It is again possible to sign up as an SME company for a free redesign of your product by students of the study Industrial Design Engineering of Hogeschool van Amsterdam. Last year, this project was carried out successfully for the first time. It involves redesign to plastic and scaling up to mass production.
Last year, three companies participated and it went so well that they are spreading the call again this year. The students work in ten groups of three to develop an integrated design, including detail engineering. They investigate which (plastic) production technique best suits the product in question and, using your technical requirements, look at optimal integrated design, manufacturability and cost. In doing so, they are coached by a professional team of teachers and product developers. The project is ideal for companies (preferably in the Amsterdam area) looking to scale up, lecturer Marc Barends explained to us last year. But companies looking to redesign a product are also eligible. "Perhaps there are companies that already have a plastic injection moulded product but it has had so many modifications over time that it no longer optimally meets demand. It could also be that certain other wishes or requirements have been added and a product 2.0 is needed. That new design would be fine for the students to pick up." Projects that are in the critical path and need an answer now will not be considered. "It works very well especially as an exploration, not for projects that are at the top of the pile, but below."
One man week
As a company, no more is asked of you than just some time. Marc: "In the first week, the students think about what integrated design actually is and which functions can be integrated into the housing. They also get to know the company where they will carry out the project. In the following weeks, they start working on the design by creating a concept. In consultation with the company, the best concept is chosen and worked out in detail, with cad drawings. This is followed by a pitch where the students tell about their findings at the company's site. An advantage for the company is that it can invite several people, from management to sales and production. They can all take shots at it. Then the students go to work for another week to use that feedback to create an improved report. All we ask from a company is to participate and open their doors to visit and pitch and join us once. It doesn't cost any money. It costs you one man-week of time and gets you two man-years of effort."
In touch with MKB
The students will focus mainly on injection moulding, but are also looking at other plastic manufacturing techniques. "They are students who mainly think in larger series during their studies so then you quickly come to extrusion, vacuum forming and especially injection moulding. Not so much laser cutting. That can be done but is more focused on low quantities. That integrated design is particularly interesting for making, for example, an appliance housing, remote control or housing for electronics. Kitchen equipment or analytical equipment for a laboratory are also interesting. We think we can play a role for SMEs in particular. We won't be able to play a role for parties like Philips with their large masses, but for SMEs we think we can. Students often think out of the box, which can provide very useful insights. A win-win situation."
Would you like to sign up for the student project? You can do so until 25 March. Mail to: M.L.Barends@hva.nl subject to "IGO".
