Product Life Cycle(s)

Module Objective Having read this, you should know the following: Basic product life-cycle stages Different terminology used by different organizations and stakeholders Be able to draw a product life-cycle diagram

Our Linear Production System Materials Extracted from Biosphere Material Processing Product Manufacture Distribution Disposal Use Materials Mined from Lithosphere Resources are mined, wastes are generated, products are disposed a a a

Cyclical Production System Engineering decisions in design and manufacturing can have profound implications throughout the entire product life cycle, from raw materials production, through the use phase of the product and into it’s end of life treatment.

Stages of the Product Life Cycle (Office of Technology Assessment) Environmental impacts occur at all stages of a product’s life cycle. Design can be employed to reduce these impacts by changing the amount and type of materials used in the product, by creating more efficient manufacturing operations, by reducing the energy and materials consumed during use, and by recovery of energy and materials during waste management. (OTA)

A Product’s Life Cycle – From Cradle to Re-Incarnation The term “demanufacture” is used to characterize the process opposite to manufacturing involved in recycling materials and products.

Automobile Life-Cycle Many modern products like automobiles are assembled by OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) from components manufactured by numerous suppliers, creating a complicated network of interactions.

Examples of undesired releases and consumptions The above names for life cycle stages are often used in Defense related industries and products.

Generic High Level Life-Cycle Activities For a mechanical product. (Source: EPA)

Some Aspects of an Environmentally Benign Product The terms “material” and “product” recycling are used in Germany and the German engineering standard VDI 2243 – “Designing Technical Products for Ease of Recycling”