Engineering Product Design

Product Development Practices for Meeting Financial Objectives

by Nisheeth Gupta

Published in 33rd Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) Annual International Conference, Anaheim, CA, October 31-November 4, 2009

This paper reports product development practices that separate the most successful product development programs from... more This paper reports product development practices that separate the most successful product development programs from the rest. A detailed understanding of best product development practices is important because product development is fundamental to corporate success (Clark & Fujimoto, 1991; Eisenhardt & Tabrizi, 1995; Eppinger & Chitkara, 2006). Teams from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and McKinsey and Company have collaborated to investigate practices used for 112 product development projects at 57 firms in the medical device, industrial, and high-tech industries. Preliminary results suggest that certain practices are particularly important for influencing project outcomes.

Technology as a Determinant of Object Shape

by Denis A. Coelho

by Denis A. Coelho and Filipe A. A. Corda
Chapter 1
Industrial Design - New Frontiers
ISBN 978-953-307-622-5
Book edited by:
Dr. Denis A. Coelho
Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Portugal

The aim of this work is to undertake a study about the influence of
technology in the form of products that... more The aim of this work is to undertake a study about the influence of
technology in the form of products that incorporate technology, using a
standard methodology developed for this purpose. Examples of products
and their shape changes over time are presented, attempts to understand the
extent to which these changes are consequences of the developments in
technology are put forward and the importance of technology as a
determinant of the shape of products that incorporate technology is
demonstrated.
A review of the evolution of form, taking into account the technology of a
selected range of consumer products that incorporate technology, with the
aim of deconstructing archetypes that are fixed and propose new ideas was
accomplished. In particular, a range of technologies that are foreseen for the
future are considered, and these are also the subject of study in this
contribution, and will allow new designs and future images for a great
variety of products, which in some cases may be subject to a deconstruction
of the stereotype of the object's shape.
Selecting specific cases of products, from a historical perspective, one can
see what have been the determinants of their shape, which led to the
establishment of their archetypal form. A comparative methodology was
developed, in order to "decode" the role of technology as a determinant of
the shape of products.
Understanding the importance of technology as a modeling influence for
products’ form, what role this has in the consumer society, and what is its
responsibility as a major element in the deconstruction of the archetypes of
form is intended in this contribution. The influence of technology in the
transformation of products is demonstrated, considering three distinct types
of alterations caused by changes in technology, in a tripartite view, which
focuses on: product changes, in the cases where technological change leads
to a radical change of product form; product change, if technological change
is not reflected so much in the change of form, but rather in the performance
and the yield of the product; and, ultimately, change in the product in the
event of technological change leading to a deconstruction of the product as
an object.
Finally, and after the study of the technologies, which was methodologically
structured, and concern the technologies that the three products in analysis
use, used and may come to utilize (technology that is foreseen for the
future), a scenario was proposed, creating new designs for the products that
have been studied. It is emphasized that the product as a
physical object may disappear or may be dissolved in the environment or
the architecture, with the advent of emerging technologies and their new
capabilities that will certainly cause changes in the shape of products.

Culturally Inspired Design: Product Personalities to Capture Cultural Aspects

by Denis A. Coelho

by Denis A. Coelho, Ana S. C. Silva and Carla S. M. Simão
Chapter 4
Industrial Design - New Frontiers
ISBN 978-953-307-622-5
Book edited by:
Dr. Denis A. Coelho
Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Portugal

This contribution is developed in a two stage process. On the first part, an
attempt to identify the Portuguese... more This contribution is developed in a two stage process. On the first part, an
attempt to identify the Portuguese identity reflected in the design of existing
products is made. In the second part of this work, product design
specifications are created base on the assignment of product personalities to
capture Portuguese and Lusophone cultural aspects. Both stages of the
contribution give rise to new concepts, which are aimed at representing
cultural values transferred to objects. In both stages of the research, an array
of product features is drawn up, in the first case from observation, in the
second case from matching of cultural traits with product features, through
product personality assignment. The results of both streams of analysis do
not match entirely. This suggests that there is a space yet to be filled for a
culturally inspired design current to take the space of design production with
a Lusophone flavour, possibly for international dissemination.

