1. From zero to one: a new perspective on the fuzzy front end of innovation and the Stage-Gate® modelPeter Alešnik, Igor Vrečko, Iztok Palčič, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The Stage-Gate® model has historically provided a systematic framework for New Product Development (NPD). However, the evolving landscape of innovation necessitates continuous enhancement. This paper redefines the model's foundational structure by advocating for the recognition of the Discovery Phase as Stage 1, emphasizing its essential role in aligning initial ideation with strategic goals, streamlining processes, and enhancing NPD efforts. Using a mixed-methods approach, including a systematic literature review, synthesis of illustrative examples and secondary data and case study analysis, the research demonstrates that formalizing the Discovery Phase improves earlystage decision-making, enhances alignment between front-end exploration and downstream execution and mitigates risks by supporting more informed project development. Synthesised sectoral examples show that incorporating the Discovery Phase improves feasibility, reduces risk, and boosts efficiency. For example, simulation planning early in innovation process increased manufacturing throughput by 52 %, while early IP checks lowered infringement risk. The proposed revision boosts the Stage-Gate® model's adaptability and integration with modern methodologies such as AI, Agile, Lean Startup, Design Thinking and TRIZ. The findings highlight how this change promotes a comprehensive approach to NPD. The implications extend to practical applications and future research, offering organizations a flexible framework that meets modern market and technological demands.
Ključne besede: Stage-Gate® model, fuzzy front end of innovation (FFEI), new product development (NPD), innovation management, discovery phase, agile, TRIZ, design thinking, large language model (LLM), sustainability
Objavljeno v DKUM: 03.11.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 5
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2. Bioinspired design of ergonomic tool handles using 3D-printed cellular metamaterialsGregor Harih, Vasja Plesec, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The design of ergonomic tool handles is crucial for user comfort and performance, yet conventional stiff materials often lead to uneven pressure distribution and discomfort. This study investigates the application of 3D-printed cellular metamaterials with tunable stiffness, specifically gyroid structures, to enhance the ergonomic and haptic properties of tool handles. We employed finite element analysis to simulate finger–handle interactions and conducted subjective comfort evaluations with participants using a foxtail saw with handles of varying gyroid infill densities and a rigid PLA handle. Numerical results demonstrated that handles with medium stiffness significantly reduced peak contact pressures and promoted a more uniform pressure distribution compared to the stiff PLA handle. The softest gyroid handle, while compliant, exhibited excessive deformation, potentially compromising stability. Subjective comfort ratings corroborated these findings, with medium-stiffness handles receiving the highest scores for overall comfort, fit, and force transmission. These results highlight that a plateau-like mechanical response of the 3D-printed cellular metamaterial handle, inversely bioinspired by human soft tissue, effectively balances pressure redistribution and grip stability. This bioinspired design approach offers a promising direction for developing user-centered products that mitigate fatigue and discomfort in force-intensive tasks.
Ključne besede: bioinspired design, product ergonomics, 3D printing, tool handle, finite element method, user comfort, cellular metamaterials
Objavljeno v DKUM: 03.11.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 4
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3. From zero to one: a new perspective on the fuzzy front end of innovation and the Stage-Gate® modelPeter Alešnik, Igor Vrečko, Iztok Palčič, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The Stage-Gate® model has historically provided a systematic framework for New Product Development (NPD). However, the evolving landscape of innovation necessitates continuous enhancement. This paper redefines the model's foundational structure by advocating for the recognition of the Discovery Phase as Stage 1, emphasizing its essential role in aligning initial ideation with strategic goals, streamlining processes, and enhancing NPD efforts. Using a mixed-methods approach, including a systematic literature review, synthesis of illustrative examples and secondary data and case study analysis, the research demonstrates that formalizing the Discovery Phase improves earlystage decision-making, enhances alignment between front-end exploration and downstream execution and mitigates risks by supporting more informed project development. Synthesised sectoral examples show that incorporating the Discovery Phase improves feasibility, reduces risk, and boosts efficiency. For example, simulation planning early in innovation process increased manufacturing throughput by 52 %, while early IP checks lowered infringement risk. The proposed revision boosts the Stage-Gate® model's adaptability and integration with modern methodologies such as AI, Agile, Lean Startup, Design Thinking and TRIZ. The findings highlight how this change promotes a comprehensive approach to NPD. The implications extend to practical applications and future research, offering organizations a flexible framework that meets modern market and technological demands.
