ENGT5220 - Low Impact Manufacturing: Circular Economy & Sustainability

This report provides an analysis of low impact manufacturing, focusing on the application of the circular economy to enhance sustainability. It examines the components used in products, particularly electric bikes, and assesses their suitability for a circular economy model, emphasizing resource utilization and waste reduction. The report discusses the economic and environmental effects of electric bike manufacturing, advocating for eco-friendly materials and techniques. It also analyzes the future suitability of industrial systems in terms of the product lifecycle, highlighting the importance of safety and employee training. Furthermore, the report explores short-term and long-term steps companies can take to achieve a sustainable system, emphasizing electricity management and hazard prevention in the food industry. The analysis integrates the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, and considers the impact of manufacturing processes on climate change, advocating for innovative techniques to minimize resource consumption and promote sustainable development.

LOW IMPACT MANUFACTURING
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Executive Summary
The manufacturing process is required to access the needs and demands of the consumers to
make sure maximum benefits can be gathered in assessing the needs and demands of people. In
order to reduce the impact of manufacturing, the broad concept of circular economy has been
described so that production and effectiveness can be increased positively. Workers are
vulnerable to hazards in operating heavy intricate machines, power tools, exposure to heat, and
outdated working environment. Wet, continuous, and fast-paced operations at food industries
lead to the chances of fatal accidents. Loose electrical connections, combustible waste around
electrical circuits and equipment increase the chances of accidents
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
1. Examination of different components used in products along with its suitability for the circular
economy...........................................................................................................................................4
2. Analysis of future suitability industrial system in terms of stages in the life cycle....................8
3. Discussion on shorts term and long term steps that the company needs to take for the
sustainable system...........................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
Reference List................................................................................................................................13
Appendices....................................................................................................................................14
Appendix 1: Cash flow statement..............................................................................................14
Appendix 2: Production cycle....................................................................................................15
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Introduction
Low impact manufacturing refers to utilization of available resources in a proper manner to
reduce the waste and hidden costs for sustainable development. The purpose of this report is to
implement an effective manufacturing approach to reduce energy costs and waste disposal
positively. The report sheds light on future sustainable industrial system and different
components used in product so that traditional approach to manufacturing can be changed for
sustainable development. Apart from this, legitimate policies and producers have been critically
examined to drives the business into progressive development.
1. Examination of different components used in products along with its suitability for the circular
economy
Circular economy has a leading role in utilizing limited resources and tools to produce
maximum products without changes the manufacturing costs. This approach facilitates in
reducing hidden manufacturing costs and adverse effect on environment that eventually increase
the economic growth of an industry. Different components used in products have been examined
by implementing principle of circular economy that is decoupling economic growth from
resource consumption. On the contrary, there are ranges of components are used in electrical
bikes so that manufacturing cost can be minimized as far as possible.
Structural Parts
Chassis Wheels Suspension Seat Assembly
This is the outer
portion of bike that
help in giving shape
and frame of electric
bike that eventually
help in reducing the
cost of electrical bike.
It is made up of
aluminum alloy,
which is lighter in
The wheels are main
components of
vehicles that
eventually strengthen
its mobility. The
spokes on the wheels
is comparatively
stronger than the thin
spokes on a traditional
bicycle.
Suspension helps in
giving confortable
ride to people, which
is a key element of
bike. It facilitates in
enhancing the
efficiency and
reliability of electrical
bike positively.
The seat of electrical
vehicles get assemble
in a systematic way to
assure that respective
passengers get
comfortable ride.
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weight and cost
effective.
Electrical parts
Motors Switches Wires Circuit Board Batteries
In the theoretical
electric bike we
considered up
above, we had the
dynamo/motor
driving the back
wheel directly,
simply by
pressing on the
tire. Most electric
bikes work a
different way.
They have
compact electric
motors built into
the hub of the
back or front
wheel (or
mounted in the
center of the bike
and connected to
the pedal
sprocket). Take a
look at the hub of
an electric bike
and probably
Switches are
important parts of
vehicles that
facilitates in
connect two
power nodes so
that maximum
possible can be
gathered in
significant way.
The
manufactured
components are
validating
properly to avoid
risk of failure
that eventually
reduces the risk
of failure
positively.
