Search

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing is the most widespread technology in additive manufacturing worldwide that thanks to its low costs, finished component applications, and the production process of other parts. The need for lighter and higher-performance components has led to an increased usage of polymeric matrix composites in many fields ranging from automotive to aerospace. The molds used to manufacture these components are made with different technologies, depending on the number of pieces to be made. Usually, they are fiberglass molds with a thin layer of gelcoat to lower the surface roughness and obtain a smooth final surface of the component. Alternatively, they are made from metal, thus making a single carbon fiber prototype very expensive due to the mold build. Making the mold using FDM technology can be a smart solution to reduce costs, but due to the layer deposition process, the roughness is quite high. The surface can be improved by reducing the layer height, but it is still not possible to reach the same degree of surface finish of metallic or gelcoat molds without the use of fillers. Thermoplastic polymers, also used in the FDM process, are generally soluble in specific solvents. This aspect can be exploited to perform chemical smoothing of the external surface of a component. The combination of FDM and chemical smoothing can be a solution to produce low-cost molds with a very good surface finish.

The design of an E segment, executive, midsize sedan car was chosen to fill a gap in the market of the Ford brand and to achieve the goal of innovation looking towards the future. Ford has not owned an E-segment flagship sports sedan for years, since the historic 1960s Falcon. Starting from the latter assumption and considering that the major car manufacturers are currently investing heavily in E-segment cars, it is important to design a new model, which has been called the Eagle. This model proposed here is to fill the gap between Ford and other companies that are already producing sport cars for the electric sector and to complete Ford’s proposal. The presented methodology is based on SDE, on which many design tools are implemented, such as Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Benchmarking (BM), and Top Flop Analysis (TPA). A market analysis follows in order to identify the major competitors and their key characteristics considering style and technology. The results are used to design an innovative car. Based on the most developed stylistic trends, the vehicle is first sketched and then drawn in the 2D and 3D environments for prototyping. This result leads to the possibility of 3D printing the actual model as a maquette using the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology and testing it in different configurations in Augmented Reality (AR). These two final applications unveil the possibilities of Industry 4.0 as enrichment for SDE and in general rapid prototyping.

With this article, we intend to set the first strategic phase of the product development process, that is to say the one related to the conceptual project. In particular, this work refers to the installation of the project of an innovative, green, sustainable means of transport based on renewable energy, to move to the center of medium and large cities. The discussion presented presents a series of cutting-edge methods, in series of logical use, in order to make both strategic and technical decisions. Among the inputs of the methods, we will have an analysis of customer needs, competitive analysis, a series of technological objectives (or performances) as a result of the work in progress. In particular, we will first use the quality distribution method (QFD), then the method of analyzing competition through Benchmarking to identify the quantitative requirements that will give us the opportunity to create an innovative product, enhanced by a Top-Flop analysis to determine the number of requirements of the best product on the market, which will be the limit to be overcome to embody innovation in a new project. As for the QFD, the input values are the customer's requirements, obtained with the "Six questions" method; then applying an interrelationship of the QFD matrix, the outputs of the method described above were obtained, representing the classification of all the various urban transports, classified according to user preferences. The application of the competition-oriented method of competition analysis through the use of Benchmarking is applied after the QFD. The inputs are the quantitative specifications, that is the performance, of all the hoverboard models of all the brands on the market. The output, however, is a comparison graph that contains all the performance values for each model. Other inputs will be table data, other outputs, values (or ranges of values) for each performance, so as to obtain a technical specification with quantitative objectives to obtain an innovative product.

Technology evolution and wide research attention on 3D printing efficiency and processes have given the prompt need to reach an understanding about each technique’s prowess to deliver superior quality levels whilst showing an economical and process viability to become mainstream. Studies in the field have struggled to predict the singularities that arise during most Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) practices, therefore, diverse individual description of the parameters have been performed, but a relationship study between them has not yet assessed. The proposed study lays the main defects caused by a selection of printing parameters which might vary layer slicing, then influencing the defect rate. Subsequently, the chosen technique for optimization is presented, with evidence of its application viability that suggests that a quality advance would be gathered with such. The results would help in making the FDM process become a reliable process that could also be used for industry manufacturing besides prototyping purposes.

