Design, ergonomics & training for medical technology products

It is taken for granted that a product will work reliably (moreover in medical industry!). In addition today it is more and more important to guarantee the ease of operation in view of the scarcity of personnel and the variety of devices.  Therefore to market medical technology products also implies maximizing user friendliness and experience…

Medical Cluster Switzerland has decided to deal with these important topics and help companies being perfectly efficient on these aspects. On January 13, 2012, a training course on “Design, ergonomics & training for medical technology products” will start in Berne (the courses will take place in German).

Program
In this course, participants will learn about the aspects of ergonomic design of medical products and will be familiarised with modern aspects of user training. It is also possible to sign for modules and not the whole course:

• Ergonomics, design, training
• Artificial breathing techniques
• Medical basics

You can download the whole information flyer here (Weiterbildungskurs Medical Cluster – German).

General information

• 105 lessons of 45 minutes (i.e. approx. 22 days)
• Friday afternoon 13:45-19:30 and on several Saturdays 08:45-16:45
• Location: Berne University of applied sciences, engineering and information technology, Wankdorffeldstrasse 102, 3014 Bern
• Price: CHF 5’260.-
• Language: German

If you are interested please contact Mrs Kerstin Küchler, responsible for the course
Tel. +41 31 848 32 43
kerstin.kuechler@medical-cluster.ch

4 days to think how to act on the market

We all do marketing, sometimes even without knowing it… and sometimes we would like to have a backbone structure to help us. The CIP in Tramelan (Switzerland) organizes a 4-day training to help partakers clarify their vision and build actual tools. This training will take place in French.

The training is based on projects for partakers and will help them answer a lot of questions like:

• What are our assets?
• What is the DNA of my company?
• What do I want to communicate?
• How to prepare the message?
• Who are my customers and what do they need?
• Why coming to my shop (or buying my products) rather any other one?
• How to differentiate (or die)?
• Is my offer a WOW offer?

The new training will give answers to these questions and many more.

At the end of the training partakers are going to own a targeted project they can use on theirs markets.

It’s practical marketing, simply set up, without heavy theories…

Seems highly valuable.

The training will take place in French and you can download all the necessary information here:
http://www.formation.cip-tramelan.ch/DetailsCours.aspx?ID_Classe=1634

Cheers
Pierre-Yves Kohler

New marketing training for SME’s

We all do marketing, sometimes even without knowing it… and sometimes we do not have the backbone structure to help us. The CIP in Tramelan (Switzerland) organizes a 4-day training to help partakers clarify their vision and build actual tools.

The training is based on projects for partakers and will help them answer a lot of questions like:

• What are our assets?
• What do I want to communicate?
• How to prepare the message?
• Who are my customers and what do they need?
• Why coming to my shop rather any other one?
• How to differentiate (or die)?
• Is my offer a WOW offer?

The new training will give answers to these questions and many more.

At the end of the training partakers are going to own a targeted project they can use on theirs markets.

It’s practical marketing, simply set up, without heavy theories…

Seems highly valuable.

The training will take place in French and you can download all the necessary information here:
http://www.formation.cip-tramelan.ch/DetailsCours.aspx?ID_Classe=1634

Cheers
Pierre-Yves Kohler

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New courses available in Europe

FSRM is located at the crossroad of microtechnology and aims to promote microtechnology and its applications. It was founded in 1978 by the Swiss government, cantons, cities, professional associations as well as companies. It organizes a lot of training throughout Switzerland in French and also in Europe in English.

