1 st Symposium on Multidisciplinary Studies of Design in Mechanical Engineering June, 25-28 2008 Bertinoro, Italy QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT IN THE AESTHETIC DESIGN OF A NEW TRENDY HANDPIECE FOR BEAUTY-FARM A. Pavlovic, C. Fragassa, S. Berardo DIEM- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bologna, Italy ana.pavlovic@mail.ing.unibo.it ; cristiano.fragassa@unibo.it INTRODUCTION Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a powerful development methodology with a wide range of applications. This paper presents a basic application of QFD for the esthetical design of a new, high-fashion, handpiece, a fundamental tool for beauty care. This methodology is not proposed, here, showing revolution concepts, but as a practical method able to orient the development of new product lines and to quickly compare different design choices. By QFD a modern design process is introduced in the Factory, able to support designers toward the optimal solution for every given environment and conditions. 1. IMPORTANCE OF THE DESIGN PHASE The questions for any company are how to obtain the innovative solutions or information for developing new products, and how to manage decision-making in a way that ensures the best possible results. The research of a balance between external and internal inputs for the design phase was one of the goals of this study. The balance was obtained using QFD correlation matrix. Whatever method is used to design or develop a solution for the project, its success depends on how the company assimilates and manages the client’s requirements. 2. WHY QFD? The study aim to define and use a methodology, QFD, able to translate buyers and users needs into design requirements, and changing these requirements into critical characteristics and specific parts requirements. QFD (Quality Function Deployment) is a method for: a) developing a design quality aimed to satisfying the consumer, b) translating the costumers’ demand into design targets and major quality assurance points to be used throughout the production stage, c) creating strategy to stay ahead of the competitive game. By QFD it was possible to: • Examine the prototype and it functionality: how the handpiece creates wellness and how it can be related with the body health. • Carry out a comparable research on market between competitors to understand limits and advantages of every similar commercial product. • Analyze wishes and need for clients and trainers. As further guidelines, during the design process, were considered to: • Create a better working environment for trainers, more practical and pleasant reducing handing difficulties and fatigue. • Find a “soft and natural” design, friendly and comfortable, able to transfer to the customers an image of simplicity and familiarity. 3. OBTAINING INFORMATION Internal and external sources were used for gathering and information on customers’ needs and desires as: 1. Internal interviews with company’s operators, as trainers (who perform treatments), marketing teams and other employers . 2. Using mid-sized and small-sized groups of potential costumers, obtaining information by questionnaires. Technical meetings and focus groups were used to analyze the market data finding out likes, dislikes, trends and opinions about similar current and other projects. Different profiles including real trainers, managements, engineers, potential buyers and end- users of similar handpieces composed the focus groups. Answers were obtained on the base of customers’ requirements arriving to define “what client desire is”: 1. a delicate and natural shape able to reassure 2. a comfort and resting handle for long treatments 3. usable by left or right handed trainers 4. cables not far away from the client’s body. 5. soft contact with skin and hand 6. minimal dimensions and weights. Tab. 1: Table of concepts