Product ecodesign and materials: current status and future prospects

The aim of this paper is to discuss the current status of ecodesign in the industry and its future implications for materials. There is today more and more focus on the environmental impacts of products during their whole life cycle. In particular, ecodesign aims at integrating environmental aspects during the product's design process as any other criterion, in order to reduce the life cycle impacts. Although a lot of product environmental impact assessment and Design for Environment tools already exist, environmental aspects are unfortunately rarely routinely integrated into product development process in the industry. This is mainly due to the fact that current ecodesign tools are little adapted to designers' practices, requirements and competencies. After the sequential and DfX paradigms, design of products is today maturing into Integrated Design, where multiple points of views and expertise have to be considered at the same time to progressively define the product

User kansei modeling and eco-design

The use of day-to-day life artifacts is a key phase in the lifecycle of products. Indeed it has a great impact on our environment. User centered methods are not yet taken into account in eco-design approaches. These methods are being developed in two ways, by building new user models encompassing complex dimensions such as Kansei and experience, including values and moods, and by integrating the user himself in the design process. This paper deals with setting-up a new theoretical framework associating user-centered design advanced approaches such as experience design, Kansei studies, or participative design and eco-design methods. The final goal is to support product design by providing some guidelines according to environmental issues linked to the users and their abilities

User kansei modeling and eco-design

International audienceThe use of day-to-day life artifacts is a key phase in the lifecycle of products. Indeed it has a great impact on our environment. User centered methods are not yet taken into account in eco-design approaches. These methods are being developed in two ways, by building new user models encompassing complex dimensions such as Kansei and experience, including values and moods, and by integrating the user himself in the design process. This paper deals with setting-up a new theoretical framework associating user-centered design advanced approaches such as experience design, Kansei studies, or participative design and eco-design methods. The final goal is to support product design by providing some guidelines according to environmental issues linked to the users and their abilities

Monitoring of abrasive water jet (AWJ) cutting using sound detection

Our main objective in the present work is to develop a methodology and create a system for the abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining process control. In the case of AWJ cutting, besides the cutting head traverse rate, the distance between the mixing tube and the workpiece, designated as the stand-off distance, has a predominant influence on the workpiece quality. The control of the traverse rate is performed by the machine controller. The stand off-distance control during the machining represents a problem because no effective on-line in real-time stand-off distance detection system has been developed yet. The detection of the stand-off distance during cutting enables better AWJ machining process control. order to monitor the stand-off distance, we measure the emitted sound generated during the AWJ straight cut operation and analyse its characteristic attributes. In order to verify the proposed stand-off distance monitoring methods, a set of experiments was carried out. The signal analysis was performed in both time and frequency domain. The obtained results show an evident influence of the stand-off distance on sound emission. Thus, efficient control of the AWJ cutting process through sound detection appears to be viabl

Environmental assessment to support ecodesign: from products to systems - A method proposal for heating systems and application to a case study