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New courses available for this fall

• 30-01.10.2010: Labs-on-Chip Technologies: Basics and Applications, Barcelona (ES)
• 07-08.10.2010: Microsystems in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Products, Vienna TU (AT)
• 07-08.10.2010: Reliability and Test, Technical University of Kosice, Skovakia
• 11-12.10.2010: Virtual Prototyping of Mechatronical Microdevices and Systems, Munich TU (DE)
• 14-15.10.2010: Smart Materials in Robotics and Microtechnology, Munich TU (DE)
• 14-15.10.2010: Microfluidics: Pipetting, Dispensing and Microarrays, Budapest (HU)
• 18-19.10.2010: Microfabrication Processes, Barcelona (ES)
• 19.10.2010 : Nanofabrication and Nanoanalysis with focused electron and ion beams (FEB, FIB), Dübendorf (CH), EMPA Akademie
• 20.10.2010: Existing and New MEMS Emerging Markets, Neuchâtel (CH), FSRM
• 26.10.2010, Polymer Microfabrication (2 days), Zürich Technopark (CH)
• 28.10.2010: Nano-engineering, Zürich (CH)
• 04-05.11.2010: Hermetic Packaging Design of MEMS, Zürich Technopark (CH)

For more information, please contact:
FSRM Fondation suisse pour la recherche en microtechnique
Ruelle DuPeyrou 4 • Case postale 2353 • CH-2001 Neuchâtel, Suisse
Tel. +41 32 720 09 00 • Fax. +41 32 720 09 90
fsrm@fsrm.ch • www.fsrm.ch

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Polymer Optoelectronic Technologies and their Applications

Since the discovery of organic materials with conducting properties, about three decades ago, organic optoelectronics has evolved into a dynamic field of applied research and industrialization. Due to their outstanding material properties compared to traditional inorganic semiconductors, organic semiconductors are anticipated to impact strongly on the future development of semiconductor technology.

For example, polymer semiconductor devices are mechanically flexible, comparatively easy to process at low-cost allowing customer-designed manufacturing. A bright future is forecasted for organic LEDs. Various applications ranging from organic displays, organic solid-state-lighting, to integrated sensor systems are expected to produce a huge impact on our future daily life. In this lecture a survey on organic optoelectronics will be presented by exposing the participant to the basics of organic-LEDs, -photodetectors, -field-effect transistors and their combination to integrated systems. The device physics and required production technologies like screen-, ink-jet-, gravure-printing of polymeric semiconductors materials will be discussed in the context of potential future applications and markets.

Content

• Introduction to organic semiconductor material classes
• Basic building blocks of organic optoelectronics: Organic LEDs- Organic photodiodes – Organic transistors
• Degradation of organic semiconductor devices
• Production technologies of polymeric semiconductor materials
• Organic optoelectronic systems: Organic displays – LogoLEDTM – Integrated organic systems
• Potential future applications of organic optoelectronics
• Market outlook

The course will take place in Basel on September 9, 2010.
For more information and inscription, please go here.

FSRM
Ruelle DuPeyrou 4
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
T +41 32 720 09 00
F +41 32 720 09 90
fsrm@fsrm.ch

Drive knowledge direct from the manufacturer

maxon motor’s “maxon academy” training platform represents another innovative step in customer support. www.maxonmotor.com/academy offers comprehensive knowledge on drive technology; printed publications, e-learning modules and seminars on drive technology and motion control. “Professor’s Desk” supports tutors and students.

Intelligent drive technology, used either in equipment or plant construction, is relevant in the context of mechatronic systems. Designers and developers have to ensure that the mechanical drive works reliably in accordance with the application’s requirements, but it must also be cost-effective and energy efficient. For this to happen, the correct design and dimensions are essential, but this is only possible with knowledge of properties, parameters, thresholds, tolerances and reserves of the various drive components.

Training platform
maxon academy is a training platform that provides technical knowledge on drive technology beyond data sheets and technical data on individual drive components. Several books on drive selection and magnetism have already appeared under the maxon academy label. The company is expanding this by offering other forms of knowledge transfer. maxon academy is the central focus for sourcing background information and basic knowledge on maxon’s product portfolio. Interested parties can take part in e-learning modules or find out about forthcoming seminars on drive technology and motion control. maxon academy also provides the opportunity for finding out about specific areas of training.

To the service of everyone
The target audience includes practitioners and people who deal with drive technology matter, such as designers, engineers as well as maxon staff and people who work in sales and service. The content also features an accessible mix of presentations, theoretical basics, exercises, demonstrations and in practical work where possible and useful. But maxon academy is also geared towards prospective users, such as engineering students and their tutors. With “Professor’s Desk”, maxon is responding to the growing demand for basic educational material and future support from this segment. Professor’s Desk therefore contains presentations for tutors, documentation and exercises for students as well as models with suggestions for practical mechatronics training.  For those interested in drive technology, maxon academy is a comprehensive platform for in-depth education and training in this challenging field – at first hand, directly from the world’s leading provider of high-precision drive systems.

