Title: Function and length scale integration in innovative products – technical solutions and new organisational models

Authors: Samuel Bigot; Roussi Minev; Stefan Dimov; Todor Dobrev

Addresses: Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Queen's Buildings, The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK. ' Faculty of Engineering, Science and The Built Environment, London South Bank University, 90 London Road, London, SE1 6LN, UK. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. ' Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Queen's Buildings, The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK

Abstract: This paper presents the issues typically occurring when integrating, into a single product, functions that can only be realised by employing different length scale features (macro, meso, micro and down to nano). The discussion is supported by the responses of a survey performed on 88 European research and development projects conducted by members of the multi-material micro manufacture (4M) community in Europe. Two main issues are highlighted as critical for a successful multi-scale integration. The first one relates to the concurrent design of materials properties and manufacturing processes. The second focuses on the need for new production approaches and organisational models applied by companies.

Keywords: multi-scale integration; functional integration; length scale integration; material design; organisation models; micromanufacturing; nanomanufacturing; research and development; R&D; concurrent design; materials properties; manufacturing processes; simultaneous design; product design; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2011.045514

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2011 Vol.23 No.3/4, pp.157 - 178

Accepted: 21 Nov 2011
Published online: 27 Nov 2014 *

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