Beginning from an analysis of all the top types of execution of the hoverboard, acontemporary vehicle for city transportation, inventive concepts were generated to design it. Quality-orientedmethodology, just like Quality Function Deployment (QFD)for example, contributed the desires to start from, while through an innovation-orientedmethodology, just like Teorija Rešenija Izobretatel'skich Zadač (TRIZ) method, proposals and notions for innovative settings were reached. In practice, while the QFD methodology has apowerfully conceptual appeal, and it is the basis of our analysis, the TRIZ method gives amore innovative thrust and deals the aspects that are strongly constructive and concrete. The matrix of contradictions has been used within the Hill model, and through it, it has been possible to rework the innovative problems, suggested by the analysis of the QFD, in terms of technical contradictions. The main purpose of the following work is to demonstrate how the two methodologies mentioned above, namely the QFD methodology and the TRIZ methodology, can be integrated within apath of development of innovative products, supporting one for the other.

Three-dimensional printed custom cutting guides (CCGs) are becoming more and more investigated in medical literature, as a patient-specific approach is often desired and very much needed in today’s surgical practice. Three-dimensional printing applications and computer-aided surgical simulations (CASS) allow for meticulous preoperatory planning and substantial reductions of operating time and risk of human error. However, several limitations seem to slow the large-scale adoption of 3D printed CCGs. CAD designing and 3D printing skills are inevitably needed to develop workflow and address the study, therefore, hospitals are pushed to include third-party collaboration, from highly specialized medical centers to industrial engineering companies, thus increasing the time and cost of labor. The aim of this study was to move towards the feasibility of an in-house, low-cost CCG 3D printing methodology for pediatric orthopedic (PO) surgery. The prototype of a femoral cutting guide was developed for its application at the IOR—Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute of Bologna. The element was printed with an entry-level 3D printer with a high-temperature PLA fiber, whose thermomechanical properties can withstand common steam heat sterilization without bending or losing the original geometry. This methodology allowed for extensive preoperatory planning that would likewise reduce the overall surgery time, whilst reducing the risks related to the intervention.

The study of CAD (computer aided design) modeling, design and manufacturing techniques has undergone a rapid growth over the past decades. In medicine, this development mainly concerned the dental and maxillofacial sectors. Significant progress has also been made in orthopedics with pre-operative CAD simulations, printing of bone models and production of patient-specific instruments. However, the traditional procedure that formulates the surgical plan based exclusively on two-dimensional images and interventions performed without the aid of specific instruments for the patient and is currently the most used surgical technique. The production of custom-made tools for the patient, in fact, is often expensive and its use is limited to a few hospitals. The purpose of this study is to show an innovative and cost-effective procedure aimed at prototyping a custom-made surgical guide for address the cubitus varus deformity on a pediatric patient. The cutting guides were obtained through an additive manufacturing process that starts from the 3D digital model of the patient’s bone and allows to design specific models using Creo Parametric. The result is a tool that adheres perfectly to the patient’s bone and guides the surgeon during the osteotomy procedure. The low cost of the methodology described makes it worth noticing by any health institution.

Environmental impact and recycling have been increasingly frequent topics in recent years. At the same time, the life cycle of products has increasingly become shorter, as the escalating competitive market requires new products in smaller pieces. From this perspective, the recovery of parts and products that are produced in this market system for subsequent reuse when they reach the end of their life cycle is essential. For these reasons, it has become critical that companies re-evaluate their product design with a view to the possible recovery of the parts that comprise their products and to create new products for the market. The following discussion was based on the study of design for disassembly (DfD), which is the analysis of industrial products aimed at optimizing disassembly in terms of time and costs. The application of the DfD to a case study of a gearbox has, among its main objectives, the search for the best disassembly sequence in terms of time and money. During the course of the study, augmented reality (AR) was used. Through the use of the Unity software and Vuforia package, it was possible to bring the gearbox back to AR and then simulate the disassembly sequence in AR.

