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Implementation of high grip designing tools

Final Report Summary - DEMOULTRAGRIP (Implementation of high grip designing tools)

Executive Summary:
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES

Currently, sole manufacturers design their models to be anti-slip using basic design criteria, often relying on their intuition and previous experience. The problem resides in the lack of design tools that can be used in the conception of footwear, Because of this situation, ULTRAGRIP project (FP7-SME-2010-1.262413) developed guidelines and specific software which can be used as design tools for soles and floorings to optimise their performance in relation to slipping. Two of the main results from ULTRAGRIP project are a slip behaviour predicting software (mathematical model), and guidelines for recommendations on improving products slip resistance.

ULTRAGRIP Consortium has the need to carry out demonstration activities in order to ensure that the ULTRAGRIP tools are ready and suitable for exploitation and commercialisation. As a consequence of this situation, the objective of this DEMOULTRAGRIP project is to bridge the gap between the precompetitive tools of ULTRAGRIP and a new version of these tools which can be commercialised.

According to this objective, new commercial tools are put into market. With DEMO-ULTRAGRIP project the footwear SMEs involved already can be obtained a competitive advantage based on the use of the new design tools to develop high slip resistance products, accelerating the designing-prototyping operation, reducing prototyping and production costs, improving the anti-slip product properties, and reducing time-to-market. All these aspects imply the increase of market share and the increase of designers’ qualification.

Project Context and Objectives:
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND MAIN OBJETIVES

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

Currently, sole manufacturers design their models to be anti-slip using basic design criteria, often relying on their intuition and previous experience. The problem resides in the lack of design tools that can be used in the conception of footwear, which will make prototyping much cheaper, quicker and more effective in creating an answer to the friction that the shoe will be subjected to when used. Because of this situation, ULTRAGRIP project (FP7-SME-2010-1.262413) has developed guidelines and specific software which can be used as design tools for soles and floorings to optimise their performance in relation to slipping. Two of the main results from ULTRAGRIP project are a slip behaviour predicting software (mathematical model), and guidelines for recommendations on improving products slip resistance.

ULTRAGRIP Consortium has the need to carry out demonstration activities in order to ensure that the ULTRAGRIP tools are ready and suitable for exploitation and commercialisation. As a consequence of this situation, the objective of this DEMOULTRAGRIP project is to bridge the gap between the precompetitive tools of ULTRAGRIP and a new version of these tools which can be commercialised.

According to this objective, new commercial tools will be put into market. With DEMO-ULTRAGRIP project the footwear SMEs involved will obtain a competitive advantage based on the use of the new design tools to develop high slip resistance products, accelerating the designing-prototyping operation, reducing prototyping and production costs, improving the antislip product properties, and reducing time-to-market. All these aspects will imply the increase of market share and the increase of designer’s qualification.

DEMOULTRAGRIP project work is developed in different work packages as shown in the following diagramme: (See Figure 1)

Said work packages follow the logical phases of the implementation of the project, and each one includes specific tasks. Interdependency among WPs is shown in following figure: (See Figure 2)

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT MAIN OBJETIVES

The objective of the DEMOULTRAGRIP project is to meet these needs and to implement the main results of ULTRAGRIP project in the footwear sector.

The objective of this project is to carry out the necessary activities which will bridge the gap between the software to predict the slipping coefficient obtained as a result of ULTRAGRIP project and a new software ready for commercialisation addressed to the footwear sector, with the ability to design soles and to predict their friction behaviour.

With DEMO-ULTRAGRIP project the footwear SMEs involved obtain a competitive advantage based on the use of the new design tools to develop high slip resistance products, accelerating the designing-prototyping operation, reducing prototyping and production costs, improving the antislip product properties, and reducing time-to-market.

DESCRIPTION OF WORKS:
• "CoF predicting-CAD software", whith mathematical models for the quantitative prediction of the sole friction coeficient (CoF), and it will be incorporated as a new function into a 3D CAD sole design.

• "Design configurators of soles", will develope a new software tool to design soles and to predict their slipping behaviour in a qualitative way. This configurator will be addressed to the general public with not necessarily a high skill level in 3D CAD software.

• "Computer tools assessment", develop a news soles-footwear model with optimum grip behaviour (ULTRAGRIP LINE) by using both types of computer tools: CoF predicting-CAD software and on-line configurator.