Ključne besede: Stage-Gate® model, fuzzy front end of innovation (FFEI), new product development (NPD), innovation management, discovery phase, agile, TRIZ, design thinking, large language model (LLM), sustainability
Objavljeno v DKUM: 13.10.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 6
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4. Importance of business models in circular economy : bachelor thesisFernández Gómez Raquel, 2022, diplomsko delo Opis: This bachelor thesis studies and analyzes the importance of business models in the Circular Economy. The company studied is an SME, i.e. 10 to 250 employees. The smaller companies are mainly confronted with the problem of resources, and the larger ones with their strategic orientation.
The aim is to generate a guideline or way of doing that serves as a model for the SMEs already created so that the transition from the Linear Economy, which is still predominant today, to a Circular Economy.
The idea is, after the study, a real case study of SMEs working with the premises of CE to establish a market model that follows the same.
To support changes, we have documented the different business models currently in use, choosing the Canvas Business Model for several reasons and making the various changes necessary to make this a sustainable and circular model.
In addition, it is established that the process of innovation and modification must be applied as a continuous cyclical process. If the company wants to be successful, it is a continuous cycle model, which should never stop.
Ključne besede: Business Models for Circular Economy, Business Model Canvas, Industrial symbiosis, Ressource efficciency, Synergies, Sustainable development, CE in SMEs, Circular Economy, Product Sustainable Design.
Objavljeno v DKUM: 12.07.2022; Ogledov: 707; Prenosov: 44
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5. Intelligent support for defining aesthetical, ergonomical and material properties of designed productJasmin Kaljun, 2014, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The presented paper gives an insight into a prototype of intelligent advisory system based on the aesthetic and ergonomic factors regarding product design, with emphasis on appurtenant design recommendations. The paper focuses on methodology of determining appropriate combination of ergonomic and aesthetic design actions during product design to achieve pleasant user experience. Along with products' function, ergonomics and aesthetics certainly belong to the most important design factors that affect user experience. In the field of ergonomics not only anthropometrical characteristics of prospective user are important. It is also of significant importance to select appropriate material for contact areas in order to assure comfortable and injury free use. Presented theoretical findings are supported with case study of hand tool handle design using intelligent advisory system Oscar.
Ključne besede: aesthetics, ergonomics, intelligent support, material selection, product design
Objavljeno v DKUM: 12.07.2017; Ogledov: 1127; Prenosov: 227
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6. Comparative model analysis of two types of clamping elements in dynamic conditionsPetar Todorovic, Borut Buchmeister, Marko Djapan, Djordje Vukelić, Marko Milosevic, Branko Tadic, Milan Radenkovic, 2014, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This paper studies the compliance of the fixture-workpiece system. Workpiece clamping case with two types of clamping elements is considered. The first type of clamping element is standard, with flat top, while the second one is specially designed, with round cutting insert. Analyzed was the case of workpiece clamping using small forces, whereby the deformations in the workpiece/clamping element interface are predominantly on the order of magnitude of roughness height. A comparative analysis of dynamic behaviour of both types of clamping elements is also presented. In comparison with its standard counterpart, the specially designed clamping element with round cutting insert has superior clamping performance regarding both tangential load capacity and compliance.