This work aims to present an in-house low-cost computer-aided simulation (CASS) process that was recently implemented in the preoperative planning of complex osteotomies for limb deformities in children. Five patients admitted to the Unit of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Traumatology from April 2018 to December 2019, for correcting congenital or post-traumatic limb deformities were included in the study. Three-dimensional (3D) digital models were generated from Computed Tomography (CT) scans, using free open-source software, and the surgery was planned and simulated starting from the 3D digital model. 3D printed sterilizable models were fabricated using a low-cost 3D printer, and animations of the operation were generated with the aim to accurately explain the operation to parents. All procedures were successfully planned using our CASS method and the 3D printed models were used during the operation, improving the understanding of the severely abnormal bony anatomy. The surgery was precisely reproduced according to CASS and the deformities were successfully corrected in four cases, while in one case, the intraoperative intentional undersizing of the bone osteotomy produced an incomplete correction of a congenital forearm deformity. Our study describes the application of a safe, effective, user-friendly, and low-cost CASS process in paediatric orthopaedics (PO) surgery. We are convinced that our study will stimulate the widespread adoption of this technological innovation in routine clinical practice for the treatment of rare congenital and post-traumatic limb deformities during childhood.

In this work, a structured design method, the Stylistic Design Engineering (SDE), isapplied for the construction of a new minivan car, in particular a new city car, which we will callFIAT 600 Omega. The SDE, or Stylistic Design Engineering, is a structured engineering method forcarrying out automotive design projects. The SDE method consists of six different phases: (1)Analysis of stylistic trends, (2) Sketches, (3) 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, (4) 3DCAD models, (5) Rendering, (6) Solid stylistic model (also called style maquette). This project dealswith the external redesign of the Fiat 600 multiple, a small minivan which was very successful inthe 1950s and 1960s. SDE is a methodology consisting of various technologies and designmethodologies that will be further explained in detail, such as the Pininfarina method, the QualityFunction Deployment (QFD) method, Benchmarking (BM), and Top Flop Analysis (TPA). The workwas organized according to the different phases. Initially, the Fiat style was studied, in particularthe style of the FIAT 600 MULTI PURPOUSE VEHICLE (MPV). This step is essential to betterunderstand the characteristics of the brand and also the main characteristics carried out over thedecades. Then we moved on to the freehand sketching phase, based on what we learned in theprevious phase of the study. When a satisfactory shape was found for the new car, by analyzing anddiscarding the different proposals of the various types of style, we proceeded to the evaluation ofthe proportions and dimensions through two-dimensional drawings and finally we obtained thethree-dimensional shape of the new car thanks to 3D CAD software and rendering software. Manyadvantages in the industrial world SDE takes together with its development. In fact, until the early2000s, car design and styling was considered quite a craft activity, not a technical or scientific one,mostly based on the great capability of famous car designers and masters, just like Giugiaro, Zagato,Bertone, Pininfarina, Stephenson, Bangle, etc. Then, thanks to the industrial activity of Eng. LorenzoRamacciotti, former CEO of Pininfarina Spa and Mechanical Engineer, and also thanks to theacademic studies developed at ALMA MATER STUDIORUM University of Bologna, SDE becamethe object of attention, because it is able to systematize the car design process and reduce costs. WithSDE, a good design research or an industrial product development team can complete a car designproject, also without the presence of a mentor. Car Design Process finally becomes with SDE ascientific method, Car Design becomes with SDE an industrial method. Industrial needs are niceproducts made in a short time, SDE is structured to attend these issues. Industrial challenges followinnovation, in shape and functionality, SDE is able to recognize innovation. Industrial benefits canbe reached with SDE, ensuring beautiful aesthetic projects are realized systematically and with lowcosts.

