Business, Sustainability & Operations Management
We conduct research on optimal operations, sustainability, and value-creation of businesses.
We focus on:
Business Models
The growing availability of product lifecycle data, combined with advances in artificial intelligence, is reshaping business models and their implementation. To remain competitive, companies must be able to seize and exploit these opportunities.
Our research covers:
- Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of business models;
- Forecasting, pricing, and customer modelling through analytical CRM;
- Implementation of new sustainable business models enabled by value-creating Digital Product Passports (DPPs).
Lifecycle Engineering
In light of new regulations and rising customer expectations, companies must evaluate not only the economic viability of their product offerings and value chains, but also their environmental, societal, and governance impact across the entire lifecycle.
Flanders Make develops methodologies for quantitative lifecycle assessment, addressing both cost and environmental impact. We focus on techno-economic analysis, life cycle analysis, and model-based prospective sustainability assessments. These tools guide companies in optimising products, value chains, and Re-X strategies (reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose) throughout the lifecycle and at end-of-life.
Business Process Management
Organisational agility and resilience have become key drivers of competitiveness. They are essential to evolve towards new business models, deliver added value, and understand the dynamics of interconnected business ecosystems.
Our research in Business Process Management builds formal, human-readable and machine-readable models of business ecosystems. Enriched with data, these models support decision-making for process improvements. We focus on discovering models from process data streams and on developing management systems that support the execution and monitoring of knowledge-intensive business processes. We also explore their application in circular economy contexts such as reverse logistics and remanufacturing.
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Testinfrastructuur
Additive manufacturing
Open and modular additive manufacturing platforms for research into the 3D production process.
Testing of mechanical connections and joining techniques.
For lighter, stronger products through optimised and automated joining processes.
Battery testing lab
For performance, ageing, and fast-charging tests to support optimal battery development for electrified applications.
Drivetrain testing
For hardware-in-the-loop and system-level testing to analyse and optimise the performance, durability, and efficiency of electric drivetrains and their components.
Testing electr(on)ic components
For mechanical and thermal tests of electr(on)ic components.
Testing physical and physiological stress
For mechanical and thermal tests of electr(on)ic components.
Make Lab
Mobile research lab filled to the brim with cutting-edge technology.
Testing of polymers
Lab for product and raw material testing and polymer material identification.
Manufacturing metrology lab
To ensure product quality and precision through advanced 3D measurement, surface analysis, and dimensional verification.
Autonomous vehicles for sensor testing
For testing of sensors and algorithms used in autonomous vehicles.
Testing of fatigue, failures and damage mechanics of components
For maximum durability, safety, and performance through advanced fatigue, fracture, and vibration analysis.
Development and prototyping of photonic components
State-of-the-art pilot line for freeform optics.
Vehicle testing
4-poster and climate chamber for vehicle (component) testing.
Digital model-based factory design and control processes
Digital Twin control room for digital models of factory designs and control processes.
Motor Testing
For realistic and flexible testing of electric motors to optimise efficiency, durability, and control through advanced thermal analysis and lifetime prediction.
Mechanical Component Testing
For material- and system-level validation to optimise durability, efficiency, and reliability of components and drivetrains.
Robot gripper technologies
For the selection, development, and optimisation of customised grippers, robot tooling, and sensor technology.
Other technologies
Power and Energy Components and Systems
Advancing electric machines, batteries, power electronics, transmissions and thermo-fluid energy systems.
Manufacturing, Mechanical Components and Systems
Optimising mechanical components and systems, their performance, sustainability and manufacturing process.
Robotics, sensors and actuators
Improving the core components of robotics and smart machines.
Employee 5.0 Systems
Boosting well-being & productivity.
Situational and self-awareness technologies
To identify, interrogate, and evaluate both environmental conditions and system states.
Reasoning and Acting Technologies
For intelligent decision-making and the orchestration of (autonomous) actions.
System-of-Systems Technologies
For a seamless interaction, coordination, and efficiency across complex industrial environments.
Serving a variety of sectors