Biologically Inspired Design: Methods and Validation

by Denis A. Coelho

by Carlos A. M. Versos and Denis A. Coelho
Chapter 6
Industrial Design - New Frontiers
ISBN 978-953-307-622-5
Book edited by:
Dr. Denis A. Coelho
Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Portugal

Given the reality, and the social,
economic and environmental concerns of today, it is considered thatmore Given the reality, and the social,
economic and environmental concerns of today, it is considered that
designers are expected to adopt project tactics that meet the emerging
challenges. Nature as a source of unique and autonomous resources can
foster creativity and a variety of effective and sustainable solutions. Design
that draws on natural metaphors is meant to narrow the relation between
Nature and the project-oriented field.
In the second part of the chapter, the origins and the path of evolution of this
approach are presented with definitions given and arguments to strengthen
the consideration of its importance for designers are suggested. Through
comparative analysis of naturally inspired and conventional design solutions
to implement the same functionality, inquiry about the gains that can be
achieved with this approach are sought using a set of criteria for this
purpose.
A project was developed by traveling the metaphorical routes between
Nature and design. Thus, a bionic tower for CDs and DVDs was designed,
representing a paradigm innovation in offering this functionality, as it is
based on inspiration gathered from the observation of the spider web.

A formal approach for product model information

by Scott Chase

A comparative analysis of six bionic design methods

by Denis A. Coelho

Coelho, D. A. and Versos, C.A.M. (2011).
Int. J. of Design Engineering 2011 - Vol. 4, No.2 pp. 114 - 131

Abstract:
Having received growing attention in recent years, despite having been a
source of inspiration for... more Abstract:
Having received growing attention in recent years, despite having been a
source of inspiration for as long as design exists, design inspired by
nature, or bionic design, is getting to the forefront of the search for
environmental sustainability. A number of design methods, intended
especially to guide students and professionals from several design
disciplines, such as industrial design, or engineering design, in carrying
out the development of biologically inspired design, have been proposed.
The paper establishes a comparative analysis between six methods,
retrieved from literature. The methods are presented in similar depth, and
the parameters of analysis are also described. The analysis is based on the
scrutiny of the six selected methods, in relation to the support given
towards the attainment of four goals (form optimization, organisational
effectiveness, multiple requirements satisfaction and paradigm innovation
for improved functional performance), considered of paramount importance to typical design endeavours aiming at achieving innovative
concepts, optimization of specific features or performance and
environmental sustainability. The comparative analysis is intended to
support designers in the process of selecting a design method that is
adequate to the problem at hand. The analysis also identifies goals where
the methods considered offer no or reduced support for their attainment,
hence identifying the need for novel methodological proposals. As a
conclusion, the requirement to integrate validation activities in the bionic
design processes is emphasized.

Keywords: industrial design, engineering design, design methodology,
design goals, design inspired by nature

A Search for the Portuguese Cultural Identity Reflected in the Design of Products

by Denis A. Coelho

By Carla S. M. Simão and Denis A. Coelho.
Published by Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal (2011)
Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp.171-194. Article: Print (Spiral Bound). Article: Electronic (PDF File; 6.042MB).

The main propose of this contribution is the identification of the contours of a possibly existent identity of... more The main propose of this contribution is the identification of the contours of a possibly existent identity of Portuguese and Lusophone design. It was chosen to just analyze Portuguese and Brazilian design and from these two identities, extrapolate the Lusophone design identity. Similarities were sought between
Portuguese and Brazilian product designs, according to the analyzed products. An analysis of design products was then made, focusing on countries with design production of great international appreciation so that it would be possible to differentiate against Portuguese and Lusophone design. The analyzed countries and regions, as a means of differentiation were Scandinavia, which include the Nordic countries, Italy and Germany. To conclude this research and reflect it in a practical component, two conceptual designs were developed. One of them concerns a refrigerator that intends to reflect the Portuguese design identity, without disregard to new options, both in terms of material and technology currently available. In a second conceptual project, it was chosen to design a sofa with a special focus on Lusophone features. The latter differs from similar products in its versatility, having as main function that of a sofa but including foot supports that may also be used as stools when the sofa is turned upside down for use as a table.

