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モノの機能を自在に設計可能な社会を実現する

About
About

製造業各社は脱炭素社会の実現やレジリエントなサプライチェーン網の構築など、変化する社会要請に応じて、従来設計の流用/改善では対応できない製品開発が求められています。こうした開発は製品形状・材料に関する仕様や製造制約、製造コストなど様々な側面の関係性を理解し再定義する必要があり設計が困難です。

Nature Architectsはメタマテリアルを活用した独自の設計技術:Direct Functional Modelingによって従来製品を超える機能を実現し、既存製造設備で量産性を考慮した設計案を顧客に提供します。

そして、部材一体化/材料代替による軽量化・コスト削減やリサイクル性の向上、振動・音・変形・熱に関する機能の向上などにより、競争力のある製品を生み出し、モビリティから建設、家電、航空宇宙まであらゆる製造業の新市場/事業の開拓を強力に支援します。

Nature Architects provides shape design solutions for manufacturers to incorporate various physical functions such as vibration, heat conduction, deformation, and weight reduction into their products by utilizing metamaterials.

Metamaterials *1 is a generic term for structures that realize functions beyond the physical functions of natural materials such as resins and metals through artificially designed geometric structures. Appropriate use of metamaterials will make it possible to achieve advanced physical functions that were previously thought impossible to achieve using conventional manufacturing methods such as injection molding and metal processing. In addition, metamaterials can be used to create precision movements and flexibility in a single structure without assembly, which has conventionally been achieved by assembling mechanical parts or combining different materials.

In this way, metamaterials can be used to incorporate new physical functions into products without increasing the number of assembled parts. In addition, metamaterials enable designs that go beyond conventional methods to balance multiple trade-offs in design requirements, such as weight reduction and rigidity.

The design of these metamaterials is supported by our proprietary design technology, Direct Functional Modeling™️ (DFM), which enables the instantaneous generation of the appropriate metamaterial structure from the desired physical function and its incorporation into the product. DFM applies to end products that explicitly deal with motion, such as robotics, automotive, and aerospace, as well as components such as levers, switches, fans, and springs.

By using DFM, Nature Architects can incorporate various physical functions such as deformation, flexibility, vibration absorption, and thermal conductivity into products, and develop new products with greatly increased added value in collaboration with clients.

(*1: This includes structures that generate mechanical movement, such as moving parts, through elastic deformation (compliant mechanisms)).
(*2: We mainly deal with shapes that are compatible with manufacturing methods suitable for mass production, such as press working and injection molding).

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SOLUTIONS & SURVICES
SOLUTIONS & SURVICES

DFM Design Solutionsとは
DFM Design Solutions

DFM Design SolutionsはNature Architectsが提供する設計ソリューション群の総称です。弊社独自の設計アルゴリズムDirect Functional Modeling™️を用いて、
・振動制御
・振動伝達
・一体構造による変形制御
・熱交換の制御
など様々な物理機能を実現する形状を設計します。

これら以外にも、形状と物理機能が密接に関係する難易度の高い設計を実現することができます。例えば、部材の軽量化と支持剛性の担保は、一般的に一方の性能を向上させれば他方が損なわれれるトレードオフ関係にあります。こうしたトレードオフの限界を拡張するために、当社ではメタマテリアルやコンプライアントメカニズム等の構造設計の知見やそれらを適切に設計するための革新的な情報環境を構築しました。

こうしたアセットを社内で運用しプロジェクト毎にカスタマイズすることで、従来技術では膨大な試行錯誤が必要であったトレードオフを含む困難な設計課題に対してソリューションを提供します。弊社と共同で設計を行うことで、
・従来の製品を超える機能の可能性探索
・設計のデジタル化による設計工程の標準化
・設計リードタイムの短縮
などを実現し、付加価値の高いプロダクトを生み出します。

DFM Design Solutions is the group of design solutions offered by Nature Architects. Using our proprietary design algorithm, Direct Functional Modeling™️, we provide various physical functions such as
Vibration control Vibration transmission.
Deformation control by integral structure Heat exchange control.

In addition to these, we can also realize highly challenging designs in which shape and physical function are closely related. For example, there is generally a trade-off between reducing the weight and ensuring its support stiffness, where improving the performance of one will compromise the other. In order to extend the limits of such trade-offs, we have created an innovative information environment for the proper design of metamaterials, compliant mechanisms, and other structural design knowledge.

By operating these assets in-house and customizing them for each project, we are able to provide solutions to difficult design challenges, including trade-offs, that require a great deal of trial and error with conventional technologies. By working with us, you can
Exploring possibilities for functionality beyond conventional products Standardize your design process by digitizing your design Shortening the design lead time.
Reducing design lead time.

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