Optimization of the development of products and processes

Researchers: 

A. Pira, Dr. A. Specker, A. Verbeck, Prof. P. Schönsleben

Financed by:

Center of integrated Production Systems (ZIP) at the ETH Zurich

In July 1995, the Center for integrated production systems (ZIP) of the ETH Zurich initiated a project aimed at optimizing the development of products and processes. By involving researchers from six different institutes of the ETH Zurich this project is expected to make a significant contribution to the improvement of the Swiss industry's competitiveness. The project is divided in three phases. During the first phase, the critical success factors for the development of products and processes were identified. Additionally, the state-of-the-art of the product and process development was analyzed both in research and in industry. A future analysis built the second phase of this multi-disciplinary project. Experts from Industry and Universities developed visions for the product and process development in 10-15 years. On the basis of the future analysis' results single research projects were identified. During the current third phase, the researchers from the ETH Zurich are working together with partners from industry to address the specific issues identified and are planning to present the results at the end of 1998.