This work aims to analyze the characteristics and importance that design techniques for disassembly assume in the modern design phase of a mechanism. To this end, the study begins by considering a three-dimensional model of a gear motor, taken from the components of which the overall drawings are arranged and from the relief of those not available. Once the mechanism has been digitally reconstructed, the activity focuses on the study of the optimal disassembly sequence by comparing different methodologies, according to two evaluation criteria&mdash, minimizing the time taken and minimizing the number of tool changes necessary to complete the sequence. The main results of the work are (1) defining a standard methodology to improve disassembly sequence planning, (2) finding the best disassembly sequence for the specific component among the literature and eventually new methods, and (3) offering to the industrial world a way to optimize maintenance operations in mechanical products. Referring to the limitation of the present works, it can be affirmed that the results are limited to the literature explored and to the case study examined.

This study shows an application of the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Methodology in the field of medical engineering. This research aims to demonstrate the application of a systematic design approach in the development of the “Ocane”, an innovative concept of smart cane for visually impaired patients which was thought of in answer to the end user’s needs, deploying an easy to transport, locate, and adjust element with ultrasonic sensors and tactile feedback. DFSS is an analytical design methodology meant to organize project workflow in a sequence of specific steps. Other standardized design procedures such as Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Stylistic Design Engineering (SDE) have been used to support DFSS in terms of targeting customer requirements and focusing on aesthetics for ergonomics analysis, respectively. First, the QFD process is introduced and applied to gather the final customer needs, completing the analysis with benchmarking and similar-thought products on the market. Afterwards, a description of the DFSS methodology and application to the case study was deployed. Thereafter, the SDE procedure is exposed by identifying the “Ocane” concept and development, and moving towards the completion of an inventive product with a creative design and careful attention to visually impaired clients’ requirements.

Over the last years, good strategies for efficient manufacturing were considered increasing the volume of production and reducing the time and costs. Emerging design strategies as the Design for Environment and life cycle assessment, the Design for Sustainability, the Design for Disassembly moved the focus to conceive a product by taking care of all the effect that its use can cause to the economy, to the society and to the environment, also at its disposal. In this context, design strategies have to be enhanced in order to integrate innovation with sustainability and social care. Thus, the horizon for strategic manufacturing has to pay particular attention to the effects that it could produce to the surrounding environment. This way, some manufacturing techniques that could be considered obsolete in terms of sustainability awareness, but that are not yet ready to be replaced by advanced available technologies, need a requalification in order to be collocated in the current scenario. In this paper, the open moulding technique has been discussed in order to update the current manufacturing technique to meet the emerging sustainable strategies. Through the integration of QFD and TRIZ an innovative design method have been assessed to enhance the manufacturing process by means of computer aided engineering devices. PrinterCAD is a project that aims to manage additive and subtractive techniques, applied to complex and large-scale products, by means of an open source software with an integrated module, in order to enhance the CAD, CAM and slicing for the 3D printer’s languages intercommunication.

This paper presents the application of a low-cost 3D printing technology in pre-operative planning and intra-operative decision-making. Starting from Computed Tomography (CT) scans, we were able to reconstruct a 3D model of the area of interest with a very simple and rapid workflow, using open-source software and an entry level 3D printer. The use of High Temperature Poly-Lactic Acid (HTPLA) by ProtoPasta allowed fabricating sterilizable models, which could be used within the surgical field. We believe that our method is an appealing alternative to high-end commercial products, being superior for cost and speed of production. It could be advantageous especially for small and less affluent hospitals that could produce customized sterilizable tools with little investment and high versatility.

In an increasing number of aggressive enterprise world, “time to market” concerning products has come to be a solution element because of enterprise success. There are exceptional techniques so expect layout mistakes or open products concerning the need between much less time. Among the most used methodologies in the design and setting about stability the requirements, Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) execute remain used. In the prototyping phase, such is feasible in imitation of tackle the rising science regarding additive manufacturing. Today, three-dimensional stamping is in the meanwhile used as a rapid prototyping technique. However, the actual challenge that enterprise is going through is the use of these machineries for large-scale production about parts, at last viable along current HP Multi fusion. The aim of this article is to study the interactive design and engineering applied to the entire product development process taking advantage of the most modern models and technologies for the final realization of a case study that involves the design and prototyping of an innovative multifunctional fan (Lamp, Aroma Diffuser and fan) through the Multi Jet Fusion of HP. To begin with, issues related to the DFSS, the QFD and their application to identify the fan requirements are explored. Once the requirements have been defined, the modern CAD design systems and the CAE systems for the validation of the case study will be analyzed and applied. Finally, HP’s Multi Jet Fusion methodology and design rules for additive manufacturing will be analyzed in detail, trying to exploit all the positive aspects it offers.

