cycle concern realization of the product (e.g., manufacturing processes), processes that are realized with the help of the product itself (e.g., use processes) and processes at the end of the product’s life cycle (recycling or disposal). Yet, not just product requirements have to be considered during product development, as requirements regarding product life cycle processes need to be taken into account, too. Provision for manufacturing process requirements plays an important role in realizing the product’s manufacturability, quality, costs, and availability (Chap. 3). Further life cycle demands, such as reliability, durability, robustness, and safety, result in additional product and life cycle process requirements. Consequently, the engineer’s task of finding optimal product and process solutions to solve a technical problem or to fulfill a customer need is characterized by high complexity, which has to be handled appropriately (Chaps. 5 and 6).

New Challenges: Technology Integrated Market-Pull

Newly developed products usually do not only face the market requirements. With the manufacturing induced properties it is possible to satisfy the constantly rising market requirements, e.g., in the mechanical engineering market or the building industry. Besides the original functions, the new products often have to meet other requirements such as lightweight construction, multifunctionality, reliable joints, or aesthetical demands.

New Technologies: From Basic Ideas to Mature Technologies

Lightweight design aims at minimizing the weight of a structure while product requirements are completely fulfilled. Utilization of closed profiles and materials with higher strength but reduced material thickness often enables weight reduction. However, these approaches are limited. When the thickness becomes too low, instability phenomena like buckling and wrinkling become apparent (Groche et al. 2004).