Design Methodologies and Life Cycle Engineering - Research Projects

Overview

The Design Methodologies and Life Cycle Engineering research group is currently involved in the following international and national research projects:

• McKnow: Methods and Algorithms for Knowledge Management (IWT)
• Development of improved fastening and separation techniques in support of design for disassembly and design for recycling strategies (IWT)
• CHASM: Coping with health, environmental and safety aspects in standards for machinery (Belgian Science Policy)
• Refining and applying the pro-active ecodesign method 'Eco-Pas' (IWT)

• RAVEL: RAil VEhicLe eco-efficient design (EU Brite Euram)
• ECOSYSTEMS: Advanced Machining Systems for Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing (EC-Growth Project)
• RELOOP: Reverse logistics chain optimisation in a multi-user trading environment (EU Esprit)
• Development of a modular eco-design procedure for electro-mechanical products based on the full life cycle (IWT)

McKnow - Methods and Algorithms for Knowledge Management

The main objective of the McKnow project is to develop a test platform for new knowledge management methods and supporting algorithms. A number of quantitative techniques will be explored to investigate their usefulness for linking information and users of the envisaged knowledge management system (KMS). This will lead to the development of well adjusted methods and algorithms for providing a better accessibility of available information. The most important innovative elements in the project proposal are

• the integration of user expertise domains in knowledge management systems,
• the automation of the generation of document and user profiles, and
• the dynamic adjustment of user and document related information based on feedback from the KMS.

For more information, visit the McKnow website or contact Joost Duflou or Joris Vertommen.

Development of improved fastening and separation techniques in support of design for disassembly and design for recycling strategies

The introduction of product life cycle (PLC) control legislation increasingly forces companies to include strategies like DFD and DFR into their design process. These methods emphasise the reuse and reusability of components from discarded products and the resulting requirements during the disassembly stage. This research project aims to facilitate this transition of design paradigms by developing proactive tools that will help production oriented companies face the changing legal and thus economic framework of their markets. This project has two focal aspects. Firstly we plan to develop a set of adjusted design guidelines that will improve the efficiency of the disassembly process. Secondly we will integrate and apply our earlier findings to realise a number of disassembly tools relating to each respective solution proposed in the design guidelines. The final solution is concretised into a working prototype of a disassembly tool.

Period: 01.01.03 - 31.12.06

For more information, contact Joost Duflou or Barbara Willems.

CHASM - Coping with Health, environmental and Safety Aspects in Standards for Machinery

Over the last decade, many EU directives applying to products (e.g. the "new approach" directives based on Article 95 of the EC Treaty) and to the health and safety of workers (e.g. the "social" directives based on Article 138 of the EC Treaty) have come into force. Harmonised European standards are developed, dealing with the technical aspects of almost any product, service or process. Although these standards are not obligatory, they play a crucial role in the design, manufacturing, packaging and end-of-life stages. Consequently, they are presumed to conform to the corresponding essential requirements of the directives.

However, many companies still lack profound knowledge of the current technical regulations. Moreover, research centers and universities provide only little support on how to practically apply the existing regulations. Meanwhile, these research centers and universities are insuficiently involved in the development of new regulations and standards. Consequently, technological and prenormative research at the universities is not always in line with upcoming legislation and standards.

The main objective of the project is to contribute to solving these shortcomings within a well-chosen selection of directives and standardisation activities. To this aim, the project consists of the following tasks:

1. to inform industry by promoting standardisation and technical regulation as a useful economic and social tool that has the potential to play a larger role in protecting the environment and the health and safety of workers. This will be done by organising seminars throughout the whole country in collaboration with National Ministries, the Belgian standardisation institute BIN/IBN, the multisectoral employers federation Agoria, the universities and WTCM/CRIF).
2. to transfer the knowledge and the results of research towards more applicable projects by the means of specialised international seminars and specific projects triggered by the Belgian industry.
3. to participate in the standardisation activities of the Technical Committees of CEN/ISO, CENELEC/IEC related to each workpackage and to participate in the stakeholders meetings of the European Commission, international forums and the National Ministries regarding the future legislation.
4. to create a dialogue between the industrial experts and the universities and WTCM/CRIF so that the research programs will be more focussed on the technological challenges of the new directives and standards.

