Research Services
in Manufacturing
rd
Amplifying Innovation
for
Manufacturing Competitiveness
Key Experts:
Prof Ing. Jonathan C. Borg
Dr Ing. Philip Farrugia
Researchers:
Ms. Amanda Galea
Ing. Emmanuel Francalanza
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)
Why Innovation ?
MANUFACTURING COMPANIES MUST
CONTINUOUSLY INNOVATE IN ORDER TO
EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THESE
CHALLENGES
How to
innovate?
• Products
• Processes
Outline
Innovation Challenges in Industry
Research Project & Objectives
Solution: The AIM Portal
Case-Studies
Conclusions
Project Partners
Academia - Industry Collaboration
Project Objectives
• Understand bottlenecks to Innovation in Industry
• Increase Awareness of:
oTools supporting innovation
oBenefits of these tools
• Facilitate the innovation capability of individuals by
providing access to relevant tools & methods
Challenges Identified
Bottlenecks identified in local
scenario:
oPerception: Depends on creative
people;
oPerception: Substantial funds
required to employ new tools and
solutions;
oTime to think is not given priority;
oLack of Awareness of Tools.
Research Focus?
Manufacturing Industry
Design
Design
Production
Assembly
Inspection
Focus on these processes
Distribution
Use
Disposal
Typical activities
• Search for product solutions
• Search for production/assembly solutions
• Solving problems encountered
• Internal communications
Design
Production
Assembly
Inspection
•Design
External
communications
eg 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.
Generic Tools Identified
Innovation Management
Techniques
Facilitate Creativity
Collaboration Tools
Facilitate Sharing of
Expertise
Simulation Tools
Facilitate Modeling &
Analysis of Solutions
Outline
Innovation Challenges in Industry
Research Project & Objectives
Solution: The AIM Portal
Case-Studies
Conclusions
Solution Concept
Amplify Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM)
PROCESS 2
PROCESS 1
Simulation
Tools
Collaboration Tools
IMTs
Candidate Innovative
Product Solution &
Manufacturing System
Design
The AIM Portal Concept
1
3
2
4
AIM - IMTs
“Techniques that help companies adapt to different
circumstances and different market needs in a
systematic way”
Product Design Tool
Manuf. System Design Tool
AIM - IMT Toolbox
Typical Collaboration Tools
Typical Simulation Tools
• Products
• Processes
Augmemted
Reality
Facility Plant Simulation
Outline
Innovation Challenges in Industry
Research Project & Objectives
Solution: The AIM Portal
Case-Studies
Conclusions
Case-Studies… on-going
Case #1: Plastics Industry
Case #1: Plastics Industry
Case #1: Plastics Industry
Case #2: Furniture Industry
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...
Manufacturing System Design
AR menu
Mr Lefevre opens the AIM website with the information sent by
FXB and reviews the different furniture options…
What the Client Sees…
Marker
Outline
Innovation Challenges in Industry
Research Project & Objectives
Solution: The AIM Portal
Case-Studies
Conclusions
Does AIM help Innovation?
Pros of AIM Portal
Preliminary evaluation at local
partners & foreign entities :
o Techniplast Ltd.
o Toly Products Ltd.
o 4C Design Ltd.
o Albion Automotive Ltd.
o Advanced Forming Research Centre
Preliminary Results
Sample Results
Innovation Tools
To what extent do you think the AIM Portal
tools help in amplifying innovation in product
development?
Collaboration Tools
Simulation Tools
Conclusions
Weaknesses
Strengths
o “Constrains you to be in front of a computer best ideas come up in the workshop”
o “Portal is restrictive to the experienced
person”
o “Portal needs to be tailored for the needs of
the company using it”
o “Simple is good – the portal is easy to understand”
o “Makes it easy to use the innovation tools”
o “The portal interface helps structure your thought
processes”
o “It has a lot of potential and is applicable in the
current state”
Conclusions..by Testimonials
Thank you for your kind attention
MALTA