Usability Demonstration of the G.EN.ESI Eco-Design Platform: The Cooker Hood Case Study

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Germani ◽  
Marco Mandolini ◽  
Marco Marconi ◽  
Marta Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Traditional Design ◽  
Design And Manufacture ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

Due to the increasing pressure of legislations and market, the environmental sustainability is becoming a key competitive factor for companies. In specific markets, as the Northern Europe one, customers are very careful on the quality and sustainability of products, thus companies has to design and manufacture green goods. In this context, there is a strong need of effective design tools and platform which allows to configure products applying the life cycle paradigm and with the “environment on mind”. Currently in the market there are only few examples of products designed taking into account the eco-design concepts. In particular, for mechatronic or energy using products only the use phase is usually considered and all the re-design strategies aim to reduce the energy consumption. This is essentially due to the fact that there is a lack of tools and design platforms, which are easy to use and well integrated with the traditional design tools and with the design processes of companies. This paper wants to demonstrate the usefulness of a set of interoperable eco-design tools, the G.EN.ESI platform, in supporting the re-design of a mechatronic product. The proposed case study, realized in collaboration with an Italian leading company in the sector of household appliances, focuses on the improvement of a domestic cooker hood with the final objective to obtain a more sustainable product. The in-depth experimentation, for the duration of more than 3 months, involved different stakeholders within the company (designers, environmental expert, etc.), with the aim to validate the G.EN.ESI platform tools in different phases of the re-design process. The case study showed that the use of the platform has supported the company in the identification of the environmental hot-spots and during the product re-design phase, considering the whole life cycle. The re-engineered cooker hood exhibits relevant improvements in the most important environmental and economic indicators (environmental impact, energy efficiency, disassemblability, recyclability, etc.). Also a detailed analysis of the platform usability has been performed in order to measure if the tools completely fulfil the expectations of the final users. Finally, the level of integration within the company processes has been evaluated with a dedicated questionnaire. The results of these last analyses showed that the G.EN.ESI platform is appropriate to support a company to improve the sustainability of their products without the needs to heavily alter the traditional design process.

scholarly journals Design Method to Structure Orthosis Design: Camptocormia Postural Brace Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Duarte ◽  
Jean-Pierre Nadeau ◽  
Antonio Ramos ◽  
Michel Mesnard
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Upright Posture ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Class 1

The orthosis is considered a class 1 medical device which often originates from a nonstructured development process. As these devices are mainly developed by small- and medium-sized enterprises, with no standard research method, the result can be an unadapted device which may not respond to the user’s needs and which in the short term may be abandoned. One way to solve this problem is to define and apply standard rules and procedures throughout the development/design process. Although methodologies may solve the “empiricism” in orthosis design problems, these design strategies are not applied during orthosis development due to the particularities of this field and the difficulties in linking the required knowledge and the actors that may be present during the orthosis development. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology to structure the orthosis design process that takes into account both the device life cycle and the different stakeholders involved in the design process. A case study was used to validate the proposed methodology. It was applied to the development of an orthosis to treat a specific postural disorder called camptocormia, also known as bent spine syndrome. This disorder is characterized by the anteroflexion of the trunk and especially affects elderly people. Contrary to scoliosis, the characteristics of camptocormia are not permanent, which means that the patient is able to straighten his posture. A postural brace is used to treat this disorder which enables the patient to redress and maintain the correct upright posture of the trunk.

Life Cycle Assessment in Different Product Design Stages - A Coffee Pot Case Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 34-35 ◽  
pp. 988-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sui Ran Yu ◽  
Rui Bin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Decision Matrix ◽  
Design Decisions ◽  
Software Designers ◽  
Detail Design ◽  
Environmental Friendly ◽  
Conceptual Design Phase

This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) method in different design process. This method can help product designers to make more environmental friendly design decisions in the design process. In this method, product’s LCA model is established in product conceptual design phase with the aid of decision matrix. Thereafter, the model is improved in the latter design phases, especially in product detail design phases. In this process, with the help of LCA software, designers can evaluate different design options and get LCA results when necessary to guide the design process. Finally, a case study of designing a coffee pot is provided in this paper to illustrate the efficiency and effectiveness of this method. The case study shows that the method performs very well in the design process. It can be used to help designers to make more environmental friendly design decisions.

