A model to assess the sustainability of manufacturing equipment using the example of a reusable frequency converter housing

This model shows how manufacturing equipment can be assessed according to its global warming potential. A model to evaluate, compare and therefore to enable a more sustainable production is shown. With the use of this model automotive production planners can improve the transparency for sustainable solutions. In addition, the example of a reusable frequency converter housing for conveyor technologies is presented. The main focus within the assessment is on raw material, product cycles and their ecologic and economic effects on the assessment results. It is shown that the end of life phase has a great influence on the overall carbon footprint of manufacturing equipment. Furthermore, ecologic and economic saving potentials suggest to establish new business models integrating the exploitation of used equipment.