For further information, please contact Dr. Urs Kafader, Head of Technical Training directly or visit the website at www.maxonmotor.ch/academy

maxon motor ag
Brünigstrasse 220
CH-6072 Sachseln
Tel. +41 41 – 666 15 00
Fax:+41 41 – 666 16 50
info@maxonmotor.com

The watch user in a changing world

Under that title, the Swiss Marketing Club organized again a memorable event today. About 200 people were reunited in a theater built in 1837 (L’heure Bleue in La Chaux-de-Fonds) to discuss the way to market timepieces.

Amazingly low profile
When you discuss with friends (obviously depending on who your friends are) about watch industry and the way people behave in that world, you often have the impression that some people there think that they are just better than anyone else. And that was not the case at all today. The Swiss brands were there to learn and exchange information about how the market evolves. That was nice to see that all these companies actually have a marketing approach and the willingness to learn more, year after year.

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Experts discussions from left to right: Emmanuel Vuille, CEO Greubel Forsey, Nathalie Veysset, CEO De Witt, Antonio Calce, CEO Corum and François Courvoisier Management School ARC.

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Open to the world
In our ever changing world, what are the values that make people buy? In fact the situation is what gives sense and if the situation changes, then sense changes too. The brands must listen to their customers to tailor their offer (this is actually marketing, isn’t it?)… but is it always the case? Sometimes a nice idea that comes from inside also brings the market a brand new idea that is instantly bought (see the iPhone) (Isn’t it marketing too?). Partakers were able to explore both aspects during the day (and many others).

Music versus management
We also understood how the changes in music from simple to complex (and the contrary) and from the inside to the outside (and the contrary) can be used to explain companies behaviors… a very strange but actually clear message.

Branding still a very strong asset
On a study based on panels for watch and jewellery, we discovered that within the past few years, the watch industry resisted far better than industry of jewels. This information alone is not that important, but what makes the difference is the fact that in jewellery, only 10% is sold by brands… and in watch industry it’s 90%! To conclude that brands is still a strong asset is quite evident.

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Next Year’s event will take place on December 2 still in La Chaux-de-Fonds. If you’re active in a way or another in Watch industry, subcontracting and/or marketing, book the date now.

I know that this post is not as technical as usual, but such a day impacts directly the way to design and produce watches…
Good evening

py

You can reach the website of the organizers here (in French) www.marketinghorloger.ch

EMO report #5

A company started in 2003 in Europe and is now part of the most important machine-tool providers for 80% of the needs of the market. This company is American and put a lot of efforts on training future generations of engineers and operators. Its name? Hass Automation Europe. Meeting with Katja Mader, Marketing Director.

Importance of training
Haas knows that having a highly skilled team will be the key to successful preparation for all that this industrial revolution will offer the manufacturing industry.   The company has a network of business partners in over 100 countries worldwide and, from advanced to developing economies, it hears the same story everywhere; there is a shortage of technologists who are able to program, set up and operate machine tools. Through the establishment of the Haas Technical Education Centres (HTECs) in America and across Continental Europe the company is attracting youngsters to pursue exciting and rewarding careers in manufacturing. 10,000 students every year learn to use Haas machine in the American HTECs.  On this side of the Atlantic the 52 Haas Factory Outlets (HFOs) are working hard towards the establishing a network of at least 200 European HTECs by 2015. 

 

It is not only machines
Haas offers a complete educational concept including the working conditions and the training of trainers… that way, the future can be brighter for those who would like to enter in such a kind of job. The company provides (with its partners) everything you need at schools:

• Machines
• Cooling
• Tools
• CAD-CAM
• Training and advises

Eurotec will come back on the subject soon…
Hass displays 28 machines in a massive 1183 m2 stand at EMO.

www.haascnc.com

Cheers
py

Course: Polymer Microfabrication (1 day)

Besides silicon and the established MEMS/MOEMS technology polymer materials and the related microreplication technologies are becoming more and more important for the realization and commercial success of new microcomponents and microsystems. New nanostructuring methods like 2-photon-stereolithography and others are at the threshold of leaving the laboratory status and entering market.

