Chapter 24
Life Cycle Simulation of Machine Parts
with Part Agents Supporting Their Reuse
Takumi Sugahara, Tsuramichi Tanigawa, and Hiroyuki Hiraoka
Abstract To effectively reuse machine parts for the development of a circulating
society, it is essential to manage each part throughout its life cycle. Therefore, we
propose a part agent that manages the part information and supports the user in reusing
the part. A part agent is a network agent that autonomously acts corresponding to
an individual part, manages information regarding a part from manufacturing to
disposal, and proposes actions such as disposal and reuse to its user at an appropriate
time. This activity promotes part reuse, reduce, and recycle. However, it is difficult
to evaluate the effectiveness of a part agent by implementing it in an actual product
and operating the product throughout its life cycle. Hence, we developed a system to
simulate the behavior of parts and products throughout the entire life cycle with the
part agent installed. There are several means to reuse products and the appropriate
reuse method for the user differs according to the environment and the user’s manner
of thinking. In this study, we conducted a life cycle simulation considering different
reuse methods using the part agents.
Keywords Life cycle simulation · Part agent · Reuse
24.1 Introduction
Presently, much of society is a consumption type that repeats mass production,
consumption, and disposal causing environmental problems such as depletion of
energy resources and high environmental load.
To solve these problems, there is an urgent need to shift society to a circulating
society that effectively utilizes limited resources and energy by promoting efficient
utilization of materials from production to distribution, consumption, and disposal.
The promotion of reuse, reduce, and recycle (3R) is indispensable for the transition
T. Sugahara (B) · T. Tanigawa · H. Hiraoka
Department of Precision Mechanics, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: sugahara@lcps.mech.chuo-u.ac.jp
T. Sugahara
Hiraoka Laboratory, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability I, Sustainable Production, Life Cycle
Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6779-7_24
339
Life Cycle Simulation of Machine Parts
with Part Agents Supporting Their Reuse
Takumi Sugahara, Tsuramichi Tanigawa, and Hiroyuki Hiraoka
Abstract To effectively reuse machine parts for the development of a circulating
society, it is essential to manage each part throughout its life cycle. Therefore, we
propose a part agent that manages the part information and supports the user in reusing
the part. A part agent is a network agent that autonomously acts corresponding to
an individual part, manages information regarding a part from manufacturing to
disposal, and proposes actions such as disposal and reuse to its user at an appropriate
time. This activity promotes part reuse, reduce, and recycle. However, it is difficult
to evaluate the effectiveness of a part agent by implementing it in an actual product
and operating the product throughout its life cycle. Hence, we developed a system to
simulate the behavior of parts and products throughout the entire life cycle with the
part agent installed. There are several means to reuse products and the appropriate
reuse method for the user differs according to the environment and the user’s manner
of thinking. In this study, we conducted a life cycle simulation considering different
reuse methods using the part agents.
Keywords Life cycle simulation · Part agent · Reuse
24.1 Introduction
Presently, much of society is a consumption type that repeats mass production,
consumption, and disposal causing environmental problems such as depletion of
energy resources and high environmental load.
To solve these problems, there is an urgent need to shift society to a circulating
society that effectively utilizes limited resources and energy by promoting efficient
utilization of materials from production to distribution, consumption, and disposal.
The promotion of reuse, reduce, and recycle (3R) is indispensable for the transition
T. Sugahara (B) · T. Tanigawa · H. Hiraoka
Department of Precision Mechanics, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: sugahara@lcps.mech.chuo-u.ac.jp
T. Sugahara
Hiraoka Laboratory, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability I, Sustainable Production, Life Cycle
Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6779-7_24
339