Ključne besede: clamping, clamping element design, product development, machining, cutting, compliance, fixture, roughness, analysis, dinamical behaviour
Objavljeno v DKUM: 11.07.2017; Ogledov: 1193; Prenosov: 122
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7. A discussion on new necessity-based method for requirements list elicitation and requirements classificationŠpela Brglez, Bojan Dolšak, 2016, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Establishing appropriate requirements is essential in early phases of product design for obtaining enough information and in order not to over-constrain the product. Consequences of failing to do so are discussed. An overview of state-of-the-art methodologies for eliciting and classifying requirements is presented. Existing elicitation methods tend not to focus on the requirements content and the classification methods overlook the missing requirements. To overcome this gap a new method for requirements elicitation and classification is proposed. It defines the universally necessary requirements, product- specific necessary requirements and optional requirements. The appropriateness of the method is verified with a case-study on air ventilation register box and expert opinions. The positive contribution of the method is confirmed through evaluation with novice design engineers.
Ključne besede: decision making, design knowledge, design methodology, product design
Objavljeno v DKUM: 11.07.2017; Ogledov: 1346; Prenosov: 461
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8. Interdisciplinary approach to tool-handle design based on medical imagingGregor Harih, Andrej Čretnik, 2013, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Products are becoming increasingly complex; therefore, designers are faced with a challenging task to incorporate new functionality, higher performance, and optimal shape design. Traditional user-centered design techniques such as designing with anthropometric data do not incorporate enough subject data to design products with optimal shape for best fit to the target population. To overcome these limitations, we present an interdisciplinary approach with medical imaging. The use of this approach is being presented on the development of an optimal sized and shaped tool handle where the hand is imaged using magnetic resonance imaging machine. The obtained images of the hand are reconstructed and imported into computer-aided design software, where optimal shape of the handle is obtained with Boolean operations. Methods can be used to develop fully customized products with optimal shape to provide best fit to the target population. This increases subjective comfort rating, performance and can prevent acute and cumulative trauma disorders. Provided methods are especially suited for products where high stresses and exceptional performance is expected (high performance tools, professional sports, and military equipment, etc.). With the use of these interdisciplinary methods, the value of the product is increased, which also increases the competitiveness of the product on the market.
Ključne besede: product design, ergonomics, medical imaging, reverse engineering, innovation
Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.07.2015; Ogledov: 1503; Prenosov: 406
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9. Computer aided decision support in product design engineeringMarina Novak, 2012, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Product design engineering is a complex discipline, which is undergoing a transformation from informal and largely experience-based domain to scientific oriented domain. Computational intelligence can contribute greatly to product design process, as it is becoming more and more evident that adding intelligence to existing computer aids, such as computer aided design systems, can lead to significant improvements in terms of effectiveness and reliability of various tasks within product design engineering. Providing computer aided decision support is one of the computational intelligence methods that proved to be effective in enabling more intelligent and less experience-dependent design performance. In this paper, some of the most crucial areas of product design engineering process that require additional computational intelligence in terms of computer aided decision support are presented together with some examples of intelligent knowledge-based modules applied to this areas.
Ključne besede: product development, design engineering, design for X, computational intelligence, decision support, knowledge-based modules
Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.07.2015; Ogledov: 1913; Prenosov: 106
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10. Integration framework to support cooperation in product development processGorazd Hren, Anton Jezernik, Stanislav Lukšič, Andrej Predin, 2009, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Virtual Prototypes become increasingly important and useful for engineers, since they provide the capability to evaluate mechanical designs under "real-world" conditions during different phases of their development. The aim of presented research work is to create and implement a computer framework to handle viewing and examination of virtual prototypes over the Web, to manipulate appearances of parts, enable exchanging parts or sub-assemblies simultaneously for evaluation, involving their functional behaviour. The presented framework finally enables the propagation of changes back to modelling system, avoiding repetition of virtual model preparation. The presented model enables cooperation of a broad set of participants in production process regardless of their computer experience.
Ključne besede: prototype production, product design, CAD
Objavljeno v DKUM: 05.06.2012; Ogledov: 1793; Prenosov: 30
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