Objectives and competences
Objectives:
• to provide knowledge and information on modern mechanical design approaches, with an emphasis on understanding and evaluating environmental impacts;
• to identify modern engineering materials and technologies and provide general guidelines for their selection in environmental design;
• to combine previously acquired knowledge with the requirements of sustainable development.
Student competences:
• have demonstrable knowledge and insight in the field of environmentally sound product design;
• are able to make an assessment of the ecological profile of a product;
• they are aware of their social, societal and ethical responsibilities when designing products;
• they are able to apply knowledge and solve problems related to the field of design for the environment.
Content (Syllabus outline)
The main areas of the course are:
• Basic concepts in product design and sustainable development;
• Determination of the environmental aspects and impacts of a product (eco-indicators, MECO matrix);
• Product life cycle analysis (general principles, LCA elements, carbon and environmental footprint assessments);
• Eco-design strategies;
• Product improvement;
• Evaluation of the final eco-designed product;
• Communication with the environment (eco-labels, declarations, etc.).
The seminar complements the lectures with practical design problem solving.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
• mechanical design of environmentally friendly components;
• use of modern technical tools that allow environmental impact (life cycle assessment) to be considered at the product design stage;
• ability to critically analyse, evaluate and improve own and existing products in terms of their environmental impact;
• improving teamwork skills.
Readings
• S. Pehan, S. Glodež, J. Kramberger, Osnove konstruiranja, univerzitetni učenik, UM FS, 2020.
• S. Pehan, S. Glodež, Sistemsko projektiranje in konstruiranje, univerzitetni učenik, UM FS, 2018.
• D. Krajnc, Eko-dizajn, Okoljsko načrtovanje, razvoj in analiziranje proizvodov in procesov, ECO-HUB, FKKT, 2014.
• W. Wimmer, R. Züst, K.M. Lee, Ecodesign Implementation, A Systematic Guidance on Integrating Environmental Considerations into Product Development, Springer 2004.
• B. Aberšek, A.Flogie, Human Awareness, Energy and Environmental Attitudes, Springer 2022.
• M. F. Ashby, Materials Selection in Mechanical Design, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2016.
• Ansys GRANTA EduPack software, ANSYS, Inc., 2021 (www.ansys.com/materials).
