The Design-to-Robotic-Production and -Assembly (D2RP&A) process developed at Delft University of Technology (DUT) has been scaled up to building size by prototyping of-site a 3.30 m high fragment of a larger spaceframe structure The fragment consists of wooden linear elements connected to a polymer node printed at 3D Robot Printing and panels robotically milled at Amsterdam University of Applied Science (AUAS). It has been evaluated for suitability for assembly on-site without temporary support while relying on human-robot collaboration. The constructed architectural hybrid structure is proof of concept for an on- and off-site D2RP&A approach that is envisioned to be implemented using a range of robots able to possibly address all phases of construction in the future.
Purpose – Set in the newly emerging hybrid product research stream, and reflecting trends towards multi-national production and sourcing, this paper aims to present a three-country study on perceived quality and image of automobiles “made in and for” Southeast Asia. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used a multiple cue design in the stimulus definition, reflecting assembly and component origin plus warranty level. Actual car owners were targeted, thereby adding to a relatively low number of studies requiring actual prior purchase. The related face-to-face interviews in the local languages resulted in 720 usable questionnaires. Findings – Country-of-assembly is shown to affect perceived quality as well as perceived image. Warranty extension can moderate the quality effects to some extent, whilst buyers of luxury models display a smaller positive home bias in terms of perceived image than those of non-luxury models. Such home region bias is not demonstrated to be significant for country-of-components. Research limitations/implications – The paper contributes towards ongoing theory-building, especially with regards to an optimum level of origin cue decomposition. It also establishes the importance of adding image perception measurement to the arsenal of origin researchers normally focused on quality effects. Practical implications – Managers need to make strategic decisions on the decomposition of product origin cues, reflecting consumers' abilities to notice several such cues. The selected product origin cues must then be supported with appropriate communications strategies. Originality/value – For the first time, origin effects are demonstrated for the Southeast Asia region. The paper establishes the significance of country-of-target and contributes to research on the ever more complex product origin construct.
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Author supplied: A manufacturing process can be described by a sequence or combination of production steps. Based on this approach a manufacturing system has been developed that is capable to produce several different products in parallel. A batch size of one unit is possible and the production is pull-driven. The manufacturing system is based on agent technology and a special so-called product agent collects information about the assembly process. This agent will be connected to the actual product and can guide the disassembly process at the end of the products life. The agent will show the inverse steps to be taken to take a product apart. This approach can be used in the agent based manufacturing process described in this paper but the concept can also be used for other manufacturing systems. The paper discusses the possibilities as well as the restrictions of the method proposed here.
Structural colour (SC) is created by light interacting with regular nanostructures in angle-dependent ways resulting in vivid hues. This form of intense colouration offers commercial and industrial benefits over dyes and other pigments. Advantages include durability, efficient use of light, anti-fade properties and the potential to be created from low cost materials (e.g. cellulose fibres). SC is widely found in nature, examples include butterflies, squid, beetles, plants and even bacteria. Flavobacterium IR1 is a Gram-negative, gliding bacterium isolated from Rotterdam harbour. IR1 is able to rapidly self-assemble into a 2D photonic crystal (a form of SC) on hydrated surfaces. Colonies of IR1 are able to display intense, angle-dependent colours when illuminated with white light. The process of assembly from a disordered structure to intense hues, that reflect the ordering of the cells, is possible within 10-20 minutes. This bacterium can be stored long-term by freeze drying and then rapidly activated by hydration. We see these properties as suiting a cellular reporter system quite distinct from those on the market, SC is intended to be “the new Green Fluorescent Protein”. The ability to understand the genomics and genetics of SC is the unique selling point to be exploited in product development. We propose exploiting SC in IR1 to create microbial biosensors to detect, in the first instance, volatile compounds that are damaging to health and the environment over the long term. Examples include petroleum or plastic derivatives that cause cancer, birth defects and allergies, indicate explosives or other insidious hazards. Hoekmine, working with staff and students within the Hogeschool Utrecht and iLab, has developed the tools to do these tasks. We intend to create a freeze-dried disposable product (disposables) that, when rehydrated, allow IR1 strains to sense and report multiple hazardous vapours alerting industries and individuals to threats. The data, visible as brightly coloured patches of bacteria, will be captured and quantified by mobile phone creating a system that can be used in any location by any user without prior training. Access to advice, assay results and other information will be via a custom designed APP. This work will be performed in parallel with the creation of a business plan and market/IP investigation to prepare the ground for seed investment. The vision is to make a widely usable series of tests to allow robust environmental monitoring for all to improve the quality of life. In the future, this technology will be applied to other areas of diagnostics.