October 13 and 14 (2x ½ day)
The course will cover the large variety of polymer materials, their fundamental chemical and physical properties and the derived microstructuring and replication possibilities. Direct and indirect micro- and nanostructuring methods like deep X-ray lithography, stereolithography, laser machining, nanoimprinting and others as well as the large family of replication methods like hot embossing and injection molding will be described in detail. Master and tooling fabrication methods like electroplating, electro discharge machining as well as mechanical and laser micromachining will be presented and discussed intensely.

Replicated polymer microstructure

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A large number of application examples and case studies dealing with the accessible geometries, feasibility, and process characteristics will be used for the presentation of the polymer microfabrication importance. The course is given at two different dates. In autumn, in a one day presentation, the course concentrates on the basics to give an overview about the technologies. In spring, during the two day presentation, there is more space for specific details and discussion.

Target group
The course is designed for technical management, R&D engineers and production specialists who face challenges of material and product development, manufacturing technologies and high-volume applications as mid- and long-term R&D development.

Content

• Polymers: Fundamental chemical and physical properties
• Fabrication of molding tools: Fabrication principles and characteristics
• Rapid Prototyping in microsystem technology
• Polymer replication techniques: Reaction Molding, UV-Embossing, Hot Embossing and Injection Molding: Principles, equipment, applications and case studies
• From micro to nano: Nanoimprinting, soft lithography, nanostereolithography and other new developments.

Want to know more? It’s here.
You can register here.

FSRM presents a new course: Reliability and Test

This course has been developed to give attendees the background to perform Microsystem reliability characterization from the component to system levels. Initially, the fundamentals of mechanical, environmental, and reliability testing as applied to Microsystems will be presented. The focus begins with the characterization of single components and structures; these are illustrated with practical examples from industry. These procedures are applied to MEMS and Microsystem level reliability test applications. Test techniques, specifications, and methodology are presented in detail with examples from industry.

Target group
This course is designed for the practicing scientist or engineer to provide a foundation in surface mechanical properties characterization and reliability testing of Microsystems and Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS).

Content

• Fundamentals of surface mechanical properties testing methods and application to both bulk and coated materials
• Basics of material mechanics, environmental and reliability testing
• Adhesion, residual stress, nanoindentation, nanoscratch, nano and micro-tribology
• Static and dynamic test methodology as applied to micron and nano-scale components and systems
• Reliability testing of layered materials, precision components, micron and sub-micron scale structures, contacts, and systems
• Methodology for defining and creating test specifications at the Micro-component and system levels
• Applications will be presented that include optical shutters, micro-switches, electrical contacts, accelerometers, fluid channels (Bio-MEMS), sliding interfaces, adhesive contacts, etc.

Tutors
Dr Nicholas X. Randall, CSM Instruments, Boston, USA.

Nicholas Randall: 1994 Bachelor of Science in Materials Technology from Brunel University (London, GB). 1997 PhD Thesis ‘Development & Application of a Multifunctional Nanotribological Tool’ from University of Neuchâtel (Neuchatel, CH). This project concluded in the commercial development of a testing instrument for characterising thin film mechanical properties and MEMS. 1996 – 2002 Customer Services Manager at CSM Instruments, Neuchâtel, responsible for Applications Laboratory, After-sales service, scientific literature and final testing of production instruments. 2002 Vice-President Business Development: Responsible for setting-up CSM Instruments subsidiary office in Boston USA. Active in continuing development of MEMS testing issues and applications.

Information and registration
Date and place  21.09.2009 – 22.09.2009 in Zurich (CH)
Duration 2 days
Fees  CHF 1’100.00 / EUR 750.00
You can register here.

Want to know more about FSRM? You can go here or download the information brochure here. (1Mb)