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Design by analogy is a powerful technique for new design solutions. In the literature, there are two possible approaches. The first is more user-friendly but is low structured. The other is more complex, which structures the problem better but is highly time-consuming. This article presents a simple system for structuring the design-by-analogy method, which is based on the abstraction of the problem. The application of these solutions resulted in an increase in design possibilities. Results were collected in a repository, whose order is based on functional logic. The proposed technique was tested on the conceptual phase in the design of novel grippers. The application resulted in the development of innovative grippers. The process can be extended to many different fields. The method can be used as a creativity support during the design phase, also creating repositories that can be enlarged and reused for different applications

Automated handling of heavy deformable goods, due to their challenging material properties, sets a benchmark for handling sacks, such as bags of fabrics, synthetic packings, papers filled with coffee, cereals and plastic pellets. The paper focuses on the handling of jute coffee sacks.Nowadays the manipulation of jute coffee sacks is performed manually, because of the lack of specific grippers able to grasp this type of object. Hence, a set of concepts have been designed and developed to test the functionality of new devices, specifically intended to be used for the grasping of jute coffee sacks. Grippers have then been ranked through a Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) method, in order to identify the best gripping tools for the handling of non-rigid materials. Finally, one of the most promising grippers has been designed and tested on real scale jute coffee sacks.

Within the orthodontic field, malocclusion problems are usually treated by using different types of appliances. In particular, Eruption Guidance Appliances (EGAs) are recommended for early orthodontic treatment or prevention of malocclusion problems. The traditional approach with EGAs is based on the use of standard prefabricated appliances. Experts in the orthodontic field believe that the customization of the EGAs would strongly enhance the results of malocclusion treatments.\ud This paper presents an innovative methodology for the design and manufacturing of fully customized EGAs. The methodology is based on an extensive integration between traditional orthodontic procedures with advanced computer aided design processes. The methodology moves from the digitalization of the plaster models obtained by optical scanning techniques. The patient morphology is then exploited, under dental practitioner supervision, for the design of the appliance geometry through CAD modeling tools. Medical guided assessment is required throughout the most of the data elaboration processes, in order to design the EGAs accordingly to the patient’s clinical conditions. Low-pressure injection molds for the physical manufacturing of the appliances are then 3D printed by using rapid prototyping techniques. The proposed methodology allows the production of patient customized appliances guaranteeing low cost manufacturing and high quality standards, similar to those typically obtained by in series productions. Moreover, the presented approach offers a high integration level with numerical and finite element methods, which can be used for evaluating the stress applied on the EGA, thus allowing the reinforcement of the appliance prior its manufacturing