In an increasingly competitive business world, the “time to market” of products has become a key factor for business success. There are different techniques that anticipate design mistakes and launch products on the market in less time. Among the most used methodologies in the design and definition of the requirements, quality function deployment (QFD) and design for Six Sigma (DFSS) can be used. In the prototyping phase, it is possible to address the emerging technology of additive manufacturing. Today, three-dimensional printing is already used as a rapid prototyping technique. However, the real challenge that industry is facing is the use of these machineries for large-scale production of parts, now possible with new HP multi-fusion. The aim of this article is to study the entire product development process taking advantage of the most modern models and technologies for the final realization of a case study that involves the design and prototyping of an innovative multifunctional fan (lamp, aroma diffuser and fan) through the Multi Jet Fusion of HP. To begin with, issues related to the DFSS, the QFD and their application to identify the fan requirements are explored. Once the requirements have been defined, the modern CAD design systems and the CAE systems for the validation of the case study will be analyzed and applied. Finally, HP's Multi Jet Fusion methodology and design rules for additive manufacturing will be analyzed in detail, trying to exploit all the positive aspects it offers.

Our purpose is to develop the preoperative diagnosis stage for orthopedic surgical treatments using additive manufacturing technology. Our methods involve fast implementations of an additive manufactured bone model, converted from CAT data, through appropriate software use. Then, additive manufacturing of the formed surfaces through special 3D-printers. With the structural model redesigned and printed in three dimensions, the surgeon is able to look at the printed bone and he can handle it because the model perfectly reproduces the real one upon which he will operate. We found that additive manufacturing models can precisely characterize the anatomical structures of fractures or lesions. The studied practice helps the surgeon to provide a complete preoperative valuation and a correct surgery, with minimized duration and risks. This structural model is also an effective device for communication between doctor and patient.

Considering the progressively expansive trade world, &ldquo, time to market&rdquo, of productions and goods has turned into a key element for business accomplishment. There are diverse practices that antedate design faults and unveil products on the market in minus time. Among the most used methods in the design and explanation of the necessities, quality function deployment (QFD) and design for Six Sigma (DFSS) can be used. In the prototyping stage, it is probable to address the emergent technology of additive manufacturing. Today, 3D printing is employed as a quick prototyping technique. Nevertheless, the tangible task which industry is fronting is the adoption of these machines for large-scale production of components, which is now possible with new HP multi fusion. The goal of this paper is to illustrate the entire product development process taking advantage of the most modern models and technologies for the final realization of a case study that involves the design and prototyping of an innovative multifunctional fan (lamp, aroma diffuser, and fan) through the multi jet fusion of HP. To begin with, issues related to the DFSS, the QFD and their application to identify the fan requirements are explored. Once the requirements have been defined, the modern CAD design systems and the CAE systems for the validation of the case study will be analyzed and applied. Finally, HP&rsquo, s multi jet fusion methodology and design rules for additive manufacturing will be analyzed in detail, trying to exploit all the positive aspects it offers.

This experimental study defines the usage of a computer-aided surgical simulation process that is effective, safe, user-friendly, and low-cost, that achieves a detailed and realistic representation of the anatomical region of interest. The chosen tools for this purpose are state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) software for mechanical design, and are the fundamental application dedicated to parametric modeling. These tools support different work environments, each one is for a specific type of modeling, and they allow the simulation of surgery. The result will be a faithful representation of the anatomical part both before and after the surgical procedure, screening all the intermediate phases. The doctor will assess different lines of action according to the results, then he will communicate them to the engineer who, consequently, will correct the antisymmetric issue and regenerate the model. Exact measurements of the mutual positions of the various components, skeletal and synthetic, can be achieved; all the osteosynthesis tools, necessary for the surgeon, can be included in the project according to different types of fracture to perfectly match the morphology of the bone to be treated. The method has been tested on seven clinical cases of different complexity and nature and the results of the simulations have been found to be of great effectiveness in the phase of diagnosis and of preoperative planning for the doctors and surgeons; therefore, allowing a lower risk medical operation with a better outcome. This work delivers experimental results in line with theoretical research findings in detail; moreover, full experimental and/or methodical details are provided, so that outcomes could be obtained.

