What is a Product Life Cycle?
Product Life Cycle
Design
MaterialsAcquisition
MaterialsProcessing
Manufacturing
Packaging
Distribution
Use
Reuse,Recycle,Disposal
Design• Engineers,
designers, and manufacturers research, model, and test a product before mass producing.
• Products that are designed to be reused instead of thrown away prevent waste.
Designing a CD:Engineers use the design process
9Communicate Results
Design Design ProcessProcess
2Brainstorm
3
4
Research
Develop Ideas6
7Model or Prototype
Test and Evaluate
8Improve Design
1Define the Problem
5Choose Best Idea
Materials Acquisition
• All products are made from various raw materials.
• Virgin materials require larger amounts of energy and deplete our natural resources.
• Recycled or recovered materials reduce pollution, energy use, and the raw materials needed from the earth.
Materials in a CD:AluminumPolycarbonateLacquerGoldDyesOthers, including water,
glass, silver, nickel
Materials Processing
Processing for a CD:Mined materials must be
processed– Bauxite ore turned into
aluminum– Crude oil combined with
natural gas and chemicals to make plastic
• Materials extracted from the earth must be converted into a form that is useful for making products.
• For example, wood is made into paper after several different manufacturing processes.
Manufacturing
• Products are made in factories that use a lot of energy.
• Manufacturing creates waste and contributes to the production of greenhouse gases.
Manufacturing a CD:• Injection molding• Metallizer – reflective layer of
metal• Lacquer – protective coating• Screen printed
Packaging
• Product packaging undergoes separate manufacturing processes that use energy and consume natural resources.
CD Packaging• Jewel cases • Cardboard boxes• Shrink-wrapping
Distribution• Manufactured products
are transported to the location where they are sold.
• Materials and parts used to make products are transported at earlier stages in the life cycle.
• All transporting uses energy and creates greenhouse gases.
CD Distribution:Sent to distribution center by• Plane• Truck• TrainAll use fossil fuels for energy.
Use• The way products are
used impacts our environment.
• Reusable, durable, and recyclable products conserve natural resources, use less energy, and create less waste.
Using a CD• If properly stored and handled,
CDs can last for decades.• Take care of discs by keeping
them out of sunlight and away from heat and water.
Reuse/Recycle or Disposal
• Recycling or remanufacturing products into new commodities saves energy and reduces the raw materials used in the manufacturing process.
• Throwing products in the trash ends their useful life.
Reuse a CD:Share with a friend
Recycle a CD:Recycling companies make CDs into:• Automotive industry parts• Raw materials to make plastics• Office equipment• Jewel cases
Product Life Cycle
Life Cycle of a CD
Design
MaterialsAcquisition
MaterialsProcessing
Manufacturing
Packaging
Distribution
Use
Reuse,Recycle,Disposal
Paper Life Cycle
http://www.pneb.com.au/recycling.html
Materials Acquisition
Materials Processing
Manufacturing
Packaging, Distribution,
UseRecycle
Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip art. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
Publishers National Environment Bureau. (2004) Newspaper and magazine recycling. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from http://www.pneb.com.au/recycling.html
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