A Study for the Measurement of Environmental Impact Resulting From Railway Construction

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasutomo Morita ◽  
Kenji Shimizu ◽  
Hirokazu Kato ◽  
Naoki Shibahara ◽  
Toshihiro Yamasaki
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Rail Transport ◽  
Transportation Mode ◽  
Co2 Gas ◽  
Low Emission ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

This study shows how to measure CO2 emissions caused by railways during its life span from construction to disposal. It is now a common global concern that CO2 reduction is vital for conserving the global environment. Amidst this growing awareness, rail transport has attracted significant attention as an environmentally-friendly transportation mode due to its low emission of CO2 gas. But in many studies the amount of CO2 is calculated only during operation and doesn’t include emissions during the phase of construction of related infrastructure and rolling stocks. Rail transport can not be a truly environmentally-friendly transportation mode if it isn’t proven to emit less gases compared with other modes during a modes whole life cycle. In this paper, we introduce the method to calculate CO2 emission from the construction of infrastructure with the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the result of a case study.

scholarly journals Incorporating linear programing and life cycle thinking into environmental sustainability decision-making: a case study on anchovy canning industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1897-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Garcia-Herrero ◽  
J. Laso ◽  
M. Margallo ◽  
A. Bala ◽  
C. Gazulla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Life Cycle Thinking ◽  
Canning Industry

scholarly journals Representation in Early Stage Design: An Analysis of the Influence of Sketching and Prototyping in Design Projects

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Elsen ◽  
Anders Häggman ◽  
Tomonori Honda ◽  
Maria C. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Quality Of Information ◽  
Stage Design ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
Early Stage Design ◽  
Team Design

Sketching and prototyping of design concepts have long been valued as tools to support productive early stage design. This study investigates previous findings about the interplay between the use and timing of use of such design tools. This study evaluates such tools in the context of team design projects. General trends and statistically significant results about “sketchstorming” and prototyping suggest that, in certain constrained contexts, the focus should be on the quality of information rather than on the quantity of information generated, and that prototyping should begin as soon as possible during the design process. Ramifications of these findings are discussed in the context of educating future designers on the efficient use of design tools.

scholarly journals Improving the environmental sustainability of hotel buildings through the analysis of its life cycle. Case study: Balearic Islands

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (06) ◽  
pp. 709-715
Author(s):  
B. Roselló ◽  
◽  
A. Moia ◽  
A. Cladera ◽  
V. Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Balearic Islands

scholarly journals Designing Predictive Tools for Personalized Functionalities in Knitted Performance Wear

2019 ◽  
pp. 42-75
Author(s):  
Martijn Ten Bhömer ◽  
Hai-Ning Liang ◽  
Difeng Yu ◽  
Yuanjin Liu ◽  
Yifan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Research Through Design ◽  
Predictive Algorithms ◽  
Predictive Software ◽  
Textile Products

Developments of advanced textile manufacturing techniques—such as 3D body-forming knitwear machinery—allows the production of almost finalized garments, which require little to no further production steps to finalize the garment. Moreover, advanced knitting technology in combination with new materials enables the integration of localized functionalities within a garment on a “stitch by stitch level.” There is potential in enhancing the design tools for advanced knitting manufacturing through the use of technologies such as data gathering, machine learning, and simulation. This approach reflects the potential of Industry 4.0, as design, product development, and manufacturing are moving closer together. However, there is still limited knowledge at present about how these new technologies and tools can have an impact on the creative design process. The case study presented in this paper explores the potential of predictive software design tools for fashion designers who are developing personalized advanced functionalities in textile products. The main research question explored in this article is: “How can designers benefit from intelligent design software for the manufacturing of advanced personalized functionalities in textile products?”. Within this larger research question three sub-research questions are explored: (1) What kind of advanced functionalities can be considered for the personalization process of knitwear? (2) How to design interactions and interfaces that use intelligent predictive algorithms to stimulate creativity during the fashion design process? (3) How will predictive software impact the manufacturing process for other stakeholders and production steps? These questions are investigated through the analysis of a Research Through Design case study, in which several predictive algorithms were compared and implemented in a user interface that would aid knitwear designers during the development process of high-performance running tights.

scholarly journals Management and Logistics of Returnable Transport Items: A Review Analysis on the Pallet Supply Chain

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12747
Author(s):  
Fabiana Tornese ◽  
Maria Grazia Gnoni ◽  
Brian K. Thorn ◽  
Andres L. Carrano ◽  
Jennifer A. Pazour
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Business Models ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Review Analysis ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