Different policy instruments at the macro and micro level coexist with the goal of reducing the energy consumption of the building sector. At the macro level, the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe (EC, 2011c) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EC, 2012a) highlight the importance of the building sector, which accounts for 40% of the total energy consumption in the European Union (EC, 2011a). Greater energy efficiency in new and existing buildings is crucial in order to reach the goal of the European Commission’s energy roadmap for reducing the GHG emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990 (EC, 2011b). The implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2002/91/EC (EC, 2010b) promotes the energy efficiency in the heating, cooling, lighting and operating appliances and the use of renewable energy in buildings. In particular, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems account for 50% of the total energy consumption of buildings (Pérez-Lombard, L., et al., 2008). In 2012, half of the EU’s energy consumption (546 Mtoe) facilitated heating and cooling, and much of this was wasted through insufficient insulation or inefficient equipment in buildings, among others (EC, 2016a). At the micro level, product policies such as Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives, EU GPP and EU Ecolabel have the common goal of making the EU market more sustainable. Indeed, they have been very successful in improving the energy efficiency of building products, especially those involved in HVAC systems such as water and space heaters, coolers or air circulators. However, even greater saving potentials could be achieved when the focus is done at the system level rather than at regulating products alone. The issue is that here are huge methodological challenges regarding the definition of systems, the scope and boundaries of a system, the modelling of components that make up a system and its interactions, and the measurement of the energy flows within the system. Policy makers have already recognised the limitations of considering isolated products instead of product systems, and have proposed to move these product policies from components to packages or groups of products (e.g Regulation 811/2013). This report provides guidance towards bringing closer micro and macro scale policies at the building sector. The objective of the work presented in this report is to explore the methodological aspects of environmental assessments of systems at the design step, in order to get higher environmental benefits. The procedure followed to develop the work of the present report began at analysing the system approach and environmental aspects at different product policies (Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives, EU GPP and EU Ecolabel) and the scientific literature (only on HVAC systems). As a result of this analysis and the comparison of both sources, some gaps were identified and general requirements were identified for a method supporting the design of good performing heating systems. Product policies usually apply the extended product approach to include additional products, part of the system, that influence the overall performance of a group of products (packages). However, the system approach, i.e. including all the components is not widely applied, as it should be. Product policies focus on environmental performances during the use phase, including energy efficiency, although other aspects can also be considered (e.g. air emissions, sound levels or other technical requirements). On the other hand, the scientific literature uses the system approach and holistic environmental assessment such as LCA. Then, the report proposes a simplified method and a calculation tool, to support the design process of good heating systems in residential buildings, based on the choice of the performance of its components. In the method, product performance figures provided by European sellers according to EU product policies are used when they are available. When product policy data is not available, designers are free to decide on which other tool to use to calculate the missing data. The method allows designers to study the improvement potential and combination of products’ performance levels and to achieve energy-saving targets at system level. The method provides two new aspects that are not yet covered by the literature: 1- it allows the assessment of heating systems grounded on well-known and proven labelling schemes such as EU product policies, which are available at the early design stage and implemented by all manufacturers, and 2- it supports design activities at system level, providing informed decision-making on multiple design solutions based on different configurations of products with performance levels currently available on the market. The method is also tested on a specific case study, simulating the re-design of two heating systems (a solar sanitary hot water system and space heating system) in a dwelling located in North Italy. The case study shows how the method can be applied using data of product policies when available, other tools and/or making assumptions. It also shows the quantitative results on the improvement potential of relevant components and on the combination of components with different performance levels. In addition, the package concept is applied to the case study. Despite the current limitations of the EU package concept (e.g. missing components and climate conditions, rough calculation, etc.), similar conclusions can be drawn from the EU package concept than from the method proposed, which shows the validity of the former. On the other hand, the method proposed is more complete, accurate and flexible and can therefore better support design activities. The method represents a step forward on how to address better the system approach in environmental assessments and how this could be applied to ecodesign of product’s systems. The report demonstrates that the method contributes at improving the task of building designers and regulators to easier achieve common and equivalent energy efficiency objectives.JRC.D.3-Land Resource

Collaborative network with SMEs providing a backbone for urban PSS: a model and initial sustainability analysis

iFirst 16 p.International audienceHigh-technology Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have regularly shown their capacities for creating and developing innovative services. However, their reduced size often confines them to vertical applications and limits the possibilities for broader development. Strategies grouping SMEs into collaborative networks are possible but sometimes need a strong leader to ensure credibility. On the other hand, large integrator-operators cannot be proficient in all the necessary domains, particularly when applications move very fast. They very much need the diversity and the dynamics of these SMEs to provide service packages with a common service backbone. Uniting the different actors is a challenge displaying good promises from various perspectives including sustainability. However, it is necessary that the links between the different partners and their corresponding activities be correctly represented in a model to be understood. This article proposes a new model for activities and processes in firms collaborating together in a network. A clearer understanding of the organisation acquired with the model, which is then used to discuss sustainability issues within the network

