Stelian Brad

Complex system design technique

The development of concepts for new generations of products that are located at the convergence of various cutting-edge technologies requires: integration of knowledge from different fields of science and technology; the management of non-linear interactions of technical, cognitive and organizational nature; the handling of multiple and inconsistent information; innovative solving of negative correlations between different systems characteristics, etc. Despite specialists’ experience, empirical approaches to the synthesis process for this category of products do not represent a reliable solution. An innovative tool for the systematic management of the synthesis process of complex innovative products is introduced in this paper. It is called the complex system design technique (CSDT) and incorporates a set of coefficients and a specific algorithm that take data from product performance planning process (e.g. data extracted from QFD-type matrices) for the formulation of a working scheme for system design (WSSD). This scheme represents a practical tool for the new product synthesis (design) process. It also allows systematic integration of innovation and analysis tools (e.g. TRIZ, AFD, Pugh, Design-FMEA, etc.) in the product synthesis process.

Vectors of innovation to support quality initiatives in the framework of ISO 9001:2000

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate hidden/less tangible dimensions of ISO 9001:2000 standard for better understanding where there are potentials for designing and implementing highly mature quality management systems (QMSs).Design/methodology/approach – Based on advanced quality tools, 80‐20 rule and inventive problem‐solving algorithms, a novel methodology is developed and applied for quantifying the value weight of ISO 9001:2000 requirements in the equation of business competitiveness, for identifying critical issues, conflicts and barriers within projects dealing with quality management system (QMS) design and implementation, as well as for defining in a systematic way innovative solutions to the challenges arising from these analyses.Findings – A quantitative assessment of the conformity that business processes have relative to ISO 9001:2000 requirements is possible even in the early stage of designing the QMS. A large number of conflicts and barriers could affect the performance of...

Concurrent multifunction deployment (CMFD)

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a powerful tool for quality planning in product design. In the course of time, the QFD method has passed over several improvements and adaptations to meet specific requests of particular working environments. The current needs and challenges in developing radical innovative and life-cycle optimised products require a concurrent approach of product planning against a complex set of objective functions (e.g. quality, cost, assembly, manufacturing, environment, technology, service, disposal, etc.). An advanced form of QFD that integrates concepts of concurrent engineering for planning product development with respect to multi-objective functions is presented in this paper. This framework is called Concurrent Multifunction Deployment (CMFD). TRIZ method was initially exploited to determine the appropriate vectors of intervention in formulating the CMFD methodology. A systematic algorithm supports the CMFD deployment process. It takes into account results from the analysis, innovation and evaluation phases over the product design process, too, ensuring a superior integration of the planning activities within the product development process.

Providing Configurability and Plug-and-Play Capability to Simple Sensors: A Step towards Smart Sensors for Smart Factories

A modality to boost up the abilities of simple sensors for providing extended configurability options and plug-and-play capability along with great scalability, integrability, rapid customization and modularity is reported in this paper. An embedded architecture that requires both electronic and software designs is employed for expanding sensor capability. Self-integration, configuration, data computation from the sensor, analog-to-digital data conversion and data processing relative to configuration options are investigated. Based on the approach proposed, an embedded sensor-system, consisting of a network of microcontrollers and sensors capable to respond to configurability and fast integrability requirements, is built and tested within this research. Tests have shown the smart sensor-system is functional, feasible, cost-effective, easy-to-use and highly reconfigurable. Integration of such sensors within reconfigurable, autonomous and distributed manufacturing systems is thus possible.

E-maintenance ontology-based approach for heterogeneous distributed robotic production capabilities

An equipment monitoring and e-maintenance information system prototype customised for the robotic production capabilities is presented in this paper. Such an infrastructure enables stakeholders from the robotic field to share and take advantage of maintenance knowledge, create virtual monitoring rooms for remote management used to track equipment performing in real production environment over the life cycle. An ontology-based representation model is developed and used in a prototype for the sharing and use of maintenance knowledge related to the robotic field. The prototype can be dynamically scaled on a hybrid cloud computing infrastructure in order to fit the needs for maintenance and monitoring of other type of production equipment.