Cities, the living place of 75% of European population, are crucial for sustainable transition in a just society. Therefore, the EU has launched a Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral Smart Cities (100CNSC). Construction is a key industry in making cities more sustainable. Currently, construction consumes 50% resources, uses 40% energy, and emits 36% greenhouse gasses. The sector is not cost-efficient, not human-friendly, and not healthy – it is negatively known for “3D: dirty, dangerous, demanding”. As such, the construction sector is not attractive for educated and skilled young professionals that are needed for the sustainable transition and for resolving the housing crisis. In contrast with the non-circular designs, materials and techniques that are still common in the construction industry, some other industries and fields have cultivated higher standards for sustainable products, especially in clean and efficient assembly and disassembly. Examples can be found in the maritime and off-shore industry, smart manufacturing, small electronics, and retail. The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) aims to become the leader of a strong European consortium for preliminary research to develop knowledge that is needed for the upcoming Horizon Europe proposal (within Cluster 4, Destination 1 - Re-manufacturing and De-manufacturing technologies) in relation with the EU Mission 100CNSC. The goals of this preliminary research are: (a) to articulate new concepts that will become an input for a new research proposal and (b) to organize a high-quality European consortium with high-quality partners for a lasting collaboration. This preliminary research project focuses on the question: How can the construction sector adopt and adapt the best practices in assembly and disassembly from other industries –including maritime, manufacturing and retails– in order to enhance circular urban construction and renovation with an active involvement of educated and skilled young professionals?
In een recente bijeenkomst van de koninklijke metaalunie voerden we een discussie over robotisering . Veel bedrijven zien er tegenop, enkele waren er wel mee begonnen. Die zijn enthousiast maar vertellen ook over de enorme worstelingen: oplossingen van de robotleveranciers passen niet zo bij hun kleine bedrijf met sterk variërende orders. Ze hebben met een eigen team van ‘knutselaars’ (hun eigen woorden) uitgezocht hoe en waar de robots in te zetten. Dit is een probleem dat veel bedrijven ervaren. Maakbedrijven zijn bezig met het zetten van stappen in (verdere) automatisering en robotisering van de productie. Maar vaak weten de bedrijven niet goed waar ze moeten beginnen, en is het goed inrichten een worsteling. De robotsystemen die worden geïnstalleerd zijn voorgeprogrammeerd om één ‘kunstje’ te doen; systemen die goed zijn in één taak. De Nederlandse industrie heeft echter meer behoefte aan flexibele en slimme automatisering. De Nederlandse industrie is vooral sterk in flexibiliteit, enkelstuksfabricage en kleine seriegroottes, en niet gericht op massaproductie. Dat sluit aan bij de Nationale wetenschapsagenda – route Smart industry, die het als volgt formuleert: Foutloze maatwerkproducten in een oplage van één voor de prijs van een massaproduct. Dat is de stip op de horizon voor de industrie van de toekomst . Omdat hier nog relatief weinig over bekend is heeft een grote groep bedrijven in het midden en oosten van het land een coalitie gevormd en het initiatief genomen om hier een roadmap op te ontwikkelen. Op basis van de vragen van de individuele bedrijven zijn initieel 6 clusters geïdentificeerd. Binnen de scope van dit project worden er 4 clusters onderzocht en uitgewerkt. Dit resulteert in 6 concrete deliverables als onderdeel van de roadpmap waar de MKB-bedrijven mee verder kunnen.