A feasibility study for the installation of a CRDID (Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel) on a light helicopter is introduced. The total mass available for the CRDID is evaluated starting from fuel consumption and helicopter data. The conversion of an automotive unit was discarded to excessive mass and excessive costs of the conversion. A derivative of an automotive engine was then considered. This solution proved to be feasible. The installation of the new CRDID was then studied. The turbocharger and the cooling system were defined for the application. The result was the evaluation of the power plant installation mass that proved to be much lower than the maximum admissible. The installation is then possible. La Se presenta un estudio de factibilidad para la instalación de un CRDID ( Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel por sus siglas en ingles) en un helicóptero ligero . La masa total disponible para el CRDID se calcula a partir de los datos de consumo de combustible y datos de helicópteros. La conversión de una unidad de automoción se descartó debido a los costos excesivos en masa, y costos excesivos en conversión. A continuación se considera un derivado de un motor de automóvil . Esta solución ha demostrado ser factible. Posteriormente, se estudió la instalación de la nueva CRDID . El sistema de refrigeración y el turbocompresor se definieron para la aplicación. El resultado fue el calculo de la masa de instalación de la planta de energía que resultó ser mucho menor que el máximo admisible. La instalación es entonces realizable.

The aim of this work is to complete the QFD analysis carried out in a previous work that aimed to identify the main features that contribute to the success of a modern urban transport means: the hoverboard. Starting from this analysis, through the TRIZ methodology, resolutive principles have been identified for the realization of innovative solutions of the said urban transport means. In practice this analysis aims to manage the next phase of conceptual design realized with the QFD methodology and tries to guide the design process in its next phase. In this work was used the hill model, a characteristic model of the TRIZ methodology, and the technical innovative problems encountered were reformulated in terms of technical contradictions. Subsequently, general principles of inventive solutions were obtained using one of the tools of TRIZ: the matrix of contradiction. Finally, starting from these general principles of solution, innovative constructive solutions have been developed to be applied to the design of an innovative hoverboard.

This article intends to apply some innovative design methodologies to define, as a first objective, an optimized technical specification and then, as a second objective, to manage the transition from conceptual design to construction project of an innovative means of urban transport, meeting the needs of ‘renewable energy’ requirements, which then declines into an hoverboard. The methodologies used in this manuscript are the quality function deployment (QFD), applied in the first phase of the work to determine what is the appropriate means to move in the centre of medium-large cities; then it is used as a typical method for product marketing, i.e., the decision-making process driven by the analysis of benchmarking, suitable for quantitatively organizing competitive analysis and choosing innovation targets; finally, it is implemented the top-flop analysis in order to better improve the benchmarking implementation, identifying the best product in the market, basing on the highest number of innovative requirements owned by it [1-3].

Opening from an examination of all the best features of accomplishment of the hoverboard, a modern vehicle for urban transport, the authors have created inventive ideas to design the transport means itself. Quality Function Deployment methodology provided the requirements to start from, while the TRIZ methods have provided us the proposals and notions of an innovative landscape to which the authors tend. In practice, while the QFD methodology has a powerfully conceptual appeal, and it is the basis of our analysis, the TRIZ method gives a more innovative thrust and deals the aspects that are strongly constructive and concrete. The Matrix of Contradictions was used within the Hill Model, and through it, the authors have been able to rework the innovative problems, suggested by the QFD analysis, in terms of technical contradictions. At the end of the work, a number of suggestions were made to further innovate this urban and modern means of transport: the hoverboard.

