Nikolaos Bilalis

Measuring and benchmarking the innovativeness of SMEs: A three-dimensional fuzzy logic approach

SMEs have been rather slow in adopting tools and techniques used in larger companies for improving their innovative performance, even if they are very well aware of the importance of innovation, due to difficulties in applying them in their practices. Furthermore, initiatives on improving the innovation within the SMEs in the past, have addressed ways of improving the product innovation process, through a wide spectrum of methods, techniques and tools without quantifying the degree of change of ‘innovativeness’. The approach presented in this paper, addresses both these issues. In the first part of this paper, the most commonly used measures of innovation are presented, and the difficulties in applying them to SMEs are described. In the second part a new methodology is presented, which is based on measuring and benchmarking innovation with fuzzy logic, through an innovation survey. This is achieved by addressing three inter-related, but separately measurable, aspects of a companys innovation process—the products developed; the innovation process utilized; the way the product innovation process is project managed. The approach aims at improving the iterative process of innovation in a SME, by assessing innovation and determining a product innovation profile. Finally an example based on data from 100 companies coming from the creative industries sector is presented.

Thrust force prediction of twist drill tools using a 3D CAD system application programming interface

Twist drills are geometrical complex tools and various researchers have adopted different mathematical and experimental approaches for their simulation. The present paper acknowledges the increasing use of modern CAD systems and subsequently, using the application programming interface (API) of a typical CAD system, drilling simulations are carried out. The developed DRILL3D software routine, creates, via specifying parameters, tool geometries, so that using different cutting conditions, realistic solid models are produced incorporating all the relevant data involved. The 3D solid models of the undeformed chips coming from both cutting areas are segmented into smaller pieces, in order to calculate every primitive thrust force component involved with high accuracy. The resultant thrust force produced, is verified by adequate amount of experiments using a number of different tools, speeds and feed rates. The final data derived consist of a platform for further direct simulations regarding the determination of tool wear, drilling optimisations etc.

Can 3D Virtual Prototype Conquer the Apparel Industry

A scenario of an apparel industry without paper fashion drawings which become patterns and then cut and sewn fabric to end up to a prototype is too optimistic. A future scenario of a fashion designer comfortable enough with 3D technology to create from the beginning that initial fashion drawing in a three-dimensional space making quick decisions, trying out different fabrics, colors and contrasts, communicating his/her ideas with the pattern maker and the entire development team in true to life 3D and within hours instead of days or weeks, sounds exciting but for some, science fiction. Threedimensional (3D) technology - while well established in many other industrial sectors like automotive, aerospace, architecture and industrial design, has only just started to open up a whole range of new opportunities for apparel designers. The paper will discuss the process of 3D simulation technology enhanced by high quality visualization of data and its capability to ensure a massive competitiveness in the market. Secondly, it will underline the most frequent problems & challenges that occur in the process chain when various partners in the production of textiles and apparel are working together. Finally, it will offer a perspective of how the Virtual Prototyping Technology will make the global textile and apparel industry change to a level where designs will be visualized on a computer and various scenarios modeled without even having to produce a physical prototype. This state-of-the-art 3D technology has been described as transformative and “disruptive” comparing to the process of the way apparel companies develop their fashion products today. It provides the benefit of virtual sampling not only for quick testing of design ideas, but also reducing process steps and having more visibility. The so called “digital asset” can be used for other purpose such as merchandising or marketing.

A New Sustainable Product Development Model in Apparel Based on 3D Technologies for Virtual Proper Fit

As awareness on fashion’s impact on our world is growing, there are key leaders in the industry who are beginning to question the impacts of the model built on careless production and endless consumption. 3D Virtual Prototype, 3D visualization, 3D Body Scanning and virtual try-on technology solving the proper-fit problem, while providing efficiency in its supply chain, can help the clothing sector meet green targets, without damaging the environment through wasteful manufacturing processes. Concepts of CSR and Collective actions on Sustainability are being explored within the apparel sector. Authors examine the challenges, the threats and the opportunities across the supply chain partners emerging to reduce the environmental footprint. A new fully integrated product development model is proposed, with 3D virtual simulation of design concepts on mannequins that represent the target market of the company with digital fit models based on accurate input size data.

