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December 2005
Welcome to our December issue of the newsletter.
Please share this newsletter with your friends and co-workers. Sign
up now.
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 Two systems of welding wood without adhesives have been
developed: vibration welding and high speed rotation welding.
Vibration welding used to weld two flat wood surfaces to each other. High speed rotation welding of wood dowels into wood substrates,
used to join several wood specimens with everyday, inexpensive equipment. Both systems of wood-to-wood welding are based on
the melting and flowing of the amorphous, cells-interconnecting polymer material in the structure of wood, mainly lignin, but
also hemicelluloses. This is caused by the high temperature reached quickly at the interface, and at the interface only. This
causes partial detachment, the ungluing of long wood cells, wood fibres, and the formation of a fibres entanglement network
in the matrix of molten material which then solidifies. Thus, a wood cells/fibres entanglement network composite having a molten
lignin polymer matrix is formed.
http://ibois.epfl.ch
Trend: Rhythm coordination
Rhythmic action evolves so that continuous action of a system or subsystem evolves towards periodic action. Periodic
action then adjusts toward the resonance frequency of an element within the system or super-system so that resonance vibrations
are used to the advantage of the system. Finally, resonance vibrations evolve toward travelling wave motion.
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Smart lid indicates temperature
 An ingenious solution for the take-away coffee industry:
a colour changing disposable beverage lid that indicates the temperature of the liquid inside and clearly indicates that
the lid is securely in place. The "smart" lid alerts consumers that the contents are hot by changing from coffee brown to
bright red in colour with the colour range designed to indicate the temperature, enabling regular customers to "read" the
temperature of their coffee. It's a small but significant product upgrade, adding significant functionality to the old dumb
coffee lid.
http://www.smartlidsystems.com
Trend: Increasing use of colour
Why wouldn't you increasing the use of colours of your product. It has many advantages. For example: the ability to
make a simple measurement, it can be a warning indicator or it can simply improve the overall aesthetic appearance of your
product. The warning indicator is the biggest advantage for the smart lid. It helps preventing to be hurt.
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 Optomec in Albuquerque has commercialized the laser-engineered
net-shaping (LENS) process. LENS systems use a laser focused on a metal substrate to create a localized melt pool into which
powdered metal is injected. Rapid cooling solidifies the deposit while the part is rastered back and forth according to a
3D CAD pattern. Features as small as 0.030 inches are possible. Considered by some the holy grail of additive manufacturing
technologies (aka rapid prototyping), Direct metal manufacturing (DMM) capabilities are now within reach.
http://www.deskeng.com
Trend: Macro to Nano in time
Products and services that are faster can deliver significant competitive advantages. Potential benefits include more
effective use of resources, improving system efficiency and reducing overall time losses. With this kind of prototyping you
don't need the time and resources to make a mould.
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Car, boat and airplane in one
 Hydro foam (rc boat, rc plane and rc car in one machine)
are unique new radio controlled gadgets. They combine three machines in one: it is a powerful radio controlled speedboat,
it can be used on land (grass, concrete, streets) as well as it's main function: it is also a rc plane. So combining a rc
speedboat, rc plane and rc car in one machine. As the video on their website shows you: this is ultimate christmas present
for big boys!
http://www.flyingpowerboat.com
Trend: Mono-bi-poly various objects
This trend describes bringing together different functions in your product or service to increase the user convenience.
Other benefits of adding functions are: creating synergies, reducing number of systems or improved operability.
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 This month we selected the submission of Jos
Corstjens from Alcatel.
 This Aqueon fireplace by Heat & Glo actually uses regular water
to create fire. Ordinary tap water (preferably distilled) is supplied to the fireplace through a pipe or tank, an electrical
service then separates the hydrogen and oxygen atoms through electrolysis, the Aqueon ignites the hydrogen and you get fire!
The oxygen is then added for colour and brightness, while the rest is released into the room. It doesn't require venting because
it doesn't produce any harmful exhaust gases like carbon monoxide, just water vapour. And the whole thing is modelled to look
like an artistic sculpture of a candle flame.
http://www.heatnglo.com
Trend: Object segmentation
Changing the state of a product - starting from solid to field - is another trend. Each step in this direction can deliver
significant benefits.
Fireplaces started to use wood, what is a solid. Later fireplaces also started using gas. Now they even get a step further
in the trend by using electrolysis.
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Please do not hesitate to send
us a great innovation you have spotted.
We might include it in our next month issue. |
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 CREAX seminar
If you enjoy CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on Systematic Innovation seminar. Our next 2days seminar is
scheduled for the 22nd & 23rd of February.
CREAX also offers exclusive company specific corporate seminars. Participants learn how to apply the Systematic Innovation
Methodology in their day-to-day job in an interactive way. (more info)
" Very interesting, good presentation & exercises. "
Bart L., PIH-Kortrijk, Belgium |
Over the last years, over 400 people subscribed and participated with enthusiasm to the Systematic Innovation Methodology
seminars. CREAX trains people both during company-specific in-house seminars, and open training seminars:
Research and conferences
  CREAX thanks for
the numerous feedback and interaction on our new Directed Variation® method development, also presented in the 4 TRIZ
journal papers (sept, oct, nov,
dec). The research has been presented at the Computer Aided Inventing conference
hosted by Daimler-Chrysler, Ulm and the ETRIA 2005 conference
in Graz, Austria. CREAX has the pleasure to host next years ETRIA conference in collaboration with the University of Leuven
(KUL).
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CREAX n.v. Mlk.Plumerlaan 113 8900 Ieper Belgium
T +32 57 229480 F +32 57 229481
info@creax.com www.creax.com
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