Bionics-An inspiration for intelligent manufacturing and engineering

Value creation in all its facets lies at the core of intelligent manufacturing and engineering. In the last 20 years the field of manufacturing has undergone many changes and refinements. Terms such as Integrated Management Systems (IMS), Just in Time (JIT), Toyota Production System (TPS) in the context of Lean Production and 'Flow' were parts of the toolset developed by the Toyota Corporation which pushed them to the forefront of world automotive production. While benchmarking the design production systems and their associated efficiencies is very worthwhile, there are other engineering design, lean production, just in time, and production and supply chain exemplars which are worth investigating. A primary source of best-practice engineering in flexible and intelligent manufacturing is to be found in the study of 'Bionics' (Biomimicry). The intelligence in design and operational efficiency which is brought to Bionics by design in nature was recognised by Leonardo DaVinci when he wrote: "... in her (design) nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous" [1] ... This paper examines how design and engineering can learn and apply through the study of bionics/biomimicry, a vast pool of knowledge of design and systems engineering strategies. Such strategies and exemplars will provide benchmarks which will result in inspirational approaches in design, efficiency and sustainable engineering solutions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.