An innovative eco-design approach based on integration of LCA, CAD∖CAE and optimization tools, and its implementation perspectives

This study aims to develop an innovative eco-design approach by integrating modules of LCA, CAD∖CAE and optimization to effectively include environmental considerations in product design. A life cycle modeling approach based on feature mapping scheme between product, operation and inventory has been employed to address the discrepancy in the principles of the utilized methodological approaches of LCA and CAD/CAE and enable data transformation between CAD/CAE and LCA models. In addition, by the feature-based life cycle modeling, product and process design parameters are then correlated to environmental impact proxy with explicit relationships, allowing designers to keep track of and optimize design changes that taking effect on both environmental and functional performance. Then, an integrated eco-design model consisted of a CAD-based geometric modeling module, a CAE-based functional performance analysis module, a feature-LCA-based eco-assessment module, and an eco-optimization module has been developed by Isight to realize automated procedures of low-environmental impact design. The proposed eco-design approach is expected to contribute to development of tools for efficient and practicable LCA during design and computer-aided eco-optimization with a complete view of the product life cycle.