Product Design Issues Research Articles

Is the Linear Modeling Technique Good Enough for Optimal Form Design? A Comparison of Quantitative Analysis Models

How to design highly reputable and hot-selling products is an essential issue in product design. Whether consumers choose a product depends largely on their perception of the product image. A consumer-oriented design approach presented in this paper helps product designers incorporate consumers' perceptions of product forms in the design process. The consumer-oriented design approach uses quantification theory type I, grey prediction (the linear modeling technique), and neural networks (the nonlinear modeling technique) to determine the optimal form combination of product design for matching a given product image. An experimental study based on the concept of Kansei Engineering is conducted to collect numerical data for examining the relationship between consumers' perception of product image and product form elements of personal digital assistants (PDAs). The result of performance comparison shows that the QTTI model is good enough to help product designers determine the optimal form combination of product design. Although the PDA form design is used as a case study, the approach is applicable to other consumer products with various design elements and product images. The approach provides an effective mechanism for facilitating the consumer-oriented product design process.

Relationships between product development strategies and product design issues

Taiwanese electronics and computer products are well respected by consumers globally. This study examines local electronics and computer enterprises to identify the product development strategies applied to deal with global competition and attain competitive advantage. Based on questionnaire results, product development strategic groups were categorised for the Taiwanese electronics and computer industry in response to global competition. In total, 48 products developed by these strategic groups were analysed in terms of the relationship between product development strategies and product design issues. The results demonstrated that enterprises in different strategic groups for product development responded to different design issues. Notably, correlations existed between enterprises in different strategic groups and their product designs. Different mapping patterns were identified in new product types, design features, market goals, and design appeals for enterprises in different product development strategic groups. These mapping patterns could serve as references for product innovation and new product development.

Fabric‐skin friction property measurement system

PurposeUnderstanding the friction property between fabric and skin is an important issue in both product design and comfort evaluation. The purpose of this paper is to present a new type of tester to evaluate the friction between skin and clothing.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed fabric‐skin friction tester consists of test host, friction equipment, control box, and computer processing system. The suitable testing conditions (tension, friction velocity, and sample width) are recommended by comparing the parameters and actual test circumstance.FindingsAs the stress history characteristic of skin, the friction test should be repeated since the second time for each fabric and skin friction pair. The fluctuation of single friction curve and dispersion degree of several friction curves in repeated trials are both smallest under the recommended test conditions (200 cN tension, 500 mm/min friction velocity and 10 cm wide sample) for woven fabric.Originality/valueThe proposed fabric‐skin friction tester is adapted to measure the dynamical friction properties between human skin and clothing. This is original in comparison to the conventional research method usually found in the literature.

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.

A practical approach to teaching abstract product design issues

‘Buy an identity’ and ‘surprise your senses’ are two of the ideas that were the outcome of a course ‘Design for a specific Theme’ (in the year 2006–07) held for 4th grade students of Industrial Design Engineering at Twente University. The theme in the title of this course was philosophical, based on the theory of globalisation of German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk. In the following year 2007–08, the theme of the course was ‘leisure’, and it proved again that the structure of this course was particularly suitable for the conversion of such abstract themes in tangible product design. This paper describes the structure and the associated teaching methods of the course, gives examples of student results and discusses the points of interest and application possibilities of this type of course.

Analysis of issues relating to remanufacturing technology – a case of an Indian company

Remanufacturing is an attractive business option involving the process of value recovery and reuse of used products. Even though it has been accepted by the Western world, India is yet to take it up as an organised industrial sector. An attempt is made to study the various techno-managerial activities of an Indian photocopier remanufacturer. This paper includes critical examination of relevant issues in managing the remanufacturing process with the help of Interpretive Structural Model (ISM) methodology and discussion on the case study subsequently leads to some meaningful conclusions. It is found that the key drivers for this remanufacturing business are the issues relating to user's environment (source of returns) and marketing of remanufactured products. There seems to exist two most important factors, which are activating all other managerial issues. Interestingly, product design issues do not activate other issues, which may be explained by the fact that the company itself is managing remanufacturing of its own products. However, experience shows that in most of the reported cases of remanufacturing, factors related to product design play very important role and trigger activation of other issues.

