Monitoring the doctoral process Dr. Marc-Olivier André EPFL December 10, 2010
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 2 A country of nature & innovation Germany Besancon Basel Zürich Austria Biel Neuchâtel Bern France Geneva Italy
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 3 Core competence Mechatronics expertise Signal Data interface Intelligence Sensor Drive Electronic interface Mechanical power Motor, gear box, lead-screw Motion Mechanical interface
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 4 The group at a glance Yearly production 23 million motors Employees (2009) 850 with 110 in R&D Family-owned since 1936 Patents & Licensees 200 patents, 72 licensees 1930 1950 50 s 1970 1990 2000 2010 30 s 70 s
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 5 Markets Sales breakdown Others industries 18% Automotive 82% Based on FY 2010 budget
The SONCEBOZ Group Worldwide standard Advanced research Engineering Licensing mechatronics Innovation supplier Innovative products Application research Development & Industrialisation Production & Assembly Harsh environments From mind to motion SONCEBOZ - Confidential 6
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 7 Moving Magnet Technologies R&D of electromagnetic devices: actuators, sensors, motors Main activities : Licensing, Engineering, R&D More than 200 valid patents and 72 licensees in the world Company created on April 1, 1989 by Dr.Claude OUDET 100% subsidiary of SONCEBOZ 33 engineers and PhD s Main market: Automotive (90%)
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 8 Advanced Research Applied electromagnetism BLDC and stepper motors Direct drive actuators Magnetic position sensors Magnetizing fixtures
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 9 Technology portfolio From standard product to customized solution: Linear actuators Hybrid steppers Slimline steppers Smart steppers BLDC actuators Torque motors Direct drive BLDC Smart actuators
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 10 Doctoral student at Sonceboz-MMT Context and goal of the project Example : Development of a thoroughly novel concept of a very high speed electric motor for harsh environments Establish a new technology base for customer developments and/or patenting Project financed by industry Basic attitude requirements for PhD predominantly residing at Sonceboz-MMT Team player : also desirable in an academic environment, but much more so in an industry setting Good collaboration spirit with fellow development engineers, machine shop mechanics, technicians, etc. Ability and willingness to join and contribute, on a case by case basis, to other development or customer projects using the same technology
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 11 Doctoral student at EPFL Context and goal of the project Development of a novel electronic drive and regulation algorithms Enhance motor performance Project financed by external grant Basic attitude requirements for PhD predominantly residing at EPFL Ability to understand the requirements and expectations of the industrial partner Good collaboration spirit with the machine shop mechanics, technicians, etc.
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 12 Doctoral student Difficulties and conflicts Industrial valorisation patenting vs. Academic valorisation publishing different time scale Industry focus robust concept vs. Academic focus innovative concept Latency period to decide what to do with an industrial secret Cultural differences : simulations and analytical calculations vs. prototyping, testing and measuring Potential drift in timing and scope of the project (can also lead to unsuspected opportunities)
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 13 Conditions for success Road to success for doctoral project in partnership with industry Necessary condition : project must be non-customer driven Clear definition of scope, expectations, objectives and preliminary specifications Principle : «What do I want to have tested at the end of the project, and how?» Integration of doctoral student in industrial team Two mentors : 1 at industry, and 1 at EPFL Rough planification necessary
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 14 Doctoral student at MMT Coaching Student «lives» @ SCBZ-MMT : Daily contacts with a senior development engineer Weekly interactions with COO Monthly reporting to professor Student «lives» @ EPFL : Monthly meetings at industrial partner Virtually no interactions with the industrial partner for the thesis redaction and examination process Planning Quarterly meetings with all involved partners to track the progress of a project with external grant financing (student @ EPFL) Idea : create a back-planning based on the question «what do we want to test at the end of the project?»
SONCEBOZ - Confidential 15 Summary Doctoral projects conducted with Sonceboz-MMT have so far had a very practical and concrete focus : development of novel electric motor concepts or sophisticated electronic drive concepts Key question for an industrial thesis : «What do I want to have tested at the end of the project?» From idea to doctoral project! A fine balance is needed between industry and academic interests : patenting vs. publishing, robust vs. purely innovative concepts A strong team player spirit is a key factor to success : life is difficult for the lone researcher
Thank you for your attention. Rue Rosselet-Challandes,5 - CH-2605 Sonceboz Tel: +41 32 488 11 11 - Fax: +41 32 488 11 00 info@sonceboz.com - www.sonceboz.com