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International audience; It is characteristic of collaborative engineering design that precedence relationships among design activities contain information flow conflicts. Indeed, due to multi-actors interaction, conflicts can emerge from disagreements between designers about proposed designs. Therefore, a critical element of collaborative design would be conflict resolution. This paper presents a methodology to identify the conflict resolution team and to evaluate the impact of a selected solution on the product data as well as on the process organisation. The approach is based on product data dependencies network. This network is composed of the handled data and the dependency links between them; two qualification dependency measures are introduced to manage these dependencies. In order to identify this network, a traceability model to track the design process is proposed. Finally, a protocol to manage the conflict resolution negotiation is discussed.

The development of new (micro- and nano-) technologies goes toward a tighter relationship between the artefact and the human body; techniques' miniaturization, and their enhanced portability, work in favour of wearable devices (sometimes considered as incorporated). Those informational or smart prosthesis blur the original status of artefacts, based on exteriority... This paper intends to question such coupling forms between human beings and their equipment. The exploration of both a secular and common object, namely eyeglasses, enables us to prepare the ground for the analysis of the relationships between incorporation and exteriority, between continuity and discontinuity of artefact's associations. From various close-ups at historical socio-technical configurations to a gaze at the contemporary object, we suggest that material and environmental circumstances should be reintroduced in the analysis of subject-object couplings. The corporal object is certainly not exempt from a permanent requestioning of its involvement into several situations, from a continuous attachment to the body to an incorporation to the surrounding socio-technical network, L'essor des nouvelles (micro- et nano-) technologies va dans le sens d'une association de plus en plus étroite entre l'artefact et le corps ; la miniaturisation des techniques et leur portabilité accrue œuvrent en faveur d'objets portés voire (ou dits) incorporés, comme autant de prothèses informationnelles ou communicationnelles perturbant le statut classique des artefacts, reposant sur l'extériorité... Cet article se propose de raisonner les formes de ce " couplage " entre l'homme et son équipement. Le détour par l'exploration d'un objet séculaire et ordinaire comme les lunettes permet de poser quelques premiers jalons dans l'analyse des relations entre incorporation et extériorité, entre continuité et discontinuité des associations avec l'objet. En nous appuyant sur l'exploration de l'artefact et de ses modalités d'insertion sociotechnique dans l'histoire jusque dans leurs formes contemporaines, nous suggérons de réintroduire les circonstances matérielles et environnementales dans l'analyse du couplage sujet-objet. L'artefact corporel est sujet à un re-questionnement permanent au fil de son engagement dans une pluralité de situations, d'un attachement continu au corps à une incorporation au réseau sociotechnique environnant

The design process of new products is mainly characterised by the uncertainty of the exchanged data and by iterations risks which are the sources of delay and additional costs in design. To cop with these problems, one solution consists of improving the collaboration between designers. The characterisation of exchanged information maturity is of prime importance for design activity execution. This paper presents a first analysis toward the improvement of collaborative design process taking into account the maturity of exchanged information. We propose a characterisation of collaborative design situations, a characterisation of exchanged information and a description of the collaborative design framework.

International audience; This paper deals with pattern recognition (PR) method associated with a tracking and a prediction of evolution for various operating modes of a process. The aim is to improve diagnosis of a process by enhancing its knowledge database. Indeed, PR needs an initial database named training set. It is composed of different operating modes and obtained during the first step of PR. It is commonly named training phase. It is a laborious step and moreover the whole of operating modes is never available (generally poor experimental feedback). Thatpsilas why, using knowledge in training set, it is interesting to predict evolution of operating modes in unknown fields of representation space. PR steps are first presented and followed by a polynomial approach of tracking evolution. Next, a Kalman algorithm is used to predict evolution and finally two different asynchronous machines (5.5 kW and 18.5 kW) are used to illustrate our purpose.