Keywords: Design, Portuguese, Brazilian, Lusophone, Identity of the Design Production

An Approach to Validation of Industrial Design Concepts Inspired by Nature

by Denis A. Coelho

By Carlos A. M. Versos and Denis A. Coelho

The paper presents the deployment of the validation process proposed within a design case, consisting of a novel CD shelf, which is inspired on the spider-web.

Published in Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal (2011)

Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp.535-552. Article: Print (Spiral Bound). Article: Electronic (PDF File; 1.303MB).

Various systematic approaches to generation of bionic design concepts, following an analytical direction that involves... more Various systematic approaches to generation of bionic design concepts, following an analytical direction that involves seeking inspiration in nature to solve a given problem, have been proposed. Three such methods were analysed considering their perceived ability to support the attainment of five design goals. The latter were deemed representative of the high level aims sought by those using bionic approaches to design, even if not every single goal considered is necessarily sought in every project. A major shortcoming that was found, concerning the approaches scrutinized, is that these rarely prescribe any verification procedures regarding the level of attainment of the goals sought. Hence, in order to support the use of those methods, within systematic approaches to design, a validation itinerary is proposed, encompassing the five goals identified for bionic design. The paper also presents the deployment of the validation process proposed within a design case study, consisting of a novel CD shelf, which is inspired on the spider-web.

Keywords: Design Goals, Design Methodology, Bionic Design, Systematic Approach to Design

Transfering Portuguese and Lusophone Cultural Traits to Product Design: A Process Informed with Product Personality Attributes

by Denis A. Coelho

Ana Sofia da Cunha e Silva and Denis A. Coelho

Transfering Portuguese and Lusophone Cultural Traits to Product Design: A Process Informed with Product Personality Attributes

Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal

2011

Volume 5, Number 1

pp. 145-163

The paper contributes to the development and dissemination of Portuguese design and
Lusophone design so that they... more The paper contributes to the development and dissemination of Portuguese design and
Lusophone design so that they may be more recognized, helping to make Portuguese and Lusophone
design identifiable. To this end, a survey was made of traits based on cultural identity of the Portuguese
people and of people from the Portuguese speaking countries and the diverse perspectives they have
of themselves, of each other and the perspectives of the former held by those not speaking Portuguese.
After analyzing the traits and perspectives gathered, these aspects were divided into positive, neutral
and negative. Based on this study, we developed and applied a methodology to tentatively transfer
cultural traits of Portuguese and Lusophone cultures to product design. Only aspects of Portuguese
and Lusophone nature considered positive and neutral were transfered, since the aim for the products
is that everything is pleasant in itself, good and positive, so the negative aspects were excluded. Several
correspondences between cultural traits of the Lusophone and Portuguese, connoted by the authors
as positive and neutral, and the personality attributes of the product offered by Patrick W. Jordan
(2000) were established. Then, a match between the attributes of personality resulting from the consideration
of cultural features and technical characteristics of the 12 products tested (material, colour,
shape, graphical markings, archetype, morphology, ease of use, manufacture, technological refinement,
multiple functionality and size) was established. This process was informed by practical cases, and
resulted in the creation of product specifications. From the creation of the specification, two product
lines of living-room furniture were designed, one with an intended Portuguese character and another
with a character embedding the spirit of the Portuguese speaking world, subjected to validation by
industrial design students.

Articulation at shoulder level – A pilot experimental study on car seat comfort

by Denis A. Coelho

Articulation at shoulder level – A pilot experimental study on car seat comfort

Denis Alves Coelho and Sven Dahlman

Applied Ergonomics

Applied Ergonomics 43 (2012) 27-37

Available online April 2011

This article reports on a pilot experimental study aimed at a first evaluation of the introduction of an articulation... more This article reports on a pilot experimental study aimed at a first evaluation of the introduction of an articulation in the upper part of the seat backrest. The idea of introducing this articulation sprang from prevention of whiplash injuries and this study tentatively assesses its potential for improvement in comfort. This was done considering a pre-defined articulation height. A height for the articulation of 43.5 cm above the H-point of a reference seat was theoretically deduced based on a population with an average sitting height of 88 cm. Participants evaluated the articulated seat in comparison with the reference seat. Twelve participants were divided into three groups of sitting height. In a laboratory environment subjective comfort evaluations and preferred values of deployment of the articulation and of counter-tilting of the headrest were registered. Driving on the roads completed and validated the laboratory assessments. The reference seat was deemed less comfortable for the participants with short and medium sitting height than for the tall ones. There was a notable improvement in comfort for most of the medium and short sitting height participants when using the articulated seat. The articulation was fully deployed by most participants.
Keywords: Car seat backrest; Seat comfort; Road driving

