Standards in Sustainable Engineering and Design  

Doctor of Philosophy Viva Presentation

Alexander V. C. PlantB.Sc.(Hons), M.A, MMC, MIED

Postgraduate Researcher

Supervisors: Prof. David J. HarrisonRev. Dr. Brian J. Griffiths

Design for Sustainability and the Environment

Design for Sustainability and the Environment

BS 8887-1

Manufacture

Assembly

Disassembly

End-of-life Processing

Research Questions

• What types of organizations have acquired BS 8887-1?

• What are their motives?

• Are there examples of BS 8887-1 being used commercially?

• Can BS 8887-1 contribute to profit?

• How and why has BS 8887-1 been integrated into the design process?

• What is the relationship between legislation and standards?

• What has motivated producers to consider ESD?

Research Methods

Quantitative:

• Novel use of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) applied to BS 8887-1 user group

• Use of databases e.g. QA Register (United Kingdom Register of Quality Assessed Companies), FAME (financial analysis) and Companies House

• Comparative analysis using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

• Clustering data from multiple sources

• Graphical representation of results – charts, graphs, maps etc.

• Novel representation of SIC system as a multi-level chart

• Quantitative analysis of qualitative data

Research Methods

Qualitative:

• Literature review

• Semi-structured interviews

• Computerised qualitative data analysis

• Cross-referencing of field data with published sources

BS 8887-1 (2006) Detailed Standard Industrial Classification Analyses of Customer Organizations

Inner ring: Section Middle inner ring: Division Outer ring: Group For a complete list of codes and their descriptions see: www.statistics.gov.uk/methodsquality/sic/downloads/UK_SIC_Vol1(2003).pdf

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18

28.3

18.2

80.4

29.2 Manufacture of Other General Purpose Machinery

28.7 Manufacture of Other Fabricated Metal Products

29.1 Manufacture of Machinery for the Production and Use of Mechanical Power, Except Aircraft, Vehicle and Cycle Engines

28.5 Treatment and Coating Metals, General Mechanical Engineering

31.6 Manufacture of Electrical Equipment not Elsewhere Classified

25.2 Manufacture of Plastic Products

33.1 Manufacture of Medical and Surgical Equipment and Orthopaedic Appliances

34.3 Manufacture of Parts and Accessories for Motor Vehicles and Their Engines

33.2 Manufacture of Instruments and Appliances for Measuring, Checking, Testing, Navigating and Other Purposes, Except Industrial Process Equipment

35.3 Manufacture of Aircraft and Spacecraft

36.6 Miscellaneous Manufacturing not Elsewhere Classified

74.2 Architectural and Engineering Activities and

Related Technical Consultancy

80.2 Secondary Education

74.8 Miscellaneous Business Activities not

Elsewhere Classified

80.3 Higher Education

45.2 Building of Complete Constructions or Parts Thereof; Civil Engineering

73.1 Research and Experimental Development on Natural Sciences and

Engineering

92.5 Library Archives Museums and Other Cultural Activities

Characteristics of organizations that accessed BS 8887-1

• Commercial businesses

• Based in England

• Aged between 21 and 50 years old

• Medium or large enterprises

• Engineering companies that manufacture products and equipment, especially electrical, electronic and mechanical goods

• ISO 9001 certified

Qualitative Research MethodPrepared Questions

Semi-structured Interviews

Transcription

Data Analysis

The thematic arrangement of data allowed efficient comparison of related statements from multiple sources

Interview 3

Interview 2

Interview 1

Code B

Code C

Code A

Quantitative Analysis of the Interview Data

• BS 8887-1 had been read and considered at over

25% of the organizations contacted, and used by at least nine

• Participants were primarily interested in BS 8887-1 for its ESD content, commercial benefit attainable through DfM and meeting legislative requirements

• The major incentives for ESD were customer demand, extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation and individuals with an interest in sustainability

MARKET

SPECIFICATION

CONCEPT DESIGN

DETAIL DESIGN

MANUFACTURE

SALES

ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION COMMONLY REQUIRED OF SUPPLIERS

CONCEPTS DEVELOPED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING DFE

DFD AND DFR MINIMISE REPROCESSING COST TO MANUFACTURER

RELEVANT PRODUCT-SPECIFIC STANDARDS REFERENCED

DFM, DFA, DFD, DFEOL APPLIED

COMPANY PROCEDURES REFERRED TO BS 8887-1

DFD AND DFA REDUCE WARRANTY COSTS AND FACILITATE REPAIR USE

DFE INCREASES PRODUCT DESIRABILITY

CORE PHASESSTANDARDS AND DESIGN FOR ENVIRONMENT

EoL PROCESSING

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DFE

SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERED EARLY IN THE DESIGN PROCESS

STANDARDS REVIEWED FOR COMPLIANCE AND VERIFICATION

DFD AND DFR INCREASE THE VALUE OF EOL PRODUCT

DFE, DFD AND DFR REDUCE PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

DFD AND DFA SUPPORT SERVICING AND PRODUCT LIFE EXTENSION

LEGISLATION AND CUSTOMER DEMAND MOTIVATE DFE IN NPD

DFD FACILITATES SEPARATION OF WEEE FROM RETURNED PRODUCT

EPR SUPPORTED BY BS 8887-1

The Use Of Standards In New Product Development Model

Qualitative Results• EPR legislation stimulated sales of BS 8887-1 especially among electronics equipment producers

