Improving Resource-efficiency in Manufacturing

Project Information

LCE-Tool

Grant agreement ID: 832148

DOI

10.3030/832148

Project closed

EC signature date 27 November 2018

Start date 1 December 2018

End date 31 March 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

ZUST ENGINEERING AG
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LCE-Tool (Improving Resource-efficiency in Manufacturing)

Reporting period: 2018-12-01 to 2019-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

LCE-Tool enables the sustainable design and operation of production machines and systems with respect to the whole machine tool life cycle via a holistic evaluation of a machine’s performance during the design phase by the machine producer. LCE-Tool supplies a model-library for different machine tool components allowing the time efficient modelling and simulation of a different machine tool concepts and operational schedules. LCE-Tool also includes an efficient modelling and computation procedure for heat management one machine and factory level

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work performed in this phase 1 project was first to assess the technical activities required to achieve market readiness (TRL 9). We have identified the key technical parameters to be developed. We have also performed a risk analysis including mitigations measures.
Moreover, we have updated our FtO analysis initially focusing on certifications needed regarding machine design rules and to prevent potential issues related to IPR protection and certification requirements in target countries. We have also elaborated a commercialization plan and in-depth market study to identify the optimal business model. Finally, we have determined a solid business plan to define the commercialization strategy and include national/international partners for promotion of LCE-Tool in their contact networks.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

LCE-Tool is offering:
Holistic quantifications of a production machines ecological impact based on models representing the root causalities of energy and mass flows in the form of a virtual prototype. This enables creating huge leverage by evaluating and reducing third-degree effects (performance of manufactured parts) of production systems,. This is achieved by reducing the negative effects of thermal machine dynamics due to reduced heat sources and optimized cooling functions. By identifying how much and where heat loss takes place throughout the overall production process, we decrease the power demand and material consumption by at least 25%, and in some cases, a reduction from 30% to 60% of primary energy demand is achieved. Concept validation via a virtual prototype, without multiple physical prototypes and thus, time (50%) and money (33%) savings in the manufacturing process. In software’s prototype application, we reduce the development time needed by three months and save €200,000 for an average mechatronic machine component. LCE-Tool can be produced in-house and create 20 new skilled jobs by 2026 in Europe.

image-1.png