Tool For Product Development Research Articles

Exploring in vitro roles of siRNA in cardiovascular disease

RNA interference (RNAi) is an adaptive defense mechanism through which double stranded RNAs silence cognate genes in a sequence-specific manner. It has been employed widely as a powerful tool in functional genomics studies, target validation and therapeutic product development. Similarly, the application of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to the silencing of the disease-causing genes involved in cardiovascular diseases has made great progress. In this overview, we attempt to provide a brief outline of the current understanding of the mechanism of RNAi and its potential application to the cardiovascular system, with particular emphasis on its ability to identify the pathophysiological function of genes related to several important cardiovascular disorders. The prospects of RNAi-based therapeutics, as well as the advantages and potential problems, are also discussed.

Product development for Chinese calligraphy using reverse engineering and rapid prototyping

Chinese calligraphy is considered to be one of the most beautiful and meaningful patterns in the world. Calligraphy is an art dating back to the earliest day of Chinese history, and widely practised throughout ancient China even to recent days. Owing to the passage of time, many old carvings of stamp characters have gradually faded. How to preserve these old Chinese cultural artifacts will be some crucial issues for today. Reverse engineering (RE) and rapid prototyping (RP) technology are considered effective tools for product development. This research combines RE, grey prediction theory in pattern processing, geometric modeling for constructing the characters of Chinese calligraphy and RP for model making. First, the written Chinese calligraphy is scanned by a scanner. By using image processing, the contours of the Chinese characters can be detected. The contours for the characters then turn out to be point data which can be easily processed in any computer aided design (CAD) software by using B-Spline curves to fit the points. An example is demonstrated by writing a Chinese compound word ‘the fortune and treasure are coming’ to show the process. Finally, a RP model is fabricated to show various applications for the products in Chinese calligraphy pattern. By this research, the gap between the Chinese calligraphy in handicraft and digital virtual design can be realized. More usefully, with this research the aesthetic aspects in the characters can be preserved.

The Application of New Product Development Tools in Industry: The Case of Singapore

Literature suggests that new product development (NPD) is critical for industrial firms to gain a competitive advantage. Intriguingly, the systematic application of NPD tools in industry, despite the extensive effort that has been invested and the benefits that can be obtained, remains mostly uncommon. By conducting ten semi-structured interviews with selected academics and industrialists and using a sample of 67 industrial firms in Singapore for questionnaire survey, this empirical study investigates the diffusion and adoption of NPD tools in industry. It also probes the factors which may affect the application of NPD tools. Our findings reveal that the application of NPD tools is still under-exploited in most of the industrial companies in Singapore. Although the application of NPD tools is affected by many factors, the most significant are management support in the company and the innovativeness orientation of the company. Surprisingly, we found that the usefulness of tools has little influence on whether a tool is adopted or not

Paradigm shifts in CAx methods and tools

Parametric and associative design has long been a priority at leading automotive manufacturers as it promises increased efficiency in new vehicle development. Functional Mock-Up will replace traditional geometry-oriented product development methods and tools.

Haptic modeling as an integrating tool for product development

This paper presents an integrated system structure for product development. Haptic modeling, due to its growing applications to different aspects of product development, is envisioned as the core technology for the proposed product development system structure. Because of the fact that haptic modeling is developed based on physical laws, it is anticipated as the natural link between the virtual world and practical applications. Since haptic shape modeling is based on material properties and related shaping methods that require high update frequency, this paper also proposes an effective spatial run-length encoding (S-RLE) algorithm for 3D representations of both object shapes and shaping tools. Force measurements from a robot machining system are used to determine the coefficients of a simple machining force model.