• "Guidelines with commercial applications", place guidelines and recommendations on the market, especially addresed to two different kind of end users: sole-footwear designers, businessmen and risk prevention professionals. These guidelines are to help designers to obtain prototypes faster and more effectively, and to help to the proper selection of the footwear in different environments.

The main results of the project are:

1. INESCOP: Commercial software for desing of soles and prediction of their slipping behavior (See Figure 3)

2. ALUGROUP: On-line configurator for soles designing in order to improve slipping behavior (See Figure 4)

3. ULTRAGRIP LINE FOOTWEAR: (See Figures 5)

- RUIZALEJOS: VR-NBR-ULTRAGRIP LINE y PUR- ULTRAGRIP LINE
- BASEPRO: TPU- ULTRAGRIP LINE
- INCDTP: TR- ULTRAGRIP LINE
- KOPITARNA: VR-SBR- ULTRAGRIP LINE

4. All footwear partners: Commercial guidelines and book (See Figures 6)

Project Results:
The main project results achieved by the end are:

• “Improved average error for CoF prediction model” from ULTRAGRIP (vulcanised rubber/VR and thermoset polyurethane/PUR), and the new different materials tested (styrene-butadiene vulcanised rubber compounds/VR SBR, and nitrile-butadiene vulcanised rubber compounds/VR NBR thermoplastic rubber/TR and thermoplastic polyurethane/TPU). Final experimental trial performed.
• "Comercial CoF predicting-CAD software", with mathematical models for the quantitative prediction of the sole friction coefficient (CoF), which will be incorporated as a new function into a 3D CAD sole design.
• “Tutorial of CoF predicting-CAD software”. Tutorial of software which serve as an instruction manual for end users. (D1.2). Training presential course addressed to SME partners. (D6.1)
• "Comercial Design configurators of soles": new software tool to design soles and to predict their slipping behaviour in a qualitative way. This configurator is addressed to the general public with not necessarily a high skill level in 3D CAD software.
• “Videotutorial Design configurators of soles”. Videotutorial (available in Project You Tube Canal) of software which serve as an instruction manual for end users. Training course on on-line configurador. (D6.2)
• “ULTRAGRIP-LINE sole-footwear models”. Assess the commercial softwares developed through their use while manufacturing prototypes of non-slip soles-footwear models of different sole polymeric nature and different types of uses.
ULTRAGRIP LINE FOOTWEAR:
 RUIZALEJOS: VR-NBR-ULTRAGRIP LINE y PUR- ULTRAGRIP LINE
 BASEPRO: TPU- ULTRAGRIP LINE
 INCDTP: TR- ULTRAGRIP LINE
 KOPITARNA: VR-SBR- ULTRAGRIP LINE
• “Verificación of ULTRAGRIP LINE footwear models”. Biomechanical tests of ULTRAGRIP LINE were made in order to study its suitability regarding slipping, in INESCOP.
• “Market Studies of DEMOULTRAGRIP products”: Updated market analysis report, one for each identified business case. These have been used in the development of the final set of business plans. Market Analysis including a market search and the assessment of potential availability.
• “Exploitation agreement”. Prepared with the “Plan of knowledge transfer to SMEs” (D5.4). Signed agreement among partners which will define in greater detail how to carry out joint and separate exploitation of project results. (D5.3).
• “Patent and novelty search”: Updated report including the patents and novelty search carried out for the preparation of the Market Studies (D5.1) and for the PUDK (D8.2).
• “Final plan for using and disseminating the knowledge (PUDK)”. It include the consortium’s strategy and will concrete actions to protect, disseminate and exploit the foreground generated by the project. (D8.3)
• "Completion of work on the Guidelines with commercial applications": especially addressed to three different kinds of end users: sole-footwear designers, businessmen and risk prevention professionals. These guidelines are intended to help designers obtain prototypes faster and more effectively, and to help the proper selection of the footwear for different environments.
• “Completion of work on e-Book about slip resistance footwear” with a compilation of all know-how regarding slipping and all new knowledge from ULTRAGRIP and DEMOULTRAGRIP results. This book will constitute a master document regarding grip in footwear sector.
• “Project Website”: Project Website updated, including a public section and a private one, for partners only, including link to social networks such as: You Tube Channel, Google+, and links to Facebook and Wikipedia.
• “Materials for project dissemination” (posters, brochures, sheets and Handbook about project results (D7.3) all are available in the public section of the Website and Facebook).
• “Wikipedia page on the project and its publishable results”: Wikipedia page explaining the project and their results as a project dissemination tool.
• “Project Facebook”: Project Facebook to be used as a project dissemination tool.
• “Project You Tube Canal”: Project You Tube Canal to be used as a project dissemination tool.

