Key Engineering Materials Vol. 572

Abstract: This paper proposes a conceptual model to support sustainable product design. The approach develops an integrated multimodal decision making model which is to be introduced early in the design process, as the basis for the integration of the life cycle assessment into an Eco-design model. The model, which is based upon an adapted “House of Quality” analysis, supports designers when assessing the environmental impact of the product design. The resulting Eco-design model evaluates the sustainability of the designed product using criteria that consider the impact of manufacturing process, product usage and end-of-life (EoL) disposal strategy. This approach is demonstrated using a case study that considers the design of a set of crocodile medical forceps, in which the redesign of a new forceps is undertaken by considering all the parameters in the Eco-design model.

Abstract: Reducing the environmental impacts of products surrounding us in our daily lives has become a common concern for the industry as well as for consumers. The practice of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) allows determining not only the environmental impacts centers but also the overriding factors on which it is still possible to act at the design phase. The geometric modeling phase in the design process represents an important step to make the necessary changes on the product in order to reduce its environmental hotspots. In this paper, we have eco-designed a basin mixer by acting on its geometric modeling phase, after identifying its various environmental hotspots from a LCA practiced and determining the factors still editable on CAD phase. An environmental comparison between the eco-designed mixer and the original one has been established, which shows a 66% reduction of impacts linked only to the amount of material used.

Abstract: It is widely agreed that environmental issues, from climate change to energy and water scarcity, to over exploitation of natural resources, represent critical challenges for the society. Thereby, industry has progressively adopted lean manufacturing by reducing amount of energy and materials used in the production. However, manufacturer has limitation towards improving product efficiency without feedback from user as a close loop. Knowing the complexity of environmental issues and economy changes, this paper introduces a new system framework that takes the holistic approach by capturing information at end-of-life (EoL) and feeding back to design or manufacturing in making a greener product. With complete understanding of EoL product status, it enables OEMs to develop technology diversely and at the same time rapidly incorporating environmental concept in part of the product chain. For instance, the valuable knowledge learned in EoL product put forward a more efficient way for product maintenance by cutting down time, cost and negative impact to the environment. Moreover, a greater reliable product could be achieved by utilizing appropriate material or design in particular product. This resulted in improved product design as an inherent loop in product life cycle, therefore producing greener product for better reusability, remanufacturability and recyclability. Overall, efficient EoL product recovery system enables sustainable and competitive manufacturing, and thus drives the economy growth.

Abstract: Green design, which integrates environmental factors into product design and innovation as opposed to the traditional product development, has significant implications for management theory and practice. A preponderance of special issues on this topic have emerged for a decade, so there is need for reviewing existing literature to help researchers and practitioners in understanding integrated green design from a wider perspective. This research makes a novel contribution by synthesizing existing literature and develops a succinct classification of existing literature on green design into three categories: design for environment, design for disassembly and design for recycling. Finally, we analyze the evolution of green design over the past decade together with the avenues for future research. The impact of government behavior on the manufactures’ design decision and customers’ acceptance of green product is an interesting research trend. There is need for green design methodologies that integrate design of products and processes.

Abstract: To ensure that the economic and environmental impact over the entire product life cycle is taken into consideration during the design process, an integrated life cycle approach to Design for Environment (DfE) must be taken. In this paper, we describe the application of the product structure-based methodology for integrated life cycle analysis as a DfE decision-support tool. While maintaining an integrated perspective of the product life cycle, this methodology modularises the product life cycle model to the individual parts of the product structure; thus, allowing product designers to analyse the parts independently from the rest of the product system and enabling them to systematically evaluate the design alternatives. Using a case study on a dive torchlight, we demonstrate how through our proposed methodology, design alternatives for the product can be evaluated based on the life cycle eco-efficiency.

Abstract: This paper presents a summary of a larger study into the formulation of a set of criteria for consideration of the Social criteria of Sustainable Product Design (SPD). A multidisciplinary literature review was conducted, which was developed further through semi structured interviews with nine experts in the field of sustainable design education. These interviews were conducted face to face and responses were analysed using the coding and clustering technique. A list of criteria was refined and these were used to inform a doctoral study which considered effective teaching and learning methods in the social aspects of SPD.

Abstract: The paper analyses the development and market potential of composite structure boards for the construction and built environment. The composite material is based on using recycled plastic reinforced with glass fibres. For some plastic materials, the Young modulus is relatively low and a sandwich structure built from plastic skin and foam core has to be used in order to achieve the required stiffness. The structural boards will be formed by a single one or two step moulding process instead of fabricated in a number of processes. The contens of the board has been optimised to reduce its weight and to enable it to be moulded from compounds using a high percentage of recycled plastics. Test samples have been tested at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Civil Engineering laboratory to evaluate the influences of the type of plastic, the skin foam ratio and the percentage of glass fibres into the composite material mechanical properties.

Abstract: The structure design of the horizontal axis’ tidal current turbine whose power is 100 kW is presented in this paper. The stress condition of the tidal turbine’s main shaft was analyzed, and the analysis model of the shaft was established. Applying the engineering calculation and the finite element method respectively, the strength and stiffness of the main shaft was analyzed and checked. Under the two conditions when the main shaft rotated under rated power and rotated at low speed, the fatigue life of the main shaft was analyzed and calculated. The result shows that the main shaft can meet the requirement of the design. The analysis method is a more precise method for the research of the tidal current turbine’s shaft parts. The project has project has practical significance in engineering application in the future.

Abstract: In order to generate electricity by converting wave energy into mechanical energy, a buoy-type wave energy generating device is designed, it includes overall design, reversing gearbox design and buoy design. The test stand of wave simulation is set up and the rationality of generating device is verified by generating experiment.