Measuring and managing risk in innovative financial instruments

This paper discusses the difficult challenges of measuring and managing the risk of innovative financial products. Measuring risk requires the ability to first identify the different dimensions of risk that an innovation introduces. The list of possible factors is long: model restrictions, illiquidity, limited ability to test models, product design, counterparty risk and related managerial issues. In order to measure some of the different dimensions of risk, the implications of limited data availability must be addressed. Given the uncertainty about model valuation, how can risk managers respond? All parties within a company (senior management, traders and risk managers) have important roles to play in assessing, measuring and managing the risk of new products.

Information modeling for variation management during the product and manufacturing process design

For car and aircraft industries, Design for Manufacturing, Robust Design and Conceptual Process Planning are a key activity to evaluate manufacturability, to improve design in the product development stage. Moreover, the inherent imperfections of manufacturing processes and resources (Manufacturing Process Key Characteristics, MPKCs) involve a degradation of functional part or product characteristics (Part / Product Key Characteristics, PKCs). The management of Key Characteristics (KCs) has become an important issue in product and process design and concurrent engineering. In order to ensure a certain level of quality, to assess the manufacturability, to select resources and to improve design, it is important to know the causality between MPKCs and PKCs. Effective reuse of enterprise knowledge about causality is a key strategic component of integrated product and processes development. The goal here is to put the management of KCs in a concurrent engineering context. There is an important question that would need to be looked upon: How to formalize and to capitalize the causality between MPKCs and PKCs? Therefore, to formalize and to capitalize this causality, we describe an information model.

Geometrical product specifications — model for product life cycle

As technology increases and performance requirements continually tighten, the cost and required precision of assemblies increase as well. There exists a strong need for increased attention to tolerance design to enable high-precision assemblies to be manufactured at lower cost. For automotive and aircraft industries, the tolerancing process has become an important issue in product and process design. There is an important question that would need to be looked into: “How to define a coherent expression of Geometrical Product Specification during the tolerancing process along life cycle?”. There is a necessity for developing a complete answer representing standard tolerance practices. This paper proposes a model to allow a complete and coherent tolerancing process. The description of GeoSpelling, the model proposed to ISO for rebuilding standards in the fields of tolerancing and metrology, allows a unified description of geometrical specification. This model takes into account, not only the specification on isolated parts, but also on assemblies with the integration of the quantifier concept.

Redesigning the Industrial Ecology of the Automobile

SummaryThis article explores the potential of industrial ecology to inform the redesign of an existing industry: that which is concerned with the production, sale, and support of automobiles. In so doing, it brings together the concepts embedded in industrial ecology with issues of economic scale, product design or technology, process technology, and the way in which new combinations of these features can result in an alternative structure for the automotive industry that has the potential to enhance sustainability performance. In so doing, the article advances the general argument that the economic, technical, and spatial organization of production and consumption are co‐determined in a manner that collectively shapes the industrial ecology of an industry. In contradistinction to the prevailing industry, the article then advances the concept of micro factory retailing as an alternative framework for the industry that would result in significantly different performance in terms of industrial ecology.

Hip protectors: interpreting the evidence and addressing practicalities.

Some evidence suggests hip protectors are helpful in reducing fractures among older people. But, says Nicky Hayes, issues of compliance, tissue viability, cost and product design all need to be considered by nurses considering the implementation of hip protection strategies.

Laser-Fabricated Structural Shapes for New Construction, Overhaul, and Repair

Increasingly, fabricated structural shapes are replacing hot-rolled shapes in new vessel construction. Designed for high structural efficiency, these custom shapes can be made from materials not available in hot-rolled form. Although most production is carried out at present using conventional welding and cutting processes, high-power industrial laser processes are being developed. A recent project, titled Laser Fabricated Shapes for Naval Applications, has started the task of developing a laser-based comprehensive system for the cutting and welding of structural shapes, as well as qualifying the laser welding process and the product of the process. It is expected that the use of laser cutting and welding will allow dramatic improvements in accuracy, quality, and productivity. While the greatest application will be in the new construction arena, custom-fabricated shapes can have beneficial impact on overhaul and ship alteration projects. Aspects of system integration, product design, production, inspection, and cost issues are explored.