Replica Fabrication of a Greek Paleontological Find Utilising Laser Scanning and Fused Deposition Modeling

The current work demonstrates a feasibility study on the generation of a copy, having a highly complex geometry, of a Greek paleontological find utilising reverse engineering and low-cost rapid prototyping techniques. A part of the jaw bone of a cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) that lived during the Pleistocene and became extinct about 10,000 years ago was digitized using a three-dimensional laser scanner. The resulting point-cloud of the scans was treated with a series of advanced software for the creation of surfaces and ultimately for a digital model. The generated model was three-dimensionally built by the aid of a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) apparatus. An analytical methodology is presented revealing the step by step approach from the scanning to the prototyping. It is believed that a variety of interested parties could benefit from such an analytical approach, including, production engineers, three-dimensional CAD users and designers, paleontologists and museum curators.

Lean framework for planning redesign proposals to optimise EOL environmental behaviour in WEEE products

The aim of this research was to define a sequence of actions to guide redesign propositions for electrical and electronic equipment products, which minimise negative consequences to the environment after the end of their useful life. Current practices mainly encourage the examination of individual problems as disassembly process and identification of suitable product end-of-life (EOL) treatment strategies. There also exist previous studies that try to incorporate EOL concerns in product design phase. In most cases, the main problem is the limited available EOL information because of its delayed retrieval. The proposed method focuses primarily on minimising this problem. The steps of the analysis performed include the selection of the optimal EOL treatment strategy and, afterwards, the evaluation of its results concerning the environment. In parallel, product design characteristics are grouped and examined concerning their expected significance for the environment in the EOL stage. The results from the previous stages are combined and product improvement actions are proposed for further examination in the redesign stage. The general framework used to conduct all these actions is lean thinking methodology. In the end, results concerning the application of the proposed method on a distribution transformer are presented.

Mapping product innovation profile to product development activities - the I-DSM tool

The quality of the decisions during the design phase of a product development process is strongly connected with the assessment of the product, process and organizational innovation dimensions. The developed methodology addresses the three dimensions, using 3D innovation attributes, in order to obtain a product innovation profile through an innovation survey. An innovation design structure matrix tool (I-DSM tool) is used for mapping and analyzing the dependencies between the innovation attributes. Furthermore an innovation improvement impact value for each attribute is introduced and an optimal improvement strategy is defined. Next the product innovation profile is mapped with the product development activities, in order to evaluate the effect of the proposed strategy to the activities cost and durations.

An Inspired from Nature Design Methodology for the Fashion Industry

Nature is effectively a significantly large laboratory which offers opportunities for inspirations to all sciences. Some commercial implementations of nature-based mimicking, includes smart system controls, robotic sensors and artificial muscles. From the conceptual side, product design uses a different approach in nature-based methodology. It uses similarities based on the geometrical form or/and the functionality. The proposed Conceptual Product Design (CPD) framework supports and highlights the necessity of a nature-based design to all product industries. A good example is the fashion industry, which offers great opportunities for innovative and sustainable design based on nature.

Determination of redesign proposals to optimise end-of-life treatment of electrical and electronic equipment

The purpose of this work is to present a series of actions that aim to minimise negative environmental consequences of end-of-life (EOL) treatment of wastes of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). To achieve this, the proposed methodology includes search in product redesign interventions and selection of the optimal EOL treatment process based on product characteristics. The process to handle the analysis performed is based on lean thinking (LT) principles. The proposed methodology is an effort to form a simple frame of analysis able to be adjusted in any case of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). In the end, current results of an application that is still in process are presented concerning the EOL treatment of an oil distribution transformer. These preliminary results seem to be quite satisfactory. However, it appears that improvement actions need to take place in the future mainly concerning data selection and evaluation.

Should the fashion industry confront the sustainability challenge with 3D prototyping technology

Abstract In this paper, coming out of a broader research project on how the digital prototype can be effectively integrated in the product development process of the clothing industry, the authors investigate the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Collective Actions on Sustainability and the environmental impact of the new model of fast and accelerating fashion. Extensive research was contacted with personal interviews and analysed primary data shows how new technology solutions like Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), 3D visualisation or 3D prototyping can work with and across supply chain partners to reduce the environmental footprint of their processes. The final phase of the paper involves the conceptualisation of a new apparel product development model, encompassing various digital tools which aim at addressing fit problems, extending the useful life of clothes and reducing the environmental impact of clothing in use through design and services.