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National audience; La différentiation fondée sur la réduction des délais de création de l'offre (" time-to-market ") et de service au client (" vélocité ") est l'une des armes concurrentielles les plus répandues dans les organisations industrielles. Néanmoins, ce qu'on constate est que ces deux aspects sont traditionnellement abordés de manière séparée dans la mise en œuvre des stratégies. Le résultat est que la logistique opérationnelle se heurte souvent aux contraintes imposées par une conception des produits inadaptée. Dans cet article, les auteurs défendent l'idée qu'une voie essentielle d'amélioration de l'efficacité des Supply Chains passe par la mise en place de deux mécanismes. Le premier concerne la prise en compte des aspects logistiques lors des phases amont du développement. Le deuxième mécanisme préconise l'intégration des fournisseurs dans une logique de co-développement pour réduire le processus de création de l'offre.

An H/sub /spl infin// smoother has been developed (Blanco et al., 2000) and it gives good results for noise uncertainties. Nevertheless, when uncertain parameters appear, its performance decreases significantly. Therefore, an estimator robust to noise uncertain properties and parameter uncertainties is presented. The robust H/sub /spl infin// smoother for uncertain systems is developed as a combination of two robust H/sub /spl infin// filters. The robust performance, for both noise and parameter uncertainties, of this new approach is evaluated on a simple example.

The aim of this article is to build up an estimator robust to noise uncertain properties and unknown initial conditions in an H/sub /spl infin// setting. Hence, a new H/sub /spl infin// approach to state estimation, based on a double treatment of the measurement, is presented. An optimal control based technique is used giving rise to an H/sub /spl infin// smoother. In order to compare its performance to the H/sub 2/ smoother, two simple examples, applied to estimation and deconvolution, are developed. Simulation results show the ability of the presented tool to handle with biased noise properties.

The efficiency of the design process relates closely to the management of information. However, different types of information used in design cannot be managed by the same rules. In the paper, a characterisation of the nature of information in the design is proposed. Based on the literature, the role of preliminary information in design process performance is presented. The process of elaboration of information is also described and modelled. Based on different types of information and on a maturity management model, a unified framework is proposed. This framework allows to manage the whole information types within different workspaces. This approach tends to offer a continuity of management tool between the information exchanged in planned activity and the information exchanged in day-to-day collaboration. To illustrate this framework a PIQUANT tool is presented.

The earlier designing process of technical artefacts requires collaborative activities among various disciplines. The organisation requires the actors to exchange the preliminary information, which is non-mature. Designers often make decisions relying on the information that is invalid and not finalised. Current computing systems, particularly those that are intended to manage the technical data Engineering Data Management System (EDMS), such as Product Data Management (PDM) are hard to conciliate with the dynamic and the evolutionary aspects of the design data. Design data are partially integrated in PDM and represent consolidated and valid states. This article is based on a qualitative study of the engineering projects. The framework proposed in this article represents preliminary information management models. They are based on the maturity of information and workspace concepts. The present model-based framework reports only the two workspaces, among four that correspond with the management of preliminary information. We argue that such management supports designers in their day-to-day collaboration and allows them to exchange preliminary information.

International audience; This paper investigates the possibility of a scenario-based design approach to increase the efficiency of an existing open innovation platform. This platform shows a great potential for shuffling ideas, but the users report some difficulties in making the design process convergent. From the detailed analysis of a new product design case, we first make a diagnosis of the current platform in order to explain the ill-convergence issue. We then focus on one of the identified weaknesses of the platform: the lack of a shared vision of the needs between the stakeholders, and we propose to improve the existing design process by a new approach based on a scenario-based design framework.

International audience; The aim of the paper is to analyze the rationale of production of C-trees used in innovative design workshop implementing C/K theory. Data had been produced within industrial creative workshops in four Medium industries. Workshops had been conducted by the researchers and 5 C-tree had been produced and analyzed. Existing patterns and rationale in the construction of the C-trees are researched. The Analysis of the content and structure of the C-trees shows that five types of partition are used. The sequence of partition doesn't show any pattern. The subjectivity of the representation is illustrated. Mechanisms of systematic expansion of C space are also illustrated through the C-tree analysis. Based on case study, the paper discuss practical use of C-tree as intermediary object.

