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This paper explores the integrated optimization of complex coupled industrial manufacturing systems and production strategies based on user customization needs. Two optimization metrics are considered: one is whether the production process of engineering manufacturing is simplified, and the other is whether it is based on the customization requirements of the customer. These two metrics are interrelated, and cases may even be conflicting. Considering the interdependence between engineering manufacturing and user requirements, this paper develops an integrated customized modular engineering manufacturing process to minimize production and maintenance costs and improve efficiency while meeting user customization requirements. This paper takes expert evaluation as an important decision indicator and optimizes the production process strategy on this basis. Finally, a case study is given to illustrate the applicability of the proposed process model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooperative relationships among team members are not recorded. This study adopted the idea flow analysis method proposed by Alex “Sandy” Pentland and proposes a mode, denoted as industrial design team idea mode (IDTIM), for analyzing the ideas developed by industrial design teams. Students from a design department at a university were recruited as the research subjects, and these subjects applied two types of discussion mode to execute the experiments. The experiments entailed using a reality mining approach to observe the students’ discussions according to five categories of interaction patterns. The IDTIM was applied for executing analytical tasks. The results are as outlined follows: (1) A team with high cooperation performance developed design works with relatively high quality; (2) interactively evaluating the idea flow and the draft of design concepts generated through team cooperation effectively assisted instructors in instructing student design projects; (3) executing the IDTIM enabled the students to actively express their opinions; (4) visualizing the idea flow information facilitated clearly understanding the perspective of student team cooperation; and (5) using the IDTIM technique assisted instructors in effectively instructing team design projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of aging is a common challenge in the world. In Taiwan, the proportion of elderly people to total population has reached 7.10% until October 2011 and is expected to continuously increase. Therefore, from a design point of view, the product design should facilitate elderly people. The study aims to explore the design strategy of the elderly motorized mobility scooter under the premise of customer demand and firm performance based on analytic network process (ANP). In this study, decision-making indices of design strategy, customer demand, and firm performance are summarized through the focus group method, documentary analysis method, and other methods. The index matrix is obtained with ANP and the weights of all the indices are calculated for the strategy analysis. The results can effectively assist the relevant enterprises of elderly motorized mobility scooters to develop the correct design strategy and produce suitable products for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First, focus group research method is used to deconstruct the design elements of Ming-style furniture, and extract image vocabulary in this study. And then the questionnaire about the image and preference of Ming-style furniture were compiled using the method of Semantic Differential. Finally, method of Quantification Theory Type I is applied to analyze and deal with the survey data. This study was aimed to investigate the visual evaluations of the official hat chair, and analyze the correlation between user image feelings and furniture elements. It proposed the combination of furniture design elements accord with user Image perception, and provided references, methods and basis for furniture design in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technologies and product developments are the core for small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) to maintain their long-term competitiveness. A framework which links enterprise management to product technological developments is provided via longterm product and technology plans. The goal is to plan products which satisfy customer requirements and to ensure technologies and products are developed timely and it is also an important topic to fit in with the market trend. This study began with research references related to resources, core technological values, innovative product benefits, and marketing strategies for SMEs. The analyses include the establishment of new business, development of core technical capability and cross-platform products, and a successful business model of brand marketing strategy. The concept of technology diamond model (TDM) was proposed to technological SMEs along with the technology, product and marketing strategy (TPM). The way of introducing this strategy into actual practices during the transformation process of SMEs was also investigated. The purpose is to provide a systematic process so as to proceed with plans of product and technology developments against basic market and customer requirements. It is thus necessary to develop a set of marketing strategies which meet enterprises’ requirements so as to contribute to enterprises’ sustainable development and keep their competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Industrial design is a discipline that combines multiple professional fields. Enterprise demands for industrial design competencies also change over time; thus, the curriculum of industrial design education should be compatible with the current demands of the industry. However, scientific approaches have not been previously employed to plan industrial design curriculums. Therefore, a gap exists between the expectations of enterprises and the professional competencies of numerous graduates in the industrial design discipline. To solve this problem, we first identified the professional competencies required of industrial design professionals in industry and academia, and then ranked these competencies based on their degree of importance using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Subsequently, we planned an industrial design curriculum that meets practical workplace needs by applying quality function deployment (QFD), and proposed items that require special attention for the industrial design curriculum. The results of this study are as follows (1) we obtained a ranking of various items of the professional competencies in industrial design based on their degree of importance to determine which professional competencies should be specifically cultivated; (2) we planned an industrial design curriculum that addresses the needs of enterprises according to industrial design ability index (IDAI); and (3) we recommend the courses and subjects that should be emphasized and enhanced in the existing industrial design curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An online platform focusing on intermediary transaction can provide its users with needed products and services. Also, it can be used to collect, exchange, and integrate product information which involves design, production, and marketing, as well as consumer feedback. Currently, it is rather difficult to integrate and share the knowledge coming from different stages of product development. In view of that, we have employed the service-oriented architecture (SOA) to construct a design-centric, Web-intermediary, and knowledge-sharing platform (DWKSP). The platform in question integrates all product samples belonging to different users. Moreover, it serves as the underlying infrastructure which communicates and transmits product information. Through Extensible Markup Language (XML) technology, different fields of knowledge are integrated into the programmed procedure of an Internet-mediated transaction (IMT). Such knowledge is closely connected with designing, manufacturing, and marketing a particular product. Consequently, the knowledge accumulated during an IMT will be structurally preserved; later, it will be transmitted between the users' heterogeneous systems. As the specification files of the product are shared by different users, the goal of integrating heterogeneous data is achieved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 15 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional methods for conducting performance evaluations of academic courses are somewhat limited in that they are unable to account for both quantitative and qualitative data. For example, the data used to assess student performance in a typical industrial design course are generally complex, multi-criteria, multi-variable, and frequently vague or ambiguous, they are qualitative and therefore non-quantifiable. This research proposes a fuzzy decision-making evaluation model to solve this problem. To this purpose, we gathered sample data from an industrial design course taught at a university in China, and a total of 108 students (from Class A and Class B) and 5 review experts participated in the experiment. We then employed a fuzzy TOPSIS methodology to the 7 evaluation criterias in order to assess their relative importance as course evaluation criteria. In order to achieve an integrated evaluation of each student's design scheme, we applied a series of fuzzy calculations. Finally, the results of T-tests show that the overall student performance for Class B was superior to that of Class A. We therefore posit that a fuzzy, multi-criteria approach to decision-making can in fact be used to evaluate both quantitative and qualitative data with an acceptable degree of objectivity and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the optimal interface design of motorcycle instrument panels for the elderly. Elements such as needle length, needle width, and minimum needle scale unit that constitute 125 types of motorcycle instrument panel designs were investigated. There were 36 participants selected for this study who used motorcycles as their primary mode of transportation. Their cognitive errors in reading speedometers and fuel meters as well as the required task time and their general satisfaction levels were measured. Finally, the data were translated into fuzzy numbers and the similarity was analyzed to select optimal design parameters. Based on our research, the optimal design for the speedometer needle dimensions were 4.5 cm long, 2 mm wide with a minimum scale unit of 20 scale marks. The optimal design for the fuel meter needle dimensions was determined to be 3.5 cm long, 1.5 mm wide, and with a minimum scale unit of 20 scale marks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]