Title :
A thermodynamic framework for analyzing and improving manufacturing processes
Author :
Branham, Matthew ; Gutowski, Timothy G. ; Jones, Alissa ; Sekulic, Dusan P.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Mech. Eng., Massachusetts Inst. of Technol., Cambridge, MA
Abstract :
In this paper, we present the formulation of a framework for the quantitative thermodynamic analysis of manufacturing processes and systems. Since manufacturing typically involves the input of high-quality material/energy and/or dissipation of low-quality energy/waste to manipulate a material, an approach that combines both the first and the second laws of thermodynamics is appropriate. This formulation helps emphasize that the improvement of manufacturing processes and systems is more a question of both utilizing the quantity and conserving the quality of energy than merely conserving energy. We conclude with two examples of its application, the first a comparison of metal casting technologies and the second a contrast between high-throughput CNC machining and a slower process rate grinding operation.
Keywords :
casting; computerised numerical control; grinding; manufacturing processes; manufacturing systems; thermodynamics; CNC machining; manufacturing processes; manufacturing systems; metal casting technologies; process rate grinding operation; quantitative thermodynamic analysis; Casting; Computer numerical control; Energy conversion; Manufacturing processes; Manufacturing systems; Materials processing; Mechanical engineering; Raw materials; Thermodynamics; Waste materials; Exergy; Manufacturing; Thermodynamics;
Conference_Titel :
Electronics and the Environment, 2008. ISEE 2008. IEEE International Symposium on
Conference_Location :
San Francisco, CA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2272-2
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2298-2
DOI :
10.1109/ISEE.2008.4562892
