Comparison of two LCA Methodologies in the Machine-Tools Environmental Performance Improvement Process

This paper presents the results of a comparison between a simplified LCA analysis and a detailed LCA carried out under a Ecodesign project of a machine-tool, a commercial CNC press-brake. The aim was to assess to what degree, the most detailed information resulting from a detailed LCA, allows decisions qualitatively superior in terms of environmental efficiency of the equipment to redesign. This work was also intended to initiate a process of establishing guidelines to support these studies, particularly in the case of its application to complex mechanical and electromechanical systems such as machine-tools.

[1]  Gabriela Benveniste,et al.  Simplified tools for global warming potential evaluation: when ‘good enough’ is best , 2010 .

[2]  Fernando Gomes de Almeida,et al.  Improving the environmental performance of machine-tools: influence of technology and throughput on the electrical energy consumption of a press-brake , 2011 .

[3]  Seppo Junnila,et al.  Life cycle management of energy-consuming products in companies using IO-LCA , 2008 .

[4]  Tak Hur,et al.  Simplified LCA and matrix methods in identifying the environmental aspects of a product system. , 2005, Journal of environmental management.

[5]  Walter Klöpffer,et al.  Life cycle assessment , 1997, Environmental science and pollution research international.

[6]  Wim Deprez,et al.  Energy Related Life Cycle Impact and Cost Reduction Opportunities in Machine Design: The Laser Cutting Case , 2007 .

[7]  Göran Finnveden,et al.  Evaluation of two simplified Life Cycle assessment methods , 2003 .

[8]  R. Heijungs,et al.  Life cycle assessment An operational guide to the ISO standards , 2001 .

[9]  M. Goedkoop,et al.  The Eco-indicator 99, A damage oriented method for Life Cycle Impact Assessment , 1999 .

[10]  Mary Ann Curran,et al.  Report from the EPA conference on streamlining LCA , 1996 .

[11]  Wim Dewulf,et al.  Estimating the environmental impacts of similar products , 2004 .

[12]  Wulf-Peter Schmidt,et al.  Iterative screening LCA in an eco-design tool , 1997 .

[13]  Anna Lewandowska,et al.  ISO 14062 in theory and practice—ecodesign procedure. Part 1: structure and theory , 2010 .