Short Course on Sustainable Optimal Engineering Design

There are many reasons why environmental issues should be considered in the design and product development process, for example, to help meet customer and legislative requirements; to strengthen competitive and commercial position; to maintain innovative credibility. Most important of all is to reduce the overall environmental impact of products across their lifecycle.

The course will demonstrate the environmental impacts of bearings in terms of embodied energy (energy consumed during production), carbon footprint, and eco-indicators of bearing range for a variety of application. New bearings designed on the concept of green design include seal technologies (hard seal coatings and surface design); light-weight parts (polymers), and ‘lub-for-life” thin film lubrication, which makes re-lubrication unnecessary throughout a bearing’s lifespan. An estimated 50 billion bearings are in use at any time and reduction in energy consumption by a 30-70% depending on the type of use can be a tremendous savings in energy. It would consequently reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere as well as savings in resources and money. It will also lead to enormous reduction in the lubricant disposal. For example, ships trading in the world’s oceans and seas can eliminate both operational and accidental stem tube oil pollution, while also reducing their operating costs.

In this age of Industry 4.0, the design principles and practice must include the nature of industry today not 100 years old practices. The topics included are most of the concerns and ideas discussed briefly above.

The lecture and presentations should attract experts and professionals from industry as well as academia.