Dainik Bhaskar – Jaipur

Dainik Bhaskar, a Hindi newspaper, after achieving leadership in Madhya Pradesh, a central Indian State, is looking for growth opportunities. It is looking at the Hindi Belt and has identified Jaipur as the market to enter. Rajasthan Patrika dominates Jaipur with about 80% readership share. Dainik Bhaskar uses market research to understand and reach the readers and starts with a confirmed circulation. Within a very short time it has overhauled Rajasthan Patrika. The case addresses the issue of identifying opportunities for growth by a language newspaper. It is unique because never before had a Hindi newspaper, and for that matter any language newspaper, gone beyond its stronghold. The case is also valuable because it indicates the detail that a company needs to bring into its marketing plan when fighting a long established competitor in a "habit" based product. The case describes the process that Dainik Bhaskar adopted for analysing the potential in the identified markets and then choosing Jaipur as its target market. The innovative use of research to not only understand the readers but also lock them in for a long enough period to keep competition at bay is another aspect of the case. It is an instance where for the first time in India, a newspaper was launched with a confirmed circulation. The case is also unique in the sense that the launch was carried out without the support of the main daily, Rajasthan Patrika, as it was the main competitor. The case brings out the importance of following up a launch for sustaining leadership. The case is useful in discussing the development of marketing strategies when tackling a monopolistic situation. The case can be used in marketing classes for bringing out the issues of growth, competition, product design, research, and market identification.

Evaluating design implementation strategies using enterprise simulation

Concurrent engineering and design for manufacture and assembly strategies have become pervasive in use in a wide array of industrial settings. These strategies have generally focused on product and process design issues based on capability concerns. The strategies have been historically justified using cost savings calculations focusing on easily quantifiable costs such as raw material savings or manufacturing or assembly operations no longer required. It is argued herein that neither the focus of the strategies nor the means of justification are adequate. Product and process design strategies should include both capability and capacity concerns and justification procedures should include the financial effects that the product and process changes would have on the entire company. The authors of this paper take this more holistic view of the problem and examine an innovative new design strategy using a comprehensive enterprise simulation tool. The results indicate that both the design strategy and the simulator show promise for further industrial use.

Design quality and robustness with neural networks

Data sets that are gathered for industrial applications are frequently noisy and present challenges that necessitate use of different methodologies.We present a successful example of generating concise and accurate neural-network models for multiple quality characteristics in injection molding. These models map process measurements to product quality. They are used for product and process design, addressing material and processing issues, and defining the operating window and its robustness. The models are developed based on data from designed and other experiments. Linear regression, decision tree induction, nonlinear regression, as well as "stepwise neural networks" were used for feature selection and model comparison. The final model consists of a neural network with three inputs, one hidden layer and five outputs, modeling five critical to quality variables (CTQ's) simultaneously with high accuracy. The neural network was visualized for validation and insight.

Rediscovering performance‐importance analysis of products

Claims that, as an addition to the product manager’s set of tools, performance‐importance analysis can provide insight into customer perceptions. Managers can use a combination of performance perceptions along with importance ratings to understand the relative success of product features. Plots importances for product features of an analytical instrument against the product’s pre‐introduction expectations and post‐product‐test satisfactions. Considers product design issues as well as positioning strategy. Changes in evaluations (“expectations” to “satisfactions”) as well as competitive positioning demonstrated the flexibility of the method.

