Therese Lawlor-Wright

A design for the environment methodology to support an environmental management system

The demand for more stringent environmental regulation on product end‐of‐life and production processes is enhanced by customer concerns for environmental protection. This has increased the need for industry to address environmental issues in the product design process. The emergence of international standards for environmental management, such as the ISO 14000 series, has also created a strong incentive for manufacturers to promote environmentally conscious products and processes. Considerable progress has been made in design for the environment (DFE). However, there is still a need for a structured approach to DFE that addresses environmental concerns in a coherent way. This approach should also support an environmental management system (EMS). This paper describes an organised process to address the problem of integrating environmental concerns into an early product design process that is consistent with such international standards as ISO 14001 EMS. This approach may help to improve the environmental performance of a product and to support an organisation’s EMS.

Development of a printed circuit board design for in-circuit test advisory system

Abstract The complexity of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) has increased dramatically with the use of surface-mount technology. The manufacture of double-sided boards densely packed with very fine pitch devices is complex, as is the identification of faults on these boards. Traditional approaches to the test of assembled boards have relied on making physical contact with testpoints on the board surface. In-Circuit Test (ICT) allows the manufacturer to verify the operation and electrical connection of discrete devices soldered on the PCB, allowing faults to be located and rectified quickly. ICT usually requires the manufacture of a test fixture specific to the PCB. If testability guidelines are observed during PCB design, the fixture required will be less complex and more reliable. This paper describes results from research being conducted at the University of Salford aimed at improving and integrating the PCB and ICT fixture design and development processes. The research results are demonstrated in a working prototype DICTA (Design for In-Circuit Test Advisory) system. This is separate from the CAD system and can be invoked to analyse and provide feedback on the PCB layout stored within the CAD database and to generate information required for fixture design. This paper presents some of the main findings of the research to date and the implications for the development of systems to support Concurrent Engineering of Printed Circuit Boards.

A Review of PCB Design for In-Circuit Test guidelines and systems

In-circuit test is the most widely used loaded board test technique employed by the electronics manufacturing industry. In-circuit testing has increased in complexity due to greater demands on board real estate and the miniaturization of technology. Problems with in-circuit tests have grown with the advent and implementation of Surface Mount Technology (SMT). The need for designers of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) to take test into consideration as early as possible in the design process has been widely recognized. This paper reviews research on design for in-circuit testability and identifies a set of guidelines for PCB layout. Various systems which have been developed to assess the in-circuit testability of new designs are then described and reviewed. These systems have not applied the complete set of PCB guidelines and have deficiencies in terms of their usefulness to PCB designers. Finally, the paper draws together the conclusions from the review and describes the requirements for a comprehensive Design for In-Circuit Testability Advisory (DICTA) system.

Understanding Design In Nature Can Benefit Product Conceptual Design

Product design is a strategic activity in companies due to the intense competition, more sophisticated market needs, and diverse and rapid changes in technology. Effective engineering design can improve quality, reduce costs and lead-time, thereby better satisfying customer needs. The means to reduce cost, time to market and to improve product quality are more complicated. Product performance, quality, aesthetic and reliability, once considered as fundamental factors in developing new products, are now minimum requirements, as markets have grown more demanding for environmentally friendly products. Product designers are required to conceive faster innovative products of high quality at lower cost and environmentally sound in order to maintain competitiveness in today’s global market. Over the last few years, a significant number of tools and methods have been developed in order to assist designers in addressing these issues. In line with this trend, this paper explores the following research question: how would nature solve conceptual product design issues? It maps the process of design in nature into the traditional product concept design, resulting in a creative process for conceptual product design. It is hoped that this insight may help designers gain further understanding of a creative product concept design process so that they comply with market needs.

DESIGNING AN IDEAL CONCEPT OF POLICE FOR MEXICO CITY

Mexicans are fearful and concerned not only about the increasing number of crimes of all kinds that has permeated the fabric of their cities and communities, but also about the increasing number of crimes committed by the law enforcement itself. These are un?t for purpose, characterised by corruption practices and low level of education and training. Often, the law enforcement of?cers have violated civil rights of ordinary citizens, and even murdered several members of civil organisations. Moreover, organised crime has permeated the structural organisation of law enforcement institutions. This has led many police of?cers to become involved in organised crime. What would be the ideal concept of police for Mexico City? What needs to be changed? What changes need to occur in order to address public safety more effectively? There is a need to reformulate the concept of the police of?cer. This paper presents a particular approach that has been employed in order to develop an ideal concept of police for Mexico City law enforcement institution. It is hoped that this concept might help the decision-makers to change the current concept of police so that they can address crime and at the same time protect civilians more effectively.