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Publications

Publications by SYSTEM

2023

The Design of Digital Platform Ecosystem Supporting Circular Economy

Authors
Marantes, G; Soares, AL; Silva, HD;

Publication
COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS IN DIGITALIZATION AND SOCIETY 5.0, PRO-VE 2023

Abstract
Circular Economy business models rely on complex data exchange between organizations, which require a supporting digital infrastructure facilitating the circularity-related processes. In a digital platform context, value is generated not by the underlying technologies but by its allied ecosystem: community, users, developers, and integrated applications. These ecosystems come with an intrinsically complex interorganisational structure often overlooked during the development phase, leading to low platform adoption and obsolete platforms in the mid to long-term. Developed through a combined action-research and design science research approach, we propose a framework to support the design and deployment of circular economy ecosystems from a sociotechnical perspective, including practices from the requirements engineering, circular innovation ecosystems and digital platforms literature.

2023

A Digital Twin Platform-Based Approach to Product Lifecycle Management: Towards a Transformer 4.0

Authors
Silva H.; Moreno T.; Almeida A.; Soares A.L.; Azevedo A.;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering

Abstract
Recently, we have been observing a significant evolution in products, machines, and manufacturing processes, towards a more digital and interoperable reality. In this sense, the power transformers sector has also been evolving to develop smart transformers for the future, capable of providing the digital capabilities to leverage new services and features that follow its entire life cycle, from the design and manufacturing to the use and dismantling/recycling. In this sense, this paper aims to present and demonstrate how an innovative digital twin platform can be used in a secure and trustable way for the enhancement of the power transformers’ performance and potential lifespan, enabling, at the same time, the promotion of new business models. A real use case is also presented to demonstrate the applicability of Asset Administration Shells (AAS) for power transformer life cycle management, as well as the use of the International Data Spaces (IDS) for the secure and trustable horizontal interoperability along with the different actors of the value chain, from the manufacturers to the power network and maintenance services companies.

2023

The Impact of Lean on Occupational Safety in Organisations

Authors
Sá, JC; Dinis-Carvalho, J; Fraga, H; Lima, V; Silva, FJG; Bastos, J;

Publication
LEAN, GREEN AND SUSTAINABILITY, ELEC 2022

Abstract
Occupational safety is a major concern these days because it is an important social issue promoting financial implications for organisations, employees, and society. But while occupational safety is an important concern, the top management of organizations usually prioritize waste and cost reduction. Therefore, there is a need for a technique that reduces waste and simultaneously improves occupational safety. Lean has been effective in reducing waste and costs. Some researchers have shown that Lean can also improve occupational safety. The objective of this work was to determine wether, in organizations where Lean tools were implemented, if there was an improvement in occupational safety conditions, namely in the reduction of accident rates, and to verify which Lean tools contributed the most to that improvement. A survey was conducted by sending a questionnaire to Portuguese organizations, from north to south and islands, who had potentially Lean tools implemented. In total, 189 answers have been obtained from organizations, 59 of which had Lean tools implemented, being considered valid answers for the study. Through statistical analysis of the data obtained, it was found that no organisations had worsened their safety indicators, some had maintained the same level and a reasonable number stated that their indicators had improved. Of these, the vast majority said that their accident rates had decreased by 20%, this being the figure that statistically showed the best results in terms of change.

2023

Literature review of decision models for the sustainable implementation of robotic process automation

Authors
Patricio L.; Avila P.; Varela L.; Cruz-Cunha M.M.; Ferreira L.P.; Bastos J.; Castro H.; Silva J.;

Publication
Procedia Computer Science

Abstract
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a rules-based system for automating business processes by software bots that mimic human interactions to relieve employees from tedious work. It was verified in the literature that there are few works related to RPA decision support models. This technology is in great growth and, therefore, it becomes important to study the evaluation of the implementation of RPA. The objective of this work is focused on a literature review for the identification and analysis of Robotic Process Automation implementation models. This work analyses some models or studies available in the literature and, in addition, analyses it from a perspective relating to the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) related to environmental, social and economic effects. Regarding the results obtained, it appears that there is still a lot of room to improve research in this field, for example, with regard to the development of an evaluation model for the implementation of the RPA, taking into account the TBL of the sustainability concept.

2023

3D Printed Device for Avoiding Hand Contact with Shared Surfaces: The Handgenic

Authors
Pais, AI; Ferreira, C; Pires, V; Silva, V; Alves, JL; Bastos, JA; Belinha, J;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Bioengineering

Abstract
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic required swift adaptations within public spaces, particularly in view of the uncertainties enveloping the transmission dynamics of the virus. Among the prominently contacted surfaces, door handles have garnered significant attention in research efforts aiming to curtail transmission risks. A notable proposition emerged to obviate the necessity of direct physical contact with handles, thereby introducing a novel approach. Thus, the manufacturing modality of three-dimensional (3D) printing was naturally embraced, primarily attributable to its expeditious prototyping capabilities. Although the extant literature and the open-source community have proffered diverse panaceas, this inquiry embarked on rectifying certain inadequacies that had afflicted antecedent methodologies. Elaborate exposition is provided pertaining to the progression of the developmental trajectory and the concomitant design refinements. In a bid to substantiate the efficaciousness of the produced solution, the finite element analysis (FEA) was judiciously employed to assess two distinct loading scenarios: during the installation phase and the subsequent operation of the contrivance. The empirical findings manifest the commendable load tolerance, with the proposed solution being capable of withstand forces exceeding 15 N. Furthermore, even under the most adverse circumstances, the device evinced a maximal displacement of 15 mm. Collectively, the corollaries borne out of this scholarly investigation corroborate the efficacy, utilitarian functionality, and ergonomic viabilities of the proposed solutions and manufacturing process. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

2023

Collaborative Planning in Non-Hierarchical Networks-An Intelligent Negotiation-Based Framework

Authors
Bastos, J; Azevedo, A; Avila, P; Mota, A; Costa, L; Castro, H;

Publication
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL

Abstract
In today's competing business market, companies are constantly challenged to dynamically adapt to customer expectations by diminishing the time response that goes from the beginning of the business opportunity to the satisfaction of the customer need. Simultaneously, there is increased recognition of the advantages that companies obtain in focusing on their core business and seeking other competencies through partnerships with other partners by forming collaborative networks. These new collaborative organizational structures require a new set of methods and tools to support the management of manufacturing processes across the entire supply chain. The present paper addresses the collaborative production planning problem in networks of non-hierarchical, decentralized, and independent companies. By proposing a collaborative planning intelligent framework composed of a web-based set of methods, tools, and technologies, the present study intends to provide network stakeholders with the necessary means to responsively and efficiently address each one of the market business opportunities. Through this new holistic framework, the managers of the networked companies can address the challenges posed during collaborative network formation and supply chain production planning.

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