Fabio Giudice

Product Design for the Environment : A Life Cycle Approach

FROM SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO DESIGN FOR ENVIRONMENT Sustainable Development Industrial Ecology Design in the Context of the Environmental Question Design for Environment Concepts, Tools and Approaches to the Environmental Question: Overview Standards and Regulations Oriented Towards Environmental Quality of Products Summary References PART I - LIFE CYCLE APPROACH LIFE CYCLE APPROACH AND THE PRODUCT-SYSTEM CONCEPT AND MODELING Life Cycle Concept and Theory Life Cycle and the Product-System Concept Product-System and Environmental Impact Life Cycle Modeling Product Life Cycle: Reference Model Summary References LIFE CYCLE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT Life Cycle Approach in Product Design Life Cycle Design Oriented toward Environmental Performance of Products Life Cycle Management Summary References LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT Environmental Analysis and Evaluation of the Life Cycle Premises, Properties and Framework of Life Cycle Assessment Fields of Application and Limitations of Life Cycle Assessment Overview of Practical Approaches and Tools for Life Cycle Assessment Summary References LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS Cost Analysis and the Life Cycle Approach Product Life Cycle Cost Analysis Evolution of Models for Product Life Cycle Cost Analysis Reference Standards and Codes of Practice Summary References INTEGRATED ECONOMIC-ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE LIFE CYCLE Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Environmental Aspects Environmental Costs and Environmental Accounting Integration Between LCCA and LCA Other Approaches to Economic-Environmental Analysis: Eco-Cost Models Summary References PART II - METHODOLOGICAL STATEMENT PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Product Design and Development Product Design Methodological Evolution in Product Design Summary References INTEGRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS IN PRODUCT DESIGN Orientation toward Environmental Aspects in the Design Process Environmental Strategies for the Life Cycle Approach Tools and Techniques for Environmental Requirements of the Life Cycle Integration in Product Development: Proposed Framework Toward an International Standard: The ISO/TR 14062 Technical Report Summary References LIFE CYCLE ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR PRODUCT DESIGN Strategies for Improving Resources Exploitation and Determinant Factors Strategies for Extension of Useful Life and Design Considerations Strategies for Recovery at End-of-Life and Design Considerations Product Modularity as a Key Concept for the Application of Environmental Strategies Summary References ENGINEERING METHODS FOR PRODUCT DURATION DESIGN AND EVALUATION Durability of Products and Components Fatigue of Materials Damage Thermography and the Risitano Method Summary References PART III - METHODS, TOOLS, AND CASE STUDIES PRODUCT CONSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM DEFINITION BASED ON OPTIMAL LIFE CYCLE STRATEGIES Aims and Approach Method and Tools for Analysis and Design Optimal Life Cycle Strategy Evaluation Tool Case Study: System Analysis and Redesign of a Household Refrigerator Final Remarks Summary References ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MATERIALS AND OPTIMAL CHOICE Materials Selection and Environmental Properties Environmental Characterization of Materials and Processes Summary of Selection Method Analysis of Production Feasibility Analysis of Performance Life Cycle Indicators Analysis of Results and Optimal Choice Case Study: Selection of Material for an Automobile Brake Disk Acknowledgements Summary References DESIGN FOR DISASSEMBLY AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISASSEMBLY DEPTH Design for Disassembly and Disassembly Level Distribution of Disassembly Depth Objectives and Approach to the Problem Method Statement Evaluation of Disassembly Depth Efficiency of Ease of Disassembly Distribution Case Study: Electromechanical System Summary References OPTIMAL DISASSEMBLY PLANNING Disassembly Planning Objectives and Approach to the Problem Common Structure of the Proposed Tools Development of the First Tool: Goals of Servicing Development of the Second Tool: Goals of Recovery Simulations and Analysis of Results Summary References PRODUCT RECOVERY CYCLES PLANNING AND COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF RECOVERY Approach to the Recovery Problem Method for Recovery Cycles Planning Calculation Models for Recovery Cycles Planning Case Study: Analysis and Optimization of Heat Exchanger Constructional Systems Cost-Benefit Analysis of Recovery Cycles Acknowledgements Summary References METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK AND ANALYSIS MODELS FOR SIMULATION OF PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE Simulation and the Life Cycle Approach Approach to the Problem and Methodological Framework Product Model and Analysis Tools Definition of Objective Functions Simulation and Analysis of Results Summary References

Disassembly planning of mechanical systems for service and recovery: a genetic algorithms based approach

