Talk:Chem395:February 29 discussion

Sorry I was in another meeting and lost all track of time!

The agenda item is: What approach to manufacturing is most appropriate for a sustainable society?

Discussion

There are several approaches to manufacturing - sequential, concurrent - lean manufacturing, craft manufacturing. What are the pros and cons of each? We want something to be efficient (= less waste), but we also don't want something that is "efficient" with disregard for the environment. What approach should be used. Walkerma 16:18, 29 February 2008 (EST)

An approach to manufacturing that focuses on an industrial ecology. J-Fed 16:17, 29 February 2008 (EST)

Can you elaborate, Jesse? Walkerma 16:18, 29 February 2008 (EST)

• This includes sector initiatives: DFE, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry and Sustainable energy systems. Implementation Initiatives: industrial ecology and R&D agendas, materials / models/databases and comprehensive risk assesments and risk priorititzation. These initiatives form and ecological infrastructure which form an industry based on ecology and therefore become sustainbale. J-Fed 16:21, 29 February 2008 (EST)

The electrical, electronics and telecommunications sectors are enablers of sustainability because they allow the provision of increasing quality-of-life using less material and energy, respectively, dematerialization and decarbonization (Dorff 135). J-Fed 16:23, 29 February 2008 (EST)

The study of industrial ecology will, in the long run, provide the means by which the human species can deliberately and rationally approach a deireable long-term global carrying capacity (Dorff 135). J-Fed 16:24, 29 February 2008 (EST)

Great point about the electronics. But can you be more specific, how will we make our cars or other methods of transportation? Walkerma 16:26, 29 February 2008 (EST)

• In such a system, little if any marginal input is required, and little if any waste that must be disposed of outside of the economic system is generated (Dorff 135). This is great because companies can use innovation and new procedures to become a forefront in the field. J-Fed 16:29, 29 February 2008 (EST)

• We can use quality function development (QFDs) to use for product development. Even VOC ( voice of the customer) are useful in determining how companies should approach product development. J-Fed 16:29, 29 February 2008 (EST)

Yes, taking an environmental approach to innovation could reap immense benefits for the environment. But should we make those bicycles on a production line, or have them hand made by Albanian peasants, or what? Walkerma 16:32, 29 February 2008 (EST)

Good question. Maybe if all the bikes are made in automotive plants instead of cars and SUVs we could eliminate many of the problems we face currently in the US. =] J-Fed 16:34, 29 February 2008 (EST)

• More exercise and fresh air is good for everybody ! :]J-Fed 16:35, 29 February 2008 (EST)

But I want to press this point. Is mass production the best way to make bicycles? Are their flaws with it? What about lean production? Walkerma 16:36, 29 February 2008 (EST)