Abstract
The current reality of intense competition has forced many companies to increase their performance and competitive advantages by pursuing innovation and improving and streamlining internal methods of designing products and processes. With shortening of product life cycle, in order for companies to survive, the need for a continuous stream of multiple innovations over time has arisen. However, the resources consumed by companies, whilst developing a product or process, are increasingly high, even in integrated approaches, and often the finished product or process arrives too late to provide the company with an edge over its competitors. Due to the large impact Lean philosophy has had in recent decades, within the manufacturing area, through the increase of efficiency and generation of continuous improvement, more companies have progressively applied Lean methods in their units of product and process development. This paper seeks to present a reference model for Lean implementation in the areas of product and process development in order to support companies in their path to streamline and make their innovative processes more efficient. The proposed reference model includes a concrete case study example that helps to explain the main concepts behind the proposed approach. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2013.

Abstract
Over the last years, the numerical simulation of integrated processes has become the major challenge in virtual try-out of sheet metal components, including trimming operations that may occur between forming steps. Detailed simulation of trimming processes is a challenging task, particularly when integrated with other forming operations such as deep drawing or hemming. A simplified approach can be adopted in which elements outside the trim surface are deleted from the finite element (FE) model adjusting the remaining to the surface. Following this approach, the state variables are mapped from the old FE mesh to the new trimmed mesh to continue the simulation. This paper addresses this simplified approach to the trimming process exploring a previously presented algorithm (Finite Elem Anal Des 42: 1053-1060, Baptista et al. 2006), which allows the treatment of hexahedral finite element meshes. Particularly, it focuses on the performance evaluation of the implemented strategies for correcting the FE mesh to the trimming surface, including the treatment of pentahedral-shaped elements. Different correction and treatment strategies are evaluated on different types of meshes, based on numerical simulation results of simple mechanical tests: uniaxial tensile test and simple bending test. Finally, two practical applications are given where the local effect of the trimming algorithm is highlighted.

Abstract
Industrial Symbiosis (IS) envisages a collaborative approach to resource efficiency, encouraging companies to recover, reprocess and reuse waste within the industrial network. Several challenges regarding the effective application of IS continue to limit a broader implementation of this area of Industrial Ecology. The MAESTRI project encompasses an Industrial Symbiosis approach within the scope of sustainable manufacturing for process industries that fosters the sharing of resources (energy, water, residues, etc.) between different processes of a single company or between multiple companies. The Industrial Symbiosis approach is integrated with Efficiency Framework in the so-called MAESTRI Total Efficiency Framework. Efficiency Framework is devoted to the combination of eco-efficiency (via ecoPROSYS) and the efficiency assessment (via MSM – Multi-Layer Stream Mapping). In this manuscript the benefit of the combination of the Efficiency Framework as an facilitator to a more effective application of Industrial Symbiosis, within or outside the company’s boundaries, is explored. © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK.

Abstract
Multi-layer Stream Mapping (MSM) comprehends a new framework for the performance assessment of complex systems. The MSM was developed for multi-domain analysis in an original manner to assess if resources, process and other domains are used to their full potential. The costs related with misuses/inefficiency situations are also quantified and integrated in a simplified manner. A real case study applying the MSM method is validated through application to a Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) finishing line. For this study all the resources and materials consumed in each unit process where considered. The overall efficiency was assessed and improvements actions were evaluated. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract
This manuscript presents a novel framework, the Multidimensional Design Assessment Model, which encompasses a multi-criteria approach to efficiency, eco-efficiency and costs assessment for a given design system in aeronautical industry production. The framework is established by adopting Design-for-X and Multi-Layer Stream Mapping approaches, based on Lean Thinking, for efficiency assessment and adopting modules of ecoPROSYS to eco-efficiency assessment. A real case study from aeronautical sector is given to demonstrate the approach, for the assembly of aircraft structure Horizontal Tale Plane, where different results are presented and discussed for each dimension of analysis and how improvement strategies can be designed. © 2019 IEEE.

Abstract
In recent years, the Twin-Transition reference model has gained notoriety as one of the key options for decarbonizing the economy while adopting more sustainable models leveraged by the Industry 4.0 paradigm. In this regard, one of the most relevant challenges is the integration of data-driven approaches with sustainability assessment approaches, since overcoming this challenge will foster more agile sustainable development. Without disregarding the effort of academics and practitioners in the development of sustainability assessment approaches, the authors consider the need for holistic frameworks that also encourage continuous improvement in sustainable development. The main objective of this research is to propose a holistic framework that supports companies to assess sustainability performance effectively and more easily, supported by digital capabilities and data-driven concepts, while integrating improvement procedures and methodologies. To achieve this objective, the research is based on the analysis of published approaches, with special emphasis on the data-driven concepts supporting sustainability assessment and Lean Thinking methods. From these results, we identified and extracted the metrics, scopes, boundaries, and kinds of output for decision-making. A new holistic framework is described, and we have included a guide with the steps necessary for its adoption in a given company, thus helping to enhance sustainability while using data availability and data-analytics tools. © 2023 by the authors.