Design and Methods of Industrial Engineering

Description

The DT&M (Design Tools & Methods) Group, Design and Methods of Industrial Engineering (Scientific-Disciplinary Sector IIND-03/B), has been active at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences of the Università Politecnica delle Marche since 1998. The group currently consists of two Full Professors, three Associate Professors, and approximately 30 PhD students and research fellows. It serves as a primary hub for teaching and research activities related to Technical Industrial Design and the methods and tools for product and process innovation and development. The research group is active across all three institutional pillars: Education, Research, and Third Mission.

The group’s educational activities cover the following courses:

Mechanical Drawing, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Virtual Prototyping, Product Engineering, Product Lifecycle Management for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering
Technical Design and Data Management, Methods and Tools for Product Sustainable Innovation, Methods and Tools for Human-Centered Workplaces Design for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Management Engineering
Digital Technologies for 3D Representation (course and laboratory) for the single-cycle degree in Building Engineering-Architecture
Methods and Tools for Biomedical Product Design for the Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering
Graphics and 3D Modeling e User Experience Design and 2D Graphics for the degree in Information Engineering for Videogames and Virtual Reality
Mechanical Drawing and 3D Modeling for the Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Industrial Engineering and Tools and Methods for Ecodesign for the Master’s degree in Green Industrial Engineering
Plant Design and 3D Modeling for the degree in Industrial and Information Systems
Ecodesign for the Master’s degree in Sustainability Management and Circular Economy
Elements of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for the degree in Environment and Workplace Prevention techniques

The group’s research activities focus on the study of methods and tools for conceptual, geometric, and functional modelling, simulation, development, and innovation of products, machines, and systems. Particular attention is devoted to the integration of design specifications with regulatory, aesthetic, environmental, and social impact constraints. The main research areas include: a) design oriented towards usability, sustainability, manufacturability, and physical and cognitive ergonomics; b) product lifecycle management through computer-aided tools; c) extended reality, virtual prototyping, and digital twin technologies; d) digital human modelling; e) human–machine interaction; f) reverse engineering; g) additive manufacturing; h) Active Ageing and Smart Environments. Across all these domains, Artificial Intelligence represents a transversal and enabling technology. Research activities are carried out in collaboration with national and international research groups and major industrial partners, also within projects funded through competitive regional, national, and European programmes. Over the past twenty years, the group has secured approximately €25 million in research funding, working in synergy with multiple industrial sectors.

With regard to third mission activities, the group is strongly committed to technology transfer and the valorisation of research outcomes. It has launched two academic spin-offs and holds several patents. Furthermore, it actively participates in innovation and technology transfer initiatives such as the MUR Extended Partnership Made in Italy, the Vitality Ecosystem, the European Digital Innovation Hub EDIH4Marche, and major regional collaborative platforms including Fermo Tech and I-Labs Industry.

Keywords: Ecodesign, Sustainable Manufacturing, Design for Additive Manufacturing, Design to Cost, Human-Centered Design, User Experience Design, Human-Machine Interaction, Affective Computing, Extended Reality, Digital Cultural Heritage, Game Design

Research activities

Laboratories

Staff

Prof. Michele Germani
Tel. +39 071 220 4768
E-mail: m.germani@staff.univpm.it

Prof. Ferruccio Mandorli
Tel. +39 071 220 4790
E-mail: f.mandorli@staff.univpm.it

Prof.ssa Maura Mengoni
Tel. +39 071 220 4969
E-mail: m.mengoni@staff.univpm.it

Prof. Marco Mandolini
Tel. +39 071 220 4799
E-mail: m.mandolini@staff.univpm.it

Prof.ssa Alessandra Papetti
Tel. +39 071 220 4880
E-mail: a.papetti@staff.univpm.it