Humanizing sustainable manufacturing systems

A NEW approach toward “sustainable manufacturing” incorporates human social concerns to encompass the totality of manufacturing issues. It build on previous approaches that considered various facets of sustainability in a more individual manner rather than considering other issues – including economic, environmental, and social impacts.

This approach begins on the factory floor rather working backwards from a finished product. Past methods often worked backward from a finished product and rarely incorporated the complexity of human social concerns.

The findings by Oregon State University (OSU) engineers have been published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, and reflect part of society’s growing demands for manufacturing systems that protect both people and the environment, while still allowing companies to be economically viable and make a profit on their products.

“People around the world – and many government policies – are now demanding higher standards for corporate social responsibility,” said Karl Haapala, an OSU assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering.

In the early days, Professor Haapala said, industry dealt with “end-of-pipe” challenges to reduce pollution or increase efficiency. “There’s still a place for that, but we’re trying to solve the problem at the source, to begin the process right at the drawing board or on the shop floor,” he said.

The OSU approach attempts to build sustainability is built into the entire manufacturing process by considering a whole range of issues every step of the way.

OSU researchers are further developing sustainable manufacturing approaches in collaboration with Sheldon Manufacturing, which designs and manufactures laboratory equipment (Photo courtesy of Sheldon Manufacturing, Inc., Cornelius, Oregon, USA)

Workplace approach

The researchers demonstrated the approach with the production of stainless steel knives, but the general concepts could be used for virtually any system or product, they said.

Every decision considers manufacturing techniques, speed of the operations, environmental impacts, materials, energy used and wastes. Decisions can be based on compliance with laws and regulations, and the effects of different approaches on worker safety and satisfaction.

“This is one of the few approaches to systematically consider the social aspects of the workplace environment, so that people are happy, productive, safe, and can contribute to their families and communities,” said Hao Zhang, a doctoral student in the College of Engineering and graduate research assistant on the study.

“Suppose we make changes that speed up the output of a manufacturing line,” Mr Zhang said. “In theory that might produce more product, but what are the impacts on tool wear, increased down time or worker satisfaction with the job? What about risk of worker injury and the costs associated with that? Every change you make might affect many other issues, but too often those issues arMiesten keng?t laajasta valikoimasta