Cost-Oriented Agile Innovation for Mechatronics Management in Less Developed Regions

Stability 16th IFAC Conference on Technology, Culture and International September 24-27, 2015.on Sozopol, Bulgaria 16th IFAC Conference Technology, Culture and International Stability Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Stability September 24-27, 2015. Sozopol, Bulgaria September 24-27, 2015. Sozopol, Bulgaria

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IFAC-PapersOnLine 48-24 (2015) Cost-Oriented Agile Innovation for150–152 Mechatronics Management Cost-Oriented Agile Innovation for Mechatronics Management in Innovation Less Developed Regions Cost-Oriented Agile for Mechatronics Management in Less Developed Regions Less Developed Regions *Muzafer Shala,in *Edmond Hajrizi, *Valmir Hoxha, ** Larry Stapleton

*Muzafer Shala, *Edmond Hajrizi, *Valmir Hoxha, ** Larry Stapleton *Muzafer Shala, *Edmond Hajrizi, *Valmir Hoxha, ** Larry Stapleton

*Faculty of Mechatronics Management, University of Business and Technology, Prishtina, Kosovo (e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; ) *Faculty of Mechatronics Management, University of Business and Technology, Prishtina, Kosovo (e-mail: *Faculty of Mechatronics Management, of Business and Technology, Prishtina, Kosovo (e-mail: **INSYTE Centre, University WIT, Ireland (e-mail: [email protected]; ) [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; ) [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; ) **INSYTE Centre, WIT, Ireland (e-mail: [email protected]; ) **INSYTE Centre, WIT, Ireland (e-mail: [email protected]; ) Abstract: Cost-oriented automation has a long tradition in IFAC and attracts a lot of attention in literatures associated, forautomation example, with process in improvement. Whilst process-oriented Abstract: Cost-oriented has abusiness long tradition IFAC and attracts a lot of attentioncost in Abstract: Cost-oriented hashave abusiness long in IFAC and in attracts ayears lot ofpractical attention in reduction (such as LEAN for example) beentradition widely disseminated, recentprocess-oriented costliteratures associated, for automation example, with process improvement. Whilst cost literatures associated, for example, with business process improvement. Whilst process-oriented cost oriented solutions automatic processes been disseminated, reported so much in the literature. This is reduction (such as for LEAN for example) havehave beennotwidely in recent years practical costreduction (such LEAN for example) havehave beennotwidely disseminated, in recent years practical surprisingsolutions givenasthe increasing constraints upon, forbeen example, organisations in costless oriented for automatic processes reportedmanufacturing so much in the literature. This is oriented forregions. automatic processes have been reportedmanufacturing so much indiscourse the literature. This is developedsolutions peripheral Thisconstraints paper re-energises the cost-oriented automation by presenting surprising given the increasing upon,notfor example, organisations in less surprising given the increasing constraints upon, for example, manufacturing organisations in less projects which have regions. used low-cost digital solutions the to cost-oriented achieve potentially excellent results. The main developed peripheral This paper re-energises automation discourse by presenting developed peripheral regions. This paper re-energises cost-oriented discourse byinpresenting contribution of have the paper to demonstrate practicalthe of automation cost-oriented thinking contexts projects which used islow-cost digital solutions toapplications achieve potentially excellent results. The main projects which used islow-cost digital solutions toapplications achieve excellent results.regions. main where practical, cost-oriented automatic control are essential, such potentially asofpost-conflict developing contribution of have the paper to demonstrate practical cost-oriented thinking inThe contexts contribution of the paper is to demonstrate practical applications of cost-oriented thinking in contexts where practical, cost-oriented automatic control are essential, such as post-conflict developing regions. © 2015,practical, IFAC (International Federation