International audience; The frugal innovation approach takes place in developing countries to develop simple but essential products for low-income population. This approach asks for careful trade-offs to target a just-enough between cost reduction and essential value of the product. In this paper, we aim at understanding how the essential value of a product is defined during early design phases, and how it guides the " just-enough " between affordability and performance. Our study of five frugal products in India shows three strategies that define differently the essential values and their associated just-enough: design by aggregation, design by extension, and design by focalization. Design by focalization seems to answer frugal design issues, as it isolates the essential value in order to reduce drastically the overall cost. The introduction of the concept of Non-Trade-Offs (NTO), meaning the non-negotiable elements that guide design choices, helps understanding how to separate this essential value from additional functionalities. Our study gives new directions for both practionners and researchers towards a design for essential value, in developing countries but also in westerns countries.

International audience; The aim of this research is to support assembly lines designers in conceiving new processes with optimal automation levels selection. Several alternatives with various automation options may exist. Graphic representations and analyses of the different designs are needed. The finality is to offer a quick, exhaustive, and reliable way of modelling alternatives based on a given product design. In this sense we propose a new assembly tasks vocabulary to be combined to an existing lower layer vocabulary of elementary motions and a graphic modelling language. These developments deal with an existing automation decision approach as an extension allowing to overcome identified gaps and to ease its implementation and computerization. The proposal facilitates assembly systems alternatives generation with automation options consideration based on an initial representation. The generated alternatives are then subject to further analyses with regard to automation criteria and performance indicators considering planned production targets.

International audience; In this paper, we present a numerical method based the Lyapunov theory to estimate the attraction domain of a class of nonlinear systems. This problem is motivated by the analysis of linear attitude controllers for the control of Vertical TakeOff and Landing (VTOL) vehicles such as quadrotors. These linear controllers are typically designed in order to ensure local stability around the hover point. The purpose of this work is to estimate their attraction domain around this point. The proposed attraction domain estimation method requires to solve a convex optimization problem involving parameter-dependent Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI). This problem is generally difficult to solve as it is an infinite dimensional optimization problem. However, we reveal that the specific structure of the VTOL vehicles attitude model can be exploited to make this LMI problem finite dimensional and thus numerically solvable.

International audience; Collaborative design is a collection of the co-operated efforts undertaken by a team of designers. Due to multi-actors interaction, conflicts can emerge from disagreements between designers about proposed designs. Therefore, a critical element of collaborative design would be conflict resolution. In this paper, the DEPNET methodology is introduced to support conflict management. This methodology is based on a Unified Modelling Language (UML) traceability model to extract the data dependencies network. This will allow identifying the conflict resolution team as well as evaluating the impact of a selected solution. A case study within an industrial partner is described to illustrate this methodology.

The purpose of this paper is to first review and then propose methods for determining the appropriate levels of automation for assembly operations. Based on a literature review in decision making methods, an evaluation against method requirements is made. The analysis shows that no single method fulfills all the defined requirements, yet two methods are identified that jointly address all the requirements: Boothroyd’s and Dewhurst (B&D) method and the Dynamo method. B&D and Dynamo methods are then combined into a new method, exploiting elements of each. An additional step for graphical modeling of the assembly processes using the Assembly Sequence Modeling Language (ASML) is integrated to facilitate alternative exploration. This newly proposed method is discussed and revealed promising in the field of assembly systems Level of Automation (LoA) measurement and improvement.

International audience; Fondé sur une approche ethnographique et longitudinale d'un projet innovant, cet article propose de suivre l'activité d'une équipe projet à travers la façon dont elle déploie l'introduction d'un questionnement autour des valeurs d'usage dans le pilotage du projet. Il tente d'ouvrir la boîte noire de l'activité de conception en s'intéressant aux médiations par lesquelles se négocie concrètement l'incertitude sur la valeur : comment s'opèrent les allers-retours entre les dispositifs intermédiaires d'instanciation d'un concept innovant et la définition de ses propriétés ? Comment sont orchestrées les différentes formes de mise à l'épreuve du concept dans la stabilisation des choix sociotechniques ?

International audience; In global organisation, collaboration within distributed team is a crucial issue. Many companies are organizing communities of practice to improve experience sharing. These communities are mediated by collaborative platforms. Among collaborative functionalities, forum are expected to support distant asynchronous collaboration. But few studies show the effectiveness of this tool to support effective collaboration in the context of engineering design activity. The paper study the interactions through forums of two Virtual communities of practices of experts within R&D teams of international company. A coding scheme is proposed to analyze and characterize the online interactions. Through these two case studies, we demonstrate that a forum can support asynchronous argumentative activities and thus enhance global collaboration in distributed R&D organizations. The proposed characterization of collaboration can be a step to dynamic evaluation team interaction.

