Vitalo: Is there a future for thermoforming?
Despite its strong market position, Vitalo questioned its future within the traditional thermoforming market because of margin pressure from the East. This uncertainty was the start of an intense collaboration between Vitalo and CREAX.
The influence of patents on 3D printing evolution
Do patents stimulate or slow down growth? The modern patent system was created to help stimulate innovation. A patent gives its owner the right to stop others from using his invention for a limited period of time, thus providing him the opportunity to benefit from his R&D investments. This security should convince individuals and organisations to investments in R&D and therefore stimulate innovation.
How to benefit from existing technology
Bobsleighing is a high-tech and innovative discipline. How to improve the conventional design of the sled and optimize the performance of the athletes? The solution is simple yet ingenious: transfer ideas & technologies from other industries that face similar challenges. We introduce about 15 technologies in bobsleighing.
10 things that only existed in sci-fi movies
Sci-fi movies offer us a peek into the future. They let us dream of what might be possible. Interestingly, even the most bizarre dreams come true. We listed 10 sci-fi inventions which are plain technology today.
Thinking outside the box in packaging – Slideshare
For the Packaging Center of the University of Hasselt, Belgium, we explained how a structured approach to packaging innovation can help to unfuzzy the fuzzy front-end of innovation.
7 unconventional reasons for filing a patent
Patents are used as indicator for innovation, but this sometimes mismatches the very nature of many patents filed today. You need to analyze patents in a systematic way, to get the bigger picture and a better understanding of the global technology landscape.
Rapid prototyping is much more than 3D printing
Due to the increased accessibility to additive manufacturing technologies – commonly referred to as 3D printing – this technique is now widely used in the product development process. Although we certainly believe this is one of the most exciting developments in the last decade, we are convinced it cannot replace some conventional techniques such as model hacking or mock-up making.
How a simple method can spark innovation in complex industries
Some of the people we meet question the methodology we use to support the innovation process of companies.I can imagine this works for packaging but our industry/product is much more complex. How could this possibly work?
We are convinced that even the most technical industries can benefit from hands-on innovation methodologies. Let us give you some examples from the micro-electronics industry.
New applications for waste streams
All industry domains experience generation of waste streams. These material flows are often seen as problems and are handled to limit their impact or, in the best case, to be recycled. The waste streams of one industry domain however, often have value in other industry domains. We believe in looking at waste as a resource with market opportunities across industry boundaries, and not merely something to be recycled or discarded.
Idea generation: bandaids
What do you do? Search for the First Aid kit (do we have that?), establish that the disinfectant is overtime (nevermind), try to open the bandaid box without spilling blood (oops), and struggle to apply a bandaid single-handedly (not easy!).