Modelling, assessment and deployment of strategies for ensuring sustainable shielded metal arc welding process - a case study

The welding process is viewed as an environmentally vulnerable due to its energy intensive nature, human hazards and environmental burden. But, the deployment of sustainable manufacturing strategies (SMSs) can improve the sustainability of the welding processes. In this study, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process is considered as a candidate process for which the influence of implementing SMSs on sustainable performance was studied. Using the graph theory approach, interdependence among the Sustainable Manufacturing Measures (SMMs) was modelled to assess the SMSs. Based on the study, two SMSs, namely, employee skill training and involvement program, and waste minimization and disposal strategies were resorted to. The waste minimization and disposal strategy resulted in improved environmental performance and conservation of materials. Based on the findings, manufacturing organizations will be motivated to initiate sustainable manufacturing practices in their processes. This study also appreciates the application of modelling approach in sustainability studies from an economic point of view. Further, the study extends the scope of welding research to sustainable process optimization and redesigning.