International audience; Elicitation of requirements is a key step of the design activity. The building of a shared understanding of design requirements is essential to the performance of the design. Personas and scenarios are used in order to define end users and their needs. Their usage is becoming more and more popular, especially in Software and System Engineering and Human Computer Interaction (HCI). Our hypothesis is that scenarios and personas improve shared understanding of functional re- quirements between co-designers. In order to test this hypothesis, an empirical study has been undertaken in a laboratory context. This paper presents the proto- col of the study and discusses the indicators used for measurement of shared un- derstanding.

National audience

In this dissertation, we address the issue of production ramp-up in the context of the low volume industry. This dissertation builds upon case studies carried out at Siemens E T HS, a company manufacturing high voltage switchgear. We first focused on the problems encountered during the ramp-up phase, since fire-fightiong (i.e. problem handling) is a major activity during ramp-up. We identified problem types. Meanwhile, we realized a thorough state regarding the ramp-up issue, so as to provide a "map" of the existing litérature. Finally, we focused on information exchange and coopération problems. The approach taken is to focus on 'interfaces" i.e. the links and interactions existing at the boundary of different industrial functions. We propose a new interface model and the corresponding auditing tool. The auditing tool was used on three different case studies. We draw valuable conclusions for our industrial partners but also outlined intereting results froms a research points of view., Dans cette thèse, nous nous interessons à la phase de montée en cadence dans le contexte de l'industrie de faible volume. Nos travaux se fondent sur des études de cas réalisées à Siemens ET HS, une entreprise produisant des disjoncteurs haute tension. Nous nous sommes tout d'abord interessé aux problèmes rencontrés lors de la phase de montée en cadence car leur gestion est une activité majeure pendant cette phase. Nous avons établi des problèmes types. En parallèle, nous avons réalisé un état de l'art complet sur la question de la montée en cadence afin d'établir une cartographie de la littérature existante. Enfin, nous nous sommes concentrés sur les problèmes d'échange d'information et de coopération en examinant les interfaces, c'est-à-dire les liens et interactions existantes aux frontières entre différentes fonctions industrielles. Nous proposons un nouveau modèle d'interface ainsi qu'un outil d'audit que nous avons utilisé sur trois études de cas, ce qui nous permet de tirer des conclusions tant d'un point de vue pratique pour nos partenaires industriels que d'un point de vue académique

The product design processes, such as in the Hydro energy, are collaborative and are characterized by uncertainty and interdependency of information. Indeed, some information is from certain sources (such as standards), other information is from uncertain sources (such as intermediate design results), or it can be a poorly validated hypothesis that a designer uses in order to cope with complex design problems. Interdependency is a consequence of both product and organizational complexity (many partners). Information uncertainty and interdependency causes inevitable risk of rework in the design process and thus causes delay and cost overruns. The problem to be addressed is how to improve information exchange and collaboration within design teams? The interest of this work is to investigate the mechanisms to better use of the design information during the design process in order to avoid reworks. The thesis proposes a collaborative framework including: (1) information maturity model, (2) a unified framework to exchange information taking into account the coordination and the cooperation mechanisms and (3) functionalities of new systems for information management. The latter contribution represents the implementation of a prototype (PIQUANT) (in order to illustrate the proposed functionalities) and based-pattern approach., Les processus de conception de produit comme ceux de l'industrie hydroélectrique, sont collaboratifs et sont caractérisés par l'incertitude et l'interdépendance des informations. En effet, certaines informations sont de sources certaines (telles que les normes), d'autres sont de sources incertaines (telles que les résultats intermédiaires de conception), ou représentent des hypothèses de travail que les acteurs posent afin de palier aux situations de blocage en conception. L'interdépendance est une conséquence de la complexité du produit et de l'organisation du processus (une multitude d'acteurs). L'incertitude et l'interdépendance causent inévitablement des risques d'itération dans la conception et par conséquent, induisent des délais et des surcoûts dans le projet. La question traitée dans cette thèse est comment améliorer les échanges d'information et la collaboration dans les équipes projet ? L'intérêt est d'explorer les moyens de mieux utiliser les informations dans le processus de conception afin d'éviter les itérations. La thèse propose un cadre de collaboration qui englobe : (1) un modèle de maturité d'information en conception, (2) un cadre d'échange d'information unifié qui considère des mécanismes de coordination et de coopération et (3) des fonctionnalités de futur systèmes de gestion d'information. Ce dernier apport représente une mise en oeuvre du cadre théorique proposé dans cette thèse. Cette mise en oeuvre est réalisée au travers un prototype d'illustration des fonctionnalités (PIQUANT) et une démarche à base de patrons.

