Browsing by Author "Esparragoza I."

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A case study approach to introduce circular economy in sustainable design education
(Institution of Engineering Designers, The Design Society, 2019) Esparragoza I.; Mesa-Cogollo J.; Bohemia E.; Kovacevic A.; Buck L.; Brisco R.; Evans D.; Grierson H.; Ion W.; Whitfield R.I.
Finding sustainable solutions to worldwide problems has become a critical challenge for engineers. The use of natural resources and the generation of materials now degradable should be controlled when sustainable solutions are pursued. As a result, the notion of reusing materials and products for longer periods is gaining momentum in the design for sustainability, and the circular economy is becoming the new paradigm to be implemented for that purpose. In contrast to the traditional linear economy that is based on making, using and disposing of products, the circular economy is focused on remanufacturing, reusing and recycling products and materials to extend their life. However, the circular economy is not formally introduced in the academia, and future engineers are not getting prepared to incorporate it into the design for sustainability. This work aims to propose a pedagogical approach to introduce the concept of circular economy in engineering design. A case study is presented to compare the design of a product based on the linear economy model (manufacture, use, waste) and the redesign of the product using the circular economy model (remanufacture, reuse, recycle). The comparison will be attained using sustainability performance indicators considered from early design stages. The contrast between the original design based on the linear economy and the re-design using the circular economy allows illustrating the benefits of the circular economy model to enhance the sustainability performance of a product. © 2019 Institution of Engineering Designers, The Design Society. All rights reserved.
Modular architecture principles–MAPs: a key factor in the development of sustainable open architecture products
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2019) Mesa J.A.; Esparragoza I.; Maury H.
Modularity is one of the most useful tools employed in the product development process. Regarding functionality, the use of modules is common to generate flexible platforms to manufacture products and product families that require functional variations. In the current globalized market, the mass individualization or personalization is the preferred production model that delivers cost-effectiveness and satisfaction at the level of the market of one. In this model, the modularity is employed as a powerful concept applied not only for the manufacture but also for the use and final disposal stages, in which the design of modules provides functionalities and features that satisfy a variety of specifications for different market segments. Despite the existence of approaches in modularity and its usefulness in product development, it is possible to identify a lack of analysis of modular and open architecture to enhance the sustainability performance of products regarding strategies to diminish adverse impacts during their lifecycle. This paper provides an analysis of the influence and potential of Modular Architecture Principles–MAPs in the sustainable design of open architecture products. Additionally, lifecycle considerations are analysed to identify and propose strategies that enforce the sustainability performance of products concerning personalization from early design stages Abbreviations: MAPs: Modular Architecture Principles; FMS: Flexible Manufacturing System; RMS: Reconfigurable Manufacturing System; EOL: End Of Life; LCA: Life Cycle Assessment; QFD: Quality Function Deployment; DFMA: Design For Manufacturing And Assembly. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Trends and Perspectives of Sustainable Product Design for Open Architecture Products: Facing the Circular Economy Model
(Korean Society for Precision Engineering, 2019) Mesa J.A.; Esparragoza I.; Maury H.
The purpose of this paper is to perform the analysis of literature review regarding the design of open architecture products (OAP) and their potential benefits within the circular economy (CE) model. The analysis involved studying more than 80 research articles during the last two decades in engineering journals. The articles were gathered through a bibliometric analysis using the most relevant keywords concerning product design, sustainability, OAP, and CE. Main trends, challenges and future scopes of research opportunities and development were identified. The study provides a framework to designers and researchers involved in the design of OAP to enhance their sustainability performance for a CE model, which integrates lifecycle considerations (reuse, remanufacturing, repair, and recycle), resource optimization, and emissions reduction. The findings include the need for design methods focused on the design of OAP to guarantee an effective circularity of resources during the whole lifecycle of products and the need of integrating manufacturing processes and material analysis to design products capable of adapting to the CE model. © 2019, Korean Society for Precision Engineering.