ofcontrol Automatic Control) Hosting Elsevier Ltd.developing All rights reserved. where cost-oriented automatic are essential, such asby post-conflict regions. Keywords: Innovation, Developing countries, International stability, Industry, Culture, Social networks Keywords: Innovation, Developing countries, International stability, Industry, Culture, Social networks Keywords: Innovation, Developing countries, International stability, Industry, Culture, Social networks 1. INTRODUCTION 1. INTRODUCTION 1. an important INTRODUCTION IFAC formerly was channel for disseminating cost-oriented research channel in automatic control. IFAC formerly applied was an important for disseminating IFAC formerly was anthe important channel for disseminating However, following sad death Professor Heinz cost-oriented applied research in of automatic control. cost-oriented applied in of automatic control. Harald Ehrbe, a pioneer driver of cost-oriented However, following theresearch sadanddeath Professor Heinz However, following the research, sadanddeath automation and acontrol forof a Professor yearsHeinz this Harald Ehrbe, pioneer driver offewcost-oriented Harald of Ehrbe, pioneer and driver offew cost-oriented domain activity lost focus. In 2011 TCa9-5 adopted automation and acontrol research, for years costthis automation and control research, for few this oriented automation andfocus. control formally its years scopecostand domain of activity lost In 2011 TCainto 9-5 adopted domain of activity lost focus. In 2011 TC 9-5 adopted costsince then research and has control begun formally to steadily in costoriented automation intogrow its scope and oriented automation and control formally intogrow its scope and sensitive regions. This reports an application since then research haspaper begun to steadily inwhich costsince then research has begun to steadily grow in costreplaces older, andreports expensive technologywhich with sensitive regions.unwieldy This paper an application sensitive regions. This paper reports an application lightweight, miniaturised digital system in the which food replaces older, unwieldy and expensive technology with replaces unwieldy and technology with processingolder, sector. As well asexpensive setting lightweight, miniaturised digital systemout inthethegeneral food lightweight, miniaturised digital system in the food developmentsector. processAsandwell highlighting features of the processing as settingkeyout the general processing Asandwell settingkeyout the general technology, sector. we summarise theas challenges forfeatures cost-oriented development process highlighting of the development process and highlighting key the mechatronicswe research in less regions, andof some technology, summarise thedeveloped challenges forfeatures cost-oriented technology, we summarise the challenges for cost-oriented of the lessonsresearch learned in which inform a cost-oriented mechatronics less might developed regions, and some mechatronics lessfor developed regions, and development methodology the inform development of some costof the lessonsresearch learned in which might a cost-oriented of the lessons learned which might inform a cost-oriented oriented solutions. development methodology for the development of costdevelopment methodology for the development of costoriented solutions. oriented solutions. 2. BARRIERS TO INNOVATION IN LESS DEVELOPED REGIONS 2. BARRIERS TO INNOVATION IN LESS 2. BARRIERS TO INNOVATION IN LESS DEVELOPED REGIONS DEVELOPED REGIONS Measuring and evaluating the R&D activity and performance in Western Balkans reveal much about Measuring andthe evaluating the can R&D activity and Measuring and the can R&D activity and the potentialin for reaping Balkans further benefits inmuch terms of performance the evaluating Western reveal about performance in the Western Balkans can reveal much about productivity firm level as benefits well as in international the potential atforthereaping further terms of the potential atfor reaping further terms of competitiveness of economy asasa benefits whole. productivity thethe firm level well as in international productivity at the firm level as well as international competitiveness of the economy as a whole. competitiveness of the economy as a whole.