The product design processes, such as in the Hydro energy, are collaborative and are characterized by uncertainty and interdependency of information. Indeed, some information is from certain sources (such as standards), other information is from uncertain sources (such as intermediate design results), or it can be a poorly validated hypothesis that a designer uses in order to cope with complex design problems. Interdependency is a consequence of both product and organizational complexity (many partners). Information uncertainty and interdependency causes inevitable risk of rework in the design process and thus causes delay and cost overruns. The problem to be addressed is how to improve information exchange and collaboration within design teams? The interest of this work is to investigate the mechanisms to better use of the design information during the design process in order to avoid reworks. The thesis proposes a collaborative framework including: (1) information maturity model, (2) a unified framework to exchange information taking into account the coordination and the cooperation mechanisms and (3) functionalities of new systems for information management. The latter contribution represents the implementation of a prototype (PIQUANT) (in order to illustrate the proposed functionalities) and based-pattern approach.; Les processus de conception de produit comme ceux de l'industrie hydroélectrique, sont collaboratifs et sont caractérisés par l'incertitude et l'interdépendance des informations. En effet, certaines informations sont de sources certaines (telles que les normes), d'autres sont de sources incertaines (telles que les résultats intermédiaires de conception), ou représentent des hypothèses de travail que les acteurs posent afin de palier aux situations de blocage en conception. L'interdépendance est une conséquence de la complexité du produit et de l'organisation du processus (une multitude d'acteurs). L'incertitude et l'interdépendance causent inévitablement des risques d'itération dans la conception et par conséquent, induisent des délais et des surcoûts dans le projet. La question traitée dans cette thèse est comment améliorer les échanges d'information et la collaboration dans les équipes projet ? L'intérêt est d'explorer les moyens de mieux utiliser les informations dans le processus de conception afin d'éviter les itérations. La thèse propose un cadre de collaboration qui englobe : (1) un modèle de maturité d'information en conception, (2) un cadre d'échange d'information unifié qui considère des mécanismes de coordination et de coopération et (3) des fonctionnalités de futur systèmes de gestion d'information. Ce dernier apport représente une mise en oeuvre du cadre théorique proposé dans cette thèse. Cette mise en oeuvre est réalisée au travers un prototype d'illustration des fonctionnalités (PIQUANT) et une démarche à base de patrons.

This dissertation presents our research work on Logistics Integration into Product Design projects. We have developed our thesis in a partnership with a worldwide earthmoving machinery manufacturer. From a logistic point of view, we support the following thesis: A prime requirement for integrating logistics into design early phases is structuring the interfaces between Logistics and Product Engineering, considering the specificities of each design process phase. The thesis points out that effective integration requires a preliminary stage of mutual learning. Main contributions are: A new Interface-based Analysis Model; A two-level Integration Model; A new interface tool based on the Logistic Profile concept. This tool allows the translation from the design view of an intermediary concept solution into its logistic view, fostering mutual learning between team members. As conclusion, we argue that an interface-based approach allows a proper environment for logistics-design integration.; Cette thèse présente nos travaux de recherche concernant la problématique de l'intégration de la logistique dans les projets de conception de produits manufacturés. Ces travaux ont été réalisés dans le cadre d'un partenariat avec un constructeur mondial d'engins de chantier. En adoptant le point de vue de la logistique lors du projet d'un engin, nous défendons l'idée que pour y intégrer les acteurs appartenant à cette fonction, il faut tout d'abord structurer les interfaces logistique-conception en respectant les spécificités des étapes de projet. Les contributions principales de nos travaux portent sur l'approche de la problématique basée sur les interfaces. Nous proposons ainsi un modèle d'interface, ensuite un modèle support à l'intégration et finalement, l'outil Profil Logistique d'aide à l'intégration. Il s'agit d'un nouvel outil d'interface qui permet de traduire la vue conception dans la vue logistique du produit. Nous concluons en affirmant que c'est à travers la mise en place des interfaces adaptées qu'il devient possible de dessiner un environnement propice à l'interaction entre la logistique et l'ingénierie et, par conséquent, à l'intégration.