The project aims to contribute to standardisation in the mechanical and mechatronical field which has an impact on the environment, health and safety. The investments of industry to make the machines more environmentally friendly and safer are very large and contribute to the benefits of the individual and whole society. The project will deal with noise and vibration, Lifecycle environmental aspects, emissions of engines, health and safety aspects of machinery, and electromagnetic compatibility health and safety aspects.

Period:01.01.03 - 31.12.05

Participants:WTCM/CRIF, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Universiteit Gent, Université de Liège

For more information, contact Joost Duflou or Wim Dewulf.

Refining and applying the pro-active ecodesign method 'Eco-Pas'

The Eco-Pas system (Eco-efficiency Parametric Screening) estimates the potential environmental impact of products based on functional requirements, known in hte early phases of design. This contasts with the technical parameters, such as the Bill of Materials, needed ad input for traditional LCA methods. The project aims at refining and applying the Eco-PaS method. This entails:

1. the integration of fuzzy set theory in Eco-PaS;
2. the shift from mere ecological to combined economic/ ecological evaluation;
3. the inclusion of a large library of functions (bearing types, motors, gears, structural components and surface treatment techniques);
4. the development of a web-based prototype; and
5. testing of Eco-PaS in a real life design situation.

Period:01.10.03 - 30.09.05

For more information, contact Joost Duflou or Wim Dewulf.

ECOSYSTEMS - Advanced Machining Systems for Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing

The main objectives of the project is to develop new machine concepts, components, systems equipment and tools aimed at improving environmental impact of flexible machining transfer lines for medium/large-batch production of mechanical components of difficult to cut materials (magnesium, CGI cast iron, overeutectic aluminium). The project will address the following fundamental areas: (1) the design and development of environmentally conscious high speed machining and workpiece transport systems, (2) the development of advanced integrated CAD/CAE, testing and monitoring platform to support environmentally friendly machine tools design, and (3) the optimisation of high speed dry machining processes for components in difficult-to-cut materials. Particular attention is paid to the issues of thermal deformation compensation and passive/active noise reduction.

Period:01.02.01 - 31.01.04

Participants:CRF (I), Danobat (E), Rexroth-Star (D), WZL (D), K.U.Leuven (B), Platit (CH), Kessler (D), Gühring (D), Natan (E)

For more information, contact Joost Duflou or Wim Dewulf.

RAVEL - RAil VEhicLe eco-efficient design

The importance of transportation in the global economy is growing and one unavoidable effect of this is negative environmental impact. An eco-efficient transport system is then a prerequisite for the development towards a sustainable society. The objective of the RAVEL project is to develop a workbench consisting of a set of tools that enables the designer to improve the eco-efficiency of railway vehicles during their entire life cycle by at least 25% (compared to older comparable products). RAVEL will, to achieve this,

• facilitate the improvement of environmental performance by supplying a handbook with design guidelines.
• establish means to perform both a conceptual and a detailed environmental assessment and to compare those to corresponding LCC evaluations, performed according to separate techniques.
• provide an inventory software tool to support the collection of relevant environmental data in a structured manner.
• propose a standard for the set of environmental data and definition of environmental documentation of eco-efficiency of products to the benefit of the operator.

The described workbench as a whole will be integrated in a Knowledge System. The focus will be on the conceptual design and detailed design phase as well as the evaluation of proposals by the operator. Emphasis will also be laid on user friendliness. In general, RAVEL will lead to overall cost reductions on the long term by reducing environmental impact. Resulting from disassembly optimisation, assembly costs will also be reduced and by improvements in refurbishment, the overall useful life will be prolonged. European manufacturers of rail vehicles and their suppliers will gain a competitive advantage by using this workbench.

Period:01.11.98 - 31.10.01

Participants:K.U.Leuven-IB-KT/PMA, Adtranz, ABB corporate research, GEP, SJ, DSB, CPM, Woodville

For more information, contact Joost Duflou or Wim Dewulf.