1999 / Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings
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Author Yanchun Luo, Ming C. Leu, Zhiming Ji, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Source Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings, 1999, pp 783-792
Abstract A method for assessing the environmental performance of solid freeform fabrication (SFF) based rapid prototyping and rapid tooling processes is presented in this paper. In this method of assessment, each process is divided into a number of life stages. The environmental effect of each process stage is analyzed and evaluated based on an environmental index utilizing the Eco-indicators that were compiled by PreConsultants of the Netherlands. The effects of various life stages are then combined to obtain the environmental performance of a process. In the assessment of SFF processes, we consider the material use in the fabrication of a part, energy consumption, process wastes, and disposal of a part after its normal life. An example is given to illustrate this assessment method applied to the stereolithography (SLA) process and two SLA based rapid tooling processes. Keywords: Solid Freeform Fabrication, Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Tooling, Environmental Performance, Lifecycle Analysis. (Auth abstract) [References: 15]
Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings can be obtained from: The Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium
or contact:
The University of Texas at Austin
Laboratory for Freeform Fabrication / Texas Materials Institute
Mechanical Engineering Dept.
c/o The Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium
MC C2200
Austin, TX 78712-1063 USA
512-471-3026; 512-471-7681 FX; Email: sffsymp@uts.cc.utexas.edu