Several important studies on R&D and innovation in the Western important Balkans including Kosovo to the Several studies on R&D have and contributed innovation in Several important studies on R&D have and contributed innovation in discussions on Research, Development and innovation Western Balkans including Kosovo to the the Western Balkans including Kosovo have contributed to the performance on and Research, potential. Even the regionand shows some of discussions Development innovation discussions Research, Development and innovation the potentialon elements forEven growth, although there performance and potential. the region shows someare of performance and potential. Even the showsthere somethe of significant discrepancies among the region economies, with the potential elements for growth, although are the potential elements for growth, although there are problems ofdiscrepancies low R&D industry brain drain, significant amongdemand, the economies, withweak the significant amongdemand, theand economies, withweak the business R&D investments, limitations in problems ofdiscrepancies low R&D industry brain drain, problems ofR&D low industry demand, drain, weak infrastructure andR&D financing. business investments, and brain limitations in business R&D investments, and limitations in infrastructure and financing. infrastructure andresearch financing.and technology development In Kosovo the (RTD) is still marginal Even basic In Kosovo the aresearch andundertaking. technology development In Kosovo the aresearch andundertaking. technology science and technology statistics are lacking. development AEven functional (RTD) is still marginal basic (RTD) is innovation still a marginal basic system of does not undertaking. yetare exist. MajorAEven reasons for science and technology statistics lacking. functional science and technology statistics are lacking. A functional this deficiency were does the exclusion of the academic system of innovation not yet exist. Major reasonsand for system ofcommunity innovation does not yet exist. Major reasons for research theexclusion pre-war phase, when academic this deficiency werein the of the academic and this deficiency were the exclusion of the academic and personnel were isolated from international scientific research community in the pre-war phase, when academic research community in the pre-war phase, whendestruction academic development; the isolated material and international immaterial personnel were from scientific personnel scientific during the were war; and the from difficult post-war destruction economic development; the isolated material and international immaterial development; the material and immaterial destruction recoverythe process. Higher Education Strategy (2005during war; In andthethe difficult post-war economic during the war;found andthe difficult post-war economic 2015), research itsthe place as a subsequent priority in recovery process. In Higher Education Strategy (2005recovery process. In Education Strategy (2005timing and scope. Inthe the new Kosovo Education Strategic 2015), research found itsHigher place as a subsequent priority in 2015), research found its place as subsequent priority in Plan 2011-2016, theInpromotion of ascience and technology timing and scope. the new Kosovo Education Strategic timing and scope. In the new Kosovo Education Strategic for modern society, with special attention to ICT, is Plana2011-2016, the promotion of science and technology Plana2011-2016, the promotion of science technology among the goals of education sector. Yet,and until for modern society, with special attention to recently, ICT, is for a modern society, with special to recently, ICT, to is general public expenditure on R&D in attention Kosovo amounted among the goals of education sector. Yet, until among the goals of education sector. Yet, until recently, only around 0.1expenditure percent of GDP. general public on R&D in Kosovo amounted to general public on R&D in Kosovo amounted to only around 0.1expenditure percent of GDP. only around 0.1 percent of GDP. Industrial demand for R&D in Kosovo is also limited. The absorptive knowledge andintechnology are Industrial demand for R&D Kosovo is capacities also limited. Industrial demand for R&D Kosovo also limited. severely limited in size, scope, and quality,ismainly dueare to The absorptive knowledge andin technology capacities The and and technology capacities are the absorptive absence mass of mainly research severely limitedofknowledge in any size, critical scope, quality, dueand to severely limitedofin any size, critical scope, and quality, to the absence mass of mainly researchdueand the absence of any critical mass of research and

Copyright © IFAC 2015 150 2405-8963 © 2015, IFAC (International Federation of Automatic Control) Hosting by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright © IFAC 2015 150Control. Peer review under responsibility of International Federation of Automatic Copyright © IFAC 2015 150 10.1016/j.ifacol.2015.12.073

IFAC TECIS 2015 September 24-27, 2015. Sozopol, Bulgaria Muzafer Shala et al. / IFAC-PapersOnLine 48-24 (2015) 150–152

technological development funding for at least the last 20 years. Moreover, the potential absorptive capacities in the economy and academia in Kosovo are not well utilized, nor are they able to cope with technological progress. The internal structure of the relevant central institutions also depicts a lot of deficits. There is lack of awareness of the advantages, pitfalls, conditions, and complexity involved in a system of innovation. In general, the higher education system in Kosovo is characterized by marginalization of R&D [1]. The National Research Program of Kosovo, approved in March 2010, aims to provide a conceptual framework for upgrading scientific capacities in the country. 3. COST ORIENTED MANUFACTURING: FOOD PROCESSING APPLICATION

