Identifying Carbon Footprint Reduction Opportunities through Energy Measurements in Sheet Metal Part Manufacturing

This paper measures the energy consumption in sheet metal part manufacturing to identify the opportunities to reduce carbon footprint. The scope of work focuses on the gate-to-gate sheet metal manufacturing processes, covering tool making, stamping, secondary processes and plant facilities. The case study results show that focus should not only be directed to the stamping process but extend to include secondary processes. In this case, approximately 66% of carbon footprint of the sheet metal parts is contributed by the oven curing process. Recommendations to lower energy consumption are also proposed to further reduce the carbon footprint of sheet metal part.