All electrical
safety measures
are checked two
to three times in
ensuring the
quality of the
every electrical
component.
Batteries are
manufactured
with the help of
lithium
material, which
store electricity
comparatively
larger than
other.
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you'll see it's
much fatter and
bulkier than on a
normal bike.
Miscellaneous
Tyres Transmission
Synthetic rubber has been used to prepare
Tire and numbers of materials have been used
to prepare these materials such as chemicals,
produce and carbon black. This materials
create a negative impact on environment that
eventually reduce sustainability.
Transmission is considered as one of the vital
components of electric bike that facilitates in
connecting two devices for better
accessibility. In order to prepare this
component electric safety has been
maintained vigilantly.
Effects on the economy & environment
Electric bike is one of the effective and reliable approaches towards sustainable and reliable
environment that eventually reduce the adverse effect on the environment. On the contrary, it
creates some negative impact on the environment due to disposing of batteries, which increase
the vulnerability of manufacturing. It stated that new approaches or technologies are required to
implement so that industries and environment will be benefitted positively. The components of
electric bikes need to manufacture through proper techniques and ecofriendly raw materials so
that adverse effect on environment can be minimized positively.
We may think you're using clean green power, but the electricity you use for getting about might
have come from a filthy old, coal-fired power plant or one driven by nuclear energy. Electric
bikes are considering an environmentally friendly initiative towards push bikes that create
problems for the people in assessing the needs and sustainability of the organization. Electric
bikes are drives environment towards the right direction by implementing new techniques and
tools for maximum possible result. Global warming might be fewer problems to the environment
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if everyone used them to get about instead of cars that eventually clean the environment and
society in a systematic way.
Application of circular Economy
All components of electrical bike are interconnected which is also a part of life cycle
methods that stated that material and techniques to manufacture this material is essential. This
approach facilitates in improving the life cycle of each component. On the contrary, there are
several issues and challenges in finding the right raw material and tool to form the right
products that gradually reduce the effectiveness of manufacture components. Reduce, reuse, and
recycle of materials are three principles that have been implemented in the manufacturing
process to assure that maximum possible result can be gathered effectively. This approach will
help in reducing the adverse effect on environment by encouraging eco-friendly materials
positively in addition, utilization of available resources is important to minimize the risk of
failure. Just in Time (JIT) manufacturing process plays a significant role in assessing the needs
and demands of the consumers, which reduce the consumption of resources in a manufacturing
process.
The main principle of life cycle approach is to minimize the adverse effect on
environment due to manufacturing process to gain maximum possible result. In an international
level, there are several factors that influence the effectiveness and reliability of the resources
such as climate change and manufacturing process. On the other hand, it is essential to
implement new and innovative techniques in manufacturing process to reduce the consumption
of unnecessary resources and capital positively. Therefore, it can be stated that new techniques
and tools are necessary to enhance the production of different electrical components.
The circular economy is based on sustainable use of resources. In a circular economy,
the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible; waste and resource
uses are minimized, and resources are kept within the economy when a product has reached the
end of its life, to be used again and again to create further value. Reduce, reuse, and recycle of
materials are three principles that have been implemented in the manufacturing process to
assure that maximum possible result can be gathered effectively. The negative consequences of
manufacturing process of electric bikes can be minimized through applying constructive
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approach that facilitates in reducing the consumption of large amount of capital in a significant
way. Therefore, it can be stated manufacturing process needs to improve positively for effective
result.
Take-make-dispose production model has been used in Traditional economic systems,
which is based on low manufacturing production. Products and production are based only on the
initial use of the product and recycling is segregated from production. For the circular economy,
there is a large difference between the use of materials and its consumption. The Circular
economy stated that an available resource is required to implement in an effective and
reasonable way for better and sustainable way. Utilization of resources is an important aspect of
manufacturing to improve the productivity of manufacturing process. Wastage of material needs
so that effectiveness and feasibility of project can be enhanced in a systematic way.
