Genetic algorithm optimization of product design for environmental impact reduction / Julirose Gonzales

The growing environmental awareness of today’s consumers has put the manufacturing companies with the burden of taking responsibility for their own product’s environmental impact. This incited the need to develop product management systems which focus on minimizing a product’s impact across its life cycle. However, a survey conducted on Malaysian design companies suggests that there are no systems available for them to include environmental considerations in their product design processes. This dissertation presents a study on product design optimization which focuses on the inclusion of the potential environmental impact in the design consideration. The aim of this research is to develop a methodology that will aid designers to reduce the potential environmental impact of a product’s design, which does not require them to train additional skills in environmental impact analysis. Analysis of the effect of changing the product design parameters such as its dimensions, and basic features on the environmental impact of machining process in terms of its power consumption, waste produced and the chemicals and other consumables used up during the process is the key method in this research. A novel feature-based product design methodology based on an integrated CAD-LCA approach is developed which analyzes a product design’s environmental impact. Genetic Algorithm is applied to the product design parameters to create a feedback system in order to get the best possible product design solutions with the least environmental impact within the product design functionality limitation. The results using the proposed methodology yields 50 pareto optimal design solutions for every run, allowing the designers the freedom to choose the suitable design. The developed methodology aids designers in providing design solutions that satisfies the customer requirements and at the same time adding value to their work through the suggestion of eco-friendly alternatives

Multi-Objective Optimization For High Recyclability Material Selection Using Genetic Algorithm

Material selection plays an important role in product design. A design demands specific material properties in order to fulfill its functional requirements and to minimize its detrimental impact on the environment. Hence, much effort has been devoted to the recyclability of a product at the end of its life during product design. It is the responsibility of the designers to incorporate recyclability considerations during product design to ensure that a certain level of recyclability is attained at the end of a product’s life as imposed by legislation. The complex relationships between different selection parameters complicate the material selection process. Designers are faced with the challenge of selecting suitable materials that could satisfy cost and functional and environmental performance. Therefore, solving material selection in respect of satisfying product recyclability is an area worthy of investigation. This paper attempts to propose an approach that could facilitate designers to select recyclable materials as well as reducing the complexities in decision making. In this paper, the use of a genetic algorithm is proposed to optimize the multi-objective problem in the selection of recyclable materials. A case study on the automobile’s side mirror is used to demonstrate this approach

Product Recovery Oriented Approach For Fastener Selection During Conceptual Design

Product recovery and life extension are critical activities in the cradle to cradle life cycle philosophy. These activities are very much dependent on the product's ability to be effectively disassembled into its component or even material constituents. Among the elemental task of disassembly is fastener removal. Thus, when considering the design for disassembly (DfD), many fastener associated factors need to be considered but very few DfD method effectively supports fastener selection especially in the early stage of design. The process of selecting a fastener for its functional requirement is already complex. Additionally, the requirements for disassemblability further complicate the process. This paper proposes the development of a multi criteria decision making model to assist designers in selecting fasteners for DfD. PROMETHEE method was used developing the decision making model for selecting fastener that considers both functionality and disassemblability. A design case study is described to reflect the usefulness of the fastener selection model

A framework of integrated recyclability tools for automobile design

Automobiles are major transportation choice for society around the world. Automotive industries in many countries mostly are one of the drivers of economic growth, job creation and technology advancement. Although automotive industry gives promising return, problem of managing disposal at the end of automotive’s life is quite challenging. Automobile is a very complex product that comprise of thousand components made from various materials that need to be separately treated. In addition, short supply of natural resources has provided opportunities to either reuse, remanufacture or recycle automotive’s components. End of Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive launched by European Union mandated that recyclability rate of automobile must reach 85% by 2015. The aim of this legislation is to minimize the impact of end of life vehicle, contributing to prevention, preservation and improvement of environment quality and energy conservation. Vehicle manufacturers and suppliers requested to include these aspects at earlier stages of the development of new vehicles, in order to facilitate the treatment of vehicles at the time when they reach the end of their life. Therefore, the automobile industry has to establish its voluntary action plan for ELVs, and has numerical target to improve ELV recycling rate, reduce automotive shredder residue (ASR) landfill volume, and reduce lead content. Many innovative approaches in improving recyclability have been implemented, but still called out for more intelligent solutions which integrate recyclability evaluation in product development stage. This paper attempts to review some of current innovative approach that used to improve recyclability and introduce a framework for integrated recyclability tool to improve product recyclability throughout its development phase

The Automated lateral turning bed

This thesis aims to integrate electronic, mechanical, and programming knowledge into a helpful and creative innovation. The Automated Lateral Turning Bed is designed to help Philippine hospitals who are willing to purchase this kind of bed but are incapable due to budget constraints. Most of the Philippine hospitals are also not capable of purchasing lateral turning beds abroad because of their high costs. This is the problem that this thesis wants to address. The Automated Lateral Turning Bed is designed with a mechanism that can tilt the patient periodically to allow sufficient blood flow in the body. The movement of the mechanism can be controlled and programmed through a control panel attached to it. The user can input various angles and time intervals depending on the needs of the patients. With this programmable feature, the tilting of the patient can be done automatically and periodically. The user can also tilt the patient using the manual mode. The experiment performed showed that the Automated Lateral Turning Bed could tilt the patients in precise and accurate angles and time intervals. There were also features added to the system such as additional angles, time intervals, the manual mode, and the use of convoluted foam. With this innovation, the immobilized patient will less chances of having bed sore complication through preventive measures