Control Architecture for Plug-and-Play Intelligent Axes within Fast Reconfigurable Manufacturing Equipments

A new perspective on a control architecture, capable to increase the overall performance of the manufacturing equipment by endowing it with distributed intelligence, thus providing short ramp-up times, plug-and-play capability, great integrability and scalability, together with cost reduction, is presented in this paper. The architecture concept, based on the outcome of applying specific problem solving methods, shows an intelligent axis equipped with a network of smart sensors and units controlled and supervised by a master control unit. The proposed solution is based on both electronic and software designs in order to expand equipment performances and take a step forward in supporting manufacturing systems towards reconfigurability. An experimental testing bench has been constructed around a mechanical axis for exploring control architecture performances and intelligent axis concept feasibility. Results have shown that the proposed control architecture is functional, highly reconfigurable, cost effective, and the concept of intelligent axis is feasible.

Ontology-Based Approach for Supporting Creativity in a PSS Design Methodology

In recent years serious efforts were directed towards building methodologies for PSS design. Regardless of these efforts, the degree of acceptance in industry for these methodologies cannot be clearly determined. Moreover, any PSS design methodology requires ideative processes and relies on creativity and tacit knowledge of the design team; this cannot be easily formalized within a traditional methodology. This paper approaches these issues by enhancing an already-existing methodology (based on acknowledged tools such as TRIZ and QFD) by adding a support ontology to it. The entire concept is then exemplified on a software-PSS project related to supporting innovation in SMEs.

Design for Quality of ICT-Aided Engineering Course Units

Developing high quality engineering course units is a challenging task. Capacity to explain complex technical solutions and behavioral phenomena of engineering technologies in a limited timeframe is not an easy job. Moreover, ensuring information reproducibility for individual study is also important. Sometimes, courses should be delivered remotely. In this context, the latest developments in information and communication technologies (ICT), including multimedia and Internet-based education platforms, facilitate the creation of reliable solutions to these challenges. Even if information technologies are helpful, careful planning is required to design quality course units because many conflicts occur in meeting quality targets. In this respect, a generic approach for improving the quality of engineering course units when a large set of requirements and constrains intervenes on the design map is introduced in this paper as a mean to identify the best places where and how ICT can aid the education process. Quality planning and innovation tools are considered to master this situation. The research shows that smart application of multimedia technologies and web-based education platforms can deliver great results towards better quality of engineering courses. Design for Quality of ICT-Aided Engineering Course Units

Framework for eco-innovative design with application in low-voltage electric appliance industry

Following several years of incremental improvements in green-design, nowadays, step changes have to be considered for developing competitive environmentally friendly products. However, many companies still see environmental issues as economical burden because eco-innovations usually require new capital investments as well as changes in product design and the related production processes and after-sale services. In this respect, a methodology for guiding decision-makers towards a superior balance between quality, cost and environmental issues in product design is introduced in this paper. A case study on a product from the family of electric appliances reveals the effectiveness of the methodology.

Perspectives on high-tech product design for better supporting product-service systems

Nowadays, product-service systems are seen as enhanced and optimal integrated solutions of products and services with the purpose of improving business sustainability, customer satisfaction, environmental impact and production-consumption balance. The ability to integrate various value added vectors characterizing the concept of product-service system within hightech product design is still a complex task, requiring systematic and comprehensive innovation. This means high-tech product design has to be seen from a broader perspective, as a process emerging from an integrated model of product innovation, marketing innovation, production process innovation and business model innovation over their life-cycles. On this basis, the present paper reveals various key strategies required in new high-tech product design for better supporting product-service systems. A model that establishes priorities for integrating these strategies in the design framework of high-tech products is further proposed.