Implementation of a software platform to support an eco-design methodology within a manufacturing firm

• Published in: International journal of sustainable engineering Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 79 - 96
• Main Authors: Favi, Claudio, Germani, Michele, Mandolini, Marco, Marconi, Marco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 04.03.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: BoM: Bill of Material; CAD: Computer-Aided Design; CAE: Computer-Assisted Engineering; CAS: Computer-Aided Software; CBR: Case Base Reasoning; Computer programs; CREER: Cluster Research, Excellence in Ecodesign & Recycling; DB: Database; Design engineering; DfD: Design for Disassembly; DfEE: Design for Energy Efficiency; Eco-design methodology; eco-design software platform; EDIMS: EcoDesign Integration Method for SMEs; Environmental performance; EoL: End of Life; EPD: Environmental Product Declaration; FMEA: Failure Mode and Effect Analysis; G.EN.ESI: Green ENgineering dESIgn; Graphical user interface; Green development; GUI: Graphic User Interface; Household appliances; interoperability evaluation; LCA: Life Cycle Assessment; LCC: Life Cycle Costing; LCT: Life Cycle Thinking; LE: Large Enterprises; LED: Light Emission Diode; Life cycle engineering; Life cycles; PDM: Product Data Management; PDP: Product development Process; PLM: Product Life cycle Management; PMMA: Poly Methyl Methacrylate; Product design; Product development; product environmental sustainability; R&D: Research and Development; REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals; RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances; SME: Small and Medium Enterprises; Software; Software development tools; Sustainable design; WEEE: Waste od Electric and Electronic Equipment; XML: Extensible Markup Language
• ISSN: 1939-7038; 1939-7046
• DOI: 10.1080/19397038.2018.1439121

The paper aims to explore the implementation of an eco-design methodology and the related software platform (G.EN.ESI - Green ENgineering dESIgn) within technical departments of a manufacturing firm. The G.EN.ESI eco-design methodology is based on the life cycle thinking concept and the software platform is conceived as a set of inter-operable software tools able to efficiently exchange data among them and with the traditional design systems (i.e. CAD, PDM and PLM). A multinational company, designing and producing household appliances, adopted the proposed methodology and related software platform for redesigning two cooker hood models with the aim to improve their environmental performances. Design and engineering departments evaluated the methodology and platform impact on the product development process, as well as the platform inter-operability with traditional design tools. The results indicate that methodology and software platform satisfy the requirements of the enterprise in terms of: (i) degree of expertise and training requirement on this subject, (ii) low impact in a consolidated design process and, (ii) good level of inter-operability among heterogeneous tools. However, the testing results highlight the necessity of a further platform optimisations in terms of software integration (single workbench made by integrated software tools with the same graphical user interface).