Integration of environment into product design and manufacturing: theory and implementation

The design of environmentally conscious manufacturing (ECM) systems requires quantitative tools to study the impact of the alternative technologies, schedulers, materials and designs used. Such a computer-based tool was developed at the authors´ university. This is based on process network theory, also developed at the authors´ university. It provides a systematic framework by mapping the physical part of the manufacturing system as a network of transformation, transport and recycling processes. This paper reviews the theory and discusses its computer implementation. To facilitate the user community (managers and designers of different backgrounds), this tool was developed with an easy-to-use graphical interface under the Linux operating system. A Java version has also been implemented for universal availability on the Internet