- Mahendra S. Hundal, Mechanical Life Cycle Handbook, 2002.
- JRC-IES, ILCD Handbook: General guide for Life Cycle Assessment - Detailed guidance
- F. Giudice, G.La Rosa, A. Risitano, 2006, Product Design for Environment
Learning Objectives
The aim of the course is to transfer knowledge on main methodologies, tools and standards functional to the improvement of the ecoprofile of industrial products and technologies during their whole life-cycle (from materials extraction and processing, through manufacturing and use stages, up to the end-of-life management).
CA4: Applying knowledge and understanding related to the implementation of engineering projects adapted to their level of knowledge and understanding, working in collaboration with engineers and non-engineers. The projects may concern components, equipment and mechanical systems of various kinds and for the widest possible applications.
CA5: Applying in-depth knowledge and understanding related to the choice and use of appropriate equipment, tools, procedures and methods, knowing their limits and potential; in particular the ability to conduct even complex experiments, manage and employ advanced instrumentation and software, with appropriate analytical capabilities.
CA9: Applying knowledge and understanding related to the critically assessment of data and results, drawing appropriate conclusions, aware of the degree of uncertainty that may affect them.
CA12: Applying adequate knowledge and understanding to understand English texts.
CC4: Knowledge and understanding of numerical methods for the design and verification of mechanical components and/or systems, including numerical models for the correct representation of material behaviour. Knowledge of analysis types necessary to carry out the aforesaid design and verification activity according to the most recent requirements of the industrial world.
CC5: Knowledge and understanding of materials and their behaviour in the various loading conditions found in design practice. Methods for characterising material behavior.
CC6: In-depth knowledge and understanding of production systems and technologies. Understanding the advantages and limitations of technologies and process choices in different application contexts. Knowledge of methods for the representation of mechanical components and systems, and for their reconstruction from artifacts, deepening the aspects strictly connected with production systems and technologies.
Prerequisites
Nothing.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and tutorials.
Further information
Possibility of organizing educational visits to events and companies operating on the topics covered by the course.
Type of Assessment
Oral test. The questions are of a theoretical and applicative nature regarding the areas of environmental sustainability of industrial products and technologies. The student must demonstrate that he has acquired a basic knowledge of the topics, ability to approach problems, and familiarity with the use of methodologies and tools concerning the subjects being taught.
Course program
Introduction to product and process sustainability
o Community policy, legislative and regulatory environment
o The life cycle of a product
o Emissions and environmental impacts
o Meanings and implications of "labels" and environmental quality marks: Ecolabel, EPD, Environmental Product Declaration, Blue Angel, ...
Approach to designing the eco-profile of an industrial product
o Life Cycle Thinking
o Integration of EcoDesign in the design and development process (identification of customer requirements, definition of targets and constraints, strategies, planning of activities, ...)
o Designing the product life cycle through Design for X:
- Design for Materials (classification, characteristics and criteria for choosing eco-sustainable materials)
- Design for Extension-of-Life (Design for Reliability, Maintainability,...)
- Design for End-of-Life (Design for: Disassembly, Recycling, Remanufacturing, Reusing)
Methods and tools for eco-design and environmental impact assessment:
o Design methods:
- Ecodesign guidelines, ABC-Analysis; Eco-compass; LIDS Wheel; MET Matrix; MECO Matrix; MIPS; PILOT; EQfD, Compatibility Matrixes;
- Exercises and case study applications
o Environmental impact assessment methods:
- LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
- Recyclability and recoverability Calculation method
- Outline of methods for assessing economic and social impacts and integration with the LCA
Exercises:
- LCA studies through Gabi software
- Applications of methods and tools of EcoDesign to case studies