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V. K. Soo et al.
by companies and researchers (Luttropp and Lagerstedt 2006) encourages vehicle
designs with efficient resource consumption during the use phase. This has led to
multi-material designs to reduce vehicle mass that contradicts with the guideline
to use fewer joints. Manufacturers often resolve such conflict based on priorities.
For instance, manufacturers are obliged to achieve the vehicle emission standards
and therefore prioritise efforts to improve fuel efficiency. However, from an EoL
perspective, the design for ELV scrap material recycling should be prioritised to
reduce the effort for material separation and to optimise the quality of recycled
material recovered through the shredding process (Shu and Flowers 1999).
To cater for the conflicting design guidelines for recycling, a more effective
approach is required. In this paper, the design framework to assess the material
and joining preferences for vehicle recyclability is presented. The application of
the design approach is demonstrated using the observations from case studies and
literature data based on current recycling practices.
8.3 Method
A framework for mapping design for recycling knowledge from the material and
joining perspectives is proposed. The risk assessment approach is adopted since the
recycling impacts of increasingly complex vehicle designs are dynamic. Risk assessment analysis has been used as a tool to evaluate the uncertainties of interdependent
variables to assist in decision-making in various industries (Fletcher 2005; Zeng
et al. 2007; Theoharidou et al. 2011). This method is highly adaptable and allows
ongoing monitoring of new joining advancements for multi-material combinations,
and changing recycling technologies in the vehicle industry.
In this study, the framework to map the design for recycling approach from a
closed-loop perspective is demonstrated. Empirical observations based on previous
industrial case studies supplemented by literature data are used to interpret the design
for recycling approach. The observations on the joining techniques assisting material
recycling are based on industrial shredder trials in large-scale recycling facilities.
This is crucial to provide insights into the linkage of joints on the efficiencies of
material separation through current recycling practices. Previous work on material
compatibility from the metallurgical perspective is integrated into the design for
recycling approach proposed in this study.
This study highlights the material and joining preferences in vehicle design to
facilitate material recycling without material or quality losses through the commonly
used shredder-based ELV recycling approaches. The assessment matrix used in the
design approach of this study only focuses on the perspective of material recycling
without degradation. Nevertheless, the proposed design framework for recycling
can be implemented for changing requirements or recycling technologies (e.g. nondestructive disassembly recycling process) by reviewing the assessment matrix.
V. K. Soo et al.
by companies and researchers (Luttropp and Lagerstedt 2006) encourages vehicle
designs with efficient resource consumption during the use phase. This has led to
multi-material designs to reduce vehicle mass that contradicts with the guideline
to use fewer joints. Manufacturers often resolve such conflict based on priorities.
For instance, manufacturers are obliged to achieve the vehicle emission standards
and therefore prioritise efforts to improve fuel efficiency. However, from an EoL
perspective, the design for ELV scrap material recycling should be prioritised to
reduce the effort for material separation and to optimise the quality of recycled
material recovered through the shredding process (Shu and Flowers 1999).
To cater for the conflicting design guidelines for recycling, a more effective
approach is required. In this paper, the design framework to assess the material
and joining preferences for vehicle recyclability is presented. The application of
the design approach is demonstrated using the observations from case studies and
literature data based on current recycling practices.
8.3 Method
A framework for mapping design for recycling knowledge from the material and
joining perspectives is proposed. The risk assessment approach is adopted since the
recycling impacts of increasingly complex vehicle designs are dynamic. Risk assessment analysis has been used as a tool to evaluate the uncertainties of interdependent
variables to assist in decision-making in various industries (Fletcher 2005; Zeng
et al. 2007; Theoharidou et al. 2011). This method is highly adaptable and allows
ongoing monitoring of new joining advancements for multi-material combinations,
and changing recycling technologies in the vehicle industry.
In this study, the framework to map the design for recycling approach from a
closed-loop perspective is demonstrated. Empirical observations based on previous
industrial case studies supplemented by literature data are used to interpret the design
for recycling approach. The observations on the joining techniques assisting material
recycling are based on industrial shredder trials in large-scale recycling facilities.
This is crucial to provide insights into the linkage of joints on the efficiencies of
material separation through current recycling practices. Previous work on material
compatibility from the metallurgical perspective is integrated into the design for
recycling approach proposed in this study.
This study highlights the material and joining preferences in vehicle design to
facilitate material recycling without material or quality losses through the commonly
used shredder-based ELV recycling approaches. The assessment matrix used in the
design approach of this study only focuses on the perspective of material recycling
without degradation. Nevertheless, the proposed design framework for recycling
can be implemented for changing requirements or recycling technologies (e.g. nondestructive disassembly recycling process) by reviewing the assessment matrix.