Did you know 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined in the design phase? With so much dependence on design, it is critical to start thinking about the environmental impact of a product as early as possible, alongside the traditional drivers of cost, quality, and time. To overcome resource scarcity and meet emissions targets, manufacturers are steadily increasing their environmental consciousness, writes Industry Week (April 26, 2024). Those set to succeed are doing so from the very start of their development processes.
Combining the real and digital worlds makes it possible to integrate the entire value chain. This delivers a digital thread that serves as the foundation for collective intelligence, connecting workflows and processes along the value chain. It can also provide designers with access to a comprehensive digital twin informed by simulation results and production data, material information, supplier and product carbon footprint data, etc.
This empowers engineers to rethink design, as they have access to a dynamic and iterative process (outlined in the 5 points below) that is never finished and allows for recycling, remanufacturing and reuse. However, for this to work, sustainability needs to be embedded into all phases of the design process. a point we make in both Ch. 5 (Product Design) and Supp. 5 (Sustainability in the Supply Chain).
1. Conceptual Design In addition to traditional design requirements such as performance, durability, usability and cost, designing for sustainable outcomes means meeting new requirements, including carbon emission caps, water use restrictions and recyclability. Capturing these early is critical .
2. Suppliers When sourcing materials and components, it is important to establish communication with suppliers that best comply with sustainability requirements.
3. Detailed Design The right tools will enable engineers to select the best part materials based on required material properties and the associated sustainability scores. One material may result in a lowered carbon emission rating within manufacturing because it is more recyclable, while another material option might be more durable and extend product life.
4. Validation Validation covers many workflows and engineering domains to ensure the product functions as expected. Innovative materials used to meet sustainability targets might require more thorough testing.
5. Design Improvement This is a continuous journey that extends long after the product is made. Integrating sustainability goals into product design is making that a reality for every company.
Classroom discussion questions:
- Why are suppliers an important part of new product design?
- Name a product that has gone through these 5 steps.