AbstractIn a perspective of improving the behavior of a product in its whole life cycle, the efficient planning of the disassembly processes acquires strategic importance, as it can improve both the product’s use phase, by facilitating service operations (maintenance and repairs), and the end-oflife phase, by favoring the recycling ofmaterials and the reuse of components. The present paper proposes an approach to disassembly process planning that supports the search for the disassembly sequence best suited for both aspects, service of the product and recovery at the end of its useful life, developing two different algorithms. Notwithstanding their different purposes, the two algorithms share the typology of modeling on which they operate, and the logical structure according to which the genetic search procedure is developed. The choice of implementing genetic algorithms was prompted by the intrinsic complexity of the complete mathematical solution to the problem of generating the disassembly sequences, which suggests the use of a non-exhaustive approach. As is shown in the results of a set of simulations, both algorithms may be used not only for the purposes related to disassembly process planning but also as supporting tools during the product design phases. This is especially so for the second algorithm, that deals with the problem of a recovery-oriented disassembly through an all-encompassing approach, combining economical and environmental considerations, and extending the evaluations to the whole life cycle of the product. This formulation gives this algorithm and autonomous decisional capacity on both the disassembly level to be reached, and the definition of the optimum recovery plan (i.e., the best destination for the disassembled components, based on some significant properties of them).

End-of-life impact reduction through analysis and redistribution of disassembly depth: A case study in electronic device redesign

The present paper introduces a structured method for the analysis and reconfiguration of the disassembly depth distribution of components making up a constructional system, with the aim of obtaining a generalized improvement in ease of disassembly in relation to the requirements of recovery at end-of-life. As evidenced in the report of the case study proposed, the method and associated tools provide information regarding the criticality of a system and make it possible to direct an intervention modifying the principal design parameters (characteristics of layout, shapes of components, and types of junction systems) in a way that improves the efficiency of disassembly. This comes off through a reasoned redistribution of the disassembly depth of components, searching for concordance between the ease of disassembly and the real need for it, and favoring the disassemblability of those parts of the system with higher environmental impact content, to recoup it at end-of-life.

Disassembly depth distribution for ease of service: a rule-based approach

This article proposes a structured methodology for the analysis and reconfiguration of the disassembly depth distribution of components making up a constructional system, expressing the difficulty of their disassembly on the basis of spatial and junction constraints conditioning their removal, with the aim of obtaining a generalised improvement in disassemblability in relation to the requirements of servicing. The methodological structure makes use of both graphical and analytical instruments for the quantification of disassembly depth, and of appositely defined metrics to assess the effectiveness of the distribution. In particular, the analytical tools were structured following a rule-based approach, which by virtue of its flexibility can be used to perform depth analysis, adapting to the diverse constraint conditions that generally arise in the selective disassembly of single components. As evidenced in the report of the case study proposed, the methodology and associated tools provide information regarding the criticality of a system and make it possible to direct an intervention modifying the principal design parameters (characteristics of layout, shapes of components and types of junction systems) in a way that improves the efficiency of disassembly. This comes off through a reasoned redistribution of the disassembly depth of components, searching for concordance between the ease of disassembly and the real need for it, and favouring the disassemblability of those parts of the system which require frequent removal for servicing.

Indicators for environmentally conscious product design

The aim of the present study was to develop effective instruments which permit the choice of materials and architecture of an industrial product to be optimized, while conferring a high degree of eco-compatibility on the products life cycle by means of different types of recycling at the end of its operating life. Having introduced the principles of life cycle analysis and outlined a design methodology which uses this instrument it was possible to analytically define some green indicators considered particularly significant. Dependent on the recovery plan envisaged at the end of the products life, these indicators are able to quantify, the energy and emission content of the product as a function of the main design choices (materials and architecture). The indicators defined allow the architecture and the choice of materials to be optimized during the design phase, guaranteeing both a limited environmental impact for the products entire life cycle and the recovery of resources by means of an efficient plan for recycling parts and materials at the end of the products life.

Product Recovery-Cycles Design

This paper reports the development of a tool to aid designers in making the best choices in order to plan recovery cycles for a product at the end of its working life. Having outlined an effective design methodology for this purpose, a calculation model was developed to support the methodology. The model was based on the quantification of determining factors, allowing the definition of the reusable parts of the architecture and the evaluation of the values assumed by an indicator which translates the environmental effects of recovery cycles in terms of extension of the product’s useful life. A trial conducted on a commonly used industrial unit, a heat exchanger, demonstrated the value of the design tool in comparing different architectures of a product and their optimisation, confirming its effectiveness as calculation model for the environmental quality-oriented product design.

Models and indicators for cost-benefit analysis of a green product

The aim of the present study is to offer an effective model for the cost-benefit analysis of a green product, with regard to its suitability for recycling. As well as allowing improvement in the environmental performance of a project, different choices of material and variations in its architecture can lead to prohibitive costs which must therefore be quantified and, as far as possible, contained. A reference model of the products life cycle already proposed by the authors was used as a basis for the definition of some appropriate indicators which are helpful in quantifying the financial cost correlated with the products suitability for recycling at the end of its working life. The relation between the increase in recovery flows and the resulting effects on production costs was also investigated. This showed that the economic advantage of modifying the architecture or the choice of materials to achieve an improvement in the recyclability of the product is linked to the possibility of programming an elevated number of recovery cycles.