Unified methodology of neural analysis in decision support systems built for pharmaceutical technology

The objective of this study was to create universal methodology of artificial neural networks (ANNs) application in construction of decision support systems designed for various dosage forms. Two different dosage forms (solid dispersions and microemulsions) were modeled with use of the same methodology, software and hardware environments. Completely different models prepared confirmed their generalization ability both for solid dosage forms (solid dispersions) and liquid dosage forms (microemulsions). ME_expert and SD_expert systems basing on the neural expert committees were created. In the pilot study their application allowed for appropriate choice of qualitative and quantitative composition of particular pharmaceutical formulation. It was also proposed that ME_expert and SD_expert might provide in silico formulation procedures. Unified methodology of neural modeling in pharmaceutical technology was confirmed to be effective in providing valuable tools for pharmaceutical product development.

Rapid prototyping: from product development to medicine and beyond

This paper discusses the current status of layer-based manufacturing rapid prototyping (RP) technology and how it is currently being implemented as a tool for product development (PD). A discussion on RP for PD is given, focusing on the limitations of existing technology. The paper then goes on to discuss the specific application field of medicine, explaining how this application may influence changes in the technology. Future trends for RP development are then discussed with further consideration for software issues in future applications and how the technology is being accepted worldwide.

A simple way of evaluating the healthiness of ready-to-eat foods and developing healthy foods in the food industry

In this study we have developed a new way of evaluating the healthiness of ready-to-eat foods. In the developed method, ready-to-eat foods were classified into specific product categories, and the nutritional quality of classified foods was analysed using the national dietary recommendations and the national dietary survey as a basis for the dietary calculations. The method was tested with the products of ‘Saarioinen’, which is the leading brand in the Finnish ready-to-eat food market. Results indicate that this low-cost method can easily be used in the food industry as a tool in product development and marketing in order to develop healthy foods. The method could also be applied to the restaurant and catering trade, as well as to other public institutions serving food. By using this model, nutritional researchers and the food industry could work together to prevent nutrition-related health problems.

Exploring hotel renovation in large hotels: a multiple case study

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the extent of the use of hotel renovation as a product development tool in the hospitality industry. It aims to gain an understanding of the nature of renovation within the context of large hotels.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is a multiple case study of five star hotels in Egypt. A sample of nine hotels was selected.FindingsThe results reveal that Egyptian five star hotels use renovation to achieve different aims and goals. Surprisingly, the cases indicate that Egyptian five star hotels still use renovation as a reactive rather than proactive property management tool. The study suggests that renovation was found to be most successful in organisations that have clearly stated renovation strategies, a good relationship between the managing and owning companies, sufficient funds, and greater customer involvement.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the findings may be applicable to hotels other than five star and located in other parts of the world, further research would be required to conform this.Practical implicationsThe paper will be useful to hotel groups, or those advising such clients who are considering renovation of luxury hotel accommodation.Originality/valueResults are discussed in the context of theoretical and empirical work on renovation, and product development.

Proactive product development integrating consumer requirements

PurposeThis paper presents a model for an effective product development process, which is now becoming increasingly critical to success of apparel firms.Design/methodology/approachThis research modeled apparel product development as a market driven process and integrated the consumer purchase decision in the model of proactive product development integrating consumer requirements (PPDICR). The PPDICR links the consumer purchase decision and multiple consumer research strategies to specific stages of the no‐interval coherently phased product development model for apparel through 15 avenues of consumer input.FindingsThe PPDICR model contributes to our understanding on how consumer input can be used to facilitate the process and through what avenues that input may be acquired. This model provides an effective tool for intra‐company to inter‐business analysis of consumer input into the apparel product development process.Research limitations/implicationsThe PPDICR provides a theoretical understanding of apparel production, and is useful to researchers in visualizing the impact of changes in the business environment, integrating research projects, and establishing research priorities.Practical implicationsPractitioners may use the model to improve and develop products, select appropriate consumer input, and strategically plan organizational changes.Originality/valueThis model is a useful tool for effective product development both for researchers and industrialists alike. It brings in the important element of the integration of consumer information.

