Design for X Tool to Introduce Sustainability in the Design Process

Abstract

In the present market, Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing represent considerable tools to achieve better design and optimize the manufacturing phases. To customize and tailor these tools to the company’s needs, knowledge-based engineering solutions have been developed. The present paper proposes a method to support designers in the optimization of environmental sustainability aspects of their products, through a Knowledge Based Engineering approach. It allows the identification of design criticalities under the environmental issue, and on a life cycle perspective, supporting designers in their activity and favoring the knowledge use and re-use. The approach proposed was applied to develop a prototype version of a tool. It was then applied in a case study of an Italian manufacturer of professional espresso coffee machines to analyze and improve the product recyclability and disassembly level.