cycle has been applied [2]. The total cost of Sensors, Actuators, Digital Control Equipment and Service was €2100 which is two times lower price than the new machine. Also it is important to mention that every mechanical and electrical part which was in good technical conditions has been modified for reuse Fig 2 [3]. All above mentioned steps were implemented from UBT staff and students, Fig 3. Fig 2. Modified and reused mechanical and electrical parts Fig 3. Digital control dosing machine, upgraded in Mechatronics Lab of UBT

A

Just to mention that the company has offered internship and job opportunities for our students.

In order to meet basic requirements: High quality, Robustness, Low cost, Time to market and Costumers satisfaction, nowadays all over the world and in less developed countries are applied production processes based on concurrent engineering principles.

5.

DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED

Build trust, adaptability, flexibility and openness to change are the most difficult part for cost-oriented research. It was difficult to assure them to bring the machine in our lab. Because for us it is nearly impossible to send our staff in the factory in daily basis to conduct work, due to their duties in teaching process. Bringing the machine to the UBT Machatronics Lab, was quite important and worthy for our students to see and participate in this process.

The request from a production company has been made to solve the problem they were facing with a new bought flips dosing machine. Initially it was required to set-up the digital programmable part. Based on contact with the machine supplier and our experience, the programmable part has been fixed. Due to some mechanical issues, also weight and size characteristics of flips it came that this machine is suitable for dosing Nuts, Coffee beans, Pellets, Sugar and Salt but it is not suitable for dosing of flips.

6.

SYNTHESIS: TOWARDS A COST-ORIENTED INNOVATION METHDOLOGY FOR MECHATRONICS PROJECTS IN LESS-DEVELOPED REGIONS

Our suggestion to the company was that we can modify this mechanical problems which will cost some money, but due to the warranty from the supplier it would be better to get in touch with them, explain all of our results and try instead to get another dosing machine which is suitable for dosing flips. The supplier has responded with a different flips dossing machine, which has worked properly.

UBT is the only institution in Kosovo and in the region that offers Mechatronics Management Programme. Small and medium enterprises in Kosovo actually are implementing new cost oriented technologies and also they own some machines from 80’s which need to be upgraded. Wellequipped laboratory, Well-prepared and dedicated staff has made this process to run in the easiest way. The only problem was supply placed equipment and in some cases when it was necessary to integrate some electronics components to create a module.

Our suggestion to the company was that in the future before they decide to buy a new machine or implement a new production process it would be wise for them to consult with us, in order to avoid similar problems. 4.

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WHAT WORKED WELL

7.

Build trust, adaptability, flexibility and openness to change, brought the new request from the same food processing company to digitalize an old analog control dosing machine, made on the 80’s placed on Mechatronics Lab of UBT Fig 1.

CONCLUSIONS

This Practically applied Cost-Oriented Agile Innovation process which is done from UBT to solve problems in industry, implement new production digital line systems and bring to our students opportunities to gain knowledge in Learning-by-Doing model, has positive impact to innovation in less developed regions. Also this process will bring some more opportunities for students to do the internship and get employment in companies

Fig 1. Analog control dosing machine, made on the 80’s in Mechatronics Lab of UBT

REFERENCES

Mechatronics design process approach split in Modeling/Simulation, Prototyping and Deployment/Life 151

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[1] L. Stapleton (2011). “Technology Adoption in PostConflict Regions”, Journal of Global Information Management, (JGIM), 19(3) pp. 65-84. [2]Shetty, D., Kolk, R., (2011). Mechatronics System Design, pp:525, Cengage Learning [3] Kopacek, P., Shala, M., Ismaili, K., Sylaj, F., Research and Education with Scrap, 15th Workshop on International Stability, Technology, and Culture, IFAC, June 6-8, 2013. Prishtina, Kosovo

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