Pallets are among the most used returnable transport items (RTIs), and they are critical assets for a supply chain as they have significant environmental and economic impacts during their whole life cycle. Differently from other packaging products, pallets are specifically designed to be repeatably repaired and reinjected for use. While this environmentally is beneficial as it reduces waste, it can create complex interactions between the stakeholder-involved manufacturers, pallet providers, users and recyclers. Further, the number of different actors is usually high, and the flow of materials among them needs to be coordinated. In addition, different business models can be implemented (such as internal management versus outsourcing) as well as logistics alternatives (closed- versus open-loop). Thus, the aims of this study are first to propose a systematization of design and management decisions regarding the pallet supply chain; next, to review the state of the art models and tools adopted to support each decision process relying on an analysis of the archival literature published between 1978 and 2021 on pallet management, to summarize the main decision problems addressed by the different stakeholders involved in the pallet life cycle and the adopted methods, and, finally, to highlight potential existing research gaps. This effort helps to outline potential contributions towards more sustainable pallet supply chains and can support pallet operators and companies in evaluating solutions to increase the economic and environmental sustainability of their pallet management. Results show that the perspectives of the pallet provider and of the supply chain are the most widely addressed in the existing literature, while those of pallet manufacturers and repairers should be further analyzed.

scholarly journals The Responsible Fashion System: A Re-Conceptualization Of The Role Of Fashion Design

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anika Kozlowski
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Fashion Design ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Sustainable Fashion ◽  
System Sustainability ◽  
Fashion Designers

Sustainable fashion has developed as a response to the growing prominence and awareness of the negative environmental and social impacts of fashion apparel throughout its life cycle. Responses to these wide-scale impacts have focused on piecemeal strategies that lack a cohesive perspective. The notion of design thinking and a holistic viewpoint are increasingly being seen as valued strategies for developing a sustainable fashion system. Fashion designers generally lack the tools to enable change and are caught within a system that cannot fulfill the potential of design-driven solutions for sustainability. Transformations to the design process, business practices, consumer behaviours and supply-chain sustainability are needed. This dissertation presents a series of manuscripts investigating a re-conceptualization of fashion design for system sustainability. Concepts put forth in the first manuscript, Theorizing the Fashion System provide context for a design focus. This study reviews existing theories of fashion production and consumption, for the purpose of establishing a theoretical framework to support subsequent research and tool design. The second manuscript Tools for Sustainable Fashion Design: An Analysis of their Fitness for Purpose examines existing design tools developed specifically for sustainable fashion designers. This research led to the creation and proposal of two conceptual frameworks: an innovation framework and five-dimensional model of sustainable fashion. Using the frameworks to analyze the tools and sustainable strategies within the tools resulted in the identification of three tool archetypes: 1) Universal, 2) Participatory and 3) Assessment. The third manuscript investigates and analyzes current design practices of sustainable fashion micro and small enterprises (MSE) and available sustainable design tools. The fourth manuscript, The reDesign Canvas: Fashion Design as a Tool for Sustainability, is a qualitative in-depth case study with a small fashion start-up. Utilizing observations in the field, interviews and design sessions, this study was able to identify leverage points within the design process to integrate sustainable strategies. The data collected informed the development of a sustainable fashion design tool, the reDesign Canvas. This framework was tested and refined with the case study. This work aims to contribute a reconceptualization of the fashion design process to provide designers with the tools necessary to achieve a sustainable fashion system.

scholarly journals Prediction of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions of Sponge City Projects: A Case Study in Shanghai, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohu Lin ◽  
Jie Ren ◽  
Jingcheng Xu ◽  
Tao Zheng ◽  
Wei Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Carbon Sinks ◽  
Sponge City ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Accounting Model ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

In recent years, China has been vigorously carrying out the planning and implementation of Sponge City. Since the implementation of Sponge City projects involves substantial materials and energy consumption, it is significant to account corresponding carbon emissions and sinks. The existed studies about carbon emission of stormwater management measures, however, are not able to take the whole life cycle and different facilities into consideration. Therefore, this study develops a comprehensive accounting model based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines and life cycle assessment (LCA) method to predict carbon emissions and carbon sinks of Sponge City projects more comprehensively and accurately. The model is applied to an actual residential community in Shanghai as a case study. Results show that the total indirect carbon emission is estimated to be 774,277 kg CO2 eq during a 30-year lifespan, among which carbon emissions from operation and maintenance phases are 2570 kg CO2 eq/year and 7309 kg CO2 eq/year, respectively, both directly proportional to the service life of the facilities. Three kinds of achievable carbon sinks are carbon sequestration in green space (5450 kg CO2 eq/year), carbon sink from rainwater utilization (15,379 kg CO2 eq/year) and carbon sink from runoff pollutant removal (19,552 kg CO2 eq/year). Carbon neutrality is expected to be reached after approximately 19 years. The established carbon emission accounting model can contribute to better planning and construction of Sponge City in China and enhance further energy conservation and carbon emission reduction.

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