Supporting ECO-innovation in SMEs by TRIZ Eco-guidelines

An Eco-Design methodology based on two abridged Life Cycle Assessment tools (eVerdEE [1] developed by ENEA [2] and the French Standard NF 01-005) plus TRIZ [3] Eco-guidelines is presented. This method is one of the outputs of the European project REMake [4] (started September 2009 ended December 2012), which had the goal of developing and testing new approaches for eco-innovation, recycling and material consumption for manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The number of SMEs involved in the project has been around 250, in six countries. The proposed method consists of a preliminary scanning of a given product or process in order to disclose all the material involved and the energy flows, and to assess their environmental impact by means of a simplified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach and the related indexes. The "hot spots" of the product or process are then identified by adding a brand new index called "IFR (Ideal Final Result) index", conceived from the TRIZ "Ideal System" concept [5], to classical LCA criteria. Once the hot points are identified, a set of over 300 TRIZ based eco-design guidelines [6,7] are selectively introduced to develop design variants to the given system with the aim of providing a lower global environmental impact. An in-depth explanation about ECO guideline implementation is given, together with a case study concerning a manufacturer of machine tools

The value of TRIZ and its derivatives for interdisciplinary group problem solving

The value of TRIZ for technological problem solving is widely recognized. Initially designed for an inventor working (alone) on a technical problem, it is today often used as a tool for group creativity. In this article, we report on a an experiment which was designed in order to investigate the value of concepts and tools of TRIZ and its derivatives like USIT for joint problem identification, modeling and creative problem solving in a non-technological domain by multidisciplinary teams. Further, we briefly discuss the categorization of the outcome of the creative process by a combination of TRIZ and USIT analysis tools

Methodological Support for Prospective Studies in New Concept Development

AbstractIndustrial leaders, in order to stay competitive, take decisions on the basis of estimations of what the future socio-economic environment will look like. Several approaches exist for the conduction of studies sought to make this estimation reliable. We distinguish the classical prospective approach, based on works of French philosopher Gaston Berger and approaches combining the works of G. Altshuller with the theory of logistic growth curves. In order to combine the advantages of the two strategies, we suggest the combination of several tools and methods for the “Opportunity Identification phase” of the cited New Concept Development Model. We then conclude the article with an applicative case study

The Value of TRIZ and Its Derivatives for Interdisciplinary Problem Solving

International audienceThe value of TRIZ for technological problem solving is widely recognized. Initially designed for an inventor working (alone) on a technical problem, it is today often used as a tool for group creativity. In this article, we report on a an experiment which was designed in order to investigate the value of concepts and tools of TRIZ and its derivatives like USIT for joint problem identification, modeling and creative problem solving in a non-technological domain by multidisciplinary teams. Further, we briefly discuss the categorization of the outcome of the creative process by a combination of TRIZ and USIT analysis tools

Integration of TRIZ derived eco-guidelines and Life Cycle Assessment for sustainable design and process

In this work a method for identifying the key points and supporting an eco-design activity for companies is presented. Amongst the different concurrent approaches in the literature, Active Innovation Management (AIM), is currently developing, jointly with the University of Bergamo, an integrated approach based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and TRIZ eco-guidelines. The main goal of this integration is to simplify the eco-design approach in order to make it accessible to companies and particularly to small medium enterprises (SMEs). The proposed method consists of a preliminary scan of a given product or process in order to disclose all involved flows of material and energy, and to assess its environmental impact by means of traditional LCA approach and related indexes. The “hot spots” of the process are then identified adding to classical LCA criteria a brand new index, called the “IFR index”, conceived from the TRIZ “Ideal System” concept.Once key points are identified, a set of 330 eco-design guidelines are introduced to develop alternatives and modifications to the given system with the aim of providing a lower global environmental impact. A first version of those guidelines (Russo and Regazzoni 2008; Russo, Montecchi et al. 2009) was conceived starting from the eight natural Laws of Evolution of Technical System (LTSE) introduced by Altshuller (Altshuller 1984). Here an extended version allows the user to work in each phase of the product life cycle, and integrates other TRIZ tools and best eco-practices. Preliminary results of the application in SMEs will be presented with a case study concerning a textile home-furnishings and bed linen painting company

A Creative Design Approach Based on TRIZ and Knowledge Fusion

Part 5: TRIZ and Knowledge ManagementInternational audienceKnowledge is an important driving force for creative design. The knowledge fusion, which is formulated by knowledge from different backgrounds, is able to inspire novelty solutions to engineering design. In this paper, a design method is proposed to facilitate knowledge fusion in engineering design based on the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). In order to formulate this method, the mechanism that fosters creative ideas through knowledge fusion is firstly explained, subsequently, approaches that transform the design problems in each of the above-mentioned design stages into TRIZ problems are discussed, since the standard problems in TRIZ can be solved by corresponding TRIZ methods. A design process is therefore formulated by integrating formerly discussed strategies. Moreover, its workability is verified by a case study. The advantages of the proposed method such as the expanding the searchable range of knowledge resource for TRIZ problem solving are discussed in the final section