Reprocessability of Discrete Product Parts Based on Geometric Attributes
 
 

Christopher J. Wentland | MS | 1996

ABSTRACT:

The increase in waste throughout the past decades has become an important concern.  The efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle are widespread around the world in many areas.  In an effort to aid in reducing the waste produced by the consumer product market, work has been done to focus on the discrete parts of a product. It is believed that the physical shape of a part has a role in the possible post-use of that part. The investigation of specific parts adds a new complexity to the already elaborate environmental guidelines created for products.
 

In an effort to understand the full meaning of the physical form of a part, several metrics were created to represent the part. These metrics were applied to several part shapes and product parts. This was an attempt to capture the pertinent physical information with a minimal number of indicators. The knowledge of the metrics allowed a more focused effort on the specific environmental guidelines needed to design a part for post- use options. The basis of the demanufacturing processes provided a solid background for investigating part shape.
 

The creation of the Part Environmental Advisory System was one step at aiding the designer in creating environmentally conscious parts. The Reprocessability Index System is a subset evaluation tool under the auspices of the major advisory platform. The work done for this thesis is focused primarily on the Reprocessability Index System. Using these tools and data from specific product parts, suggestions for more environmentally conscious parts were established. These suggestions were only one piece of the overall concern when designing a part. This information along with the other part design strategies will produce a part that will complement the manufacturing / assembly methods and the guidelines for the environment.

If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail jwsuther@mtu.edu.