Sustainability Constraints as System Boundaries: An Approach to Making Life‐Cycle Management Strategic

Sustainable management of materials and products requires continuous evaluation of numerous complex social, ecological, and economic factors. A number of tools and methods are emerging to support this. One of the most rigorous is life‐cycle assessment (LCA). But LCAs often lack a sustainability perspective and bring about difficult trade‐offs between specificity and depth, on the one hand, and comprehension and applicability, on the other. This article applies a framework for strategic sustainable development (often referred to as The Natural Step (TNS) framework) based on backcasting from basic principles for sustainability. The aim is to foster a new general approach to the management of materials and products, here termed “strategic life‐cycle management”. This includes informing the overall analysis with aspects that are relevant to a basic perspective on (1) sustainability, and (2) strategy to arrive at sustainability. The resulting overview is expected to help avoid costly assessments of flows and practices that are not critical from a sustainability and/or strategic perspective and to help identify strategic gaps in knowledge or potential problems that need further assessment. Early experience indicates that the approach can complement some existing tools and concepts by informing them from a sustainability perspective‐for example, current product development and LCA tools.

Development of a matrix methodology for database reengineering and improvement: an e-government case study

Design structure matrices have become an accepted tool for product development. However, these approaches focus exclusively on new product development in isolation. They ignore the fact that many products are improvements on existing versions. This is particularly the case with the software. An analogue to the technique is described, which enables the traceability of the software characteristics back to the original customer requirements via a set of integrated matrices. The use of this analogue approach as a requirements' flowdown tool was subjected to a proof-of-concept test during a research project for the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Web-based tools for product development

In the increasingly dynamic and challenging marketplace of the new millennium, many global companies must pursue operational excellence in order to make products and services better, cheaper and faster, and to gain and maintain short-term profitability. This paper discusses a number of web-based tools that may be advantageously applied to foster the companies' effectiveness in product development. Also presented are several factors deemed to be essential in product development, such as communications, information sharing, collaboration, design verification, configuration management and team management. The paper then elucidates the specific features of these tools, their vendors and the websites where additional information may be obtained. Furthermore, those industrial companies that applied these tools to derive benefits and the extent of these achievable benefits are also illustrated. Engineers are uniquely qualified to contribute to the product development efforts of many global companies. They play a vital role in helping their employers meet the product development challenges of the new millennium.

Survey and Analysis of Utilization of Tools and Methods in Product Development

This paper reports a questionnaire survey on utilization of various tools and methods in the product development process of Japanese manufacturing industries. After its background and purpose are described, the result of the survey carried out in the autumn of 2002 is shown, and the awareness and utilization of tools and methods, their relationships with promotion activities, types of industry, organizational structure, etc. are discussed. Further, the gotten result is partially compared with the preceding studies in some Western countries to reveal the underling mechanism in promotion of product development tools and methods. The analysis reveals that organizational and systematic promotion of tools and methods should be indispensable for enhancing product development performance and that the appropriate shape of their utilization depends on the type of industry, style of bossiness, etc.

A Method for Correlating Field Life Degradation with Reliability Prediction for Electronic Modules

AbstractA methodology was developed to correlate field life with observed degradation for electronics modules. This procedure was developed by identifying common deterioration characteristics in field units, modeling observed trends and then developing a model to predict future deterioration trends. This particular method focused on the deterioration of solder joint strength due to solder fatigue and comparing these values with a threshold based on known electrical failures. A conditional probability density function was formulated and quantified for both random shear strength and the minimum shear strength within a module. The conditional probability density function characterized both the changing mean and variance for a normally distributed random shear strength. With this methodology, time or mileage (life) prediction is based on the probability that the minimum performance response is less than a defined failure threshold. The methodology described herein promises to be an effective product development tool as the effect of design changes on product life can be more quickly and easily evaluated. While the technique developed herein is applicable to all electronic designs, the method was developed with a particular focus on understanding these relationships for automotive (harsh environment) applications. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Continuous Three‐Dimensional Examination of Interior Hair Structure

