Mervi Ranta

On the move with a magic thing: role playing in concept design of mobile services and devices

Designing concepts for new mobile services and devices, poses several challenges to the design. We consider user participation as a way to address part of the challenges. We show how our effort relates to current and past research. In particular, PD (Participatory Design) has inspired us in developing two participatory techniques. The two techniques are organized around situations either staged or real where users and designers can envision and enact future scenarios: a role-playing game with toys, and SPES (Situated and Participative Enactment of Scenarios). They were developed in an industry-funded project that investigates services for the nomadic Internet user of the future. We then discuss how the techniques help in facing the design challenges.

Integration of Functional and Feature-Based Product Modelling - The IMS/GNOSIS Experience

Abstract This article describes collaborative research carried out in the project GNOSIS, one of the six test cases of the proposed international research programme IMS. A joint demonstration combining tools and methods from several partners was created to experiment supporting the flow of models and processes involved in the various stages of product realization including design, manufacturing preparation, and manufacturing. The article discusses the product modelling part of the joint demonstration. The process covered begins from a creative design state where a functional product description is created using the SYSFUND system of the University of Tokyo. The functional structure is passed on to the MCOES, system of the Helsinki University of Technology; in MCOES, the functional model is mapped to a physical structure for creating an assembly family. The most interesting result of the demonstration is the experience on the information flow and the gaps between these two systems.

Information management and process improvement using data mining techniques

This paper describes a computer component manufacturing scenario which concentrates on the application of data mining techniques to improve information management and process improvement within a manufacturing scenario. The case study involved, relates to an engineering component manufacturing company with a consortium of several plant outlets in various geographical locations world-wide. Currently, data, information and knowledge management, transparency and communication between plants within the scenario are limited. As a result, important information and best practices are not collectively pooled or conversed with the objective of improving information management and process development procedures on a global basis. This paper explores the possible enhancement of these consortium relationships and it also investigates the use of data mining techniques with the potential to advance information management and process improvement within the manufacturing environment concerned.

Capturing and deploying design decisions

This working paper describes an evolving design rationale model intended to capture the design process of a physical artefact. The model is intended to be useful for supporting design and redesign, for enhancing communication amongst designers and design teams, and for various later life-cycle activities such as creating and maintaining product configuration models for configuration design, or analysing the designed artefact during production engineering. Moreover, the model should be useful for assessing the completeness, validity, and consistency of the design process itself for design process improvement activities.

Interactive solid modeling in hut design

HutDesign is a three-dimensional geometric modeler under development at the Helsinki University of Technology. HutDesign puts a special emphasis on the quality and effectiveness of the interaction between a designer and the modeler. The paper describes the interaction methodology of HutDesign and gives examples of the functions offered in the interface. The use of software tools, particularly a user interface manager, is also discussed.