Front end environmental analysis

The author describes research on methods for influencing the design of products to reduce environmental impacts. The research reported is based on the successful development of front end analysis methods for design of products to reduce support cost and improve system availability. The methods discussed involve use of a concurrent engineering team, supplemented by analytical tools which relate design parameters to environmental impacts of the product over the life cycle. A simplified analysis tool for conducting environmental impact trade studies during initial design is discussed. Examples of experimental applications of the front end environmental process are presented, as well as a walk through of the applications of the process to a simple electronic product