Next generation computer-aided tools: Supporting integrated Sustainable Mass-Customized product developments

Supporting integrated Sustainable Mass-Customized (S-MC) product developments requires true computer integrated manufacturing environments and sustainable supporting tools (lifecycle assessments) in order to integrate diverse product development methods and tools, and manage different and sometimes contradictory engineering, customization and sustainability constraints and/or requirements at product, process/manufacturing system and supply chain entity levels to design, engineer, manufacture, deliver and recycle S-MC products. This paper presents a state-of-the-art report on existing computer-aided tools by describing their current and needed features in order to support integrated S-MC product developments, and includes a case study where computer-aided tools support value is shown for developing a S-MC product within an integrated product, process/manufacturing system and supply chain framework.