Systems Engineering Workshop Review: Enabling successful product innovation
Systems engineering will become a key enabler for the successful commercialisation of multi-functional products with high levels of integration. Prime amongst such products are those which embed multi-functional, micro and nano technologies (MNT). Systems engineering delivers the methodologies, processes and tools to enable the efficient integration and exploitation of these disruptive technologies. Uniquely, systems engineering will provide the basis for a holistic approach to component design and technology deployment.
CEMMNT, in collaboration with the Patent-DfMM project and the Systems Engineering Innovation Centre (SEIC), held a workshop in December 2007 to introduce designers to systems engineering. The event focused on methodologies, processes and systems engineering based techniques, applied to products embedding MNT.
The highlights of the day included:
An overview and a definition of systems engineering by John Hooper, the Director of Education Partnerships at Loughborough University. View Presentation
A case study from the defence sector presented by INCOSE’s Technical Director Samantha Brown from BAE Systems. View Presentation
The “design-for-X” (DfX) philosophies (Andrew Richardson, Lancaster University) which address testability, reliability, yield, packaging, disposal and assembly. View Presentation
System and integrated modelling (Stoyan Stoyanov, Greenich University) demonstrating how simulation and modelling identifies optimal designs for manufacture, predicts failure, improves quality/performance and delivers products to market effectively. View Presentation
MNT evolution from a base technology to a “multi-physics” level of complexity (Mark Begbie, iSLI) links to the convergence of functionality and applications (phone, camera, MP3 etc) with multiple integration levels requiring systems engineering. View Presentation
This perspective was given further credence through Frost and Sullivan market forecasts (Will Sargent and Ankit Shukla) on future trends for MNT. View Presentation
The spectrum of commercially available systems engineering tools and processes was introduced by John Hooper. View Presentation
Gerold Schropher (Coventor) provided an overview of CoventorWare™ software for designing micro systems and optimising them for manufacture. View Presentation
Hazel Woodcock (Telelogic) outlined the importance of requirements capture and management using DOORS™ software. View Presentation
Alison Desimone (QinetiQ) described an approach for predicting disruptive and emerging technologies using textual analysis of scientific and technical information. View Presentation
Technology and applications roadmapping tools were summarised by Paul Palmer, the Director of the Electronic Enabled Products (EEP) KTN. View Presentation
Doug Cowper, INCOSE UK Chapter President Elect, provided a comprehensive background to INCOSE and the activities of the UK Chapter. View Presentation
Finally, workshop coordinator, Dr Ayman El-Fatatry from BAE Systems hoped this event will signal the start of a new collaboration between two communities.
