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Description:
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Extensible product life cycle (EPLC ) strategy is proposed and studied in this dissertation . This could provide an answer to the problem of electronic waste (E -Waste ) and help to lower product costs and improve environmental performance . The EPLC strategy is to reincarnate a product at component level through component sharing , thus formulating a product chain that extends and continues the life of an otherwise "obsolete" product in different industrial applications . Implementation of this strategy requires the manufacturers to schedule a product's extended life cycle early in the design phase , and optimize the design parameters considering the requirements of the manufacturers who will share the component in its extended life span .
The research studied decision tasks and decision models of these tasks required by EPLC strategy . Multi -attribute utility analysis (MAUA ) method is used in this research , since the decision problems generally have multiple attributes and are subject to uncertainty . Product design as well as other activities in manufacturing , reverse manufacturing and reverse logistics are modeled by MAUA method . An embedded life cycle assessment (LC A ) approach is also developed in order to integrate environment concerns into the decision processes .
To solve these interrelated and distributed decision problems in EPLC strategy , a distributed negotiation based decision framework is developed to locate the Pareto optimal set of the decision problem . This research focuses on the cooperative negotiation process with imperfect information among participating manufacturers associated with the extended life cycle , since it is the only way to obtain the optimal solution for the decision problems . The research provides a robust negotiation algorithm guided by a fuzzy inference engine . Decision noise in the negotiation process is also considered and modeled by mapping the decision process to a nonlinear dynamic system . A Dual Kalman filter is then used to filter the decision noise , improve the negotiation quality , and elicit preference structure of the decision agents . Examples of the decision framework are presented in the research to validate the developed system . Sensitivity analysis of the negotiation algorithm is also provided .
In order to test the decision framework for EPLC , a case study of modular design of a PCB module used in a personal computer is discussed . Conclusions and directions for further research in EPLC are presented at the end of the dissertation .
This research proposed a unique and innovative business model that addresses the problems in sustainable development and environmental hazards that challenge many of today's industries . It will provide a test bed for brainstorming in research in product design , manufacturing , and other industrial activities . It can also influence business infrastructures by providing directions in supply chain management , product design , and manufacturing . Successful implementation of the EPLC strategy will help industry deliver a more cost -saving and environmentally benign products and services to the market . |