Abstract
A product family refers to a set of similar products that are derived from a common platform and yet possess specific features/functions to meet particular customer requirements. Many companies are utilising product families to satisfy various customer needs with lower costs. Although many past studies have worked on eco-design methods for a single product, research on an eco-design for a product family is still to be explored. Products in a family are linked by commonality, and modification of one product will affect the performance of others. Eco-design methods for a single product therefore cannot be employed to design a product family. In this paper, a systematic method to develop an eco-product family is proposed to improve the reusability and recyclability of waste products. The main research idea is to integrate eco-design with product family design by modularity. The effect of commonality on product eco-performance will be analysed originally. The environmental performance of a product family is modelled in terms of modularity, considering the reusability and recyclability of waste products. Environmental performance is optimised by a new algorithm with design constraints. A case study of developing a green refrigerator family indicates that the reusability and recyclability can be improved by using our design method.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