• BS 8887-1 is a good fit with best practice and has been used as a reference source to support the complete NPD process

• Used in design education in connection with ESD and ELV

• ESD is motivated by legislation, profit, customer demand and environmentally concerned individuals in positions of influence

• Elements of BS 8887-1 have been used in connection with:

• BS 8888• DfM• DfA• DfD• DfE• VE/VA• APQP• MSS• Documentation• QFD / HoQ (Proposed)

Summary of Contribution to Knowledge

• An analysis of the distribution of BS 8887-1 by industry sector and other quantifiable data

• The identification of factors that have motivated businesses and other organizations to use BS 8887-1

• Industrial examples of the financial benefits of applying design principles from BS 8887-1

• Identification of methods and techniques for incorporating product life cycle planning, and meeting the requirements of BS 8887-1 in NPD

• Development of two new variants of the design process

Research Impact

• New BSI working group formed to consider developing BS 8887 as an ISO standard

• BSI is now developing a DfMADE graphical handbook

• Over 15 presentations, lecturers and conference addresses given

• Quotes from this research were used by BSI’s Head of Marketing to promote BS 8887 during ICoR in Glasgow

• Three journal papers published (all as lead author, one peer reviewed)

• Three peer reviewed journal papers pending (one as lead author)

• Significantly raised the profile and awareness of BS 8887

• Project website www.alexplant.co.uk receives approximately 150 visitors worldwide each month

• ‘Design for Life’ paper used to promote the sale of a company concerned with the development of aircraft components that last longer, and can be disassembled and repaired more easily than the current equivalent in- service version

Conference PapersPlant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J., Griffiths, B. J. and Lam, B. (2009) ‘An Analysis of Organizations that have Purchased BS 8887-1’, Research Student Conference (ReSCon), Brunel University, 22-24 June pp. 160-162.

Plant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J., Griffiths, B. J. and Lam, B. (2009) ‘An Investigation into Standards in Sustainable Design and Manufacture’, Sustainable Innovation: Towards a Low Carbon Innovation Revolution, Farnham Castle, 26-27 October pp.163-168.

Plant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J., Griffiths, B. J. and Lam, B. (2010) ‘Sustainable Design Standards: Industrial Acceptance and Implementation’, Design School Research Student Conference’ (DeSReS), Loughborough University, 21 April.

Plant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J., Griffiths, B. J. and Lam, B. (2010) ‘Economic benefits of Sustainable Design Standards in Industry’, Research Student Conference (ReSCon), Brunel University, 21-23 June pp. 82-83. (Prize Awarded for Oral Presentation).

Plant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J., Griffiths, B. J. and De Coster, R. J. (2010) ‘Design for Manufacture and Sustainability in New Product Development’, 15th Cambridge International Manufacturing Symposium: Innovation in Global Manufacturing – New Models for Sustainable Value Capture, Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, 23-24 September.

De Coster, R. J., Bateman, R. J. and Plant, A. V. C. (2010) ‘Sustainable Development Strategies for Product Provision and Manufacturing Approaches’, 15th Cambridge International Manufacturing Symposium: Innovation in Global Manufacturing – New Models for Sustainable Value Capture, Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, 23-24 September.

Plant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J. and Griffiths, B. J. (2011) ‘Case Studies in the Application of Sustainable Design Standards’, 16th Sustainable Design Network (SDN) Seminar: Sustainable Consumption, Nottingham Trent University, 4 April.

De Coster, R. J., Bateman, R. J. and Plant, A. V. C. (2011) ‘Sustainable Design Strategies for Electronics Products Utilising Life-cycle Assessment (LCA)’, 21st International Conference on Production Research, Stuttgart, Germany, 31 July – 4 August.

Journal PapersPlant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J., Griffiths, B. J. and Lam, B. (2010) ‘Design Standards for Product End-of-Life Processing’, International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 3 (3), pp. 159-169.

Plant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J. and Griffiths, B. J. (2011) ‘Raising the Standard: A Review of Standards and Legislation in Sustainable Product Design’, The Journal of the Institution of Engineering Designers, January/February.

Plant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J., Griffiths, B. J. and De Coster, R. J. (2011) ‘Design for Life (and beyond)’ The Journal of the Institution of Engineering Designers, March/April.

Plant, A. V. C., Harrison, D. J., Griffiths, B. J. and De Coster, R. J (2012) ‘Integrating Life Cycle Design Standards in New product Development’, Proceedings of the IMechE: Part B – Journal of Engineering Manufacture Special Issue on ‘Sustainable Manufacturing and Key Enabling Technologies’ (Pending).

De Coster, R. J., Bateman, R. J. and Plant, A. V. C. (2012) ‘Sustainable Product Development Strategies: Business Planning and Performance Implications’, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B, Journal of Engineering Manufacture (Pending).

De Coster, R. J., Bateman, R. J. and Plant, A. V. C. (2012) ‘Supply Chain Implications of Sustainable Design Strategies for Electronics Products’, International Journal of Advanced Logistics (Pending).