Using environmental segmentation to perform ecodesign with users

International audienceMarket segmentation has been a crucial point for enhancing the success of new products. By grouping users with similar needs, manufacturers have been able to design products with much more appeal to a specific typology of users. Moreover, ecodesign process strives at developing products with lower impact on the environment. Actual ecodesigned products however do not completely fit with users needs. This contribution proposes to use the segmentation approach to drive the process of product ecodesign. By differencing the users according to their sensitivity to environmental issues, this approach enables to design environmentally friendly products for a specific group. To this end, we intend to couple an existing segmentation definition for environmental policy with the Rokeach Values System. The result is a seven group representation of users with a specific set of values for each group that will allow developing products that match user needs with the environmental consciousness. This segmentation and its benefits are applied to the adaptation of ecodesign strategies according to each users group. We illustrate our proposal with an application to the design of a coffee machine

FUTURPROD - Les systèmes de production du futur

Dans un contexte de renouveau industriel, un atelier sur le thème des "systèmes de production du futur" a été initié fin 2011. Dans un document d'une cinquantaine de pages, FUTURPROD présente les résultats du travail de prospective mené par un groupe de 35 experts pluridisciplinaires depuis 18 mois. Il donne sa vision des systèmes de production du futur sous la forme de trois grands scénarios prospectifs puis identifie les enjeux et mutations industriels à venir dans nos sociétés européennes. Il propose enfin un ensemble de priorités thématiques de recherche à lancer rapidement pour faire face aux défis économique, social et environnemental pour lesquels l'industrie peut apporter des réponses pertinentes

User kansei modeling and eco-design

The use of day-to-day life artifacts is a key phase in the lifecycle of products. Indeed it has a great impact on our environment. User centered methods are not yet taken into account in eco-design approaches. These methods are being developed in two ways, by building new user models encompassing complex dimensions such as Kansei and experience, including values and moods, and by integrating the user himself in the design process. This paper deals with setting-up a new theoretical framework associating user-centered design advanced approaches such as experience design, Kansei studies, or participative design and eco-design methods. The final goal is to support product design by providing some guidelines according to environmental issues linked to the users and their abilities

Méthodologie d'éco-conception orientée utilisation.

En intégrant le cycle de vie d'un bien dans son processus de développement, l'éco-conception permet d'améliorer la performance environnementale de ce futur produit. La combinaison, dans cette thèse, des notions de la conception centrée utilisateur et de la pensée cycle de vie, permet de proposer une méthode pour l'intégration de la phase d'utilisation en éco-conception. La méthode repose sur la proposition de nouveaux modèles pour représenter l'utilisation adaptés aux spécificités de l'éco-conception. A partir du modèle de produit, un modèle de la phase d'utilisation, connectée aux phases de distribution et de fin de vie, permet d'associer l'utilisation du produit à son cycle de vie complet. Le modèle de contexte permet de positionner la performance environnementale du produit en utilisation par rapport à des paramètres associés à l'utilisateur et à l'environnement d'utilisation. L'évaluation environnementale du scénario d'utilisation regroupant tous ces modèles permet d'adapter les stratégies d'amélioration de la méthode à l'utilisation d'un produit en conception. Une application de la démarche à la re-conception d'un réfrigérateur pour la France et le Brésil permet d'illustrer le fonctionnement de la méthode.By integrating product life cycle into the developement process, ecodesign enables the environnemental improvement of the product to be. The combination of user centred design proposition and life cycle thinking allows us to propose a method for use phase integration in ecodesign. This method is built on new models to represent product use that are compatible with ecodesign specificity. Based on the product model, the use phase model, which is connected to the distribution and end-of-life phases, facilitates the attachment of product use to the complete life cycle. Context model aims at possitionning the product use environmental performance according to influencing parameters related to the user and it environment. Environmental assessment is made based on the use scenario, a combination of the three previous models. This assessment enables to adapt the improvements strategies to the specificity of a product use phase. A case study has been perform to illustrate the capability of the new proposal to ecodesign a refrigerator for Brazil and for France.SAVOIE-SCD - Bib.électronique (730659901) / SudocGRENOBLE1/INP-Bib.électronique (384210012) / SudocGRENOBLE2/3-Bib.électronique (384219901) / SudocSudocFranceF