We present the stress analysis of a pouring concrete device. In order to test the prototype of a pouring concrete equipment composed of fivearms with hollow rectangular cross sections, an extensive study about equipment for pouring concrete has been undertaken. An upgrade of a four-arms device already existing and actually working would be developed. Tests have been performed both on the prototype of the equipment and on a virtual model of the device, performed by a 3D CAD modeler and analyzed through FEM numerical programs. During experimental tests, a laser device has measured deflections at the end of the fifth arm, corresponding to applied loads. For measuring strains in the critical points highlighted by the numerical simulation strain rosette have been employed. In both the static and the dynamic conditions, Mohr's circles have been drawn from the 3D strain state and the 2D plane stress experimental records and they have been compared with those predicted through the finite element analysis. From the comparison between numerical and experimental results, a very good correlation has been obtained for static loading to assess the soundness of the virtual model.

Sustainable design aims at the creation of physical objects, environment and services that complies to optimize social, economic, and ecological impact. QFD is able to assess the product design by the choice and definition of parameters that can be qualitatively discussed. The purpose of design is to meet a need in new ways and in innovative ways. In this context, the QFD aims at evaluating the quality of a design process. TRIZ is a design method that aim at defining and overcome some critical issue that can affect the development of a product, by means of potential innovative solutions. In this paper QDF and TRIZ analysis have been adopted in order to validate a design method for direct open moulds, by a new strategy: hybrid manufacturing can reduce the production time, the use of material, the energy and the waste consumption, employing subtractive and addictive techniques efficiently combined.

Sustainable design aims at the creation of physical objects, environment and services that complies to optimize social, economic, and ecological impact. QFD is able to assess the product design by the choice and definition of parameters that can be qualitatively discussed. The purpose of design is to meet a need in new ways and in innovative ways. In this context, the QFD aims at evaluating the quality of a design process. TRIZ is a design method that aim at defining and overcome some critical issue that can affect the development of a product, by means of potential innovative solutions. In this paper QDF and TRIZ analysis have been adopted in order to validate a design method for direct open moulds, by a new strategy: hybrid manufacturing can reduce the production time, the use of material, the energy and the waste consumption, employing subtractive and addictive techniques efficiently combined.

This paper presents a a novel alghorithm of diagnosis and treatment of rigid flatfoot due to tarsal coalition. It introduces a workflow based on 3D printed models, that ensures more efficiency, not only by reducing costs and time, but also by improving procedures in the preoperative clinical phase. Since this paper concerns the development of a new methodology that integrates both engineering and medical fields, it highlights symmetry. An economic comparison is made between the traditional method and the innovative one, the results demonstrate a reduction in costs with the latter. The current, traditional method faces critical issues in diagnosing the pathologies of a limb (such as the foot) and taking decisions for further treatment of the same limb. The proposed alternative methodology thus uses new technologies that are part of the traditional workflow, only replacing the most obsolete ones. In fact, it is increasingly becoming necessary to introduce new technologies in orthopedics, as in other areas of medicine, to offer improved healthcare services for patients. Similar clinical treatments can be performed using the aforementioned technologies, offering greater effectiveness, more simplicity of approach, shorter times, and lower costs. An important technology that fits into this proposed methodology is 3D printing.

Multiple-speed gearboxes with computer controlled automatic gear selection devices are a common possible choice in cars. Robotized gear insertion of one tenth of a second is possible. Economical and weight consideration are to be made to verify if it is convenient to use a smaller engine and a larger gearbox with a wider choice of speeds. In this paper, an automotive application for a public transport vehicle based on a Class S chassis with the choice of common-rail direct injection engines. This choice is particular unfavorable for the multispeed gearbox since common-rail engines have very flat specific fuel consumption curves. The lumped mass model implemented is conceived to estimate velocity, acceleration and fuel consumption starting from aerodynamic, inertia and thermodynamic data of the vehicle. The estimated data of performance and fuel consumption were compared with measured values. A Genetic elitarian Algorithm (GA) was used to optimise the engine choice and the gearbox speeds distribution. A maximum reduction of 15% was then calculated with a 16-speeds gearbox and a 140 HP/300Nm engine in comparison with the standard 5-speeds 204 HP/500Nm engine. This fuel reduction was obtained on the mixed city-motorway cycle. In this case, maximum speed is limited to 180km/h and the 0-100km/h acceleration is reduced to 11s (from the original 8.6s). The weight remains almost unaltered since the 204 HP engine is heavier than the 140 HP and this largely compensates the gearbox weight increase. The multiple speed solution seems to be very interesting also for public transports vehicles and for trucks. © 2015 Pushpa Publishing House, Allahabad, India.

