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MALTA, 23 rd Nov 2011. Research Services in Manufacturing. Amplifying Innovation for Manufacturing Competitiveness. Key Experts: Prof Ing. Jonathan C. Borg Dr Ing. Philip Farrugia
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MALTA, 23rd Nov 2011 Research Services in Manufacturing
Amplifying Innovation for Manufacturing Competitiveness Key Experts: Prof Ing. Jonathan C. Borg Dr Ing. Philip Farrugia Researchers: Ms. Amanda Galea Ing. Emmanuel Francalanza Prof Ing. Jonathan C. Borg
Outline Innovation Challenges in Industry Research Project & Objectives Solution: The AIM Portal Case-Studies Conclusions
Why Innovation ? EC’s vision for manufacturing in 2020: European industry needs to “increasingly concentrate its capabilities on high-added value products and technologies offering a broadened service range that fulfils worldwide customer requirements” (Manufuture 2020)
MANUFACTURING COMPANIES MUST CONTINUOUSLY INNOVATE IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES Why Innovation ?
How toinnovate? • Products • Processes
Outline Innovation Challenges in Industry Research Project & Objectives Solution: The AIM Portal Case-Studies Conclusions
Project Partners Academia - Industry Collaboration
Collaboration Tools • IMTs • Simulation Tools Project Objectives • Understand bottlenecks to Innovation in Industry • Increase Awareness of: • Tools supporting innovation • Benefits of these tools • Facilitate the innovation capability of individuals by providing access to relevant tools & methods
Challenges Identified Bottlenecks identified in local scenario: • Perception: Depends on creative people; • Perception: Substantial funds required to employ new tools and solutions; • Time to think is not given priority; • Lack of Awareness of Tools.
Research Focus? Production Distribution Inspection Disposal Assembly Use Focus on these processes • Manufacturing Industry Design Design Production Assembly Inspection
Typical activities Design Design Production Production Assembly Assembly Inspection Inspection • Search for product solutions • Search for production/assembly solutions • Solving problems encountered • Internal communications • External communicationseg suppliers & customers • Sketching activities • Selection of reusable elements: materials, fasteners, devices • Detail design drawings...and their exchange • Generation of simulation models....and their exchange • Building of virtual prototypes • etc.
Simulation Tools Collaboration Tools Innovation Management Techniques Facilitate Sharing of Expertise Facilitate Modeling & Analysis of Solutions Facilitate Creativity Generic Tools Identified
Outline Innovation Challenges in Industry Research Project & Objectives Solution: The AIM Portal Case-Studies Conclusions
Candidate Innovative Product Solution & Manufacturing System Design PROCESS 2 Simulation Tools IMTs PROCESS 1 Collaboration Tools Solution Concept Amplify Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM)
1 2 4 3 TheAIMPortal Concept
AIM - IMTs “Techniques that help companies adapt to different circumstances and different market needs in a systematic way”
Typical Simulation Tools Augmemted Reality • Products • Processes Facility Plant Simulation
Outline Innovation Challenges in Industry Research Project & Objectives Solution: The AIM Portal Case-Studies Conclusions
Scenario The Manager of Parc Beaumont Hotel Mr. Lefevre, in Pau - South of France, issued a tender for the design and manufacture of 200 cabinets to fill the space beneath the TVs in each of the hotel rooms
Bids for tender Mr. Micallef, the General Manager of FXB in Gozo decides to bid for this tender. FXB staff prepare alternative design solutions. With the AIM portal they are even able to plan changes that may be necessary to their manufacturing layout...
AR menu Mr Lefevre opens the AIM website with the information sent by FXB and reviews the different furniture options…
Marker What the Client Sees…
Outline Innovation Challenges in Industry Research Project & Objectives Solution: The AIM Portal Case-Studies Conclusions
Pros of AIM Portal Does AIM help Innovation? Preliminary evaluation at local partners & foreign entities : • Techniplast Ltd. • Toly Products Ltd. • 4C Design Ltd. • Albion Automotive Ltd. • Advanced Forming Research Centre
Preliminary Results To what extent do you think the AIM Portal tools help in amplifying innovation in product development? Sample Results Innovation Tools Collaboration Tools Simulation Tools
Strengths Conclusions Weaknesses • “Constrains you to be in front of a computer - best ideas come up in the workshop” • “Portal is restrictive to the experienced person” • “Portal needs to be tailored for the needs of the company using it” • “Simple is good – the portal is easy to understand” • “Makes it easy to use the innovation tools” • “The portal interface helps structure your thought processes” • “It has a lot of potential and is applicable in the current state”
MALTA Thank you for your kind attention