Please see attachments:
- D7.3 Divulgative report on project results, for more information about all project outcomes.
- Figures 4.1.3.

Potential Impact:

DESCRIPTION OF THE POTENTIAL IMPACT

Main impact will be related to the European SMEs working in the footwear industry due to the fact that the global market competition demands extreme flexibility and speed in production to meet the high customization needs of customers. The members of the consortium are characterized by the adoption and promotion of strategies to enhance their products and reach new niche market segments. This project have a significant effect on the ability of SMEs to remain competitive and enhance their presence in the global market.

Footwear SMEs in the consortium are aware of the need to differentiate their products from those imported from low wage countries by means of the addition of slip resistance attributes that such imported products do not feature. The innovation aspect is related to the enhanced anti-slip properties of professional footwear applied to other types of footwear, such as sports shoes, leisure, casual, etc.

Moreover, the footwear industry demands integrated design and production process innovation in order to reduce the time-to-market and the production costs, and to increase product diversification in conjunction with small batch production, and high fashion content as well as product quality.

Performance economic indicators of the impact on participating footwear SMEs (RUIZALEJOS, BASEPRO, KOPITARNA and INCDTP) are:

• Reduction in time for prototyping: 12 days instead of 55 days.
• Reduction in prototyping costs: This will mean an indicator of 33% or 67%. More drastic scenario has been considered (67%).
• Reduction in production costs.
• Product quality: the design tools developed will imply a final increase in anti-slipping performance of products.
• Overall time-to-market: 57 days instead of 100 days.
• Market share: Higher level of satisfaction for consumers.
• New skills: a knock-on effect over young people and designers.

Innovation impacts of DEMOULTRAGRIP are explained about the commercial tools available after the development of the project are directly applied in the footwear sector. The guidelines are intended to help designers obtain prototypes faster and in a more effective way, and to help the suitable selection of the footwear in different use environments.

Furthermore, the project will also provide other potential social impacts, such as:
- Adoption of new sole design criteria to obtain products with higher level and durability of grip properties.
- Adoption of new sole design criteria to obtain bespoke products for different applications.
- Adoption of new sole design criteria to obtain PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment, such as safety footwear) with a higher level risk protection regarding slipping properties.
- Adoption of new sole design criteria for a better selection of safety footwear in the different professional environments, which require different levels of risk protection, always regarding slipping properties.
- Development of new sole-shoe models with better grip performance (ULTRAGRIP LINE, comprised by four different sole-footwear models).
- Increased number of orders, due to a higher level of satisfaction of consumers and shorter time to market.
- Better production flexibility, since the developed design tools do not imply style design limitations.
- Better differentiation of European products from those imported from low wage countries by means of the addition of the slip resistance attribute that such imported products do not incorporate.
- Possibility to maintain production in the country of origin, without the need of delocalization.
- Ability to put into market new software tools for improving the grip performance of footwear.
- To give sole design options to all workers-profiles in the footwear sector (high and low skill levels in 3D CAD software).
- To promote the introduction of young people in this manufacturing sector, as they are attracted by the presence of new technologies and tools.

At present, there is a growing interest in the application of requirements from Expert Technical Committees, which support the performance of final products, such as CEN/TC 309 “Footwear”, the European Standardisation Committee for Footwear products. In the case of footwear, technical specifications recommended in Technical Reports are considered, in particular, Technical Report ISO/TR 20880:2007 (Footwear. Performance requirements for components for footwear. Outsoles), which deals with the determination of slip resistance for different types of footwear: sports, children’s, casual, women’s or men’s town footwear, fashion, cold environments and home wear.

Said requirements are used as a reference for footwear providers and manufacturers.

The expected exploitable results are shown below together with the partner responsible for its development. (view Figure 8)

List of Websites:
http://www.demoultragrip.eu/
final1-figures-4-1-2-and-4-1-4-final-report.pdf
final1-figures-4-1-3-final-report.pdf
final1-d7-3_divulgative-report-on-project-results_demoultragrip_606549.pdf