Introduction
There are many reasons to analyze an existing product. You might be a competitor interested in improving another’s existing product. You might want to learn the pros and cons of an existing product to better position yourself for success as an entrepreneur with a new product. Perhaps you want to find ways in which to improve your own existing product, for example, by examining products that use alternate raw materials that may perform better or be less expensive that the raw materials currently used in production. Assessing a product may also provide insight into alterations to a product that could lead to its use for a new purpose or by a different classification of consumer. Assessment of existing products could also help you identify more environmentally or socially responsible production methods or discover a more efficient manufacturing process.
In this project you will analyze an existing product in order to determine important details about its development and lifecycle and communicate this information using a poster as a visual aid.
Equipment
• Product Life Cycle document
• Product Life Cycle Flow Diagram template
Procedure
Analyze an existing product. As you perform the analysis, identify important details about its development and lifecycle.
1. Choose a product to research that is of interest to you. Ask your instructor to approve the choice. It is important not to pick a type of product, but rather a very specific product or model. If you would like to assess a laptop, choose a specific brand and model. While some information is generic to a broad category of product, you should be as specific as possible and acquire information that is specific to a particular product. It is best to pick something very unique that does not yet have a lot of competition. Make sure that a great deal of information is available regarding your specific choice.
Significant Events
2. Identify the most important of each of the following to highlight on your poster.
• Inventions and innovations that affected the design and development of the product.
• Important developments that have impacted the design, usability, market status, market share and sales, or another aspect of the product. These developments can include scientific breakthroughs; market shifts; emergence or disappearance of competing products; political, social, or economic events; etc.
Life Cycle Assessment
3. Review the product life cycle document. Identify the most important details for your product within each step and complete a Life Cycle Flow Diagram for each of the five major stages of the product life cycle (Premanufacture, Manufacture, Product Delivery, Use, and End of Life/Disposal). Consider the following questions while assessing each stage of the life cycle of your chosen product.
http://greendesignetc.net/GreenProducts_10/GreenProducts_Sukholthaman_Nunu_Paper.pdf
a. What raw materials or components are used in this stage of the product life cycle?
glass, different metals.
b. Where are the raw materials/components obtained? How are they obtained?
c. What is the final form of the product at this stage?
multiple led lights with a glass cover.
d. What type(s) of fuels/energy are used at this stage of the life cycle?
Gasoline or electricity depending on the machinery.
e. What wastes result from the use of fuels/energy at this stage?
emissions from the machinery
f. Are any chemical/solvents, biological agents, or toxins/carcinogens used during this stage?
No.
g. Does waste result from the process(es) during this stage? Are the wastes hazardous? Are the wastes solid, gaseous, or liquid?
There are emissions from the equipment produceing the parts. Gaseous.
h. What happens to the waste? Is the waste reused? If not, can it somehow be reused?
It goes into the air. No. Can be reduced but not reused.
i. How is the raw material/components/product transported during this stage?
By trucks or trains.
j. How far are the raw materials/components/products of this stage transported?
different companies are located in different places so it varies on the company.
k. Can more environmentally friendly forms of transportation be used?
More fuel efficient trucks could be more environmentally friendly.
While completing the Life Cycle Flow Diagram for the End of Life/Disposal stage of your product, consider the following additional questions.
l. Is the product durable? What is the typical lifespan of the product?
Yes this product is durable. The typical lifespan is 13-14 years running the light 8 hours per day.
m. Can the lifespan be extended? Would extending the lifespan reduce the negative impact on the environment?
If you use the light bulb less it would greatly extend the lifespan. If the use is reduced from 8 hours to 5 hours the lifespan increases from 13-14 years to approximently 22 years. Yes, there would be less of a chance for the bulb to end up in a landfill.
n. What disposal method is used for the product?
This led light bulb can be disposed just like a normal incandescent light bulb.
o. Can the product be reused or recycled?
Yes this product can be recycled. Over 95% of the light bulb is recyclable.
p. Does the manufacturer collect used product?
No.
