Contribution of an integrated laboratory on product design to local development: a case study at Montes Claros, Minas Gerais
Eduardo Romeiro Filho, Marcus Gonçalves Caldeira, Frederico Mineiro Lopes, Alexander Thorsten Nitsche
Abstract
Product design and engineering developed by companies, especially SMEs (small and medium enterprises), is a key competitive factor. The Brazilian industrial sector lacks a systematic approach that integrates different variables required by the market in order to help determine product excellence. It is a way to reduce the economic differences between the regions in the country. This paper brings a contribution to this goal, presenting the development process and first results of an Integrated Laboratory for Product Design (LIDEP). The ‘LIDEP’ works under a multidisciplinary and systemic approach, developing new products from existing demand and transferring technologies on design methodology, prototyping and design management to SMEs and educational institutions. The ‘LIDEP’ initiative is developed in Montes Claros, an important city in the northern region of the State of Minas Gerais, providing competitive conditions to local SMEs, adding significant value to products by making use of systemic design, market analysis and leveraging technical regulations.