Development of a methodology for analysis of feasibility of application of an emerging technology in a given product

by Denis A. Coelho

by Corda, Filipe A. A., Coelho, Denis A.
2010

The aim of the study reported in this paper was to undertake a study about the influence of technology in the form of... more The aim of the study reported in this paper was to undertake a study about the influence of technology in the form of products that incorporate technology, using a standard methodology developed for this purpose. Examples of products and their shape changes over time were analyzed, to understand the extent to which these changes are consequences of the developments in technology. A review of the evolution of form, taking into account the technology of a selected range of consumer products that incorporate technology, with the aim of deconstructing archetypes that are fixed and propose new ideas was accomplished. In particular, a range of technologies that are foreseen for the future were considered. Selecting specific cases of products, from a historical perspective, one can see what have been the determinants of their shape, which led to the establishment of their archetypal form. A comparative methodology was developed, in order to "decode" the role of technology as a determinant of the shape of products. Understanding the importance of technology as a modeling influence for products' form, what role this has in the consumer society, and what is its responsibility as a major element in the deconstruction of the archetypes of form is intended in this study. The influence of technology in the transformation of products is demonstrated, considering three distinct types of alterations caused by changes in technology, in a tripartite view, which focuses on: product changes, in the cases where technological change leads to a radical change of product form; product change, if technological change is not reflected so much in the change of form, but rather in the performance and the yield of the product; and, ultimately, change in the product in the event of technological change leading to a deconstruction of the product as an object. It is emphasized that the product as a physical object may disappear or may be dissolved in the environment or the architecture, with the advent of emerging technologies and their new capabilities that will certainly cause changes in the shape of products.
Document Type: Proceedings Paper 
Language: English 
Author Keywords: Change of form; Evolutionary perspective; Deconstruction of archetypes; Future concepts; Emerging technologies; Comparison methodology 

Transfering Portuguese and Lusophone Cultural Traits to Product Design: A Process Informed with Product Personality Attributes

by Denis A. Coelho

By Ana Sofia da Cunha e Silva and Denis A. Coelho.
Published by Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal
2011
Volume 5, Issue 1, pp.145-164

The paper contributes to the development and dissemination of Portuguese design and Lusophone design so that they may... more The paper contributes to the development and dissemination of Portuguese design and Lusophone design so that they may be more recognized, helping to make Portuguese and Lusophone design identifiable. To this end, a survey was made of traits based on cultural identity of the Portuguese people and of people from the Portuguese speaking countries and the diverse perspectives they have of themselves, of each other and the perspectives of the former held by those not speaking Portuguese. After analyzing the traits and perspectives gathered, these aspects were divided into positive, neutral and negative. Based on this study, we developed and applied a methodology to tentatively transfer cultural traits of Portuguese and Lusophone cultures to product design. Only aspects of Portuguese and Lusophone nature considered positive and neutral were transfered, since the aim for the products is that everything is pleasant in itself, good and positive, so the negative aspects were excluded. Several correspondences between cultural traits of the Lusophone and Portuguese, connoted by the authors as positive and neutral, and the personality attributes of the product offered by Patrick W. Jordan (2000) were established. Then, a match between the attributes of personality resulting from the consideration of cultural features and technical characteristics of the 12 products tested (material, colour, shape, graphical markings, archetype, morphology, ease of use, manufacture, technological refinement, multiple functionality and size) was established. This process was informed by practical cases, and resulted in the creation of product specifications. From the creation of the specification, two product lines of living-room furniture were designed, one with an intended Portuguese character and another with a character embedding the spirit of the Portuguese speaking world, subjected to validation by industrial design students.