Criteria for the complementary allocation of functions in automated work systems and their use in simultaneous engineering projects

A crucial step in any system design concerns the allocation of functions between human and machine. In simultaneous engineering, function allocation is potentially an issue both in product design — if the product is a technical system itself — and in process design. It is argued that well-founded function allocation decisions in relation to the production process are of particular importance in simultaneous engineering as less and less time is allowed for compensation for inadequate or missing decisions which will impede production effectiveness. The focus of recent methods for the allocation of functions is to operationalize the concept of complementarity, meaning to provide guidelines for complementing humans by technical systems instead of replacing them gradually as technical systems become more and more sophisticated. As systems design becomes more complex, involving more and faster changes and placing higher demands on engineers as well as system operators, the idea of complementary gains importance because it stresses the need to allocate functions in a way that supports human control over the production process and the development and maintenance of the necessary skills. Looking at existing methods and instruments for the complementary allocation of functions, one is at first sight confronted with a multitude of criteria for complementarity, but to date neither a fixed set of criteria, comparable to software usability criteria, nor widely accepted methods for their measurement exist. As part of a research project concerned with the development of guidelines whose objective is to assist engineers in designing work systems according to the complementarity principle, four central criteria for complementary function allocation were identified: dynamic coupling, process transparency, human decision authority, and flexibility. These criteria and their application in a design process are illustrated by means of a case study and discussed in terms of other approaches to complementary design as well as their use for simultaneous engineering projects. Relevance to industry Adequate allocation of functions between human and machine is crucial for the effectiveness of any production system. With more complex and faster design processes in simultaneous engineering projects, the need for methods supporting prospective analysis and design of human-machine systems has increased even more. The article presents such a method based on the principle of complementarity between human operator and technical system and illustrates its use by means of a case study.

Book Reviews

The first review is of a book that probably should be required reading for most personnel who participate in new product development—both academics and practitioners. It focuses on product innovation, primarily from an engineering perspective. Special emphasis is given to product design and development issues ranging from attribute specification and design for manufacturing to the economics and management of product development projects. Although the book has limitations, it provides highly relevant insights, especially for those involved with engineered products.The second review covers a book devoted to software development, which is becoming a ubiquitous ingredient in many products. Our reviewer reports that the book offers much practical wisdom. The third and fourth reviews discuss books for practitioners that are focused on specialized areas: biomedical and clinical instrumentation and food products. Although specialized, the first of these books offers some broader, more general lessons. The other will be of greatest value to those developing food products who have statistical training.The next three reviews cover other books of greatest interest to practitioners. The first is also most useful for those developing engineered products. The second will be of most use to less experienced personnel. The third book is about teamwork—now regarded by most practitioners as essential—but with only a few examples pertinent to product development.The last two reviews report on books that will be primarily of interest to academics and of limited interest to practitioners. The first of these two reviews describes a conference proceedings book, which is a compendium of unusually thoughtful presentations on the impact of changes in information technology on the design and execution of marketing actions. The articles in this collection are at once balanced in terms of level and style and comprehensive in terms of their overall coverage. The second covers a product management textbook with special emphasis on opportunity identification and the alignment of effort and resources with such opportunities.

AT&T5ESS® Switch Hardware Development Methodology: A Procedure for Ensuring Quality

Hardware design for AT&T's 5ESS® digital switch is governed by a methodology that provides a common design approach for all hardware development engineers on the 5ESS switch project. It enables engineers to produce quality hardware designs that are completed in a timely way, are cost effective, and are easily introduced into manufacturing. The methodology uses the concept of a design team that addresses all issues of product design and manufacturing. It streamlines the design process by eliminating redundant tasks and paperwork. The methodology focuses on early reviews and minimizing changes late in the development process. Although the framework of the methodology is shared among all 5ESS switch organizations, it still allows flexibility to encourage engineers to apply their own initiative and creativity to the design process.

Product Emulation Strategies in The Presence of Reputation Effects And Network Externalities: Some Evidence From The Minicomputer Industry

A model of firm performance in the minicomputer industry is developed and estimated. We use an hedonic price formulation to analyze product design and pricing issues and a market share model to assess the demand effects of price-performance characteristics, installed base advantages and manufacturer reputation. The results, which are based on 1976–1983 data, demonstrate the importance of network externalities, price-performance competition and reputation. We utilize the estimated models to quantify the implications of several emulation strategies and several defensive strategies of incumbent manufacturers.