2. Analysis of future suitability industrial system in terms of stages in the life cycle
This research plays an important role in minimizing risk of accidents and electrical hazard
places through proper research. One of the major advantages of this research is enhancing safety
of employees by tackle electrical hazardous places so that maximum possible changes are
required. On another hand, company can easily able to implement most effective policies and
regulation for the effective and sustainability of the product. This approach drives associate
employee towards right direction so that maximum benefit can be extracted positively. A proper
training needs to be provided to all the associate employees so that they can accomplish the task
with proper techniques and system. On the contrary, workplace ethic helps company in
encouraging employees to improve the sustainability and flexibility of the project. Bluebird Food
Company can able to integrate different business operations that help in assessing the needs and
reliability of the project vigilantly. This approach enables company in monitoring all kinds of
activities within organization that eventually reduce potential risks. The working culture within
the organization gets automatic changed through these approach and National Electric Code that
support company in achieving sustainable development. Therefore, it can be stated that this
researches required in conducting for sustainable development
3. Discussion on shorts term and long term steps that the company needs to take for the
sustainable system
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Electricity plays an important role in mankind and the development of a nation. It is used to
drive power to various sectors in the industry. Whether for running machinery, cooling, heating,
or lighting electricity s plays a vital role in the food manufacturing industry. The overview of this
study is to understand the limitations of this power source and discuss the potential strategies
which could be followed to prevent hazards related to electrical energy in the food industry. The
intention of this study is to reveal more fundamental roles in categorizing hazards and solutions
in project sites.
Electricity has become a basic necessity for mankind. Despite being so important in our day
to day life, electricity is known to be a “silent killer”. It is a powerful and versatile component
that cannot be smelt, seen, or touched but dangerously destroys properties if not handled safely.
Hazard can be defined as anything that can destroy machinery, people, infrastructure, and nature.
An electrical hazard is caused due to carelessness while using electricity, or by neglecting the
basic norms which need to be followed while using electricity. Industry sites are one of the most
common places where poor installation of electric cables is one of the vital reasons to cause a
major electrical accident in an industry (White et al. 2016). The food industry is most at danger
from electrical hazards. Most of the fatalities take place due to overheated wires, direct and
unsupervised contact with electrical tools and outdated wires. Electrical hazards can be
categorized into three parts. The first and most common is an electrical shock. The second type is
an electrical burn and the third is the effect of blasts from pressure impacts.
Industries that use outdated and inappropriate sized current cans can lead to overheating that
can cause sparks and fire. Not all workers in an industry are qualified. Fatal electrical accidents
have been reported due to poor supervision. Reports claim that most electrocuted employees are
not qualified, adequately experienced, and aged below 34 years. Surveys show that most of the
accidents occur because machines are not de-energized and maintenance is attempted in the
process of which employees get fatally hurt. Because electricity are a crucial part of running
machinery in an industry, workers are vulnerable to hazards in operating heavy intricate
machines, power tools, exposure to heat, and outdated working environment. Wet, continuous,
and fast-paced operations at food industries lead to the chances of fatal accidents. Loose
electrical connections, combustible waste around electrical circuits and equipment increase the
chances of accidents.
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Products Short- term Long- term
Structural parts The associate employees
are needed to give proper
training about utilization
of resources and
techniques to make sure
each task can be completed
within fixed time scale
Advanced equipment’s
and technologies are
needed to implement
within manufacturing
process to make sure
maximum benefit can be
gathered positively
Electrical parts The manufactured
components are required to
validate properly to avoid
risk of failure.
All electrical safety
measures are needed to
consider ensuring the
quality of the every
electrical component.
Miscellaneous parts JIT manufacturing process
is required to implement
that facilitates in assessing
the needs and demands of
the consumers positively.
This approach helps in
enhancing feasibility and
reliability of
manufacturing process.
A legitimate policies and
regulations are needed to
implement within
organization for
sustainable development
through elimination
potential issues and
challenges vigilantly.
Table 1: Short & long term steps
Electricity is a necessary source of energy. If installed and maintained safely fatal accidents
can be averted. Workers in the food industry are exposed to high voltage electrical equipment
and machinery. Workers' safety has become a serious concern. To reduce worker fatalities,
electrocution, and injuries, a company must set a list of potential steps that could help to reduce
the electrical safety issues. Use of well-insulated wires can help to prevent short circuit.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) installation should be
done with high resistant wires and that is suitable for heavy-duty. Regular maintenance needs to
be carried out to avoid electrical accidents caused due to short circuit.