The ability to continuously examine the interior hair structure throughout a treatment process is very important in designing effective hair products. Microscopy is commonly used to observe the interior of hair, but this method requires a sliced sample, making continuous observation impossible. Use of X‐ray computed tomography (CT) as a non‐destructive measurement has been proposed, but this method has a disadvantage in that it is impossible to obtain full‐color interior images of the sample. Thus, a non‐destructive method for continuous, full‐color examination of the interior hair structure has been lacking. In this study a new method is proposed that enables non‐destructive and continuous measurement of the interior hair structure with color information. In our method, optical CT is used for reconstruction of the interior hair structure. Our new theories enabled us to solve the crucial problem of the large observational error of traditional optical CT systems caused by internal light scattering and to make its practical application possible. A new optical CT system based on our method was implemented. This system displayed sufficient accuracy when the phantom image was measured, and clear and full‐color cross‐sectional images were obtained without destruction of the sample when human hair was observed. When the bleaching and dyeing processes were continuously measured, changes in the interior hair with time could be observed. These results clearly indicate that our new method provides a powerful tool for research and product development.

The impact of virtual simulation tools on problem-solving and new product development organization

New product development nowadays makes heavy use of IT instruments such as virtual simulation tools. The main motivation for introducing virtual simulation tools in new product development is to speed up development and lower its cost. Virtual simulation tools, however, do much more. They introduce profound changes in the organization, including the nature of problem-solving, bearing the potential to increase new product development performance beyond cost and lead time reduction. Understanding these profound changes, we argue, holds the key to unlocking the potential of virtual simulation tools for improving new product development performance, including more innovative products. We support our argument with a case study from the European auto industry.

Handling trade-offs in Ecodesign tools for sustainable product development and procurement

Trade-off situations often occur in the product development and procurement processes when alternative solutions emphasize different aspects that have to be balanced against each other. Ecodesign tools can be used in both product development and purchasing, for example to prescribe design alternatives, assess environmental impacts or to compare environmental improvement alternatives. However, it is not always clear what should be chosen in trade-off situations. In this study, 15 different Ecodesign tools were analyzed to ascertain whether a valuation is included in the tools, in what way the tools give support in different types of trade-off situations and whether the tools provide support from a sustainability perspective. Nine of the 15 tools analyzed included a valuation and were able to provide support in a trade-off situation, but the support was not sufficient. The valuation should include a life cycle perspective and a framework for sustainability. Otherwise, it can lead to strategically incorrect decisions from a sustainability perspective with concomitant risks of sub-optimized investment paths and blind alleys. However, all the analyzed tools can be complemented with other tools and methods based on strategic planning towards sustainability in order to include a framework for sustainability.

Crystallization analysis fractionation

AbstractCrystallization analysis fractionation (CRYSTAF) is an analytical technique for determining the distribution of chain crystallizabilities of semicrystalline polymers. After only approximately a decade since it was developed, CRYSTAF has become one of the most important characterization techniques in polyolefin characterization laboratories because it provides fast and crucial information required for the proper understanding of polymerization mechanisms and structure–property relationships. In the polyolefin industry, it has been established as an indispensable tool for product development and product quality monitoring. This highlight article covers basic operation procedures, applications, and theoretical aspects of polymer fractionation with CRYSTAF. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1557–1570, 2005

Management of R&D Projects Under Uncertainty: A Multidimensional Approach to Managerial Flexibility

In this paper, we describe the practical application of a flexibility-based management approach to new product development, highlighting advantages, and limitations of this methodology. The model is concerned with the resolution of uncertainty over the product development life cycle and deals with technical, market, and cost factors all together. To this end, we consider a real options model, which uses multidimensional decision trees, to assess the development process of a high-technology product, namely, the Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope. Moreover, we show how this project could be managed by estimating its value and determining optimal managerial actions to be taken at each review stage of the new product development process. Finally, we draw conclusions about this model's general utility and particular challenges associated with its use as a product development tool, and emphasize the need to consider a multidimensional model, instead of a single dimensional one.