The idea of a European initiative on disruptive innovation was launched last October by a group of twenty-six experts and managers from research centers and technology companies. The aim of this Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI), inspired by the American model of the Defense Advanced Research Initiative, is to use public funds to finance a selection of disruptive projects, initially in France and Germany. Against this recent backdrop, Mecachrome has decided to review its strategy, which is definitely geared towards disruptive innovation.
" Thanks to its positioning in a wide range of markets (mechanical sports, space, helicopters, aircraft, automotive), Mecachrome is moving crescendo towards breakthrough innovation. "explains Olivier Martin, R&D Director at Mecachrome.
Mecachrome's business sectors are not all subject to the same constraints and needs (qualification cycle, mass gain, costs, standardization, etc.), which means we can validate the maturity levels of an innovation step by step, while exploiting it industrially.
Incremental disruptive innovation
Mecachrome's positioning in a wide variety of markets enables the company to introduce these innovations into the industry in an incremental way. While disruptive innovation is usually contrasted with incremental innovation, at Mecachrome the two go hand in hand.
" Prior to 2006, innovations at Mecachrome mainly concerned motorsports, with the development of parts in advanced materials (pistons and pins in metal matrix composites, connecting rods in organic composite, TiAl valves, etc.) or with ingenious functional designs (integration of oil pumps in the mass-cut lower crankcase of internal combustion engines, etc.). Naturally, we sought to build bridges with the aeronautics market to capitalize on these developments and skills (development of specific metal matrix composites, engines for aeronautical use...), with some fine successes 10 years later! "explains Olivier Martin.
From secret to patent
The evolution from a culture of secrecy to one of valuing intellectual property has enabled the company to apply the same method to its strategic developments.
" Since 2007, with the creation of a dedicated R&D department, innovation has focused on manufacturing technologies, Mecachrome's core business. Dry machining, cryogenic machining, imbricative or additive manufacturing are developed, patents registered, exploited at Mecachrome, and, after qualification by our customers, deployed more widely industrially. "explains Olivier Martin.
The technologies developed bring productivity gains, but some of them could also be used to improve the product. This is Mecachrome's next challenge!
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