Confs oú les les résultats des travaux ont éte publiés: IDMME 2004 (Bath-UK), ICED 2005 (Mel-Australie), CIRP-LCE 2005 (Grenoble), IPI 2004 (Autrans), GI 2005 (Besançon); This dissertation presents our research work on Logistics Integration into Product Design projects. We have developed our thesis in a partnership with a worldwide earthmoving machinery manufacturer. From a logistic point of view, we support the following thesis: A prime requirement for integrating logistics into design early phases is structuring the interfaces between Logistics and Product Engineering, considering the specificities of each design process phase. The thesis points out that effective integration requires a preliminary stage of mutual learning. Main contributions are: A new Interface-based Analysis Model; A two-level Integration Model; A new interface tool based on the Logistic Profile concept. This tool allows the translation from the design view of an intermediary concept solution into its logistic view, fostering mutual learning between team members. As conclusion, we argue that an interface-based approach allows a proper environment for logistics-design integration.; Cette thèse présente nos travaux de recherche concernant la problématique de l'intégration de la logistique dans les projets de conception de produits manufacturés. Ces travaux ont été réalisés dans le cadre d'un partenariat avec un constructeur mondial d'engins de chantier. En adoptant le point de vue de la logistique lors du projet d'un engin, nous défendons l'idée que pour y intégrer les acteurs appartenant à cette fonction, il faut tout d'abord structurer les interfaces logistique-conception en respectant les spécificités des étapes de projet. Les contributions principales de nos travaux portent sur l'approche de la problématique basée sur les interfaces. Nous proposons ainsi un modèle d'interface, ensuite un modèle support à l'intégration et finalement, l'outil Profil Logistique d'aide à l'intégration. Il s'agit d'un nouvel outil d'interface qui permet de traduire la vue conception dans la vue logistique du produit. Nous concluons en affirmant que c'est à travers la mise en place des interfaces adaptées qu'il devient possible de dessiner un environnement propice à l'interaction entre la logistique et l'ingénierie et, par conséquent, à l'intégration.

This dissertation presents our research work on Logistics Integration into Product Design projects. We have developed our thesis in a partnership with a worldwide earthmoving machinery manufacturer. From a logistic point of view, we support the following thesis: A prime requirement for integrating logistics into design early phases is structuring the interfaces between Logistics and Product Engineering, considering the specificities of each design process phase. The thesis points out that effective integration requires a preliminary stage of mutual learning. Main contributions are: A new Interface-based Analysis Model; A two-level Integration Model; A new interface tool based on the Logistic Profile concept. This tool allows the translation from the design view of an intermediary concept solution into its logistic view, fostering mutual learning between team members. As conclusion, we argue that an interface-based approach allows a proper environment for logistics-design integration., Cette thèse présente nos travaux de recherche concernant la problématique de l'intégration de la logistique dans les projets de conception de produits manufacturés. Ces travaux ont été réalisés dans le cadre d'un partenariat avec un constructeur mondial d'engins de chantier. En adoptant le point de vue de la logistique lors du projet d'un engin, nous défendons l'idée que pour y intégrer les acteurs appartenant à cette fonction, il faut tout d'abord structurer les interfaces logistique-conception en respectant les spécificités des étapes de projet. Les contributions principales de nos travaux portent sur l'approche de la problématique basée sur les interfaces. Nous proposons ainsi un modèle d'interface, ensuite un modèle support à l'intégration et finalement, l'outil Profil Logistique d'aide à l'intégration. Il s'agit d'un nouvel outil d'interface qui permet de traduire la vue conception dans la vue logistique du produit. Nous concluons en affirmant que c'est à travers la mise en place des interfaces adaptées qu'il devient possible de dessiner un environnement propice à l'interaction entre la logistique et l'ingénierie et, par conséquent, à l'intégration.