Starting from a good automotive engine is always a good idea, also for brand new automotive design. In the case of automotive to aircraft conversions, the automotive engine is modified as little as possible. This approach has several advantages: reduced development time, good reliability and availability of cheap and worldwide spare parts. What it may appear a good idea is to tune up the original ECU (electronic control unit) by using one of the several softwares available on the market. However, this approach is not feasible even for ultra light aircrafts. This is due to the lack of control on the software of these ECUs. In fact, automotive software timing or ECU set-up is performed in the following way. The final ECU manufacturer (who holds the responsibility of the hardware and the software in the final car ECU) supplies to the car manufacturer a “development ECU” with a “development Software”. This system is tuned on the engine and on the car to fulfill the car manufacturer requirement. When the tuning is considered satisfactory, the “maps” (the data inputted by the manufactured) are given to the ECU manufacturer. This later translates the data into the software of a “production ECU”, that is given back to the car manufacturer for final validation prior to serial production of ECU and car. In this case, even the car manufacturer does not have a full control of what happens inside his ECU. This is logical since the full responsibility is given to the ECU part supplier. So the tuning of a serial production ECU is more than a true programming. Results are unpredictable to a certain extent that depends on the level of knowledge of the person who performed the tuning and of the software house that implemented the software. The software that truly runs on serial production ECU is a well kept secret of the ECU manufacturer, since it is the knowledge of ECU. The simpler is the software the less expensive will be the ECU and the larger the profits of the ECU supplier. Tricks are hidden inside the ECU to obtain these results; these tricks multiplied per millions of ECU give the supplier a competitive advantage. So, even the car manufacturer has a limited control on what happens inside the real-time software of the ECU, what emerges is the engine and the car behavior. Aircraft conversions require the replacement of ECU, wirings and sensors with appropriate units. This assembly with its own software constitutes the aircraft FADEC.

This paper presents a novel concept of container mobile housing system denominated ZETHa (Zero Energy Temporary Habitation). It is based on the LESP (Low Exergy Structured Panel) concept, in which the acclimatization is realized by water recirculation inside the external walls of the building and the ZEBRA concept (Zero Energy Consumption Building totally Renewable Addicted). A general plant and building design has been produced with the aim to minimize the presence of thermal bridges. The calculations of energy dispersion have been performed both in the wall and in the whole building. The energetic contribution of renewable energy plants has been evaluated to obtain a totally passive building. This evaluation will also consider energy needs by appliances.Copyright © 2012 by ASME

The KAD (Knowledge Aided Design) tool is developed to predict the performance of an F1 car in different driving conditions and with different configurations. The regulations to put in trimming a car, also in the exasperated technology of the competitions, still demand a remarkable dose of luck and an elevated number of tests. It is then important to know a set of regulations close to the optimal trim before testing the car on the track. The difficult phase of this process is to evaluate the lap time. As a matter of fact driving style, track conditions and car behavior should be simulated. The optimisation of the fuzzy controller that simulates the pilot for an F1 racing car is difficult due to handling problems and velocity of response. For this purpose a specific Genetic Algorithm (GA) was conceived and tuned to work with a lumped mass model of an F1 racing car for the optimization of the fuzzy controller that simulates the pilot. A new mutation and a new crossover operator were defined to complement the standard crossover and mutation operators of the basic Holland’s GA. This was necessary in order to increase the overall performance of the fuzzy pilot. This approach was tested on an F1 car due to the huge amount of data available ( Donnarumma, 1998 , Moelenbein, 1989 ; Lee and Takagi, 1993 ).