Keywords: Cultural Identity, Product Design, Cultural Traits, Humanistic Perspective, Technical Properties

A Study on Reducing the Root Fillet Stress in Spur Gear Using Internal Stress Relieving Feature of Different Shapes

by Mallappa Hebbal

Gear teeth failure due to fatigue is a common
phenomenon observed. Even a slight reduction in the root more Gear teeth failure due to fatigue is a common
phenomenon observed. Even a slight reduction in the root
tensile stress results in great increase in the fatigue life of a
gear. If gear fails in tensile fatigue, the results are
catastrophic and occur with little or no warnings. Therefore
for all the r easons mentioned above, this work is of more
practical importance.  For many years, gear design has been
improved by using improved material, hardening surfaces
with heat treatment and carburization, and shot penning to
improve surface finish etc. Few more efforts have been
made to improve the durability and strength by altering the
pressure angle, using the asymmetric teeth, altering the
geometry of root fillet curve and so on. Most of the above
methods do not guarantees the interchangeability of the
existing gear systems. This work presents the possibilities of
using the stress redistribution techniques by introducing the
stress relieving features in the stressed zone to the
advantage of reduction of root fillet stress in spur gear. This
also ensures interchangeability of existing gear systems. In
this work, combination of circular and elliptical stress
relieving features are used and better results are obtained
than using circular stress relieving features alone which are
used by earlier researchers.  A finite element model with a
segment of three teeth is considered for analysis and stress
relieving features of various sizes are introduced on gear
teeth at various locations. Analysis revealed that,
combination of elliptical and circular stress relieving
features  at specific, locations are beneficial than single
circular, single elliptical, two circular or two elliptical stress
reliving features.

Development of a knowledge based tool to assist spacecraft attitude control subsystem design

by Khadija Tahera

Avaliação de Métodos, Abordagens e Qualidade da Simulação na Avaliação Experimental do Conforto e da Funcionalidade de Assentos de Automóvel

by Denis A. Coelho

Batteries, vehicle and infrastructure: interlocking elements of a new engineering system concept for personal mobility

by Denis A. Coelho

Evaluation of Methods, Approaches and Simulation Quality in the Experimental Evaluation of Car Seat Comfort and Functionality

by Denis A. Coelho

Activity based creative methodology for new product concepts-an educational case study

by Denis A. Coelho

by Denis A. Coelho
Towards new challenges for
Innovative management practices
Volume 2 – N°, pp. 66-791
Selected papers from ERIMA’08 proceedings:
International Symposium on
Innovative Management Practices
Editors:
Jérémy Legardeur & Jorge Pinho de Sousa
ESTIA - France INESC Porto - Portugal
ERIMA Publication - www.erima.estia.fr

Abstract: Design Science and Product Development methods emphasize the use of requirements
specification as a... more Abstract: Design Science and Product Development methods emphasize the use of requirements
specification as a starting point in new concept generation. Industrial Design students seem to work better
with concept generation initiation starting from ideas in context rather than using verbal requirement lists
as inputs for new concept generation. The paper describes a method developed for use in the classroom,
which takes as the point of departure human activity to search for new product concepts. The method is
based on searching for answers to the question “how can this human activity be enhanced, supported or
enabled by an artefact?”, thus containing the potential to trigger the generation of concepts beyond the
existing solutions, and pushing the envelope of creativity beyond the mere upgrade of existing concepts.
The method is also based on systematic design procedures to evaluate and improve the initial concepts
and guide their development. New concepts involving a paradigm shift represent a challenge for their
widespread adoption, but also a great opportunity. The paper also hypothesizes that the concept
generation method presented may well be applied to support paradigm shift in activities with a larger scope
and proposes adaptations in the method to support application at systems design level, particularly
concerning Computer Supported Collaborative Work.

Keywords: Industrial Design; Activity Theory; Design Science

Development of a methodology for analysis of feasibility of application of an emerging technology in a given product

by Denis A. Coelho

A growing concept of ergonomics including pleasure. comfort and cognitive engineering: an engineering design perspective

by Denis A. Coelho