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Educating workers has become a mandatory business. No one can function better than a
well-trained employee. Workers with no knowledge of machines and electric components should
not be allowed to use heavy machinery. Orientation classes should be arranged to educate
workers about the basic rules while handling electric devices. Food industries are wet, fast
operating; proper grounding could help to prevent electrocution. Water greatly increases the risk
of electrocution especially if it has destroyed insulation. A qualified electrician should be
appointed to inspect the electrical all equipment before energizing it especially after it gets wet.
OSHA standards require employees who work near hazardous electrical sites that need to be
protected (Unnikrishnan et al. 2015). Regulations require employers to install machinery that wet
and dust resistant. The need to keep every machine clean and hygiene often lead to the use of
water jets and chemicals that often leads the water to ingress in the machinery. Designers should
specify equipment carefully. Water not only destroys the machinery but increases the chances of
electrocution. Fuses, circuit-boxes should be regularly maintained and locked for safety. An
electrical awareness safety program should be implemented and training should be given to
electric worker as well as non-electric workers for the better and safer work environment.
An electrical hazard is the most significant danger at a working site. Ensuring safety and
raising awareness can help in avoiding such incidents. Designing a training strategy can help to
train workers safely and effectively. Some basic guidelines and strategies can help to avert
unfavorable situations. It is necessary to follow OSHA guidelines to install electric machinery in
the company for sustainable development. It is extremely important to specify cable entries into
equipment. Every work should be assessed to understand their knowledge related to machinery.
A detailed training module should be designed to impart knowledge to the workers about electric
safety guides. A safety model should be designed and detailed introductory training should be
given to the workers to manage the machinery.
Food industries are run on heavy-duty, intricate machines. Adequate knowledge would not
only ruin the productivity but also increase the chance of accidents at the worksite. Lockout/ Tag
out (LOTO) refer to the process of safeguarding the workers from the unexpected startup of
machinery. Authorized personnel should be appointed to monitor the functioning of the
machines. After the period of proper apprenticeship, a worker should be assigned with the
machine duties (Stergiou-Kita et al. 2015). In the food industry, workers work with high power
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electrical equipment. Periodic updates should be followed to maintain the safety mindset.
Employees should be notified and trained on a regular basis for the changes and up-gradation of
the machinery. At staff meetings, more emphasis should be given on electrical safety awareness.
Basic drills should be covered to prepare workers for emergency situations. Recent surveys have
proven that following such guidelines have reduced the rate of accidents. The OSHA helplines
not only reduce accidents but also gives safe guidelines to work in a safer place.
Conclusion
There are ranges of tools and techniques have been implemented to improve the
accessibility of the products so that maximum possible challenges can be gathered in a
significant way. The policies and regulations are needed to implement within workplace to
assure that all risks of failure and potential issues can be minimized in a systematic way. The
manufacturing process is required to develop with the help of advance technologies and
techniques to reduce the risk of failure within limited period of time. Designing a training
strategy can help to train workers safely and effectively. Some basic guidelines and strategies
can help to avert unfavorable situations. It is necessary to follow OSHA guidelines to install
electric machinery in the company for sustainable development. It is extremely important to
specify cable entries into equipment.
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Reference List
Pmi.org (2019), Project management theory, retrieved from
https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/underlying-theory-project-management-obsolete-8971
[Retrieved on 20 August 2019]
Stergiou-Kita, M., Mansfield, E., Bezo, R., Colantonio, A., Garritano, E., Lafrance, M., ... &
Theberge, N. (2015). Danger zone: Men, masculinity and occupational health and safety in high
risk occupations. Safety Science, 80, 213-220.
Unnikrishnan, S., Iqbal, R., Singh, A., & Nimkar, I. M. (2015). Safety management practices in
small and medium enterprises in India. Safety and health at work, 6(1), 46-55.
White, K. M., Jimmieson, N. L., Obst, P. L., Gee, P., Haneman, L., O’Brien-McInally, B., &
Cockshaw, W. (2016). Identifying safety beliefs among Australian electrical workers. Safety
science, 82, 164-17
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Appendices
Appendix 1: Cash flow statement
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Appendix 2: Production cycle
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