Tanja Saarelainen

Environmental analysis of the Product Life Cycle by using an aggregated metric based on exergy

Environmental accountancy and environmental impacts analysis are characterised by fragmented approaches encompassing a number of different perspectives and analytical techniques. Although Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method is the most commonly used tool by which environmentally conscious design is carried out, the scientific reliability of LCA techniques has been questioned. Indeed, LCA techniques include limitations such as a lack of adequate inventory data, disparate underlying assumptions and environmental assessment made in terms that are not directly comparable. Those restrictions limit the applicability of LCA methods during early development stages. This article addresses this shortcoming by outlining previous researches in life cycle analysis and thermodynamics. It is argued herein that the early development phases require a simplified approach based on exergy. It is argued that the concept of exergy is a broad-based measure assessing the environmental impact and resource consumption of the Product Life Cycle (PLC). In addition, the article addresses a more ambitious research problem by integrating environmental impact and resource consumption into a broader design framework, described briefly in this article. The aim of the design framework presented herein is to optimise the comparison and evaluation process, which ends the early design process. This is in our viewpoint the first step of our work toward unified design theory based on topological principles.

Evolution of User Driven Innovation

The source and driver of user driven innovation is a profound understanding of customer needs. Three main approaches to user driven innovation exist: a traditional sequential approach, a lead user approach and customer co-creation. The overall trend is toward increasing user participation throughout the innovation process. Today the leading companies successfully engage users into creative processes of their innovation activities starting in the early stages. In the energy sector user driven innovation methodologies appear promising, in particular as a mean to improve energy efficiency and save energy. This paper focuses on the evolution of user driven innovation. We present an ontology of user driven innovation. It is followed by a state-of-the-art analysis of traditional and new approaches. Finally we try to predict whether a user driven innovation approach could aid the energy sector in overcoming challenges related to global warming and oil shortage.© 2010 ASME

Open loops in CAE data management and simulation-based design

Product lifecycle management and simulation-based design have been regarded as necessities for an enterprise’s competitiveness for more than a decade. The aim of this paper is to analyse the current practices and challenges in CAE data management and simulation-based design in mechanical engineering companies. Special attention is paid to the so called open loops and how those loops could be closed to enable the reuse of data. To reach the goal we conducted interviews in enterprises. We found that management and re-use of simulation data in companies were challenging as due to the complex relations, limited documentation and reporting, use of numerous software applications and application-dependent data. Moreover, simulations are not well specified in product development process models. Thus it is necessary to first map the performed simulations, simulation tools, simulation processes and related data before other steps can be taken. The goal should be to capture, share and reuse design knowledge.