Title: Design development through an integrated approach: a case study of battery-operated passenger cart

Authors: Boppana V. Chowdary, Anton Gittens

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. ' Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract: Research trends in product development involve integrated approaches taking into account the design, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance and recycling aspects. Design for the Environment (DFE) in relation to eco-designs, recycling and remanufacturing is particularly important, and environmental regulations must be considered at all stages of design and manufacturing. This paper presents an integrated approach with an emphasis on recycling and maintenance. It includes the relevant product design tools employed in a case study involving the design of a battery-operated passenger cart. The design of the cart aims to reduce problems associated with carrying passengers| luggage and reducing travel time between terminals. Engineering software tools such as AutoCAD® and SolidWorks® were used for both drafting and analysis. Strength and stability along with other features were analysed for compliance with the product design specifications. Matrix analysis and parametric plot were incorporated to ensure that customers| needs are not sacrificed when applying the integrated approach to the passenger cart.

Keywords: product design; integration; maintenance; recycling; design for environment; DFE; product development; ecodesign; environmental regulations; passenger carts; battery operation; luggage carts; travel time reduction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2008.016377

International Journal of Product Development, 2008 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.188 - 198

Published online: 22 Dec 2007 *

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